GerritsenBeach.net

Back last year there was a letter to the editor in the now defunct Brooklyn View newspaper about how Roll n Roaster decided to keep the change from a gift certificate. The person was very upset as you can read here: Roll N Roaster keeps change from gift certificates

It looks as though their illegal policy still has not changed at all and they are berating customers who demand their change. GerritsenBeach.net received an email that explains an incident but its being withheld until they want it published.

Customers who buy these coins from RnR are told they are as good as cash, with no other disclosure.

The FTC has said “Consumers have a right to know when gift cards come with strings attached,”  “If fees or restrictions apply, gift card issuers must fully and clearly disclose them.”

I’m not sure why Roll N Roaster uses gift coins, most retailers use gift cards. They use them to disclose the terms in using them.

I’m sure if Roll N Roaster disclosed that no change will be given no one will buy them.

Buyer Beware

Roll N Roaster is famous on our side of Brooklyn for its “not so fast fast food” but now it seems that they are outright stealing money from its customers.

Roll-n-Roaster sells novelty gift coins that are worth $5 each but wont give change if you spend under that $5 coin.

When you purchase gift certificates from anywhere be it a restaurant, a clothing store or even our local Victoria’s Pizza, you expect change or a voucher when you spend under the gift card/certificate amount.

Take this example from a letter to the Editor in the Brooklyn View:

Roll’ N Roaster has been a legendary fast-food restaurant located in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn for years. Its wide menu features several items that include savory roast beef sandwiches, over-sized burgers and refreshing homemade lemonade.

The food may be impressive but I recently had an experience that left a poor taste in my mouth. The incident involved the restaurant’s policy regarding gift certificates. During the last couple of years, I purchased the R&R $5.00 gift coin in $100.00 denominations.

I have been giving the coins to a friend of mine who has two teenage daughters that frequent the restaurant. I recently discovered the girls had a dinner order that cost $21.30. The older daughter presented the cashier with 5 coins worth $25.00 and was informed she wouldn’t be entitled to the $3.70 change.

On Saturday August 4, I confronted Roll’ N Roaster’s manager (Ayet) who verified the policy and felt I was out of line for questioning it. I mentioned the customer should either receive the change or get a credit towards a future visit. Once more, Ayet thought I was nuts and claimed that every store and restaurant shares the same policy. I didn’t know what the man was smoking, but it appeared obvious to me that Roll’ n Roaster is raking in big bucks with their current gift certificate scheme. It’s a shame the way the restaurant conducts business.

They also have a “slap in the face” .30 cent menu which consists of such specialty items as an empty cup, a cup of ice and a cup of NY filtered water….which translates into a cup of water directly from their sink. Is it humanly possible for a gold-mine establishment to be this cheap?

The bottom line is the food at Roll’ N Roaster is damn good, however, management’s appreciation towards their customers certainly leaves a lot to be desired!

Rick Lundberg, Brooklyn

Everyones favorite Roll-N-Roaster is going to be expanding its Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn location, to its parking lot.

They are going to construct a 1 story 16 foot high outside eating area. It also looks like they have been disapproved by the city 4 times before they finally accepted the plans.

They look very small in the New Sheepshead bay, their building is also looking like it is in need of some major work. I didn’t notice it until I compared it to the surrounding buildings.

Link to their Building Plans DOB (Dept. of Buildings)

Speaking of YouTube from the last post. I found some commercials from Roll-N-Roaster.

Update: I would normally link to their site but it makes me want to claw my eyes out.