The Mayfly in Shepway - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Do not visit always a disappointment! After all the hype about the new landlord making real changes and trying to raise standards and make a difference to what is our local pub we thought we would take a chance and have a Sunday roast, when we got to the pub I ordered a pint of pedigree (the only bitter they do) and it was very cloudy, took it back to exchange it and was poured another pint cloudy pint, I was refunded original cost then paid for a guiness ( the only other alternative), we then decided we would order 2 Sunday roasts, when we tried to order we were told we couldn't order any food as the kitchen couldn't cope 14:15 hrs. We have seen the reviews of where standards and service and food has improved, with our our experience today I cannot see that, a good recovery plan has to start with good customer service and satisfaction where they can deliver at least a food order without any disappointment !!

Thought we would try The Mayfly, as it's under new management. Not been for a long time. Very impressed with the roast dinners we had and the service was good. We will return

Went to The Mayfly the other night for dinner with 7 friends. The new manager actually greeted us with a cheery good evening and asked if we were there just for drinks or would like to eat. He then showed us to a table and explained that the menus and table numbers were on the table and just to pop up to the bar when ready to order drinks or food. Lots of other people in eating, so thought there would be a long wait for our food. Pleasantly surprised when our food came out in about 20 minutes, a vast difference from the last time we went there. The food was hot and tasty and for 8 of us, we chose 6 different dishes, so well done to the new chef! The pub looked cleaner than ever and the gardens looked like they had been recently attended to. All in all, with the new manager and staff, everything looks like it is going the right way. Good luck and we'll be back!

I have been reading on the local residence page that the mayfly has new management and has become much better. We used to be regulars but it went downhill. This time was great so we will be coming back. Looking forward to the Sunday carvery returning.

Excellent evening all round. 100% better than our visit 2 months ago. The new management have made a lot of improvements already and this really shows with the quality of the food. The staff are all friendly and a nice atmosphere. Looking forward to the Sunday Lunches and the Pizzas.

Had a lovely meal at the mayfly today (Sunday) was 6 of us and the service was great and the food was very good. So much better than our previous experience. The new manager seems to have everything running well. We was very impressed with our meals and desserts.

Popped in for a quick visit yesterday and I must say the new manager is lovely truly has tuned the place around will be visiting again

We have been to the Mayfly 4 times since it became under new management. The first time the food was good but service was mediocre. But it has got better every time we have been. Yesterday was faultless. Made to feel welcome. Food was great. First rate.

A lovely experience, good food, hot, well cooked. Menus on the table, welcoming atmosphere, friendly helpful staff. Good range of drinks and will be going back.

My local and always served by cheerful happy staff. I have eaten here a couple of times now and always found the food to be excellent. Will keep returning for as long as I live locally.

Great pub, great food and great staff. Paul and his team have already turned it around after being there for such a short time. The place looks a lot better than before. Food tasted amazing. 100% recommend this place as your go to place!

This place has now changed for the better. New manager and staff, Brilliant atmosphere, outstanding food, you would be hard pushed to find a better Sunday lunch anywhere. Kevin Bowles

New owners have taken over and already the place is looking cleaner and brighter. The service both for food and drink has improved. We have been told that the outside will all be cleaned very shortly and inside the pizza oven will soon be operational and a new carvery is on its way for September. All looking good!

A very poor dinning experience. Online booking system didn't allow for me to change the booking. The Roast Turkey and the Chips were not available for ordering. We had to wait about 75 minutes for food to be served even though the pub was not busy and when it came 1) the chicken was dry, as was the veg and mashed potatoes 2) there was no pigs in blankets as per the menu 3) the stiffing was a solid square 4) we had to ask for Gravy 5) broccoli was on a plate we had requested it not be on 6) Staff had no idea of the delays in the kitchen.

Do you like an average wait of 15 minutes to be served?

