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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be so upset people think we left without paying?

241 replies

ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 19:52

Went for Sunday Lunch - have been to the pub many times before.

15 of us celebrating a birthday - balloon for the birthday girl.

Spent a lot- three courses, plenty of alcohol as well always do - all this is irrelevant but want to put the whole picture - left a 15% tip- service/food/ everything was excellent as always.

Have just been made aware of a FB post, CCTV picture of a couple standing by our table, all of us in full view - with a big post from the owner of the pub saying that these people left without paying please find them

Below this is text saying how hard it is to run a pub without people doing a runner and in this wall of text it says 'the people at the table are not involved '

Cue loads of people saying- 'its a kids 10th birthday it can't be hard to find them'
'scum, who goes for a birthday and doesn't pay'
'great pictures, easy to find then- and a link to my work page'

I have rung up and asked them to take the post down - they refuse
I have asked them to blur our images they refuse.

My son has just had someone ring him asking him why didn't we pay.

I have posted on the page asking them to remove our images and that we have proof we paid but still nothing.

Owner is responding to other posts on the page so must have seen mine. Just saying how hard it is for people to walk without paying (I'm sure it is, but we are booked for next week- 20 people, but I shall now go elsewhere)

AIBU to be so upset about this- so many comments thinking we are thieves.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 03/08/2025 20:31

I’d post a photo on the same facebook page of your receipt saying how upset you are to be accused of this and owner refusing to take it down despite evidence you paid.

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 03/08/2025 20:30

The terrible level of reading comprehension demonstrated in this thread just shows the problem the OP is facing!! People are THICK.

Whinge · 03/08/2025 20:30

ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:21

I wouldn't know where to start.

But this post has been shared, people think it is us, the world is small and the internet is forever.
It could have employment implications for me if people think I'm a thief.

Show quote history

I agree with those saying you need to contact the police.

You've tried to be reasonable in the way you've approached the owner, but their refusal to crop or blur the photo shows they're not interested in how it's going to affect you or your family. They obviously just want their 5 minutes of fame with lots of over supportive fawning.

Chiseltip · 03/08/2025 20:30

ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:05

Yes have proof of payment - but that isn't the issue - the owner knows we have paid.

She has said that she has put in the post that it isn't us - but it is in a wall of text and the people commenting evidently haven't read it.

She is now ignoring my calls.

Thanks @spies will post that

Well, she won't ignore a letter before action . . .

Original poster
ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:29

Free house.

Have posted proof of payment - but people aren't reading the main text let alone going through the comments (currently 214- only three flagging up that it doesn't relate to the table in the background)

OP posts:
verycloakanddaggers · 03/08/2025 20:28

ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:25

Sadly can't until tomorrow as we have all had a drink (I would almost certainly be fine but I don't have a drop and drive)

Show quote history

Can't you ask someone to take you or use a taxi?

It would be best to get this sorted today if possible.

forgivenessISNTshallow · 03/08/2025 20:28

post a picture of your receipt

Birdy1982 · 03/08/2025 20:26

Is it a free house or owned by a brewery? Would contact the owners of the pub
If it’s Facebook - would also report the post

Original poster
ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:25

notatinydancer · 03/08/2025 20:19

You’ll need to go back and speak to them.

Show quote history

Sadly can't until tomorrow as we have all had a drink (I would almost certainly be fine but I don't have a drop and drive)

OP posts:
Original poster
ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:23

TY78910 · 03/08/2025 20:18

Yes, I’m glad I reinforced that point 😅😅

Show quote history

This made me laugh thanks. But it does show what happens in walls of text.

The main post is the photos, and we are in all eight of then- and as a family we are quite identifiable.

OP posts:
AlertEagle · 03/08/2025 20:22

I would post the business and ask everyone to give them a negative review. Also police

Original poster
ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:21

GreenCandleWax · 03/08/2025 20:16

Write and threaten them with libel. You don't have to carry through (expensive) but they should take it seriously.

I wouldn't know where to start.

But this post has been shared, people think it is us, the world is small and the internet is forever.
It could have employment implications for me if people think I'm a thief.

OP posts:
notatinydancer · 03/08/2025 20:19

ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:05

Yes have proof of payment - but that isn't the issue - the owner knows we have paid.

She has said that she has put in the post that it isn't us - but it is in a wall of text and the people commenting evidently haven't read it.

She is now ignoring my calls.

Thanks @spies will post that

You’ll need to go back and speak to them.

