Bars changing prices with no warning - legal?

CommitedToChange

basically I was out last night and went to a bar where it was 2-4-1 cocktails for £2.95 but when I went to pay I was charge £3.95.

I complained but was told as it was a special events nite (a-level) prices were higher as managers descression (sp) but there was no warnings or notices saying this anywhere and I wasn't told until paying - legal where do I stand?

Firefox1975

Write to head office - they will send you £1 back

you are within your rights to complain - but for £1 is it worth it? you aint gonna stop them doing it to anyone else!

Optimist

Prices should be on open display and it is actually a offence for staff to charge more than the prices indicated
Feel free to complain to trading standards.

CommitedToChange

its not so much my £1 but the money they made off everyone that hacks me off - they think they can just change prices and claim managers descression ( again sp) it really annoys me, I'm contemplate the local paper. Loving the headline 'bar rips off a-level students&

Halloway

Discretion.

CommitedToChange

Thanks Halloway - was typing on my phone which does not have a spell check.

Just reported them to trading standards - it is a criminal offense - i'm sure little will be done but it makes me feel better, I hate the fact companies think that they can rip us off and that we will do nothing.

WSPlumber

I suggest the only thing to do is learn from the experience. They will continue
to do it and others will continue to be stung but realistically nothing will change. Just know the price ofwhat you are ordering and if they try to charge you more, tell them you no longer want the drink at that price.

augustsmummy

I agree with WSPlumber. Vote with your feet, and tell others to do the same.
Similar happend to me a few years ago, I was given a card which said "Free shot with every drink"
So I ordered a coke and waited for my free shot, when I enquired as to its where abouts was told
"but you bought a soft drink. It doesn't count."
No where on the card did it state "alcoholic" drinks only, or soft drinks not included in this deal. Nor did they have any such thing written anywhere in the bar. So I drank up (as I had already paid) and left taking my 5 friends with me who refused to order anything. So they lost out on about 3 rounds of drinks for 5 people (15 drinks at around £2 + a drink) their loss. (And may well have mentioned to a few selective people as I left that it was a con and told them x bar was much better, and don't con you. Naughty I know, but we had been drinking for a wee while at that point, and we were a gobby bunch!)
We wondered why it was so empty in there as we went in?! :rolleyes: Wonder how many others had felt cheated by their "deals".

Firefox1975

WSPlumber wrote: »

I suggest the only thing to do is learn from the experience. They will continue
to do it and others will continue to be stung but realistically nothing will change. Just know the price ofwhat you are ordering and if they try to charge you more, tell them you no longer want the drink at that price.

Very good response.

Best advice on the forum today! i'll drink to that! lol!:beer: (Bad joke I know - but it is the best thing to do!)

If the barman realises you are just gonna walk away then if they are savvy they will sell you at the advertised price - if not, 1 - Nil to you cos they have lost out on everything

scubaangel

JulieK1313 wrote: »

basically I was out last night and went to a bar where it was 2-4-1 cocktails for £2.95 but when I went to pay I was charge £3.95.

I complained but was told as it was a special events nite (a-level) prices were higher as managers descression (sp) but there was no warnings or notices saying this anywhere and I wasn't told until paying - legal where do I stand?

Did you check the small 'tariff' signs next to the bar - the club I used to work at had different tariff signs for each night we were open and no other drink prices displayed - our offers were widely advertised though but a 241 on a student night would get you say two vodka and cokes for £2, whereas the same drinks on a 'normal' night as a 241 would cost you £4. This information would be clearly displayed in the tariff signs but noone ever read them as the bar was usually too packed to get close to them, entirely legal but extremely annoying for customers I would imagine, I believe most bars have a similar system.

pinkshoes

augustsmummy wrote: »

I was given a card which said "Free shot with every drink"
So I ordered a coke and waited for my free shot, when I enquired as to its where abouts was told
"but you bought a soft drink. It doesn't count."
No where on the card did it state "alcoholic" drinks only, or soft drinks not included in this deal. Nor did they have any such thing written anywhere in the bar.

Naughty bar for not honouring their deal, but on the other hand, it doesn't specify what "shot" is either, so it could have been a shot of cola or lemonade!

Or one from a shot gun perhaps...?