Hi, everyone!
I'm new here. I don't really post but today, I felt compelled to write about Numeriano's Catering. They had a promo on Ensogo last week and I was one of the unlucky few who thought it was a good deal. It's not.
I called up Numeriano's Catering on March 13 before buying the voucher. I spoke with the owner, Nadine, and informed her that I plan to use the voucher on April 7, 2013 for a baby shower that I was planning to throw for a friend. I wanted to see if the date is available and she confirmed that it was. She then told me about some corrections in the menu package and areas that will be subjected to a transportation fee. She also informed me that since the event is going to be held on the 2nd floor, I would have to pay for a 1K labor fee. I agreed to it and asked if there's anything else I needed to know. She said nothing and to just call her back again once I bought the voucher so she can send me the contract. Thinking that everything is ok, I went ahead and made the purchase.
I called Numeriano's again today with the intention to formally book April 7 and to my surprise, Nadine's staff informed me that they cannot cater on a weekend without incurring a fee of Php 1,500.00. I then told her that Nadine never mentioned about it when I first called her up. The staff, Ida, then suggested I read the voucher details because the weekend exclusion was stipulated there. Thinking I overlooked that part in the voucher, I told her I'd check my voucher again and will call Nadine right away. When I checked my voucher, I was relieved to see that there wasn't anything about not being able to use the voucher during weekends (only on public holidays, special occasions and the whole month of December 2013). I called Nadine on her mobile phone and asked if she could clear things up. She then confirmed what her staff said--they won't cater on a weekend without charging an additional fee. I asked her why she never brought it up when we first spoke to each other. She said and I quote, "Hindi ko po chineck na Sunday pala ang April 7." She also said. "Hindi niyo din naman tinanong." I told her it wasn't my fault she didn't check the date. What reputable caterer doesn't own a calendar anyway? I then reminded her that I never asked about the labor fee and other details she told me when we talked (such as strictness of headcount and no outside food). I told her it was her obligation to proactively tell me everything there is to know. Frustrated at this point, I told her it's not my fault she didn't check the date. I then told her that the my voucher never said anything about using the voucher on a weekend. To this, she replied "Ma'am, nakalagay po sa voucher Reservation Hours are Mondays-Fridays, 9-6pm. Yung reservation hours, catering hours din po ibig sabihin nun. At kapag po weekend, automatic na special occasion na po yun." I couldn't believe her excuse! I told her that the reservation hours could easily be understood as their business hours in which you could call to make a reservation. That, if they won't allow weekend events, she should have made it clear in the voucher. She then told me that it was stipulated in the contract. A contract I have yet to see. I told her she can't use the contract as an excuse because the voucher needs to be bought first. I haven't seen the contract, I don't know what details it has. I, as a buyer, am only going with what the voucher says. Seeing that arguing with her will only be useless, I ended the call.
Long story short, I, along with others who bought the voucher, am now asking for a refund. Nadine was not even apologetic. Even went as far as telling me, "Wala akong kasalanan. Nasa contract po yun. Wala pa po kaming service renderred." Wow. Just goes to show how little she knows about customer service. No wonder!