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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you say something if a restaurant undercharged you?

244 replies

MrsClayneCrawford · 18/10/2018 17:20

Went out for meal with DH & mutual friend. The bill came & they hadn't charged us for my meal. I thought cha ching & said to keep stum but friend ignored me & told the waitress. I was really miffed & abit pissed off with my friend. Would you have told them or kept quiet? It was a chain not a family run place if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
shaggedthruahedgebackwards · 18/10/2018 17:55

In a large chain type restaurant then I'll be honest and admit I probably wouldn't say anything if it was just 1 meal missed off, if it was a lot less and completely wrong ie another table's bill) I would say something though

If it was an independent then I would speak up (unless the food and/or service had been spectacularly poor)

PavlovianLunge · 18/10/2018 17:56

And I am totally judging anyone who would keep quiet and take advantage of the situation as being a colossal arsehole.

CherryPavlova · 18/10/2018 17:58

To not point out the error is a form of theft. It’s unfair on the proprietor and staff.

BlueThursday · 18/10/2018 17:58

I would and I have

I’d imagine the server would have to pay any difference plus if you want to return to a place best to do so with a clear conscience

IHaveBrilloHair · 18/10/2018 17:58

No I wouldn't.

Bluntness100 · 18/10/2018 17:59

I would have and have done so before, my husband also did it the other day, he simply peered at it and said, I think that's wrong, it's too low.

I do so that I go intending to pay for what I consume, and I'm not going to not pay simply because some poor sod made a mistake.

AFistfulofDolores1 · 18/10/2018 18:01

I always do, yes. I see it as the thin end of the wedge, really: if I didn't speak up about that, what else is justifiable being dishonest about?

IHaveBrilloHair · 18/10/2018 18:01

Just this week Tesco online made a mistake and I ended up £12.50 better off.
Do I feel guilty?
No, do I fuck, I doubt Mr Tesco is losing sleep over it, and if he is, well then he needs not to make mistakes.

MarilynsDressOnAVent · 18/10/2018 18:01

I did just this morning. We had full breakfasts for 6 and the bill was much less than expected. I told them I thought it was too low and were they sure.
I wouldn't steal and I wouldn't intentionally profit from someone's genuine error.

ChairoftheBored · 18/10/2018 18:03

I absolutely would. I’ve previously pointed out where two bottles of wine (c£50) were left off the bill. The restaurant staff were so grateful they waived the charge for one, so got to be honest and only pay for one. Would never not highlight it though, it’s stealing!

Poloshot · 18/10/2018 18:04

No I wouldn't, it's their look out to get your bill correct

purple8pig · 18/10/2018 18:06

I wouldn't have told them , but I wouldn't have been annoyed at a friend for saying something, theyre obviously just more moral than me haha

overagain · 18/10/2018 18:07

I often don't actually check the bill but if I do, and notice I always tell them.

jerrysbellyhangslikejelly · 18/10/2018 18:07

I would, I think it's dishonest not to and I'd worry about the waiter/waitress being penalised for a genuine mistake. I have pointed out such a error before. If you would point out an error in the restaurant's favour then you should point out one in your own.

Disfordarkchocolate · 18/10/2018 18:08

I've had this twice recently and both times I let them know the bill was wrong so I could pay the correct amount. Never occurred to me not to.

RuggerHug · 18/10/2018 18:08

OP were you thinking you wouldn't pay anything or was the bill divided in 3 anyway 😋

maimy88 · 18/10/2018 18:08

I would tell them and have done in the past. The server was so grateful and told us she would have had to pay the outstanding out of her wages. This was a chain restaurant.

If you were overcharged you would tell them.

MsHopey · 18/10/2018 18:11

I'm a skint person but takeaway delivery driver delivered the other day and the bill didn't have the delivery fee on. £2.
It doesn't seem a lot and he had no clue about it, I explained it was the delivery fee and if I didn't give it him he'd probably not get paid.
He was still confused but I felt good knowing I'd done the right thing.
I'd always let them know tbh.

Sallystyle · 18/10/2018 18:13

No.

Sallystyle · 18/10/2018 18:14

The chances are I wouldn't even notice as I don't check the bill.

helacells · 18/10/2018 18:15

Absolutely, otherwise you are a thief. Also the 15 or 18% tip is based on the total cost so you would have also ripped off your server. Mind you, I bet you don't tip generously either 🙄

Caprisunorange · 18/10/2018 18:16

To be honest it completely depends what mood I’m in as to whether or not I would say something

frasersmummy · 18/10/2018 18:16

I am laughing at all.the self righteousness on here. Meanwhile back in the real world i would pay what they asked for ..not my fault they can't count the number of meals

JagerPlease · 18/10/2018 18:18

If it was a couple of quid on a big bill, probably not. But the other day on holiday we went for tapas and about 50% of the food wasn't on there. Pointed it out to the waitress, who was very grateful and gave us one dish for free to say thanks. I would never want to risk staff being docked wages

shockthemonkey · 18/10/2018 18:19

Reverse, I'm sure.

Of course you should be honest. You should try it one day -- you'll be amply rewarded by a grateful smile from the waiter or waitress who otherwise would be penalised for the mistake.