€2 for pint of Mi-wadi

Maccers55

Was in the dropping well pub in milltown this evening for a bite to eat. We ordered 2 pints of mi-wadi orange and got 2 refills during our meal.

When we got the bill we saw an 8 euro charge for drinks. when i queried the charge with the waitress she said it was 2 euro per pint of mi-wadi which I thought was a bit ridiculous.

2 euro for what is essentially a dash of cordial seems like a bit of a rip-off. So just a heads up for anyone that might be in there in future. I won't make the same mistake again anyway!!

garhjw

That's ridiculous, I thought it would have been €0.50 or €1 max!

ScouseMouse

You are not paying for the miwadi on its own. You are paying for the staff, heat, rates, cordial and all the other expenses a business has to pay.

Howjoe1

Maccers55 wrote: »

Was in the dropping well pub in milltown this evening for a bite to eat. We ordered 2 pints of mi-wadi orange and got 2 refills during our meal.

When we got the bill we saw an 8 euro charge for drinks. when i queried the charge with the waitress she said it was 2 euro per pint of mi-wadi which I thought was a bit ridiculous.

2 euro for what is essentially a dash of cordial seems like a bit of a rip-off. So just a heads up for anyone that might be in there in future. I won't make the same mistake again anyway!!

and then you'll have Pub owners complaining how bad business is, which is no surprise when you see rip offs like this.

Howjoe1

superscouse wrote: »

You are not paying for the miwadi on its own. You are paying for the staff, heat, rates, cordial and all the other expenses a business has to pay.

what if you order a pint of tap water?

frag420

superscouse wrote: »

You are not paying for the miwadi on its own. You are paying for the staff, heat, rates, cordial and all the other expenses a business has to pay.

I'm pretty sure that was well subsidised with the price of the meal!! Cheeky mares charging for cordial!

Littlehorny

You should have called for a manager and flat out refused to pay that price for something that should have been given to you complimentary with your food. At worst maybe a euro each for the flavoured water you had.

ScouseMouse

Howjoe1 wrote: »

what if you order a pint of tap water?

What about it. The staff member still expects to be paid. The council still expect to be paid rates. The ESB expects to be paid for the lights. etc etc etc.

Or maybe you think that as its tap water it should be free?

Doom

Maccers55 wrote: »

Was in the dropping well pub in milltown this evening for a bite to eat. We ordered 2 pints of mi-wadi orange and got 2 refills during our meal.

When we got the bill we saw an 8 euro charge for drinks. when i queried the charge with the waitress she said it was 2 euro per pint of mi-wadi which I thought was a bit ridiculous.

2 euro for what is essentially a dash of cordial seems like a bit of a rip-off. So just a heads up for anyone that might be in there in future. I won't make the same mistake again anyway!!

Next time order 20 pints of it and then say "sorry I forgot my wallet" and walk out!

Maccers55

The fact we had just spent 50 euro on food we thought it was a bit cheeky and in particular to charge us for the refills as well.

Like i said we did query it and all the waitress said was that is what they always charge. She said it was 1 euro for a glass and 2 euro for a pint!!

I've no problem paying something towards but 2 euro seems crazy to me.

Busted Flat.

Dropping well were never short of people they knew they could charge what they like. In that premises one should not question the price. Welcome to rip off Ireland, enjoy your gathering, make sure you have your return ticket before you travel. If not you will not be able to afford one after your stay.

collie0708

superscouse wrote: »

What about it. The staff member still expects to be paid. The council still expect to be paid rates. The ESB expects to be paid for the lights. etc etc etc.

Or maybe you think that as its tap water it should be free?

I understand the cost of doing business but that's about a 2000% mark up.... Can't thinks of any other product that you would expect to pay such a premium

Howjoe1

superscouse wrote: »

What about it. The staff member still expects to be paid. The council still expect to be paid rates. The ESB expects to be paid for the lights. etc etc etc.

Or maybe you think that as its tap water it should be free?

Maybe everytime I take a piss I should pay €2 for the water to wash my hands with.:rolleyes:


btw..where i choose to eat, water and cordials are supplied at no extra cost. I presume the mark up on the food alcohol & minerals cover that. And I;m very happy to leave a decent tip when I feel I have received good service.