My wife and I are over 80 and Live in HAWKINGE, on a Sunday she said can you run me to a supermarket, as I need some groceries, Returning home, and on the spur of the moment, I said lets have lunch out, good idea, it better be local so you don’t have a long drive home, The mayfly was the choice, the first surprise the carpark was almost empty, the last time we had lunch in the mayfly on a Sunday it was full and we had to book, Can we book a table for lunch?, yes sit anywhere, good can I have a pint of X sorry it’s out, make it Y sorry it’s out, OK a pint of Z then sorry it’s also out, just give me a bottle of beer, Reading the menu my wife said, I think we had better go with a steak, it has to be fresh, sorry it’s out, Sunday roast was the big promotion, ordered, when it arrived we could not believe our eye’s, if it was Sunday lunch it was sunday weeks ( months ) ago, We both tried eating it and gave up, A life time of eating out across UK, Europe, and the world, it’s no wonder the restaurant was empty, BOZ1

This is, without exception the worst place I've ever eaten at.. upon arrival we were shown to our table, we weren't given menus so had to source them ourselves, we also weren't told how we needed to order. Chose nachos and then we waited for an age for our food to arrive. When it did, a scruffy member of staff came out and dumped our plates down, he then didn't ask if we wanted any sauces etc. We had to ask. The nachos were absolutely disgusting, they came out cold. The cheese was the cheap rubber cheese that you put on burgers, the salsa didn't really have anything in it, it was just a tomato sauce, and there was no soured cream, it was a synthetic sauce from a squeeze bottle, the guacamole was OK though. I had to leave most of mine as it tasted so awful. There were tables next to us that hadn't been cleared from the previous diners and remained this way the entire time we were there. We were the only people in there eating so no excuse. My daughter had scampi and has been really poorly this evening. In all of the previous (and many) poor reviews, the reply has been to email them to sort the issue, this has been the standard reply for months and even though management are reading these negative reviews and asking disgruntled customers to contact them, there have clearly been no improvements made. You need to invest in employing staff who can actually cook and train your staff in proper service.

We visited the Mayfly last night. Will never go back ! The service was terrible, when the guy bought our food out he spilt part of my husbands meal on the table & floor, then just walked off. The food wast the best.The football was on the TV, there were a few people watching it, the language was awful! Not what you want to hear when you're having a meal! I think the TV should be in a separate area to where they are serving food!

Been here loads over the years . Waiting on new management AGAIN! Food service slow . Well a joke really. Food quality very average. Young lad running the bar on his own was polite and helpful. Such a shame it goes down hill all the time ! Won’t bother going there anymore. Shame as it’s 2 minutes away but a complete waste of time and money. A basic menu that you can’t cook right ! Embarrassing for you!

When I walked in at 12pm the pub wasn’t ready for service as the staff were still running round doing jobs , I was asked if I had booked a table , I said I did and was told he hadn’t looked at his schedule , we’re not told if I was to order at bar or not , so guessed at the bar , person behind the bar looked miserable and smelt like cigerattes and was very disinterested in being there , food took nearly 40 mins to come out , this pub is a disgrace to the local community, 10 years ago it was such a well run pub but now , I think it should be shut unless someone can run it properly

Staff very attentive,would good atmosphere all round.

Great meal, friendly staff, and showing the euros

Popped in for a light lunch, my partner had a club sandwich which someone didn’t know how to make and the chicken was so try it was awful. My fish finger sandwich was over cooked too, and would have been better with goujons……… over all,very disappointing experience

Wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. The ‘manager’ and two people behind the bar were not interested what so ever, the most slowest disinterested service I have ever received. The two behind the bar today then proceeded to make up a roll up on the bar, go outside to smoke on the tables and come straight back in behind the bar without washing there hands or sanitising the bar were the cigarette was made. Only seems slightly interested in the lads in guessing are regulars that are there just to drink. The young lad who bought out food was very polite and helpful. Food was average, we never expected anything amazing. Wouldn’t visit again.

Won’t be going back there again, They got our order completely wrong we asked for large and got small and when I said this isn’t what we ordered we got nothing in response apart from sort it out at the till and they might give you a discount not the sorry I was expecting or our order sorted out No discount or apology !

We visited at lunchtime and had their 3 course offer menu. Lovely fish goujons and cherry and apple crumble. Kids had kids menu which was standard kids stuff u can't go wrong with. Helpful friendly staff. A range of games dotted around to play at your table, which was good to entertain the kids whilst waiting. Deffo worth a visit for a value decent meal. Thank you!

Food was nice, the stuffing was slightly rubbery but overall we were really pleased with our meal. My partner had the fish and chips and said f was lovely, the beef roast dinner as I say was decent. I would recommend! The prices were fair also.

