Short Changed in Pub

[Isiris]

For 10 of my 20 years of working life, I have managed pubs and for 8 of them with Bass Leisure Retail. I have had very busy pubs like the Manchester In Blackpool and dead ones like the Alexandra in Sheffield. I have an NVQ level II amd III and D32 and D33 assesors award. I was a memebr of the BII and also have my NLC (British Institue of Innkeepers and National Licensee Certificate)

 

Now 3 weeks ago, me and the good lady were out with some other couples and I went to the bar with the wife. I had just been to the cash point and withdrew 30. one 20 and a tenner. I was gassing to one of the men and gave her 10 to get he drinks. 1 tonic for me (Driving) and 1/2 lager. She gave the woman 10 and she gave her change for a fiver. She INSTANTLY said, I gave you a tenner and the girl was already off serving someone else (The pub is VERY busy) she said well you will have to wait until we check the tills. Even thought there was signs all over the place saying please check your change as mistakes cannot be rectified afterward.

 

So she took my wifes name and address and said they would ring on the Saturday. I didnt want to kick off so left it at that.

 

No call Sat morning so phoned them and was told, now get ready, The till was spot on to the penny. I nearly chokes on my cookie. For a tillthat will probably do 200-300 transactions in a night with 2-4 different bar staff operating it to say it was spot on was amazing. I did question her then she changed it to, "Well, it was only out a little bit"

 

To cut the story, they would not do anything and gave me head offices address.

 

I wrote to them 2 weeks ago in a friendly manner and got no where. I told them its not the money, its the principle. I have heard nothing. I have sent them an email today with the same letter asking for a response and said, "I hope this does not get silly and resulting me in having to take legal action."

 

The facts are:-

 

I gave her a tenner

My wife said she gave her a tenner

One of the lads who was with us saw the mrs give the girl a tenner.

Till was spot on, i think not. Lets see the till requisit sheets for the last 26 fridays shall we.

 

Now if they continue to be ignored, I will issue a claim. Again, it is not the money, I will happily donate fiver to a charity to prove suck a point, it is the principle of just being told, no its not wrong. From us being served to the end of the night was 2 hours, the till should have been cashed there and then.

 

Any thoughts please

[Guest ian cognito]

I agree with you about the till not being out, despite elctronic tills etc, they are very rarely spot on. I thought you could demand that they cash up there and then? could be wrong

[Isiris]

NORMALLY if I was just out with the wife I would have done but we were with her relations and they dont know me that well (If you know what I mean)

 

I definately wont be letting it drop and will definately issue a summons if they do not respond

[demon_x_slash]

If your OH had let the bar and then realised, then fair enough, but as she immediately pointed out the mistake she complied with their 'check you change' policy... they're really being stupid, I mean, to lose at least three customers over £5...

[simonjohn]

I think the best policy in any sittuation like this is to ask that the till is reconciled straight away, whether the establishment is busy or not is their problem.

 

Whats from stopping the person who short changed you, If they are light fingered, from putting back the amount, so that the till ballances later in the evening.

[blacksheep1979]

I think the best policy in any sittuation like this is to ask that the till is reconciled straight away, whether the establishment is busy or not is their problem.

 

Whats from stopping the person who short changed you, If they are light fingered, from putting back the amount, so that the till ballances later in the evening.

 

nobody is saying the staff stole it, just made a genuine mistake over the note given

[Isiris]

Sorted

 

Very appologetic email from Area Manager. While he could not guarantee that we did give the lady a ten or a five, he said they failed by not checking the till straight away. He agreed to give me the fiver back as a gesture of goodwill and even asked me if I would be interested in working for them if I had the qualifications I had quoted LOL

 

Went to pick the fiver up and when in my hand, asked them for the charity box and put it in there. NEVER about the money, more the principal

[Thailand]

Great stuff, glad you stuck to your guns. Mistake or no mistake - putting it straight in the charity box shows it was the principle that mattered.