Free tap water denied - complaint

eth01

They are under no obligation to give you "free tap water".

Why give away free water - when you can sell it?

It's called making profits.

Sad but true.

Gingernutmeg

I've worked in a number of catering places (restaurants, tea-rooms, a deli) and I've never refused a customer tap water. I don't see the point, it doesn't cost a great deal to provide and small courtesies like that ensure that customers come back. Tbh though, if the place is running on profit margins that are so tight that they can't afford to give a glass of water, then they've probably got bigger things to worrk about lol.

I have heard about a lot of places being funny about it, especially 'all-you-can-eat' restaurants. I'd imagine this is because they make more profit from the overpriced alcoholic and post-mix drinks than they do from the food, so they don't want to give you a 'free' alternative. I still don't think it's right though.

sinw

I would not go there again if i were u, afterall u purchased something, all u wanted was a bitta water. Let us know how u got on with ur complaint.

BTW - if i made a fuss inna shop n they eventually gave me water they poured outta sight, i'd neva drink it cos probs spat innit xx

got-it-spend-it

I work in a coffee shop and if a family is buying lots of drinks and food and they have a little one with them who asks for water I will say 'would you like tap water?' Most of them say no, s/he'll have a bottle of water. Makes me laugh that they would rather pay £1.50 for a bottle of water that the child will take a sip of than have a glass of free (filtered) tap water.....

lorweld

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cardiffforthefacup

I had no problem getting water in the pub I used, if I had no money I would often go in to not be alone and chat with people I knew and would regularly get water, I sometimes even ordered a cordial if I had a spare 50p, wasn't being a tightwad just couldn't afford it, the staff were okay about it as well but one or two looked and thought I was a bit wierd to go to a pub and not drink.

B.Inky

This happened to us in a chinese restuarant. So we paid for bottled water, but they didn't get a tip, which would have been much more than they made from the water! Same in a tapas place I went to once, where they brought out bread at the beginning of the meal and then charged us for it at the end. I think it's little things like this that don't cost much that make a good experience in a restaurant and make you go back there.

manch235ter

it is not illegal to refuse to serve tapwater. However it is illegal to charge for a glass of tapwater

Caterina wrote: »

Hi all

The other day I went into a Quiznos sandwich bar (in Embankment, central London), where I had a nice veggie roll and paid £2.89. At the till after paying I asked the woman serving me for a glass of tap water.

She rudely told me that "we don't do tap water" and that if I want a drink the bottle water is there (pointing) and that I should buy it.

I have emailed the head office and complained about what happened (on account of her rudeness but also on the basis that I choose to drink tap water for environmental, as well as financial, reasons - and most places now do provide free water to their customers).

When I told my DD about this, she insisted that it is ILLEGAL to refuse to serve tap water to someone who consumes food in an eating place.

Does anyone know of this law? I would be really interested because if this is enforceable by law I shall GO BACK THERE and test it and then quote the law if necessary!

Thank you! Power to the customer!

Caterina

tbw

TurkishDelight wrote: »

Maybe because they are a paying customer???

One that is unlikely to come back if they are treated crappily. The water is all paid for as I doubt there are any eateries on a meter, the dishwasher has to go on anyway, and if they are running out of glasses then they really need more glasses/staff to wash them anyway.

If you are running a business your water consumption will be metered. A few free glasses aren't going to make any significant diference to consumption though - but some businesses may well object on the basis that time is money and why should they be expected to provide a free service.

Common sense - and good business practice comes into it though and, surely especially in these credit crunch times, no sensible manager is going to offend a customer over such a petty thing. A disappointed customer will moan to at least 10 other people - and the bad publicity is not worth chancing. And, anyway, even if they DO refuse you, then they don't need to be rude about it .

tbw

brightonman123 wrote: »

who would wantto drink London tap water anyway? especially at high (smelly?) tide, right by the Thames..

ewww..

Rubbish - London tap water has been filtered at least a dozen times (through other peoples kidneys!!!)