The manager comes over and insists the waiter didn’t quote the lower price and asks why we would even think “they” would have something on their menu that cheap. But, he will look at the bill and see what he can do. He returns and tells us the best he can do is give us a small discount. We are not happy but we agree, after all we are on lunch and need to get back to the office. After we agree, the manager steps back and at the top of his voice announces that this is the only time he would give us this special price so don’t come back and expect it again. Stunned silence came first and then it hit the fan. This man had just accused us of scamming them. Us! We don’t scam people. We pay our bills and honor agreements. We don’t order the most expensive item on the menu and then refuse to pay for some made up excuse. We storm out with threats of never returning. We know the power of word of mouth advertisement.
In the car, we discuss how good the meal was even if it was expensive.I know people really do this type of scam. The manager has most likely seen it dozens of times and, after mentally reviewing the situation, I can see his side (but not his tone of voice or his delivery method). This time though, he misjudged his clients and it will cost him business. I’m not mentioning the restaurant name but most of co-workers have already blasted the place on the internet. Is that fair? I say yes. Six people heard the price quote and the waiter was in the wrong for not admitting his mistake. In the end, companies are responsible for their employees.
