Hi Istoryans,
Just wanna share my very BAD experience in one of the malls here in Cebu. It was a very embarrassing and an unacceptable experience.
We initially planned to watch a movie in that mall with our friend who suggested the place since she is from the south. We arrived early as the time agreed so we look around first and since we walked from Sto. Nino Church to that mall we were tired and thirsty so we went to their supermarket at the ground floor to buy some water, a friend who’s with me bought this green salads of your choice for her meal in the office. For some “pika-pika” during the movie we grab a pack of MR. chips. After, we look around and eventually got tired since we’ve been walking for almost an hour, we decided to go to the food court near the theatres to wait for our friend at the same time look around for a some food for early dinner but we decided to wait our friend, then find a vacant seat to settle ourselves with while waiting for our friend for an early dinner in the food court. Our friend texted that she might be late because its traffic so we waited some more time and while waiting we open our MR. Chips and after we consume the bigger pack my friend decided to eat the green salads we bought from the supermarket in that Mall. After almost an hour, when we were almost done eating and our friend is already 10 minutes away and suggested to eat in a restaurant in the ground floor, so we pack our things and trash including the 3 bottles of water to dispose it properly when suddenly a lady guard approached us and asked for a total bill of Php 150 pesos as payment of what we ate inside the food court which they are charging Php 25.00 for every item not bought inside the food court. We were extremely embarrassed because it was a Guard in uniform with complete accessories who approached us at the same time talking to someone on their radio as if reporting that she caught some violators while all the people near our table strangely stared at us as if we did commit a crime. As to our embarrassment my friend immediately handed the Php 200 bill with shaking hands and teary eyes to the lady guard, I wasn’t able to react immediately because I was still talking to my friend on the phone which I have to disconnect to clarify the matter with the lady guard whom she then advised to speak to the person in authority over the imposed rules in the food court. So we were asked to follow her in the office where I talked to this irritating lady who immediately asked the guard what it is again this time (I am thinking this is not the first time that someone came to the office and complain). I raise our point that its our first time after soo long time ago to eat in the food court of that establishment and we really don’t know about the corkage policy. The lady told me “kadako ana among announcement diha sa ceiling sir siyaro wa gyud mo kita”. I saw that tarpaulin after the guard pointed on it on the ceiling when she was already asking for the fee. We honestly never thought about the corkage policy in the food court and so we were not vigilant to any notice or anything especially for those posted on the ceiling.
I raised my points to the Lady in the office: should you be charging corkage for bottled waters not bought inside the food court, the lady then answered, we charge per item sir. So since we consumed 3 bottles of water (1 of which I consumed while we were walking around and just put it inside the plastics since I don’t see any garbage bins yet) and we were charged Php 25 per bottle all in all that’s Php 75.00.
Second question: should you be charging me with those items I purchased which are basically not available in the food court (like Mr. chips and green salads) again the response was we charge per item sir.
Third clarification: should we still be obliged to pay for those items/ food we purchased outside the food court which we ate together with the foods we purchased inside the food court. The reply was – yes we will still be charged.
I reacted almost on top of my temper and find a very good reason for me to accept their policy.
Why would we be charged for bottles of water we brought inside the food court – that’s a necessity, we need to drink water – as per the lady – they have centralized water with the mall’s name on it available inside the food court. (we are particular with the brand of water we drink not to be mean but to be honest) so in that case we are not allowed to drink the brand of water of our choice inside the food court – that is nonsense for me.
I then found myself wasting my time talking to that lady who is obviously making herself busy to ignore me so we just paid the fee but not the as to the exact fee since the guard did not reported the chips and the other bottle of water (maybe she was somehow kind enough or maybe on her conscience what they are doing is too much)
For me the experience was very unacceptable. Why we were not told in the first place before we open up the first Mr. chips pack. And drink the first bottle of water, where in fact we seated right near the entrance where the guard is. WHY she approached us after we were done eating and almost about to leave.
And one thing, the most major thing, why it should be a GUARD IN UNIFORM and ACCESSORIES need to approach us and asked for the corkage fee, a utility or a waiter man/lady who would discreetly asked the corkage fee would be better to avoid direct attention from other people in the food court and imply thoughts of grave violations against us. This actually made it more embarrassing.
And also, they should have placed the notice in the entrance of the food court to ensure that customers would be able to read it. (for me its like a deception for customers to be unaware and caught off-guard)
Actually, the table adjacent to us brought this chips and bottle of water as well and about to eat and drink it but after they saw us being asked for the corkage fee she then left the place. (meaning its not just us who was not aware and wasn’t able to read their notice regarding the corkage fee)
I posted this incident and decided not to mention the name of the establishment for propriety. I am certain that for those who experience the same embarrassing moment in the same establishment have much to share as well. I have shared this to our friends and associates to watch out and if possible avoid the place.
To the management of that establishment, if you feel you are guilty, try to reconsider your policy and make it more acceptable to the majority.
My most Embarassing moment - Please be warned istoryans
Originally Posted by tikud
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