Chez Loma Bistro

Review: Restaurant owner declined to honor Chez Loma French Bistro Gift Certificate for fifty dollars we presented at time of paying for our meal. The certificate was originally purchased (by an extended family member in cash) via the restaurant and was given to us as a gift. The owner relayed a message via the waitstaff that he could not honor the gift certificate. The reasons are unclear to us. There are no written expirations and/or other exclusions printed on the certificate.Desired Settlement: The owner relayed via his waitstaff he would only be able to comp a portion, ($19.80) from our dining ticket. This is a fine restaurant and the food/service is outstanding.We would just like the owner to refund the remainder $30 in the form of a cashiers check made payable to the original purchaser of the gift certificate. She purchased this gift in good faith and lives out of town.Thank you in advance for assisting to resolve this matter.

Business

Response:

Revdex.com

4747 Viewridge Ave #200

San Diego CA 92123

I am writing in behalf of Chez Lama restaurant which received a complaint through your organization on 9/30/2013 by [redacted] ID [redacted]. Regarding this incident the complainant [redacted] presented a gift certificate which she wanted to use to pay her bill. The staff explained to her that the restaurant had been sold 1.5 years ago and taken over by a new company. The restaurant was closed for 3 months and inauguration July 2012 with a new staff, menu, look and owners although the name was kept as it has been present for over 30 years.

Hope this helps in clarifying the situation.

Thank You

[redacted], Chez Loma Restaurant

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The business response does not extend an offer to issue a refund for the unused portion of the gift certificate. The certificate presented to this business at the time of service and (and as an exhibit accompanying the original complaint) contains no written disclaimers, expirations, reason for voiding, etc. The burden of proof remains with the business regarding documentation in their financial records for the $50 dollar receivable whereby a $50 certificate was issued for future promise of services at this going concern.

Regards,