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Original poster

WWYD - Pay or not for meal we did an (unintentional) runner on

339 replies

SomedayBaby · 23/08/2016 20:17

We got back yesterday from ten days away in the UK. We spent Sunday night in a Premier Inn before driving back yesterday and went for breakfast in the adjoining pub (you know the one that's affiliated with the PI) before leaving.

Anyway, we've just been talking about the trip in general, the P Inn breakfast was mentioned and we've just realised we didn't actually pay for it. We think it was £19 (for two adults, kids eat free)...we strolled in and got shown to a table then upped and left when we were done Blush.

In our defence, this was the third hotel we'd stayed in on that trip and with the others breakfast was included, so it just didn't seem to occur to either of us to pay. The waitress happily waved us out as we left so it obviously didn't occur to her either!

Dh think's it would be silly to call them now...this P Inn is about 350 miles from where we live so popping in to pay isn't an option and dh thinks calling them over less than £20 is stupid and we should leave it. I feel really bad though and guilty and ridiculous Hmm...WWYD?

OP posts:
Katedotness1963 · 24/08/2016 17:10

How would the OP tip when she didn't pay? Confused

If the meal was included in the hotel payment, as the op thought, wouldn't you leave a tip on the table for the waitress?

JudyCoolibar · 24/08/2016 17:11

Twenty quid? Fuck it.

So you wouldn't be bothered about stealing £20 from your friend, newtscamander? Nice.

kittyjewel · 24/08/2016 17:14

Not saying honesty is comical. I'm saying how you are all reacting, preaching is comical. And I wouldn't dine in a restaurant and do one, no I wouldn't. But there was clearly a mix up with the waitress thinking he had paid. Therefore their mistake. Sounds like the person who started this was confused too as to thinking why they didn't make them pay. They was allowed to leave. It's not morally right no. But they got away with it. And this happens. We aren't all do gooders in the world unfortunately. Would I ring up and offer to pay? No. I wouldn't. This doesn't make me a bad person. Nor do I judge the person starting this thread for doing it. They are amongst millions who would do exactly the same.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 24/08/2016 17:16

Wooftweet - you could have talked to him - explained about the cashpoint etc - and offered to send him a cheque, when you got home.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 24/08/2016 17:18

Kitty - I am afraid that I think it is stealing if you accidentally forget to pay for something and then, when you realise, to decide not to make it right.

I don't know whether you are a good person or a bad one, but if you did this, I would think less of you.

kittyjewel · 24/08/2016 17:24

Then that's fine with me, because I'm not bothered. I am just saying it how it is. The reality. If we can get away with things, then people will.

Mamafaery · 24/08/2016 17:27

I would phone them up and pay. I've done similar before and even if I thought I'd get away with it, I'd feel too guilty. Plus my kids have normally noticed so I want to at least pretend to myself I'm setting a good example to them 😜

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 24/08/2016 17:27

People with low standards. People who think it is OK to be a thief. People I don't want to be.

kittyjewel · 24/08/2016 17:28

Then that's fine with me, I'm just saying the reality, how it is. If people can get away with it then they will.

WaitrosePigeon · 24/08/2016 17:29

You should ring up and offer to pay. Chances are they will tell you not to worry - but you'll have a clear conscience.

FireSquirrel · 24/08/2016 17:31

Of course you should bloody well pay, not just because the waiting staff might get a b*llocking, not just because they might (illegally) have had to pay for your meal out of their tips/wages, but because you owe the money and it's the right thing to do! Theft is theft. It doesn't matter if it's a national chain or a small independent business, it still affects someone somewhere down the chain - perhaps a big corporation would be affected less than a small business but that doesn't justify not paying, if you don't like big corporations then don't use them in the first place. I really hope you are going to phone and pay.

kittyjewel · 24/08/2016 17:31

Didn't mean to re post that second post. Were just having our opinions on the issue.

FireSquirrel · 24/08/2016 17:33

Of course you should bloody well pay, not just because the waiting staff might get a b*llocking, not just because they might (illegally) have had to pay for your meal out of their tips/wages, but because you owe the money and it's the right thing to do! Theft is theft. It doesn't matter if it's a national chain or a small independent business, it still affects someone somewhere down the chain - perhaps a big corporation would be affected less than a small business but that doesn't justify not paying, if you don't like the ethics of big corporations then don't use them in the first place. I really hope you are going to phone and pay.

Zbag14 · 24/08/2016 17:34

You should pay
But I probably wouldn't

husbandnet · 24/08/2016 17:34

your sense of wellbeing is worth more than £19. You'll feel better

husbandnet · 24/08/2016 17:34

...if you pay them

starsorwater · 24/08/2016 17:35

Pay, they take the cost out of the tip box.

Katherine2626 · 24/08/2016 17:39

If the waitress has had to pay...will you keep thinking about that? She is probably on minimum wage.........

starsorwater · 24/08/2016 17:42

It may be illegal but it happens all the time. My dd waitresses, runners are paid for from the tip box. DS worked on petrol pump- drivers off were paid for from wages. They don't complain because they need the work.

JaniceBattersby · 24/08/2016 17:42

The thing is, HMRC will take time to investigate and may not intervene straight away. It doesn't have to be you getting your wages docked, it could be anyone and you could make a general report.

Ragwort why don't you report your employer? This is exactly the same scenario that Sports Direct have just been categorically told is illegal.

I do know what it's like to do NMW jobs, and I have reported similar myself. I know how hard and shit it is and of course it's totally up to you but it only takes one person to stick their head above the parapet for things to start changing.

As it is, in my job there is something I can do to help people generally who are having their wages docked and I will do it this week. I hope it makes a small difference.

GoblinLittleOwl · 24/08/2016 17:48

You have eaten a meal you know you haven't paid for.
Why shouldn't you pay for it?
Docking waitress's pay, taking it out of tip box, their fault; irrelevant.
You know you owe for that meal. Pay it.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 24/08/2016 17:48

If the meal was included in the hotel payment, as the op thought, wouldn't you leave a tip on the table for the waitress?

Oh right, I see what you mean. I wouldn't tip for breakfast in a Premier Inn,no.

EttaJ · 24/08/2016 17:50

Baffled as to why you even need to ask?! You know full well you should pay, you just don't to. Yes servers do get their pay docked. Legal or not it happens in some establishments! Pretty low of you if you don't pay. That's called theft. Do you want to be a thief?

Floey · 24/08/2016 17:52

They should have your card details and will charge you

Unicorntrainer · 24/08/2016 18:00

I agree with EttaJ, why are you even asking. If you accidentally walked out of your local shop without paying for goods wouldn't you go back? It is theft. Call them and apologise and give them your card details so that you know it has been paid and you will have a clear conscience!

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