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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is a bit of a rip off?

133 replies

narra · 30/04/2021 11:15

Me and my boyfriend booked a table on Thursday night and a pub.
Just the two of us.
We had to pay a £60 deposit to secure our table for 2 hours.
7-9pm
We got there and were informed we don't get the £60 back instead we get it back in the form of a bottle of any of their "house spirit" and unlimited mixers.

I feel a bit ripped off.
Aibu ?

OP posts:
Original poster
narra · 30/04/2021 11:16

*at a pub

OP posts:
marchez · 30/04/2021 11:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cocomarine · 30/04/2021 11:18

If that wasn’t clear when you paid the deposit, I’d be insisting on it being repaid.

If you agreed to it without checking the conditions, then I personally think it’s a rip off - could that really equal £60 for 2 people in 2 hours? If not, then I’d be shaming them to fuck on social media.

Cactusowl · 30/04/2021 11:19

I would not be happy at all. Did you book online, I wonder if it was hidden in the small print somewhere.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/04/2021 11:19

Does it state any of that on their website/booking confirmation?

LakieLady · 30/04/2021 11:19

Definitely a rip off.

And possibly illegal - a deposit is either refundable or comes off the bill imo. At the very least, it should have been made clear at the time of booking.

Contact trading standards and see what they say.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/04/2021 11:20

I dont even drink spirits so it wouldnt work for me, but I'd take it in the form of two full meals inc desert and a bottle of wine or fizz.

Original poster
narra · 30/04/2021 11:20

My boyfriend booked over the phone and he said they didn't mention it.
Just asked for £60
I'm not sure we would have even spent £60 between us

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 30/04/2021 11:21

@narra

My boyfriend booked over the phone and he said they didn't mention it. Just asked for £60 I'm not sure we would have even spent £60 between us
Have a look at their website and see if there's anything on there about it.
Cocomarine · 30/04/2021 11:22

What do you mean by “house spirit”?
Do you mean one specific item, given to all - or a choice of spirits, just not well known brands?

If the former, I can’t even believe it’s correct - not everyone likes the same spirit.

Even if the latter... I don’t drink and my husband only drinks beer and wine. Which I don’t think is unusual. I find it hard to believe this! Not trolling - I mean, are you sure it wasn’t a mistake by a new member of staff?

This was last night, yes? Why did you accept it at the time?

parietal · 30/04/2021 11:22

and what if you didn't drink alcohol?

Original poster
narra · 30/04/2021 11:22

They unfortunately don't have a website.
Just a Facebook page.
I can't see anything on there at all.
I guess it's our own daft fault for not asking more questions on booking.
My boyfriend said when they said a £60 deposit to secure table ...he assumed once we turned up it would be given back.

OP posts:
Swordfish1 · 30/04/2021 11:23

Absolutely a rip off. This should have been made VERY clear at time of booking. What if you both don't drink spirits? And who can drink £60 worth of house spirits in 2 hours anyway, with a meal?

Nope, I'd deduct the £60 you've already paid from your final bill. That way you haven't underpaid for what you have eaten and drank there.

What they are saying is not a 'deposit' to secure a table. It's a fee.

Original poster
narra · 30/04/2021 11:23

@Cocomarine one bottle of house spirit.
So we couldn't even pick different
We just went for vodka
Then they kept giving us unlimited jugs of iced Diet Coke

OP posts:
SunIsComing · 30/04/2021 11:23

It would be offset against the bill. They are cf.

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 30/04/2021 11:24

RIP off. A deposit should come off your bill and should only be kept by the venue if you are a no show.

Original poster
narra · 30/04/2021 11:24

It wasn't even a nice bottle of vodka.
It was like I say "house vodka"

OP posts:
Ilovesweets123 · 30/04/2021 11:24

Name and shame!! What is their pub called?!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/04/2021 11:24

Absoloutley shocking. I'd plaster it all over their Facebook/Insta/Trip Advisor.

Cocomarine · 30/04/2021 11:24

@narra

They unfortunately don't have a website. Just a Facebook page. I can't see anything on there at all. I guess it's our own daft fault for not asking more questions on booking. My boyfriend said when they said a £60 deposit to secure table ...he assumed once we turned up it would be given back.
What is with the passivity? 😳

How is it your fault they didn’t tell you the T&C?

Same passivity that you showed last night. When the bill came, I’d have refused to pay it.

There are only a few replies so far, but all say it’s not fair if you weren’t told the T&C. So why are you saying you suppose it’s your fault?

Woeismethischristmas · 30/04/2021 11:25

I couldn’t spend 60 quid in a pub in two hours. Do you take the bottle home with you? Can’t see how this would encourage sensible drinking at all.

Swordfish1 · 30/04/2021 11:25

Sorry, I see it was last night. What did you do in the end?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/04/2021 11:25

Agree re passivity. When they gave you the terms and conditions on site after taking the money, why not kick up a stink then and there?

MadeForThis · 30/04/2021 11:25

I would phone and complain. I would never go back either.

Cocomarine · 30/04/2021 11:26

[quote narra]@Cocomarine one bottle of house spirit.
So we couldn't even pick different
We just went for vodka
Then they kept giving us unlimited jugs of iced Diet Coke [/quote]
But you could pick the spirit? And you chose vodka.

So you’ve had a £10 bottle of vodka and about £5 of Diet Coke.

Why the hell did you pay the bill????!!!

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