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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU in thinking that my coffee shouldn't of been thrown away?

137 replies

Sierraspider · 10/04/2015 15:07

I'm in Costa having a VERY rare couple of hours 'child free' time. My husband has taken my daughter out for a bit so I can relax and read for a bit. I'm in Costa and ordered a Mocha and a cake - I had been sat down 5 minutes or so and needed the loo (couldn't wait to finish drink and cake as I have a medical problem from giving birth which means when I need to go, I need to go IYSWIM!) Anyway I was probably gone 2-3 minutes and came back to find the waitress has cleared the table I was sat at and thrown my coffee and un- eaten slice of cake away! It was nearly full still and my coat was on the chair.

AIBU to be a bit annoyed at having to buy another coffee (didn't bother buying more cake) or was it perfectly reasonable for the waitress to of chucked it away while i was in the bathroom? I mentioned it to the cashier but she just said "oh dear, sorry about that "and took my money for another coffee. I'm prepared to be shot down as I've seen how aibu can be lol. But AIBU here or are Costa?

OP posts:
TongueBiter · 10/04/2015 15:08

Costa are! You should have asked for the replacement and made it clear you weren't expecting to pay for it!

BrianButterfield · 10/04/2015 15:08

Well, I wouldn't have paid for another, I'd have asked for mine back! It's standard waitressing procedure to double check of things are finished if they're not empty so YANBU.

Maybe send Costa an email and they might send you a voucher?

gasman · 10/04/2015 15:08

I would have asked them to replace it.

Going out on your own can be fraught for reasons like this.

CasperGutman · 10/04/2015 15:09

YANBU. Did you not complain? I would have expected a replacement.

Icimoi · 10/04/2015 15:09

Why didn't you make more of a fuss at the time? If it were me, I would have told them they had to provide a replacement, and wouldn't have offered any money.

mrsm16 · 10/04/2015 15:09

yanbu but you shouldn't have paid for a new coffee, you should have complained until you were given a fresh cup and slice of cake!

fairgame · 10/04/2015 15:09

YANBU about them throwing it away but YABU not to have kicked up more of a fuss to have it all replaced for free.

BunnyLebowski · 10/04/2015 15:09

No YANBU.

Extremely poor customer service. I know it's not helpful but you should have asked to speak to their supervisor and asked for (free) replacement cake and coffee.

I waited tables for years and it's really not hard to figure out that someone's gone to the loo and not left. Numpties.

marymouse · 10/04/2015 15:09

Yanbu, but I wouldn't have offered to buy another coffee, I would have explained to them the situation and requested they replace the coffee and cake

expatinscotland · 10/04/2015 15:10

I would have asked them to replace it.

WiseKneeHair · 10/04/2015 15:10

This happened to me at a Starbucks concession. I, very nicely, asked for a free replacement which they gave me. No problem. I don't know why you didn't say it had been thrown away and could they replace, please.

ginmakesitallok · 10/04/2015 15:10

They've done this to me in the past when I've had to take dd to the loo. But have replaced items straightaway.

WorraLiberty · 10/04/2015 15:12

In what world do people not simply say, "I'm sorry but you appear to have thrown my coffee away while I was in the toilet".

So they simply replace it Confused

hopelesslydevotedtoGu · 10/04/2015 15:12

They were very unreasonable, I am shocked that they didn't apologise and give you a replacement!

Are customers supposed to wet themselves to keep their cake? Or take their latte into the loo?

If you are still there ask to speak to the manager and ask for a refund. If not write to head office, they will probably send you a voucher.

louisejxxx · 10/04/2015 15:12

I can see it from both sides if I'm honest. If you were nowhere in sight then I suppose the waitress could've assumed you'd up and left. But also, you shouldn't be expected to have to take your coffee and cake into the loo so as not to lose it.

Original poster
Sierraspider · 10/04/2015 15:15

I'm glad I'm not BU! I'm so tired and I don't like to make a fuss... next time I will leave a note on table saying BRB gone to loo lol. I've never been one for complaining but maybe I should email as a PP said and say what happened? Pre- child I would of just waited for the bathroom and eaten cake/ coffee first but nowadays that is simply just not possible :(

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 10/04/2015 15:18

No I wouldn't email.

The ship has sailed now and you should have politely told them at the time, that a mistake had been made.

Just put it down to experience.

PeterParkerSays · 10/04/2015 15:18

Costa are - I wouldn't have bought a replacement, I'd have asked them to replace both the drink and the cake free of charge. Bloody cheek!

Original poster
Sierraspider · 10/04/2015 15:20

Worra - in my world I kind of just expected them to replace it when I said at the till "I just went to the bathroom and my cake and coffee have been cleared away?" And was told "Oh dear, sorry. What drink would you like?" I then said another Mocha I guess and then she held her hand out for the money. I probably should of made a fuss but I'm too tired lol

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 10/04/2015 15:21

No, you keep talking about making a 'fuss'.

Simply asking for a replacement is not making any kind of fuss at all.

Icimoi · 10/04/2015 15:22

I understand that you were too tired, but having made the effort to go back to the till, I don't understand why you wouldn't make a tiny bit more effort and say "No, you threw away the coffee I paid for, this is a replacement".

Original poster
Sierraspider · 10/04/2015 15:25

Worra - I guess. I was probably BU not to ask can't you replace them. Never mind - as you said I'll put it down to experience. Never had this happen before though - didn't even occur to me I would come back to an empty table.

OP posts:
fulltothebrim · 10/04/2015 15:27

Costa were being unreasonable. Although you should have made more of a stance at the time; there may have been a more favourable outcome.

I am struggling a bit with the "shouldn't of", " could of"- yes I know, I am an unwilling member of the grammar police, and this is my problem not the OPs.
It is out of order for me to mention it; I know I am being rude, but I can't help myself.
I deserve any criticism coming my way, so apologies to all who think I am a pedant: yes I probably am.

WorraLiberty · 10/04/2015 15:30

Oh ffs can we just ignore the pedant please?

Otherwise it'll be all about grammar.

ladylily29 · 10/04/2015 15:30

My friend had problems with Costa customer services so emailed the head guy. [email protected] worked very well for her.

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