Restaurant undercharged now they want the balance

stokefc22

Hi first time poster here, I have a moral dilemma!!

Last night we went out to a restaurant and enjoyed cocktails, a bottle of wine and three courses, the service and food was excellent.
When the bill came out it was immediately obvious that it was not our bill, it was half the price I was expecting and the items on there were for what looked like the table next to us had ordered, after a few seconds wrestling with it I decided to tell the waiter we had the wrong bill.
They are a spa and run an offer where you get a contribution towards an evening meal, we were asked if we were staying over and we informed him we were not, the waiter came back 5 minutes later with a new bill, slightly more than last time but they had still missed off the starters and the mains!
I told the waiter again that it was still wrong but he informed us it was correct as his manager had said we had a meal voucher knocked off, at this point I gave up and said "If you're sure this is correct please fetch the card machine and I'll pay the bill".
This morning I have received an email informing me of there mistake and asking me to call to pay the balance.
I guess firstly the question is, am I breaking any laws not paying the outstanding amount? Secondly, after trying to do the right thing morally, twice over what you do in this situation?

LilElvis

I can understand why you are frustrated but you did know that the bill you paid was incorrect. Legally they have 6 years to chase you for the balance. As it was an enjoyable meal you probably want to dine there again, so when you call them to sort it out i would ask for some discount to reflect the poor service you received, despite your best efforts to pay the correct amount.

reason2

if they overcharged would you want the difference back?

you pay for what you had. easy.

stokefc22

reason2 wrote: »

if they overcharged would you want the difference back?

you pay for what you had. easy.

If I'd insisted on paying over the odds when challenged twice I'd probably write it off as my mistake!

Aylesbury_Duck

There is no dilemma. Pay them what you owe but do so politely, pointing out your efforts to correct things on the night and you might, as LilElvis says, get a gesture from them the next time you dine there.

sheramber

I told the waiter again that it was still wrong but he informed us it was correct as his manager had said we had a meal voucher knocked off, at this point I gave up and said "If you're sure this is correct please fetch the card machine and I'll pay the bill".

So you didn't say that you didn't have a voucher. You knew the bill was wrong.

stokefc22

sheramber wrote: »

I told the waiter again that it was still wrong but he informed us it was correct as his manager had said we had a meal voucher knocked off, at this point I gave up and said "If you're sure this is correct please fetch the card machine and I'll pay the bill".

So you didn't say that you didn't have a voucher. You knew the bill was wrong.

It seems like you're indicating I was being deceptive, I could not have been clearer, I even told them the courses that were missing!

Also you seem to be missing my point I'm not saying I am refusing to pay I'm asking where I stand in this position and what other peoples experiences are.

Aylesbury_Duck

Where you stand is that as per LilElvis's post, they have six years to pursue you for the balance. Legally you owe the money. Not paying now is an option but a. they might very well chase it which could add to the costs, and b. you wouldn't be welcome back.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

stokefc22 wrote: »

Hi first time poster here, I have a moral dilemma!!

Last night we went out to a restaurant and enjoyed cocktails, a bottle of wine and three courses, the service and food was excellent.
When the bill came out it was immediately obvious that it was not our bill, it was half the price I was expecting and the items on there were for what looked like the table next to us had ordered, after a few seconds wrestling with it I decided to tell the waiter we had the wrong bill.
They are a spa and run an offer where you get a contribution towards an evening meal, we were asked if we were staying over and we informed him we were not, the waiter came back 5 minutes later with a new bill, slightly more than last time but they had still missed off the starters and the mains!
I told the waiter again that it was still wrong but he informed us it was correct as his manager had said we had a meal voucher knocked off, at this point I gave up and said "If you're sure this is correct please fetch the card machine and I'll pay the bill".
This morning I have received an email informing me of there mistake and asking me to call to pay the balance.
I guess firstly the question is, am I breaking any laws not paying the outstanding amount? Secondly, after trying to do the right thing morally, twice over what you do in this situation?

stokefc22 wrote: »

If I'd insisted on paying over the odds when challenged twice I'd probably write it off as my mistake!

stokefc22 wrote: »

It seems like you're indicating I was being deceptive, I could not have been clearer, I even told them the courses that were missing!

Also you seem to be missing my point I'm not saying I am refusing to pay I'm asking where I stand in this position and what other peoples experiences are.

I have highlighted the important piece for you, you noticed the bill was wrong? If you still want to use their spa, I suggest that you correct yours and their mistake.

marcarm

You were happy to pay the correct balance but now you are seeing if you get away with it? This is as far removed from a moral dilemma as it is possible to be.

Just call them, give them your card number, pay your balance and be happy knowing that you are not any worse off than had they got the bill right in the first place.

Who knows, the poor old waiter could be having the underpayment taken from his wages because of the mistake.

Just do the right thing. Amazes me how many people try to use an innocent mistake to their advantage.

Put it this way, had you been double charged for your mains, and hadn't noticed because of the consumption of wine, you realise the morning after and call them to point out their error, do you think they are in their rights to keep your money? Exactly the same principle.

Nick_C

You were presented with bills which you twice queried. You were told the bill was correct. You paid it on the understanding that it was correct.

You could reasonably have assumed that there was some sort of special offer that was not on the menu, or that some items had been comped because your first bill was incorrect.

I think the restaurant should now offer you some sort of discount for messing you around.