So I went to a restaurant yesterday...

[ErVikingo]

I go to this place 2 or 3 times every month. Its me and my 7 year old, we are greeted by first name and usual pleasantries exchanged.

Meal was nice BUT, I forgot my wallet at home. I tell the waiter and offer my card number which I know by heart. No can do so I tell him, I'll have to go home get wallet and return, no can do. "you can't leave without a paying the check...".

Had to call my wife who's at a birthday party to come bring wallet (that's another story). I'm asked to leave table and wait at kitchen, by now I'm upset but being my fault I'm being kind of nice. I refused to go to kitchen and offer to wait by greeter's stand.

Paid and then guy complains of low tip after "having to wait for me...". Situation fixed, tip removed.

I know that things are hard but I have left '000's in this place. What happened to keeping loyal customers coming back?

[Neilk]

That's incredible. Did you get the manager involved?

Do you feel like you could go back there after that treatment? Not to be vindictive or anything, but I would be tempted to share that story in their Yelp and/or TripAdvisor page.

Sorry to hear that.

[speeder]

If you are a regular and they recognise you, as you say, that is unbelievably bad treatment. I eat out a lot at the same places and once in a while I will forget my $$, usually because I changed clothes right before leaving home and forgot to transfer pockets. I also forget my cell phone at home, etc.

Freaking stupid business. Their total risk was their cost on the meal and they lost a customer forever + your friends, most likely. I would have ripped them a new ass hole.

[HardDrive]

Yelp.com

[cashflyer]

If it's a busy place, he knows there will be another butt to fill your seat tomorrow.

[craigster59]

I've done that before in town, even at places I've frequented just a few times. They've written my name on the back of the receipt and placed it under the cash drawer (where they usually put the $100's). Came back in a 1/2 hour to pay. I'd stop by there again, only to tell the manager I wouldn't be coming back.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Paid and then guy complains of low tip after "having to wait for me...". Situation fixed, tip removed.

Priceless!

In my experience, events like these signal a change in management and are usually followed by closing the doors. They are bankrupt but don't know it yet. Call the place and ask to speak to the manager. Explain just what you told us (including the tip incident). Let him know that he deserves to know why they lost a loyal customer. If he doesn't offer some kind of peace offering, then warn your friends that this restaurant has lost respect for the customer.

[ErVikingo]

I spoke with the manager who was a total tool. Last visit, too bad it's my kids favorite place and, when a 6 year old asks you to take him out and he eats all his food without having to remind him....

I told him, that was it. Never coming back and will let my acquaintances know. No business mind.

[Seahawk]

You gooned it, we all get that, made a mistake. I've lived the dream.

What the restaurant did was malice. I worked a lot of restaurants in college. Repeat customers are golden. I worked this type of issue many times...sign the bill, see you in an hour. I was never burned.

There is no way I would have left the table, btw...as the customer, make me leave.

[ErVikingo]

I know Paul but I thought that since I'm a regular I'd be treated differently. I thought they would ask to talk to me aside perhaps to ease my embarassment of not having the wallet. I was wrong and apparently expected too much....

I played it cool for my boy's benefit. My neighbor jokes (we've been to the place together many times) "guess you look like you can't pay the bill". Next time I'll drive one of the Chevy's not a 911. Now that I think of it, my 911 was parked right in front.

Thanks for the opportunity to vent!

[Ronbo]

This is inexcusable. A Yelp review is definitely in order at the very least.

[Por_sha911]

what restaurant was this?

[ErVikingo]

Guess I must to see what YELP is. Gather a review site. I will write a review to warn others.

[Rick Lee]

Not quite the service I got when I wanted to impulse buy a Sinn watch in Germany the night before I was headed back home. I couldn't get that kind of cash out of an ATM and they didn't take credit cards. Boss handed me the watch, told me to wire him the money within two weeks, even lied on the VAT refund paperwork for me and said I had paid cash for the watch. Went back to see him in June and we're great friends now.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

I know Paul but I thought that since I'm a regular I'd be treated differently...

You should have been, no question.

Next time order a coke or desert while waiting for the wallet.

[enzo1]

they should have just "comped " the meal since you were a good customer....or "just pay it next time you come in"....or if I don't know you I'll compromise by asking him what have you got that I can hold untill you come back eg: anything auto related, LOL... I've been burned a few times but it makes it interesting edit: out of towners give em my address and stick it in the mail...I've gotten some nice letters on those

[LakeCleElum]

I would have given my name, address/phone and left to go get my wallet. Police wouldn't be involved in my area if he called 911. Business would be told it was a "civil problem"......U were too nice.....Don't go back to that Burger King...

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

I would have given my name, address/phone and left to go get my wallet. Police wouldn't be involved in my area if he called 911. Business would be told it was a "civil problem"......U were too nice.....Don't go back to that Burger King...

they just give it to the guy BEHIND you

[trekkor]

Yes, I would have left to get my wallet.

They can't hold you there.


KT

[Hard-Deck]

I bet the owners would be interested in your story