ScouseMouse

collie0708 wrote: »

I understand the cost of doing business but that's about a 2000% mark up.... Can't thinks of any other product that you would expect to pay such a premium

To put it into perspective.

2% or 2000%, it really doesnt matter.

Can you quantify how much money this involves? Say the juice cost 20c. Then you pay the staff member to make it and the waitress to bring it.

How much did the pub make?

I own my own business, and the costs were a real eye opener. I look on things differently now.

Littlehorny

8 euros for 4 glasses of miwadi is a rip off full stop and if you pay that with a smile on your face then your a sucker and a sucker will always be taken advantage of, the term Rip Off Ireland didnt happen by accident!

Busted Flat.

superscouse wrote: »

What about it. The staff member still expects to be paid. The council still expect to be paid rates. The ESB expects to be paid for the lights. etc etc etc.

Or maybe you think that as its tap water it should be free?

I see where you are coming from, this is not the celtic tiger years. Get a grip, if the likes of you do not, your business's is ruined. It is a treat to have lunch out, but with rip off gathering you are looking at your demise and your poorly paid employees on the dole. Ever seen an old movie, where the guy pulls in to a rest stop, with the shutters banging in the breeze, and nothing there. That is your future. Until guys like cop on.

kerry4sam

Maccers55 wrote: »

Was in the dropping well pub in milltown this evening for a bite to eat. We ordered 2 pints of mi-wadi orange and got 2 refills during our meal.

When we got the bill we saw an 8 euro charge for drinks. when i queried the charge with the waitress she said it was 2 euro per pint of mi-wadi which I thought was a bit ridiculous.

2 euro for what is essentially a dash of cordial seems like a bit of a rip-off. So just a heads up for anyone that might be in there in future. I won't make the same mistake again anyway!!

superscouse wrote: »

You are not paying for the miwadi on its own. You are paying for the staff, heat, rates, cordial and all the other expenses a business has to pay.

Ah yeah that is true. However, when you consider a full bottle of mi-wadi in tesco is coming in at 1.44euros here; I think paying 8euros for 4pints of the cordial was a rip-off alright when you can get approx 10pints with just 1 full-bottle of the mi-wadi.

Cienciano

superscouse wrote: »

To put it into perspective.

2% or 2000%, it really doesnt matter.

Can you quantify how much money this involves? Say the juice cost 20c. Then you pay the staff member to make it and the waitress to bring it.

How much did the pub make?

I own my own business, and the costs were a real eye opener. I look on things differently now.

Couldnt disagree more! Tapwater is free in every pub or restaurant I've ever been in. €2 is taking the piss for a dash of mi-wadi.

ScouseMouse

Cienciano wrote: »

Couldnt disagree more! Tapwater is free in every pub or restaurant I've ever been in. €2 is taking the piss for a dash of mi-wadi.

What part do you disagree with?

The fact that staff must get paid? or is it the fact that you get nothing for nothing?

Cienciano

superscouse wrote: »

What part do you disagree with?

The fact that staff must get paid? or is it the fact that you get nothing for nothing?

I disagree with the part where you say:

2% or 2000%, it really doesnt matter.

Can you quantify how much money this involves? Say the juice cost 20c. Then you pay the staff member to make it and the waitress to bring it.

How much did the pub make?

Answer me this, if you ran a restaurant, would you charge for a glass of water for someone eating a meal? The glasses have to be washed, staff member has to bring it to the customer, glass has to be collected from the table etc.

shteve

Do not know which is more hilarious - the fact that OP paid €2 for a pint of Mi-Wadi, or the fact that some people on here are justifying the restaurant charging said price? :O

Tin Foil Hat

superscouse wrote: »

What about it. The staff member still expects to be paid. The council still expect to be paid rates. The ESB expects to be paid for the lights. etc etc etc.

Or maybe you think that as its tap water it should be free?

It is free. I've never been charged for tap water in this country, ever.