Food was fresh and served hot. I had a trio of starters and it came well presented Food tasted ok

The lack of service 😒 is shocking!!

Nice food service was ok fare prices we ate mid week good choice off food

Recently visited the Mayfly, upon arrival I ordered a coke, I heard in the background one member of staff tell the other than the coke had ran out and it was only Diet Coke for the rest of the evening. The member of staff did not comment or tell me that the drink I ordered was not available, they just continued to pour a Diet Coke and assumed that was okay, I let it pass as I am not that fussy. However when my food arrived the staff member dropped one of the onion rings on the floor and said “didn’t mean that” but didn’t apologies or offer to replace it, again as it was only 1 I wasn’t fussed. I asked for some Bbq sauce and the comment “you have some in the burger” was said. Now I think that is just poor service. As if we are on some kind of ration and aren’t allowed more than 1 squirt of sauce per customer. Poor service, poor food, high prices and awful atmosphere. Certainly wouldn’t return here unless there was some serious turn around of staff and ownership.

Guy behind the bar couldn't and didn't want to make cocktails. Was 2 tables eating. Waited a hour for one starter, Then another 40 minutes for the mains. Food wasn't worth the wait. If I didn't pay in advance I would have walked out.

We booked four people for Sunday roast when we went to order 3 of us were having roast dinner and my wife wanted a salad with a bbq cauliflower topping and some sweet potato fries However we was told no sweet potato fries so we changed that Dinners were served the two turkey dinners that did not come with pigs in blankets despite saying on menu but the worst was my wife was served some chips and then out came the bbq topping with no salad! When we questioned this I was accused by the staff of ordering the bbq cauliflower only and no salad The only problem there is no separate bbq cauliflower portion for one on its own I definitely ordered the salad as well but no effort was made to give us a salad When I got the bill I noticed I had been charged 4.99 for main that isn’t on the menu

Took 45 minutes to receive our food when there was only 1 other table, wasn't told when ordering that would be that long, other customers being overly loud from being drunk, wasn't nice when having kids trying to have dinner and covering their ears

Made an appointment for a certain time for the food to be ready as it was for a funeral afterwards and sandwiches were dry and they were not ready they were an hour late and horrible will not recommend it

Possible the slowest food service from a pub I’ve EVER had, when asking about food I was told 20 min! So we ordered for 5 people, 1:45 min later we finally got the most plan burger, scampi from a bag and fish which looked like birdeyes food, avoid this place if you want a decent dinner in decent time, if you’ve got 2 hours to wait for food then this is your place

The chicken on the mega mixed grill was over done and dry, we had to ask for sauces that should automatically come with meals like tartar sauce and mango chutney. The meals took over half an hour to come out, then when everyone had finished their main meal at 7.30pm we tried to order dessert and were told the kitchen was closed. We challenged it as it wasn't yet 8.00pm so they agreed to do the desserts but the custard was served cold and the person serving us very clearly didn't want to be working and wasn't dressed appropriately for the job he was doing. We came in August and December 2023 for meals and had a much better service than we had this time

Worst experience at a restaurant. Servers were rude, slow and didn’t know what they were doing. The manager was just sat around or smoking outside. If you enjoy getting stared at, a long wait and inedible food, then this is the perfect place for you. Do not recommend at all.

Such great staff who are actually prepared to serve!! Went out of their way to make our meal pleasant. Really enjoyed the comfortable seating, a game of pool, a nice meal and a great atmosphere. Keep up the good work!! ☺️😘

Walked in, looking for some food and was almost glared at by a chap behind the bar with a bandaged hand. No greeting, he walked past us twice without even an acknowledgment, even though he’d seen us come in. There was a wake going on so he was probably really annoyed that he was on his own. The bar wasn’t busy though. We decided to just walk back out and eat at The Gate Inn in Canterbury, 8 miles away.

Went for dinner today. Lovely meal. Service great. New management are sorting this place out. Young lad brought our meals out and he was polite and attentive.

AVOID!! Very slow, indifferent service. We ordered 'Grazers' - 3 small dishes + loaded fries. The small dishes arrived 40 minutes after ordering & that was only after we asked if we had been forgotten!! The loaded fries then arrived after another 10 minutes. It was obvious when we placed our order at the bar that the young man had never used the ordering machine before. He was helped by another member of staff, but he still got the bill wrong.

