Oxo Tower added Tip to drink bill - Con !!!

JMcC

This is something we used to hear about often, but which I had thought was no longer a problem.

On Saturday night, I had dinner at the Oxo Tower London, with my wife and another couple. We were on a weekend break in London.

When we arrived, I bought a round of cocktails. I placed the order eventually, after a very long wait. The drinks arrived, but they were wrong and included an extra of the wrong thing. I tried to explain the problem, but with no success. The bar person was not interested.

Anyway, I paid with my credit card. The cost for 4 drinks was £36.50. I purposely did not leave a tip since the service was very poor. I foolishly though did not score through the tip portion (I am now used to chip and pin which is much safer and if no tip is added at the time, it seemes it cannot be added later).

Anyway, had dinner which was excellent and tipped that and paid by card again which was no problem.

However just seen the Oxo bills on line. The £36.50 has become £38.50. It looks like someone has added £2............ I have my copy of the receipt showing only £36.50.

The money is not the problem here, £2 here or there is not a concern. My problem is that the money has been effectively stolen.

So a word of warning. If signing for credit card payment, always score through the tip part if you are not leaving a tip, even in respectable places.

I am so disappointed in Oxo Tower. Very cheap that they decided to steal £2 after having spent a fair bit of money.

I will be calling them later today to complain and will be contacting my HSBC mastercard to let them know.

As I say it is not the money, but the principle.......... Disgraceful.

latecomer

I absolutely agree with you. I would put in an official complaint in writing to the manager/owner of the restaurant in addition to phoning.

Sammy_Girl

I've been caught out with this before, but not at the Oxo Tower. Now, I always make sure I cross out the tip section and always leave a cash tip if good service.

At least you know the cash tip is going to go to the waiters.

Voyager2002

Dispute the charge with your card provider.

As for Oxo Tower, I think a letter would have more impact than a telephone call. This is effectively fraud, and should lead to someone being dismissed, or at least disciplinary action. Managers do need a paper trail in order to justify this kind of action, however.

JMcC

Thanks for all your comments. I really made a mistake not scoring through the tip section. At least they weren't greedy with the 'tip'..........

Just called the Oxo Tower and only got through to a reservations assistant. Told her I have been overcharged.

She tried to get someone to talk to me, but no-one available. 'Someone' will call me back.

I'll post here how it goes. One thing I'm thinking here is - I wonder if this practice is sanctioned by the Oxo Tower. I hope not, but that is something I'll be asking.

Scousebird_2

I personally would push my luck and ask for a full refund or at least a complimentary round of drinks for your next visit (and the right round this time), for the pure cheek of adding the tip on. How rude of them.

Good luck!!

clio

thats a lot of money to spend on cups of oxo,s ...

scott_lithgows

JMcC wrote: »

Anyway, I paid with my credit card. The cost for 4 drinks was £36.50.

And I thought this was a money saving site :rolleyes:

mad_rich

That's astonishing.

Adding a 'service charge' to your bill is one thing, but at least you have a chance of noticing it and opting out.

But this is fraud!

I would be using words like 'fraud', 'police', 'audit', and 'significant gesture of goodwill' when speaking to the manager.

nomoneytoday

I would dispute the transaction with your CC provider.
They will then cancel it pending the original receipt, which you have as a different amount

Kavanne

Did you call them back? I wouldn't wait to hear back from them... keep pestering or write (send recorded delivery of course).