Amen.

"didn't a long-time poster get permanently banned last year for the exact thing that Dick did?" Why, yes, Suki. I believe that was the famous flying fish fiasco.

Just to clarify, JJ5, I'm assuming that your "Amen" was meant for MikeT's post, not mine! I snuck in the middle there. :D

""GT, I understand your point about the $1.86 adding up. But, on the other hand, that cup of coffee doesn't actually cost the restaurant $1.86. And my feeling is that making a fuss over it is penny wise and pound foolish if it winds up costing them customers.""

CAPH, that was my point if you re-read my post.

whats the famous flying fish incident?

I was trying to say that as well. It was the manner in which she was treated, not the dollars involved. Ultimately, it cost the restaurant a lot more than $1.86. It cost Goodwill.

I know I was a little mean, but it was just such an easy dig... :D

I'm not saying the owner was right, but you have to understand why us regulars are wary when someone's first post is a complaint. It's equal to a first post that tries to advertise a service by saying what a good time was had, when what they're really doing is shilling their hotel/restaurant/attraction.

And finally... dude has time to call the restaurant to confim a story posted on a message board? And I thought *I* had a lot of time on my hands...

I've made phone calls many times to verify info before posting on this, or that a post I already made was still current info. But I won't call the deli.

The deli owner's actions were bizarre. I saw a PMS thread on here today ... maybe in "Other" ... and wondered about that as a reason? But really ... many delis that I've been in don't give ANYthing away, but instead nickel and dime you for every little thing. I'll bet this operation is similar.

I would never assume it's ok to take coffee while I wait unless I saw a "complimentary coffee" sign. Your failure to immediately pay for the coffee caused you to be branded a thief in the owner's mind, and right or wrong, paid or unpaid, she never erased that image.

Additionally, they probably discourage "take out" coffee from being brought to the table as some customers would exclude the coffee price from calculating the server tip ... and she probably gets grief from employees about that - or the take-out coffee never gets paid for. Sounds like you BOTH made some bad judgement call, her especially, but I'd never let this story keep me from trying the place. I'd characterize it as poor customer service but not "nightmare" level.

Whatever happened to "Nightmare at Tavern on the Green"?

Dick??? Are you going to explain yourself. This is all so very curious.

Sorry, GT. I thought you were making the point that, from the owner's point of view it wasn't just that $1.86 but what it adds up to over the course of a day, a week, a year, etc.

No, don't apologize CAPH! My husband has beat into my head 'the customer is always right' for this very reason.

I'm sorry if I was vague.

You have a good meal you may tell three people. You have a lousy experience and you'll tell thirty people.

rb, did it hurt when you hit your head? Did they let you know there would be permanent brain damage?

Geezus.

GoTravel - wtf about my head?

I'm not sure what there is to explain.

In less time that it would take to read all of these postings, I was skeptical enough to contact the restaurant.

I have received some excellent advice from this forum....but I believe in being fair.

We have all had a bad experience at one time or another. But there is a difference between relaying the facts and asking people on this board to stop patronizing a business.

When a customer is as angry as chaplin, there is almost always "another side to the story"

Well Dick I guess you'll keep yourself busy calling every establishment that has gotten a complaint or negative press on this board.

And what would you have expected the person at this deli to say? Yes, we yelled at the customer and treated her very rudely, thanks for asking!

Actually, its the first time I've called and have no plans to do this again.

I am an agressive consumer advocate and have no problem getting to the right people if I have been wronged. I would never think to tell others on this board not to patronize a business.

I just believe in being fair.

"Customer's came to the support of the restaurant and were glad to see this guy storm out."

How do you explain that in light of the fact that CChaplin is a woman?

I've gotta pipe in here and say someone has way too much time on his hands! Can you imagine calling to "verify" every post you doubt or question to be true? Give me a break! The restaurant owner was definitely out of line behaving so outrageously over a stinking cup of coffee. It seemed to be an honest mistake and if it was paid for, why make such a big fuss?

rb, watch your language.

I'm still laughing at the idea that somebody supposedly called and they talked about the guy storming out when it was really a woman.

Caph, by the way, this is nothing like what got Patrick banned. Patrick did call a restaurant which is often recommended on Fodors and posted correct prices which had been slanderously misrepresented by a new poster. That's a lot different from a story like this which could never be verified anyway.

Dick is kind of like a politician. He never fully answered the question.

I don't see how Dick is an "aggressive consumer advocate" when CChaplin is clearly the consumer here.