We went as a family group of eight for Sunday dinner, myself, my daughter and her husband and their four sons, one aged eleven and the others late teens early twenties. Very disappointed with slow service, problems placing order, attitude of staff. The member of staff who served us had poor knowledge of the menu, and the offers available, he blamed us for his mistakes. One offer was to add another portion of meat for an additional charge. He added it as an extra meal. A member of staff could be seen eating food behind the bar.We waited ages for our food and when it came we didn't enjoy it. We definitely won't be going back.

We went for a family lunch on a Sunday, eight of us in total. Very

I took my friend for lunch today I was very disappointed with the service . ordered 2 bowls of soup and waited 50min for it ,soup was nice but portions were very small

Omg what a different experience than in the past the new management bez was fantastic walm and welcoming. Showed us to our seat and got the kids colours. Food omg what a change from previous experience. The food was hot and well presented. It was just lovely.

Really impressed with bez, outstanding guy managing this place. We've seen service increase to higher standards, he's getting food out for customers quickly and doesn't neglect the locals. Would be a pleasure to see him stay at this pub. Was a pleasure to meet him on his short term at the pub.

Since the new landlady has taken over it has certainly picked up, always a friendly welcome and the landlady always has a chat with my son, which is lovely, as quite often he’s ignored in pubs/restaurants. She makes a real effort with him and the food we’ve had in here has been enjoyable, yes they’re understaffed however what they provide with limited staff is good.

Thought I’d give the new owners and management a chance and was glad I did. Popped in for a few pints with my wife and son and it has improved immensely. Friendly bar, great atmosphere and the food was wonderful! Recommend the maple chicken wings. Management couldn’t do enough and were really friendly. Thanks, will definitely be back. Loved it!

I visited today and i freel like the pub has improved 100%. Its nice to see a new management team with new faces. Very helpful and providing amazing service to me and friends. I want to see more people come back to the pub.

A big thank you to the staff for ringing the ambulance and just being very helpful and concerned when my friend fell over in the pub and thank you to the two young lads who also offered their help very good service and caring

I visited the Mayfly on Saturday and it was very busy! I was talking to locals who said that it was the busiest it had been in the Mayfly in a while, and they seemed happy about it. I was happy with the food and the service given by the staff on the bar, Rob and Bez. Another really nice Marstons pub, and I hear there is a new management team running the place. Looking forward to the next one!

Not impressed 😕 no fish & chips,no mixed grill,on a Friday afternoon, come on, would be reluctant to return,

The lady from kitchen came out and said to staff behind bar I have no fu**ing potato's what don't you fu**ing not understand in front of children.

Great service from friendly staff. The staff were very helpful and accommodating towards my elderly Mother. The food was very good value and cooked well.

Polite staff as always, we visit every 2 to 3 weeks, I had a nice steak and very nice chips, my wife had an enjoyable cheeseburger and chips, sharing a nice bottle of Chardonnay. Will visit again.

Under New Managment, Good Food, Friendly Service and feels like a local family pub.

Worst meal we've ever eaten waited hour and a half for a burnt burger and a tuna melt that looked like cat sick. To top it all off the cocked up our refund. AVOID THIS PLACE!!!!!!!

Not impressed. Booked it to tey out for mothers day. We booked online and when we arrived a sign on the door saying mothers day menu unavailable. OK. Then when ordering chips not available. The place was empty, maybe this should have been a sign, yet our food took nearly an hour to arrive. Food was ok. Nothing special. The staff were quite rude and not happy apart from the young man who bought our food over. Shame as we have used different marstons pubs and always have a great meal. Don't think we will be back

Bar staff slow and very small portion sizes with meals, considering the cost.. Many thanks Claire

Awful! Clearly short staffed. The guy serving was doing everything. He was clearly stressed and this was reflected in his demeanor.....rude, surly and unfriendly! My macaroni cheese turned up smothered in barbecue sauce. I hate the stuff and have never seen it on Mac and cheese before. My wife's food was nice though. I won't go back.

