Free tap water denied - complaint

iwanttosave_2

I think its more that if they're serving tap water then they can't charge for the water itself, they can however add a service charge for the jug or use of a cup. You can't demand them to serve tap water though.

Timmne

TurkishDelight wrote: »

Maybe because they are a paying customer???

Generally, the most margin is made on the drinks, so adding a free cup of water is more 'costly' than one thinks.

Caterina

Thanks to the supporters and please do not worry about the ones who are calling me tight @rse (it is a compliment to me heheehe!)!

Yes, I expect free tap water IF I am a paying customer of course. But then, I think that it would be common courtesy if someone came in from the street and asked politely, to give them some water anyway. It is part of being human, which seems to be missing in some individuals unfortunately.

Re. charge for a cup, ah well, I think that if you consume food the cup will have been factored in the price of food (small sandwich full of salad for £2.89, come ON! I can feed my whole street for that amount!), but if you just come in and ask, they might be justified in asking a few pence for the cup. But a bit mean.

mrsyorkie

Rikki wrote: »

I wonder if they would stop you drinking from a water bottle filled with your own tap water?

Probably... A lot of places say that your own food and drink is not to be consumed on the premises... Cinema's are the same - you can eat their sweets in the cinema that cost you a bloody fortune, but you can't bring in your own... (same as going to the toilet - a lot of pubs/cafes won't let you unless you buy something first). It's companies way to make profit and in light of the credit crunch you can't really blame them, even if we do think it's mean (especially when it's tap water for god's sake).

What I do think is wrong is that Caterina was a paying customer - she didn't just wander in off the street expecting a freebie and if I was her, I certainly wouldn't be going back.

cooldude255220

I always thought that they had to in case you had took heroin/ecstasy(i cant remember which.)

moonsugar

cooldude255220 wrote: »

I always thought that they had to in case you had took heroin/ecstasy(i cant remember which.)

I assume you mean ecstasy which a lot of people suffer dehydration from.. but taking drugs.. Which is against the law..? Lol, not sure I understand that logic :A

In my experience I've asked for tap water (for tablets, etc) and it's been free for common courtesy's sake - whatever it costs, being decent to a customer is invaluable! However, I don't think it's against the law. But there's no excuse for rudeness, no matter what. You're entitled to complain.

paulfarmer

This sort of meanness is typical of London where the business' get their money to easy so they do not need to care about whether you come back or not. Perhaps now with a recession they will have to re think this attitude or better still go bust so we can see the back of these business' that are so greedy

KittyPryde

cooldude255220 wrote: »

I always thought that they had to in case you had took heroin/ecstasy(i cant remember which.)

I think that's to do with pubs/clubs, not restaurants hehe.

I asked my bf his opinion on whether places should provide free water and he said he thought that pubs/clubs had to as they serve alcohol etc.

So maybe pubs/clubs rules are different to restaurants?

beccam

paulfarmer wrote: »

This sort of meanness is typical of London where the business' get their money to easy so they do not need to care about whether you come back or not. Perhaps now with a recession they will have to re think this attitude or better still go bust so we can see the back of these business' that are so greedy

Not just in London. The hospital I work in has a coffee shop downstairs with a big notice that says the cups cannot be given out for free and will cost 25p (paper/cardboard coffee cups), if you ask for tap water they will either direct you to the water fountain on the dinning room floor or charge you for the cup they provide it in!

madmuppet5

I'd never waste £2.89 on a sarnie. If you did that five days a week over the year that would be over £700! It don't take long to knock a couple up in the morning