Pop Burger
Restaurant/Bar takes advantage of party hostess during blizzard. Ripoff!

I am writing you because I am at my wits end!

Saturday, January 22 (the blizzard night) I had a gathering planned well in advance at Pop Burger. About 20-25 people showed up. (Pretty good considering the awful weather). My friends and I wanted to pay as we go, like any normal bar situation.

The waitress and manager refused to let us proceed this way, forcing me to start a tab using my credit card. Saying to me that I also would benefit because at the end of the night with a grand total they would see how much we spent and give me a discount. I was in the midst of a party and just agreed. Why start trouble? They seemed sincere enough.

At the end of the night (3 am and a few drinks later) I got the bill. It seems a bottle of vodka to the tune of $220.00 was added to my bill. I had ordered three during the night and asked why the 4th was there. They told me someone ordered it.in my state (a bit inebriated but lucid) I asked the manager who it was, why was it not cleared through me, etc. I shocked at the amount ($1300.00) not realizing 18% gratuity was already added and I tipped $200.00 in cash.

The next day, January 23rd, I called them feeling ripped off, confused and upset. I spoke to the manager, Anthony, (who worked that night) and asked him to remove the 4th bottle. I did not authorize the purchase. He said he had to do some investigating. He called back he had video "proof" (not a bar joke) that some one in my party ordered it and had confirmed with the waitress a man ordered it. At this point, I still argued that it was no matter even if the "mystery man" did order a bottle, it was not authorized or cleared through me. Remove the bottle from my bill. No can do. They refused.

I called/emailed all my friends who went. No one said they asked for another bottle.

The next day, January 24th, I asked for the General Manager, Johnathan, thinking certainly a GM would see how wrong this was. He also did some "investigating". He also said it would be okay for me to come down and view the "proof" myself. Then the??? Of Business Affairs (Honestly I forgot his name a title but, apparently above the GM) got on the call-which was now a conference call between the managers and my boyfriend and myself. The??? Of Business affairs was so rude, condescending and brusk I was shocked. He raised his voice, asked me if I had ever been out before, said I was trying to get out of a bill, and I signed the credit card receipt, that's it! M take it up with your credit card company, etc. My boyfriend stepped in, more yelling and we hung up.

I could not believe they were treating me this way. They were so clearly now covering up their actions with bullish behaviour. I become crystal clear that their staff pulled one on us and they were defending themselves. The customer is always wrong.

I went to Pop Burger yesterday to speak with GM myself. My friend, Mike (he manager Anthony, on Sunday said he had him on tape ordering more) and my boyfriend Stephen (who the manager Johnathan said ordered the 4th bottle) accompanied me.

I wanted to speak with them personally and see the tape. I had to see this for myself. They refused, despite inviting me to do so on the phone. He said it was my fault, i should have refused to sign the credit card receipt and I should have asked for an itemized receipt. That I suppose is all true, but if I had the kind of mind that distrusted people I might have. I just never would think a bar would be so sneaky and dishonest. He said the tape featured a man in a striped shirt ordering the 4th bottle form the bar. (I thought they said it was through the waitress - hmmmmm)

At this time, we are all certain, the manager on duty and waitress knew exactly what they were doing. They brought a 4th bottle into the party and we did exactly what they knew we would do. We drank it! I had no idea and neither did anybody else. What a good way to sell liquor... When all are nice and tipsy, throw in an extra bottle and bill you for it. It increases sales on a slow night and increases her tip. How clever.

As a compromise, they offered me a free bottle of vodka if I came back. No way. They essentaily stole $220 dollars from me and wanted to make up for it by giving me a bottle of Grey Goose they get at wholesale prices. It's not the money. It's the principle. You can not railroad a customer if they have alcohol on their systems. They are a sneaky bunch and I CAN NOT let them get away with it.

I have lived in New York City for 12 years. I have never complained about an establishment in my life. I don't even return clothes that don't fit right. I'm laid back! Maybe New York hasn't jaded me yet... I just never suspect people to lie, cheat and steal from me, as those sorts of actions never cross my mind. There is lots I should have done differently, but the crime is theirs.

I have called the Better Business Bureau and The Department of Consumer Affairs. If I can not get anything accomplished, I will take them to small claims court. I want the $220.00 for the bottle, the $200.00 in cash tip and $189.18 service charge credited to my card. Tips stands for "To Insure Proper Service". I did not get proper service. They tried a sneaky little trick on the wrong gal.

Pop Burger
58-60 9th Avenue @ 15th street
New York, NY 10011
212-414-8686
212-414-5725 fax
Cheryl - Waitress
Anthony - Manager
Johnathan - General Manager

Eva
New York, New York
U.S.A.

Company: Pop Burger
Country: USA
State: New York
City: New York
Address: 58-60 9th Avenue
Phone: 2124148686

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