Arby's Pick 5 for $5.95? - Has Arby's Restaurants Committed a 'Bait and Switch' Act?

By Rich Heltzel, published May 21, 2007
Published Content: 12  Total Views: 9,774  Favorited By: 4 CPs
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In my recent visit to an Arby's fast food restaurant, I had discovered the possibility of a 'bait and switch' act. Insight as to what 'bait and switch' is essential because it is rarely noticed to the consumer. According to Wikipedia, 'bait and switch' is a form of fraud in which the fraudster lures in customers by advertising a product or service at an unprofitably low price, then reveals to potential customers that the advertised good is not available but that a substitute good is. The goal of the bait-and-switch is to convince some buyers to purchase the substitute good as a means of avoiding disappointment over not getting the bait, or as a way to recover such costs expended to try to obtain the bait. It suggests that the seller will not show the original product or product advertised but instead will demonstrate a more expensive product. This is the overview of what the problem is and pertains to many aspects. But how has Arby's done such a thing and why have we not noticed? The issue here is very undersized, but nonetheless very significant. I believe that the 'bait and switch' committed by at least one Arby's restaurant revolves around the "5 for $5.95" offer. If you had not known what the deal is, I have an overview. There are eight items to choose from, including; Arby's melt sandwich, medium soft drink, medium curly fries, ham melt sandwich, turnover, small shake, potato cakes, and mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce. You may pick any combination of five items out of the eight present.

Arby's Pick 5 for $5.95? - Has Arby's Restaurants Committed a 'Bait and Switch' Act?

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Showing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
 
 
At least you can get the mozzarella sticks - our local arby's offers a bag of chips instead.

Posted on 07/17/2008 at 1:07:58 PM

 
I've gotten more than one order of them at once in the past. Never had that problem, but wouldn't doubt it.

Posted on 06/15/2008 at 2:06:45 PM

 
Yeah, and there's about as much meat on those five combined sandwiches (if you get all sandwiches) as there is on one regularly priced one. The Raffle Bros. are spinning in their graves.

Posted on 05/30/2008 at 9:05:35 PM

 
Call corporate, give their location and complain. You'll get some coupons, and an "I'm sorry" but little else. The manager is still going to play his little game. Better yet, eat somewhere else. Arby's "roast beef" isn't very good anymore anyway. It's some kind of pressed stuff that you have to cover in sauce to hide it's true flavor. Go to a quick sub place instead and get some real roast beef.

Posted on 05/30/2008 at 8:05:11 PM

 
This is not the case at the arbys I vist, I am a huge fan of this deal as the arbys melts with no cheese are just as awsome cold as reheated. This is really great for the college student. I am sorry you were unable to receive more than one of the same item. As for the cheese sticks, I am always able to get whatever I want as many as I want. The real question to ask here is why are the potato bites and pepper bites not on this menu?

Posted on 09/17/2007 at 7:09:00 PM

 
I did this deal 2-3 times (not sure if it is still in effect). Every time I got 2 orders of mozz. sticks (b/c they are the most expensive and I wanted the most bang for my buck). I was never given a dirty look. I did this at the Rockville, MD and the Georgetown, DC locations.

Posted on 07/24/2007 at 5:07:00 PM

 
BTW, this answer of 792 was done manually (using something similar to Pascal's triangle), and was also done with the aforementioned formula. Numerous math gurus checked it and it is right -- 792.

Posted on 06/10/2007 at 8:06:00 PM

 
Nice article except for the little caveat that your math is wrong. The answer is not 6720. It is indeed 792. Here's the forumula: (n + r-1)!/r!(n-1)! where n = total number of objects from which you can choose (8), and r = number of objects to be chosen (5). The answer comes to be 792. Arby's is right when they say "More than 790." Why they don't just say "792" I have no idea.

Posted on 06/10/2007 at 8:06:00 PM

 
worst fraud I've seen in this industry. their prices are way too high already and now fraud

Posted on 05/23/2007 at 2:05:00 PM

 
Well! The nerve of them! Thanks for letting us know this! Great article. :-)

Posted on 05/21/2007 at 7:05:00 PM

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