Can Ikea charge for tap water???

purplepurple

Just wanted to rant....
I've just got back from Ikea in Milton Keynes with my 9 yr old DD and my mum... DD wanted a hot dog (advertised with chips and a soft drink for £1.50) (I know... I know.... it's our own fault for buying a hot dog)... DD doesn't drink fizzy drinks (doesn't like them) and asked for water instead. Assistant behind the counter asked if she wanted tap water or bottled. DD asked for tap water, assistant said "oh that's okay then" and put 60p on the till. When I questioned whether it was legal to charge for tap water or not, assistant said that they charge 60p for the empty cup, not the water and that it was perfectly legal. Bottles water would have cost a pound on top.

Is this correct? Shouldn't they advertise it as hot dog, chips and empty cup?

hoyles10

I would imagine they are allowed to charge for tap water as they have a water bill to pay plus as they say they provided a cup to put it in and pay someone to get it.

A lot of pubs will charge for tap water as well, that's if you were given the option when you asked for water and not just given a bottle.

I don't agree with places charging so much for tap water though.

DCFC79

No theres nothing to stop companies from charging for tap water, some place charge and some dont, but they do have bills to pay so you cant blame them for charging for it

CharlieBilly

Yes its legal

purplepurple

... I stand corrected then.... thanks for the replies!

Can anyone top 60p for a cup of tap water then?

hoyles10

purplepurple wrote: »

... I stand corrected then.... thanks for the replies!

Can anyone top 60p for a cup of tap water then?

£2.20 in a pub in Cambridge somewhere, it was also £3.70 for a pint of lager as well. We didn't stay long and thankfully we don't like there if those are the prices.

Torry_Quine

I have never been charged for a glass of tap water anywhere. Often have to ask for one in various places and always get one no bother, often even has ice in it. Would be really angry if someone tried to charge me!

purplepurple

...I agree....hence my amazement at Ikea... it was also the fact that there were no managers available to ask.... I do feel that it was unfair to increase the cost of the meal from £1.50 (with a fizzy drink) to £1.60 ish with tap water. Surely the fizzy drink must cost the company more to provide than the tap water?

Spendless

I must admit I'm confused. It's getting late, I'm tired and it doesn't take much:p Surely they were going to put the soft drink you didn't have into an empty cup? So to me it should be the same price. hotdog plus empty cup £1.50 (regardless if filled with fizzy pop or tap water). How much do you mean they charged in total for your daughter's meal plus tap water drink?

Sequeena

I have never been charged for tap water :eek: I usually get some when I go to the pub with the dogs on a sunny day and the staff are more than happy to oblige (I have a small collie cross, a German Shepherd and a mastiff so you can imagine how much water they'd get through in one sitting!)

I do understand why they charge but surely 60p is a bit much.

Mankysteve

I thought pubs are required to serve water free by law but only applies to places that serve alcohol??