*****: False Advertising & Client expectations

Mugg & Bean: Village Mall - Hartbee****rt

For two years in a row this coffee shop (Mugg & Bean Hartbee****rt) has failed to deliver on their promises and advertising to clients. I have been a loyal customer with bi weekly breakfasts to this restaurant. Sadly, I will never return there.

The business advertises that you get a free slice of cake on your birthday. In January 2025 I placed an order, including a slice of cake only to be given the full bill at the end of my visit expecting to pay the full amount, with the excuse that I need to have the app installed (take note this was not stipulated anywhere).

So I paid my full bill and installed the app. This year in January I returned once again for the 'free slice of birthday cake (at R85.00 per slice mind you). Once again, I placed my order, which included the slice of cake (I have the app now). Once again, when the bill came, the slice of cake was added. I queried this and apparently the app didn't deduct it and there are 'terms and conditions' (which you never get informed about beforehand). I once again paid the full bill and left.

Needless to say, with a tight budget in January and the price of the cake, I would never have sat down if I knew I was going to be fully charged.

In summary: there has been false advertising and expectations created to the customer in order to lure them into the restaurant and then be surprised with the 'deal / special / discount' not being delivered on as promised.

I have been a very loyal Mugg and Bean customer for many, many years, spending thousands on coffees and taking friends and clients there, but I am finished with with them, purely from a principal standpoint.