SeanSouth

If you want to eat in someone else's restaurant, then you have to pay. full stop. If you dont want to pay, have your pints of Mi wadi at home.
Businesses are not charities and when you consider the cost of staff, heat, cleaning rates etc etc, I think you were getting a good deal.
What on earth do you expect.......

soap1978

SeanSouth wrote: »

If you want to eat in someone else's restaurant, then you have to pay. full stop. If you dont want to pay, have your pints of Mi wadi at home.
Businesses are not charities and when you consider the cost of staff, heat, cleaning rates etc etc, I think you were getting a good deal.
What on earth do you expect.......

Dont feed him

grey_so_what

It's just too much money for a pint of Miwadi......

It is seriously taking the p1ss............Especially as the op was eating there and spending good money. I'd be ashamed to treat my customers like that.



Of course bills have to be paid but what about "repeat" business???

Tin Foil Hat

SeanSouth wrote: »

If you want to eat in someone else's restaurant, then you have to pay. full stop. If you dont want to pay, have your pints of Mi wadi at home.
Businesses are not charities and when you consider the cost of staff, heat, cleaning rates etc etc, I think you were getting a good deal.
What on earth do you expect.......

This is extremely straight forward. Customers who feel robbed don't come back.

Howjoe1

Tin Foil Hat wrote: »

This is extremely straight forward. Customers who feel robbed don't come back.

Correct.

I know how hard it is to run a business with overheads today.

But first rule of business "it's easier to keep a customer than find a new one"

SO when a disproportionate amount is charged for something, you piss people off and lose repeat business, and

word of mouth will lose you even more.

grey_so_what

Howjoe1 wrote: »

Correct.

I know how hard it is to run a business with overheads today.

But first rule of business "it's easier to keep a customer than find a new one"

SO when a disproportionate amount is charged for something, you piss people off and lose repeat business, and

word of mouth will lose you even more.

If the owner had a bit of sense he would have trained the staff to say, by the way, you had a couple of pints of Midwadi, I'm only charging you for the splash, and got the goodwill out of it. As it is, the greed that's obvious here is what is killing the trade at the mo.....imo.......:o

jimmycrackcorm

SeanSouth wrote: »

If you want to eat in someone else's restaurant, then you have to pay. full stop. If you dont want to pay, have your pints of Mi wadi at home.
Businesses are not charities and when you consider the cost of staff, heat, cleaning rates etc etc, I think you were getting a good deal.
What on earth do you expect.......

What I'd expect is being informed on ordering mi wadi what it would cost so that I could choose to stick to tap water instead of being lulled into blatant overcharging

grey_so_what

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

What I'd expect is being informed on ordering mi wadi what it would cost so that I could choose to stick to tap water instead of being lulled into blatant overcharging

More staff "identifying with customers" I suppose is the answer as opposed to just a bill slapped down on the table.........The till says this and that's the bottom line answer........That attitude drives potential customers away imo.

sandin

collie0708 wrote: »

I understand the cost of doing business but that's about a 2000% mark up.... Can't thinks of any other product that you would expect to pay such a premium

Its not a 2000% mark up.

A business has a cost. They will need to apply a charge to a product to cover their costs. In this case the charge was about 1.50 (41c of the €2 was vat and about 10-12c was the cost of the product.)

Maybe next time you go in they can serve it in a glass that hasn't been washed? - Or they turn off the heating for you and also refuse to allow you sit down and use seats and tables?

Maybe they should just point you to the tap and the cordial and tell you to make it yourself, but only if you brought you own glass in.

Maybe next time you buy bottled water tell Tesco that you are not paying for is as it was simply poured from a tap linked to an underground well and put into the bottle.

Such a stupid thread.

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

I had a similar experience myself recently enough although it was e1.50 each. I now ask for a jug of tap water with a dash of cordial. Haven't had any issues doing this and I've only ever been charged as if it's one drink. In fact a fair amount of pubs don't charge at all for cordial.

ScouseMouse

Helen Flaky Celery wrote: »

I had a similar experience myself recently enough although it was e1.50 each. I now ask for a jug of tap water with a dash of cordial. Haven't had any issues doing this and I've only ever been charged as if it's one drink.

Thats a good suggestion, but its unreasonable to expect any business to provide staff to fetch you four rounds of drink and expect it for free.

ct5amr2ig1nfhp

superscouse wrote: »

Thats a good suggestion, but its unreasonable to expect any business to provide staff to fetch you four rounds of drink and expect it for free.

