I know I'm not being U but why do people do this???

[KiraL]

I own a small cafe. The other day a couple came in and ordered 2 teas. Fine. They sat for 2 hours on their laptops. Also fine as I don’t mind this if we’re not too busy.

One of them then went across the road to Sainsbury’s and bought sandwiches/ crisps etc which they then proceeded to eat in my cafe.

I was gobsmacked as I obviously sell sandwiches/ soup/ everything that a cafe sells as the sole purpose of operating as a cafe.

I asked them very politely if they would mind not eating food purchased elsewhere to which they were highly offended and have now left me a tripadvisor rating of “poor” because I made them feel “uncomfortable.”

WTF?

Obvs answer them online but also wondering if you said anything at the time.

Ugh sorry iPhone
Missed your last line.

I don't know why people do it, because they're rude I guess.

Bloody hell - the cheek of some people!

I had to wait in a cafe for my car to be done the other day - knew I was in for an hour at least so bought soup and a brew. Anything else would be taking the piss.

Definitely give your side. Cheeky buggers!

shocking, who does this!?
everyone knows surely that you don't consume your own food in such premises, unless you are feeding a child in which case you might get away with it.

I tend to look at the bad reviews on Trip Advisor first and will read responses by owners. I'd definitely take note of this one - in your favour. It also helps if you can make it fairly witty - then it might go viral and give you oodles of good publicity!

I would reply something along the lines of how they they felt comfortable enough to sit for the 2 hours prior to this & then eat food bought from another store ..,which is the main purpose of your business.

Cheeky bastards like this piss me off, keyboard warriors

That's not on. Do explain what happened on your reply but keep it factual. A ranting/rude shop owner's reply can be much more damaging than the original comment eg
"Thank you for visiting us today. We always try to make our customers feel as welcome as we can so I am sorry you felt uncomfortable. However, I am sure you will understand that, as a cafe, we don't allow customers to eat food bought from anywhere else on our premises which was why you were politely asked not to eat your Sainsburys pre-packed sandwiches. We offer a wide range of fresh home made food and we are always happy to try and accommodate any special requests. If you would like to discuss this further please pop in for a chat or call us."

How bloody rude. Definitely respond on TA defending yourself. No need to be rude about it but just point out the obvious CFery.

“I did not object when you bought just two cups of tea and used the free WiFi in my cafe for two hours. However, it was rude and disrespectful of you to buy food in Sainsbury’s and then eat it in my cafe. Had you failed to notice you were in an establishment that served food?”

I like how Fundays put it best:
It’s rude they should have bought food in your cafe. I would he tripadviser comment being polite but ensuring you state that they were in the cafe for 2 hours which is not a problem but buying food in Sainsbury’s and bringing it over to eat in your cafe wasn’t on. and also agree with the PP who said use humour if you can. Stick to facts if you can't.

I think most people know how to "read" trip advisor. The place we've booked to go on holiday this year got a stinker of a review, but as I read the reviewers review (sorry about all these "reviews"!) I was very aware that I took the opposite view to theirs. Eg: This place was awful - it was so quiet just ticked all my boxes.

I sometimes use small cafes for internet access.
I'll usually buy a coffee and a sandwich and thereafter a coffee every 30 minutes - which still isn't a lot. If it gets busy, then I'll leave anyway.

There is absolutely no way a reasonable person would eat produce from elsewhere. I wouldn't even go into McD's for a wee without buying a drink.

Definitely give feedback. Apart from horrendous brass necks I cannot fathom why people do this.
Wonder where you are OP, I love a wee cafe.

I’m pleased to see the replies, and I’ll be using some of your suggestions for my response - I’m typing it now.

It was their sheer surprise at the fact I confronted them that made me even more annoyed. I am quite clearly an independent small business and to do this, while it may seem harmless, obviously would harm my turnover and profit.

I’m more than happy for people to bring in baby food, even food for toddlers and other children as I know what it can be like. But this was just taking the piss. They even had a punnet of strawberries on the table (which they didn’t get a chance to open)

I sell granola with fresh strawberries so could have happily provided some, and they would have been cheaper!

Whaaa??? Who does that?!
My face would have been like this
Did you let them just sit there if so?! Cheeky so and sos.

Please do respond. I also check TripAdvisor a lot and would read a reply from the owner - easy to be polite in a response but also point out they were CFs!

Reply politely to the review saying that while you were happy for them to dig for two hours over a cup of tea, you have to protect your own business interests by not allowing them to eat the sandwiches they’d bought at Sainsbury’s in your cafe.

YADNBU

They were proper cheeky fuckers

Sit not dig sorry

Snorkpods reply is perfect!

Please don't be tempted to post a passive-aggressive or "witty" review - I don't want to deal with a company who might score points off me online (not that I would do what these customers did).

Snorkpod's suggestion is perfect. It clearly explains what happens but is professional as well.

You are the reasonable one here, but stay very calm in your replies:

Mention that you welcome WiFi users, it's part of your service for customers as they enjoy their food and drink, but you also have a duty to look after your other customers who often need the space, thus WiFi is a service in addition to the food and drink, not a service in its own right.

I also have a café. There's a very good reason why only food purchased on premises is suitable for consumption while in the venue. Insurance.

Taking your own food into Starbucks/Costa/Cafe Nero: Fine.

Taking your own food into a small independent cafe: DISGRACEFUL!!!

100% support you OP .. cheeky gits

Oh wow that really is cheeky! I'd say why on tripadvisor too!