How’s this for a story?
On the way home after grocery shopping, I was hoping to complement tonight’s lasagne meal with some (take-away) Turkish bread and cucumber dip from our local Turkish restaurant.
The bread costs $3.50 and the small dip $6.50 making my purchase, a total of $9.50.
As I went to pay (using my bank card) I was notified that the minimum transaction allowed is $10. So I stood there for a second looking at the cashier waiting, thinking for a solution. I was advised that I could purchase a drink from them, to take me over the $10 minimum. I replied that I didn’t wish to purchase a drink, just the bread with one dip.
I was then given the opportunity to pay an extra $0.50 just to bring me up to the minimum and pay using my card. I asked if it was possible to just let me pay $9.50 and was told, no. I asked if the machine would allow a transaction of $9.50 and was told that it costs them money to allow transactions that are less than $10.
So I said “It’s alright mate, maybe next time” and left the premise.
What do they care, one customer isn’t going to impact on their business. At least they didn’t have to pay a surcharge for allowing that amount to be charged.
The loser is me right? I went there to get bread, I had my mind set on it. I could’ve easily bought another loaf of bread for $3.50 or another dip if I was feeling really generous (as I didn’t need extra food). I could’ve withdrawn money from an ATM before going in there.
In my opinion, bread wasn’t part of the meal. It would’ve only complemented it. I saved $9.50 that I was willing to spend anyway. Better yet, my body is about 200 calories lighter thanks to not eating bread and yoghurt cucumber dip.
Who’s more stubborn? The restaurant or me?