We had the share Chicken wings starter and it was not great value for money at £1 per wing. Came in the dish with finger wipes. No small plates to put them on. Mains were fine but again thought them over priced,

OK for a quick bite, but service was a bit slow as only 1 member of staff for the whole pub

We dined to sample your steak night before going off to meet family. The staff member that greeted us was welcoming & friendly. The 1 other member of staff we say was a proper misery. Ordering was a breeze, service great, all food with the exception of both steaks was lovely. Both steaks were refunded by Mr Misery without question. Whilst we were disappointed with our steaks (gosh they were incredibly chewy), everything else we had was lovely as was our Server, young skinny chap started with you last October I think he said - tell him we said thank you. From X 4 sat in the corner (no we had not been naughty)

Food was a little cool baked potatoe was over cooked, chiken pie was really good

Steak deal/meal: I ordered my cooked steak meal as medium, but I got rare and very bloody'. They also forgot to include onion rings ( part of adverted dish) . I asked half way through, thinking there on way etc.. but No!... Waiter & stevie wonder the chef , had No clue they forgot they had to be reminded. To top this my Wife's meal 'hunters chicken', wa missing its salad stevie wonder the chef having a bad day!! (Fyi No rump steak available either). So halfway through sampling our meals as said above, we pulled aside waiter asked him for complimentary pudding/s due to the missing parts of both our dishes. He went away came back with more bad news manager and chef not agreed to this. So I had them cook me up my missing onion rings especially! And yes, we were mugs and we did order /had our over priced minuite but actually nice puddings. Sorry but My advice AVOID this resturant ... it's also difficult to find entrance even though it's on side of road, you have to navihate behind through estate /head for lidl, to find access.

Unfortunately there was 1 person serving the bar and taking the food out we didn’t get a drink for over 40 mins before we got served and ordered 6 meals the food was ok but like I said just 1 person at the bar doing everything we felt sorry for him otherwise we would have just left.

Under new management. The quiz night was low-key but in recent weeks has been full! Beer was excellent, as was the food. I could find no fault with the place.

Very well cooked meals, haven't eaten there for a long time and was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. Shame it wasn't busier

Very long wait at the bar for food / drink order to be placed. Only one staff member taking orders, yet other staff members in the bar area who did nothing to assist the growing queue of people waiting. Incredibly long wait for food (45-50 minute wait). Was not a very big order so disappointing that it took as long as it did. Food itself was adequate. Will not be advising people to attend the venue if this is the type of service to be expected.

Excellent Sunday roast and great value for money. Homemade Yorkshire pud was delicious and meat serving generous. Service very good from our waiter altho we had to wait a while for our food due to staff shortage in the kitchen. Will be going back again soon.

Great pub, really good beer. Enjoyed the night!

CHRISTMAS DAY - ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES. Arrived at 1.15pm (booking was for 1.30pm) but no other sittings on 'our' and therefore no reason why our was not ready or dressed staff had to push two tables together! Not the best start but hey its Christmas right! Advised on arrival that starters pre ordered were not available and alternative offered - this was ok. - starters arrived at 1.45pm apx) also one of the mains had also had to be changed. Fast forward to 3.30pm still waiting for main course. Two very hungry children and 4 adults losing patience. I had to ask 4 times when our lunch would be out!! Answer its coming!!! I would like to add the chap serving looked as in the dark as we were. Not his fault! 3.25pm 1 plate of food comes out.. looks ok! Then the main event.... 1 more plate comes out... 2 slices of what looked like rotten turkey, 1 old potatoe, 3 sprouts, 2 batons of carrot and a rock hard yorkshire pudding.. I ask the server is that it... he replied i will go and ask... yes it was!!! Now when i say the food was inedible i am being polite and exercising some Christmas spirit. The manager did seem bothered We walked out. My family drove from sussex to kent to see me and my son. I felt embarrased no motified i had taken to eat here. I would like to add our group were not the only group to leave in utter disgusted 3 families with older and younger members in there group left also. Yuk yuk yuk

Appalling. I invited 11 members of my family who had travelled from all over Kent, we sat there for two hours and no food came out at all despite putting our orders in weeks ago. It was absolutely awful. We walked out eventually

We waited an hour for our food, the restaurant wasn’t that busy and we were a table of two. The food itself… not great. I suppose you get what you pay for. It was warm, the Yorkshire puddings were hard, the gravy had bits of meat in it. Can safely say will not be going back.

