Chain Restaurant Assistant Manager Threatened to Call Police

glider3560

I think what this site ( http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/law/yourrights/restaurantrightsthebill ) says is very true

It is a criminal offence on your part to go into a restaurant and order a meal with the intention of not paying for it. Restaurants often wrongly believe this means you have to pay for a meal whatever the circumstances. This is not the case. So long as you have a genuine reason for not paying and you leave your name and address, you have not acted in any way dishonestly.

dacouch

Thanks glider thats a good find, I have seen that bit of advice before (But could not remember it). Yes basically if there is a dispute you simply leave your name and address and ask them to look into it. I think if there are parts of the bill you do not dispute you can pay those parts and then leave your name and address.

System

Thanks for looking this up glider3560, that is really useful...

The Assistant Manager had my name and address, yet still insisted on calling police and also refused to let me speak to the Manager in charge.. saying he was unavailable that evening and I had to deal with her

maninthestreet

Summer01 wrote: »

Thanks for looking this up glider3560, that is really useful...

The Assistant Manager had my name and address, yet still insisted on calling police and also refused to let me speak to the Manager in charge.. saying he was unavailable that evening and I had to deal with her

So the police were called? If so, did they attend?

System

maninthestreet wrote: »

So the police were called? If so, did they attend?

No as unfortunately at the time I didn't know what my rights were, so I reluctantly paid :mad:

maggie111

Well I certainly wouldn't have hung around waiting for the police to show up either. I'd feel like I'd already wasted part of my evening and I certainly wouldn't want it getting any worse. Just thought I'd give you some back up there.

With it being so busy I would feel like the point of arguing would be lost that night. If it were me, I'd ring up, ask to speak to the manager, tell him you had some dreadful service and you would like to come in to talk about it. Ask him to suggest a quiet period of time and just let him know about what happened and about how intimidated you felt.

If they're decent enough they'll realise just how truly awful it all was and apologise well enough to you. Head Office might throw some vouchers your way, but can't be personal enough to make you feel comfortable about eating there again.

System

Thanks maggie111 - I don't know if I could ever eat there and feel comfortable and relaxed again, it will bring back horrid memories!

Funny thing is I've eaten at other two other locations of same chain on several occassions and only ever had a good experience on the whole..

If you'd have seen the quality of the food it was shocking... :rotfl:I don't consider myself the best cook but I wouldn't serve it to anyone I know let alone to a paying customer..

glider3560

Do you mind naming and shaming the chain?

McKneff

So am i right in thinking that you got to use your voucher on the meals but had to pay full price for your drinks?

Jakg

IMO i'd give them the amount you should of paid in cash and just walk out - if the food was as bad as you say then you won't go back anyway.

I had this situation last night and just kept arguing 'till they gave up...