Restaurant undercharged now they want the balance

DoaM

marcarm wrote: »

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.

Actually, if you'd left a gratuity (tip) as a percentage of the bill, then you're probably better off.

Potbellypig

How much are we talking here? This bit is probably where you'll find your answer.

If it's an amount which you don't mind paying right now as you'd like to go back and use the place again, it's probably best to pay.

If it's an amount which means quite a lot to you, and you're not going back anytime soon, I wouldn't pay.

DoaM

Potbellypig wrote: »

and you're not going back anytime soon, I wouldn't pay.

Remind me never to lend you anything.

marliepanda

Potbellypig wrote: »

How much are we talking here? This bit is probably where you'll find your answer.

If it's an amount which you don't mind paying right now as you'd like to go back and use the place again, it's probably best to pay.

If it's an amount which means quite a lot to you, and you're not going back anytime soon, I wouldn't pay.

It clearly doesnt 'mean a lot' as they quite happily ordered food to that amount.

Les79

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.

You got run through the mill a bit there with posters on here!

Normally the posters would be dead right, but your situation does appear to be fairly unique!

It appears that you were more than happy to settle the bill in full, to the point of even insisting on it, and THEY insisted that they had produced you with the correct bill.

I would certainly point out the facts of the case to the owner in an email response. It sort of depends on what outcome you want, though. Settling the bill (you were happy to pay it on the night, hence running up the tab and making the offer) keeps them happy whilst if you leave the email response in their court (ie make no offer of payment etc, just point out the facts) then it runs the risk of souring the relationship with them = not able to use facilities again.

Legally, they can pursue you for debts up to 6 years but in practical terms they are firstly unlikely to go through the whole court claim shabang for a fairly minor amount (they'll just ban you instead) AND they don't have a clear cut "customer ran out on the bill" case; they'd have to explain why their staff insisted that you were entitled to a discount and it may not be an "obvious" error for a third party.

I actually can't believe that THEY aren't making it up to YOU for this sort of hassle, though. More so if you have provided them with an email address (suggests you aren't doing a one off meal). Write off the amount owed and a free drink with your next meal would, in my eyes, work better in the long term...

wesleyad

I agree with Les, the OP made not one, but two attempts to pay more money, only to be told they were wrong. I'd be looking for at least an apology if not discount.

If they hadn't been staying in the hotel (if it had been a standalone restaurant) they'd never have heard from them again.

Lip_Stick

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.

I took that as the OP thinking that the manager had decided to apply one of their voucher schemes to the meal as gesture of apology, not that the poster was taking advantage by another mistake. It was insisted that the amount was correct after all by the waiter.

If I was the OP, I'd be very annoyed by the situation and ask for a reduction due to the abysmal service at the end.

motorguy

stokefc22 wrote: »

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

You didnt though, and businesses arent in the position of writing off mistakes that cost them money.

I'd pay it.

LadyDee

The only reason you came here to ask where you stand is to try to find a way out of paying. You ate, you owe the money, pay it. If it makes you feel better you'll probably save the waiter having to make up for his mistake.

giraffe69

I would have asked on the night if the bill were correct but if it told it was would not have argued further and would certainly not pay now unless I wanted to eat there again. The chances of being taken to court are very small and the chances of having to pay even smaller IMO. Its up to them to get it right and whilst I would give them a chance to get it right I wouldn't go on doing that.