TY78910 · 03/08/2025 20:18

cakeorwine · 03/08/2025 20:16

"Below this is text saying how hard it is to run a pub without people doing a runner and in this wall of text it says 'the people at the table are not involved '

But clearly people rush their reading and don't always read everything

Show quote history

Yes, I’m glad I reinforced that point 😅😅

notatinydancer · 03/08/2025 20:17

I’d post a copy of your receipt.

GreenCandleWax · 03/08/2025 20:16

Write and threaten them with libel. You don't have to carry through (expensive) but they should take it seriously.

cakeorwine · 03/08/2025 20:16

TY78910 · 03/08/2025 20:14

from the OP it doesn’t suggest that they did say that in the post. Unless you’ve seen it?

I agree with PP, posting CCTV with other identifiable persons in the screenshot is a breach of GDPR and as a business (which the pub is), they would be subject to a fine if reported. So do that. We recently had a coffee shop chain post screenshots of kids vandalising the front of the shop (it is a franchise to the owners were emotionally driven to make that post) but the franchise company was informed and they did a public apology on behalf of that chain. I’m sure they were reprimanded behind the scenes too.

Show quote history

"Below this is text saying how hard it is to run a pub without people doing a runner and in this wall of text it says 'the people at the table are not involved '

But clearly people rush their reading and don't always read everything

Original poster
ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:15

@ButtSurgery thanks - I've put something similar but not as clear so might repost what you have put.

OP posts:
TY78910 · 03/08/2025 20:14

cakeorwine · 03/08/2025 20:03

So basically it was the couple who hadn't paid, but your party is clearly in the picture posted and the owner has put somewhere in the text, "the people in the birthday party were not involved"

However, people can't be bothered to read and have jumped to their own conclusions that it was you who hadn't paid.

I think the owner needs to make it very clear that it was not you.

He should do a close up of the couple involved and blur you out

from the OP it doesn’t suggest that they did say that in the post. Unless you’ve seen it?

I agree with PP, posting CCTV with other identifiable persons in the screenshot is a breach of GDPR and as a business (which the pub is), they would be subject to a fine if reported. So do that. We recently had a coffee shop chain post screenshots of kids vandalising the front of the shop (it is a franchise to the owners were emotionally driven to make that post) but the franchise company was informed and they did a public apology on behalf of that chain. I’m sure they were reprimanded behind the scenes too.

Batherssss · 03/08/2025 20:13

I would get as many screen shots as you can.
Get a video too.
Contact the police.
Ask to make a statement.
I also would involve any local media in the coming days.
You repeatedly asked them to take it down.
Their behaviour is disgraceful.
Tell the police about the messages you child is now receiving.

Secretsquirels · 03/08/2025 20:10

I think that I would post some proof that you have paid (receipt, bank screen shot etc), with a shitty message saying something like:

“I appreciate that it must be very hard for pubs when someone walks out without paying. But our group are loyal customers who have always paid for our meals and have still somehow ended up in this photo online. We have contacted you privately with proof that we paid and you have refused to take down this post so I am now sharing the proof publicly and asking you publicly to take down this photo of myself and our children from this public forum. I will also be cancelling our booking for 20 next week.”

cakeorwine · 03/08/2025 20:07

Clearly many people on here can't read the OP in the same way that people on Facebook can't read a Facebook post properly

Original poster
ShownOnCCTV · 03/08/2025 20:07

cakeorwine · 03/08/2025 20:03

So basically it was the couple who hadn't paid, but your party is clearly in the picture posted and the owner has put somewhere in the text, "the people in the birthday party were not involved"

However, people can't be bothered to read and have jumped to their own conclusions that it was you who hadn't paid.

I think the owner needs to make it very clear that it was not you.

He should do a close up of the couple involved and blur you out

Yes, exactly this.

I'm crap with editing but even I can blur backgrounds.

OP posts:
BusMumsHoliday · 03/08/2025 20:07

Is the explanation saying that it's not the people at the table (ie your party)visible without clicking through to open the post text? If not, I'd say that you want the information on the first line of the post or your images blurred or you'll be pursuing a libel suit. Send them the article above.

If someone looking at the picture, without clicking on the whole post, would reasonably it referred to your party as the "non payers" (and it sounds like this has happened from the response of your son's friend and the comments) that's defamatory. Screenshot all the comments.

I have a lot of sympathy for the pub but I also suspect they may want to keep the image of the large birthday group because 10+ people not paying is a better story than 2.

doodleschnoodle · 03/08/2025 20:07

God that’s awful! They need to crop the photo.

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