My family went to celebrate my wife's birthday on Christmas eve. The food and table service was great. However, when the bill arrived, we tried to remit payment using a gift certificate given to her for her birthday the day before. Much to our surprise, the waiter came back and said the card was invalid. I suggested to the waiter to call the number on the back of the card to ensure validity. The waiter did so and said the card was not activated. There was another number for us to call and that we would have to pay the bill now using another method of payment. I informed him that this was not going to happen, that the Macaroni Grill should honor the card as it was purchased in good faith. The manager was brought over. Apparently customer service for the gift card was not available that night. So, I ensured to the manager that it was a good card, to please hold it and get it activated when customer service was available. I had been to the same restaurant several times before with no issues. However, the manager refused to accept this, said that I had to pay the whole bill or to never come back. So, that is what I am doing. I've never walked out on a bill before, but I did that time because management gave me no choice. They have the card; I am sure that they will get their $50. But for the life of me I don't understand why they wouldn't let me pay the $12 difference and insinuated that we were thiefs; instead they have ensured that my family will never again attend one of their restaurants.
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