We had a really nice Sunday roast yesterday I would defo recommend this place. Sorry for the empty plate photo, it was nice 😁

Had a lovely meal great service by Ben Great value for money food was really lovely and all staff very friendly.

The staff at The Mayfly were absolutely fantastic..We were there for my daughters 21st birthday and Grandsons 12th..Our table was ready at the time requested..The food and drinks were excellent and of a very reasonable price..The landlady came over after we had eating to ask if everything was fine and she was very engaging..All my guests commented on what a lovely night it was..We will definitely be returning.

Food was fantastic staff were friendly and helpfull

What happened first time back in months and it’s gone back to worse than last year will never return now this place needs a demo crew and someone that can control the regulars to stop them bothering tables eating

Lovely place to stop off on way back from seeing my dad relaxed atmosphere

Really friendly and helpful staff. Food was good value for money. Downside was slightly ropey decoration in places

Lovely place and the staff are great. Service was slow due to staff shortages but overall pretty good

We arrived and were given a menu then seated. We chose what we were all eating and went and ordered. I paid for my meal and after getting our drinks we sat down to have a chat and 3njoy our evening. The same gentleman that took my order then came over to say that there would be a one wait for food due to a large party of 21 being served. I appreciate if you have large party’s, but then why would you then take other bookings if you can’t handle any more customers at the same time, or get an additional chef in or at the very least tell me when I order. I think it is totally unacceptable, especially since we had made a reservation.

Great place to unwind and have a drink or bite to eat.

The presentation & care taken over both the starter AND main meal was excellent, It was also perfectly cooked. Staff are lovely too and always helpful. Top Marks!

Very nice pub food very nice good gluten free menu and gluten free beer Mickie has not been there long all the staff are nice and helpful will beback

Really impressed. Clearly under new management. Staff were friendly and helpful food was good. X

The large cod and chips was amazing. Thin and crispy not dripping with old oil that clearly needed changing. The chips were crunchy and chunky and the tartare sauce was delicious. This is the best fish and chips I've had in Kent outside of Mario's Fish Bar in Canterbury. Everywhere else the batter is too thick and stodgy and oily. 5* homemade hearty food.

Lovely new manager Nikkie,given time and a lack of bad reviews from this secrete drinker it will be a good place to socialize

Amazing food and service can't fault. Definitely recommend.

The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was amazing

Well what a lovely time at the mayflywe had hunters chicken and it was lush the staff where amazing and very polite would recommend a lovely place with lovely staff and thank you for a fantastic time.

This is a sleeping giant - it was my local years ago and I'm pleased to say on current form it is back to it's best - a pub serving great food that feels like it is connected to the community again. I brought my family for lunch and the relaxed atmosphere and friendly service really complimented what seems to be a new menu. I will be back more often again now. Also the value is still great too - proper pub food at sensible prices. Lovely.

Had the Turkey roast dinner which was delicious and a good price at about £10. Turkey was lovely and well cooked and wonderful homemade Yorkshire pudding. There were new owners and staff who were really friendly and helpful. I would recommend this pub and will visit again.

Waited nearly 1 hour for a tasteless prawn cocktail no atmosphere as the place was dead....not suprised as we would not visit again ..its a shame as a few years ago it was a lively busy pub and restaurant what has happened???

Not very good undortunately. We was the only people in the place ordering food on a friday evening and about 6-8 other customers in the bar. Pretty lifeless. It took over 50 mins to prepare our food which arrived warm not hot. Not good at all. The food itself was ok but the quality doesn't live up to the price. I wouldn't reccomend it. Not good value for money and was dissapointed. Used to be better under the old management. Mens toilet is discusting and the dirty marks and hand dryer stalagtites are still on the walls from at least 2016 to my knowledge and the door handles have never been cleaned. I am informed the ladies is far worse. For those looking for a good deal and good food I'd reccommend the Black Bull in Folkestone instead.

New managers already making a difference after last people left a mess. Wish them every success.

Everything has been amazing. Friendly and helpful staff, lovely atmosphere, superb food and service. We were blown away with the friendly way that they helped us. Even when we were told there were no more mixed grill, there was plenty to choose from with such a diverse menu I don’t remember the 3 ladies names but they’ve been brilliant. Thank you.

Lovely food, good portions, friendly staff, need more people to create a better atmosphere as no one here. Needs a buy one meal get one free to attract customers