To be so upset people think we left without paying?

[ShownOnCCTV]

Went for Sunday Lunch - have been to the pub many times before.

15 of us celebrating a birthday - balloon for the birthday girl.

Spent a lot- three courses, plenty of alcohol as well always do - all this is irrelevant but want to put the whole picture - left a 15% tip- service/food/ everything was excellent as always.

Have just been made aware of a FB post, CCTV picture of a couple standing by our table, all of us in full view - with a big post from the owner of the pub saying that these people left without paying please find them

Below this is text saying how hard it is to run a pub without people doing a runner and in this wall of text it says 'the people at the table are not involved '

Cue loads of people saying- 'its a kids 10th birthday it can't be hard to find them'
'scum, who goes for a birthday and doesn't pay'
'great pictures, easy to find then- and a link to my work page'

I have rung up and asked them to take the post down - they refuse
I have asked them to blur our images they refuse.

My son has just had someone ring him asking him why didn't we pay.

I have posted on the page asking them to remove our images and that we have proof we paid but still nothing.

Owner is responding to other posts on the page so must have seen mine. Just saying how hard it is for people to walk without paying (I'm sure it is, but we are booked for next week- 20 people, but I shall now go elsewhere)

AIBU to be so upset about this- so many comments thinking we are thieves.

Write and threaten them with libel. You don't have to carry through (expensive) but they should take it seriously.

I’d post a copy of your receipt.

Yes, I’m glad I reinforced that point 😅😅

You’ll need to go back and speak to them.

I wouldn't know where to start.

But this post has been shared, people think it is us, the world is small and the internet is forever.
It could have employment implications for me if people think I'm a thief.

I would post the business and ask everyone to give them a negative review. Also police

This made me laugh thanks. But it does show what happens in walls of text.

The main post is the photos, and we are in all eight of then- and as a family we are quite identifiable.

Sadly can't until tomorrow as we have all had a drink (I would almost certainly be fine but I don't have a drop and drive)

Is it a free house or owned by a brewery? Would contact the owners of the pub
If it’s Facebook - would also report the post

post a picture of your receipt

Can't you ask someone to take you or use a taxi?

It would be best to get this sorted today if possible.

Free house.

Have posted proof of payment - but people aren't reading the main text let alone going through the comments (currently 214- only three flagging up that it doesn't relate to the table in the background)

Well, she won't ignore a letter before action . . .

I agree with those saying you need to contact the police.

You've tried to be reasonable in the way you've approached the owner, but their refusal to crop or blur the photo shows they're not interested in how it's going to affect you or your family. They obviously just want their 5 minutes of fame with lots of over supportive fawning.

The terrible level of reading comprehension demonstrated in this thread just shows the problem the OP is facing!! People are THICK.

I’d post a photo on the same facebook page of your receipt saying how upset you are to be accused of this and owner refusing to take it down despite evidence you paid.

Did a family not recently have success when suing a restaurant for something similar. I think it was perhaps in Northern Ireland?

id make them aware of this and tell them you’ll have no hesitation instructing a lawyer.

The owner has NOT accused them of theft.

In fact, the owner said it was not them.

But that fact was hidden in the Facebook post

I would call the police and ask their advice and I’d then screenshot everything and every comment and seek legal advice

i would also go back to the pub / restaurant and refuse to leave until the photo was removed and a further post put up by them clarifying that your party were not in any way involved and apologising for any confusion they have caused by posting you r images

your post here clearly shows how people do not read properly .

in short - I would not stop until they sorted this.

That’s horrible of them. I get that they didn’t intend to cause a problem for you, but they clearly have and they just don’t care. I would look into what you can do legally. You shouldn’t have to deal with this, but they’ve very publicly made out that you are a thief, they need to very publicly apologise. I can understand them having made the mistake in the first place, they’re pretty useless to not have blurred you out, but some people are pretty useless. How are they not now mortified at what they’ve done to you?!

If you let us know which page it is, we could flood the comments pointing out that it isn't the people at the table who are involved.

@CarefullyCuratedFurnitureyep. Thick as mince. Totally lacking in reading comprehension

I’d post a picture of the receipt and say you will be seeking legal advice if the photo is not edited/removed.

Nope Yanbu, that’s legal action all the way now against the pub. They’re now intentionally causing you and your family distress as you’ve pointed it out to them. Sue, sue and sue!

Yes we get the irony but calling us all thick doesn't actually help the OP in any way... Hope it made you feel good though.