Would you be irked if a store offered you a gift card (unsolicited) due to bad service before, and then didn't send it?

You didn't say how long it's been since they promised you a gift card. If it hasn't been more than 60 days, wait a while longer before you decide what you want to do.

You mentioned this was a chain restaurant. Regardless of the fact that the manager told you the gift card would be issued within 48 hours, the manager first has to notify the head office (which could well be in another state) and request the card, and then the head office has to have enough time to process the request and e-mail the card to you.

Unless the gift card is redeemable for cash, I think I would just forget about it. More than likely, it is only good for a free meal.

I would probably do nothing. I find that there are many "empty promises" in this world. I recently did a long survey and did it because I was promised a gift card. I never got it in email. At times I have pursued things like that but it was for such a small amount, I decided to just let it go. There again, did you do a search with the company name on your email? I have had problems receiving emails so don't assume they did not send it.

You need to contact the Manager at the store and let them know you never received the card.

Advocate for yourself; you got as far as the offer, why wouldn't you follow up?

I write to stores all the time, either to compliment good service or to complain about bad service. If I am offered something as repayment for a bad experience, I always make sure I receive it AND use it.

Don't be a mouse, stand up for yourself. Don't be rude doing it, just be assertive.

Look through your recent e-mails. You might not have recognized the card. It's probably in the form of a letter you present at the store.

Otherwise, ask about the gift card. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, figure that the store management is the same old, same old, and forget about going there.

Naw, don't have time to be irked at some store since there are other stores I can buy at. Seems to me that the store didn't improve any after the "new management" turnover since they couldn't even get a "come back to us" gift card out. Just don't go back there.

The poor service you experienced was while the location was under the previous ownership. The new owner is not responsible for the errors made before they took control. The slate is wiped clean, so to speak, and you should try them again so that you can judge them based on their current efforts

I had something similar happen with Wallgreens. I am out over $100.00 because they never sent out the gift card with the refund and apology overage. I'm still pissed.

I would stop shopping there as they obviously have not improved their customer service. But I would call them out on the card they promised. They are sh--tacaular.

It was probably stolen by one of their employees, I would find another restaurant. Employee pilferage is over the top nowadays, they were just talking about on TV tonight.

Ultimately, you need to decide what is best for you. There is no right/wrong here, simply what makes sense for you. Listen to your intuition, you will know what to do.