charging for tap water

davsidipp

went to chinese resturant yesterday and looked on the drinks menu hubby said he will have tap water no you wont they say they charge 50p is that illegal?

Butlers1982

they can get away with it by stating someone has to be paid to wash the glass and serve it out to you. unfortunately its not illegal and they can do it but not many places to charge!!

Markyt

Ask for an empty glass then fill it yourself.

IvanOpinion

Markyt wrote:

Ask for an empty glass then fill it yourself.

Unfortunately there is usually a load of Koi carp swimming about the only water source .. all that fish pee and crap just isn't tasty

While I think it is a bit tight a restaurant is justified in charging. They have to supply the glasses/jugs, provide the staff to fill them, ice and then there is the washing and drying. Some retaurants pare the cost of meals to the bone and expect to recoup some profits in drink.

Ivan

RAMBLER

Best way to complain is to move with your feet - go somewhere else next time.

davsidipp

too true its the first one ive been in that charges for tap water not only that waiting staff had bad attitude.

mouseymousey99

It seems fair enough to me, as said they pare it all down on food & hope to make on drinks. So many hidden things - you expect the loo's etc to be clean & it all has to be paid for.

moonrakerz

"In fact, says Ingrid Gubbay, campaigns lawyer at consumer group Which?, restaurants do not legally have to provide free tap water. Only licensed clubs do, a hangover from the old highways and inn laws that said tap water had to be given out for free to thirsty travellers. In a restaurant however when you order a meal you're agreeing to pay for the food and drink and service and this is a contract for work and materials to which the Supply of Goods and Services Act applies. "While a restaurant can't force you to buy mineral water, it can legitimately charge you for providing tap water as mean as it might sound. The provision of any water includes an element of service, such as pouring water into a jug and cleaning it after you," says Gubbay."

achtunglady

Whatever next!!! Take a bottle of water with you and drink out of it or will they charge you for breathing the air in the restaurant. What if you fainted and needed a glass of water, would they root around your pocket for the money?

lynnemcf

My local chinese buffet has a notice up from the council stating that they do not need to supply free tap water. No one is forcing you to have a drink ... if you dont want to pay for a drink then dont have one.

davsidipp

we did actually pay for a drink i just said to hubby dont ask for tap water they charge for it as for the chinese resturant i will no longer go back there ,the loss is not mine.