The Great "Fruit Fly in the Pizza Scam" (attempt)

[zigcat]

I did a google search to see if there was any information on how to scam pizza places for free pizza. Sure enough I found this and this

I guess it should come as no surprise to me that this information is available. I'm kind of glad it is because now that I'm armed with the knowledge, I can take steps to avoid these scams.

Like today for instance. I arrive at the store about an hour early to start on a batch of dough. As I'm getting the ingredients ready I notice the day shift manager on the phone going through the order sheets from yesterday's business scanning and searching. He puts the person on hold and turns to me.

DSM = Day Shift Manager
ME =

DSM: Gotta guy here, says he came in and picked up three large pizzas, two pepperoni and one combo. Says there were fruit flies in the pizzas.

ME: What time did he say he ordered?

DSM: Around seven last night.

So I go over the sheets as well. The only order we had for three pizzas was towards the end of the night to a hotel.

ME: So what does he want?

DSM: He wants his money back.

ME: Of course he does. So why didn't he call back last night?

DSM: I haven't asked him yet.

ME: I'm calling bullshit.

He pauses, hesitates then picks up the receiver.

DSM: Sir I've checked the order sheets and there's no record of a pick up order for three pizzas at that time.

silence followed. I'm sure the person on the other end was giving him a rash of shit. It was around then I decided to pick up the receiver on the other phone and listen in.

Now enters into our story:

SS = The sucky scammer


DSM: So I guess the next question would be, why didn't you call back last night?

SS: I did. I got some kind of weird fax machine or voice mail or something.

ME: Sir our line doesn't ring into a fax machine and the only time you would get our voice mail would be after hours.

SS: Well that's what I got.

ME: Uh...yeah. Listen uh...I was here all day yesterday, from 11am right up until we closed at midnight. There were no pick ups orders fitting your description at the time you claim. I'm calling BS. But nice try.

SS: What do you mean, "nice try?"

ME: Look, if you're going to try to scam a pizza place you might want to do a little research.

SS: What're you talkin' about? Came in there last night and got three pizzas, got them home and there were fruit flies everywhere! Now I want my money back!

ME: Well then the burden of proof lies with you, 'cause I'm not buying your story.

SS: You ain't buying my story, huh?

ME: And the more angry you get, the more I don't buy your story.

SS: Well I got all three pizzas right here. Now I'm coming down there right now and I'm gettin' my money back. (click)

The day shift manager and I both hanged up and looked at each other.

DSM: So what do you think happened?

ME: I think the guy may have found three of our pizza boxes in a dumpster somewhere and decided he was gonna try and pull a fast one.

DSM: So what if he shows up?

ME: I don't think he will. Even if he does, all we have to do is match order receipts.

So for about the next half hour or so we waited in a kind of stomach knot tying anticipation for this guy to show up. Nothing. About fifteen minutes later the day shift manager went home for the day and I took over as night shift manager.

I wish I could fill these next few lines with the story about the guy showing up and all the drama that ensued. Alas. For some reason, we were never graced with the presence of the guy who was "Coming down there right now and gettin' my money back.

[mattm04]

Those jerks will ruin it for legit complaints when businesses get scammed too much, just like what happened to Target.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

Those jerks will ruin it for legit complaints when businesses get scammed too much, just like what happened to Target.

I'll bite. What happened to Target?

M

[rerant]

Boo the person who wrote the first little how-to guide to scamming free pizza is from my city.
I'll hunt them down and fill them with spoiled pepperoni.

Considering that how-to was written 15 years ago Pizza Pizza's rules have changed. You now have 40 minutes for your pizza, not 30, and the number of Pizza Pizza's that are around you'd be hard pressed to get a late meal.
Not only that they're very diligent about confirming orders.
The first time I ordered from them online they called me and read back everything and had me confirm it a second time (when you count the confirmation on the website).

I guess the good thing for Pizza Pizza employees is scamming free stuff out of them is nigh on impossible these days. Not that I have personally ever tried, but I've seen people who have.
The stance most locations take is "Prove it or shut up".

[JLRodgers]

Back when I worked in the pizza place, people were allowed one scam free (well, if we thought they were, but had no proof), second one required more proof, third one involved being banned with police called if needed.

Basically if someone ordered something, and they called in and said it was supposed to be completely different, we'd consider that their first and second free scam. (so ordering a "double pepperoni" then calling to say they ordered a "supreme" would use up two free scams).

If they ordered a double pepperoni and...
1) said when they came in that they were supposed to have two pepperoni pizzas, we'd tell them what was ordered, see if they wanted to verify, and offer to make another pizza (for the normal cost, just with free breadsticks for the wait) -- no scam recorded (while it could be.... it could be an honest mistake as we once gave two pizzas when someone ordered 'a pizza').
2) said after they returned home that they were supposed to get two, and ask for two, we'd consider it a scam and they'd use up one free one -- based on their reaction/etc when they picked it up of course

If they claimed hair/insects/etc in the pizza.... we'd always ask "do you have any left? And if they said "yes, do you want it back?" they wouldn't be listed as a scam (depending, we'd ask for it). If they said "we ate it" back to the scam book.

I always loved seeing their faces when they thought "we got away with a free pizza scam!" And I was just as happy thinking "and you'll never get another one from us, don't come back "

[depechemodefan]

I once bought some fried chicken from Church's and found a hair or some type of fiber baked into the bottom of the biscuit. It was visible but you can see it was baked in. I didn't go back, since it didn't seem worth the gas. I took pictures with my digital, but the pictures didnt' come out too well.

Another time I was working at the library and some homeless teens came in. First they asked about some pizza places in downtown. They said most pizza places get orders that get cancelled and the store will sell them cheap or give them away. They rather ticked me off when they asked where the nearest ramp was to the freeway. I told them, then I told them they might not be able to get a ride (no shoulder on that part of the freeway) and they got all snotty, saying they know how to catch a ride.

[flybye023]

I'll bite. What happened to Target?

M

I think they're just talking about how Target's return policy is so stringent now.