Yup, great if you have kids that don't finish their drinks!
Wouldn't ever expect it for free, but it's a nice gesture if you're spending a few quid on other drinks/meal etc.

Halloween Jack

sandin wrote: »

Its not a 2000% mark up.

A business has a cost. They will need to apply a charge to a product to cover their costs. In this case the charge was about 1.50 (41c of the €2 was vat and about 10-12c was the cost of the product.)

Maybe next time you go in they can serve it in a glass that hasn't been washed? - Or they turn off the heating for you and also refuse to allow you sit down and use seats and tables?

Maybe they should just point you to the tap and the cordial and tell you to make it yourself, but only if you brought you own glass in.

Maybe next time you buy bottled water tell Tesco that you are not paying for is as it was simply poured from a tap linked to an underground well and put into the bottle.

Such a stupid thread.

This is a stupid post im afraid. There are costs of business that are not directly passed on to the consumer. For example, I'd wager the OP was provided with at the very least, salt and pepper for his meal on a complimentary basis. Why? The salt has to be sourced and purchased, the sellers have to be cleaned and refilled, by staff who have to be paid. So should the customer pay these costs? Or are they accepted costs of being in the catering business and factored in to the price of other goods? Why don't you open a restaurant and breakdown the costs incurred for every part of the service provided and charge accordingly. See how long said restaurant lasts.

I'm not suggesting cordial should be free at all, however it is fair to say that certain things are expected as complimentary in a lot of businesses and customers are not expected to pay for them directly. Maybe your dentist should charge you for the rinse after your treatment? Or the magazines in the lobby?

Solair

That's an awful lot of mi-wadi to be drinking in one sitting!

ejmaztec

Some people in this thread don't seem very cordial.:(

Melion

I used to work in a bar that tried to charge 50c for a pint of cordial, i used to be embarassed telling people i had to charge for it. About 2 weeks later it was free again.

glic71rods46t0

superscouse wrote: »

Thats a good suggestion, but its unreasonable to expect any business to provide staff to fetch you four rounds of drink and expect it for free.

The OP didn't expect the 4 drinks for free - (s)he even said that €1 per drink would have been acceptable. It was also stated that the OP spent approx €50 so no-one was looking for a free lunch

Maccers55

sandin wrote: »

Its not a 2000% mark up.

A business has a cost. They will need to apply a charge to a product to cover their costs. In this case the charge was about 1.50 (41c of the €2 was vat and about 10-12c was the cost of the product.)

Maybe next time you go in they can serve it in a glass that hasn't been washed? - Or they turn off the heating for you and also refuse to allow you sit down and use seats and tables?

Maybe they should just point you to the tap and the cordial and tell you to make it yourself, but only if you brought you own glass in.

Maybe next time you buy bottled water tell Tesco that you are not paying for is as it was simply poured from a tap linked to an underground well and put into the bottle.

Such a stupid thread.

As I have said already I have no problem paying for a dash of cordial. I didn't and don't expect it to be free. However I believe charging 8 euro for 4 dashes of cordial is well over priced and would go so far as to say a rip-off.

For instance, two other people in our company had a pint of tap water which were free. So for the dash of cordial and the additional labour of pouring said dash it was 2 euro. That in my view is disproportionate and if I had known the cost would have just got a water.

The fact we were waiting quite a while for our food and the waitress asked did we want a refill which we were charged a further 2 euro just let a bit of a sour taste after having spent 50 euro on food.

The thread was as much an FYI for people as it was an opportunity to air my gripe. From the responses I have seen many people believe that this in indeed over priced and at least if they do choose to go to this establishment they are well aware of the price of a pint of mi-wadi before ordering it.

While in your opinion this may not be a rip-off and is a "stupid thread" if a few people believe it is a rip off (which it appears they do) and are thus better informed then this thread has served its purpose.

coolhull

superscouse wrote: »

You are not paying for the miwadi on its own. You are paying for the staff, heat, rates, cordial and all the other expenses a business has to pay.

And if the OP hadn't ordered the miwadi, then who would have paid for all these things?
Why should someone bringing their family for a meal have to pay a massive premium for a drop of flavoured water?
A bottle of orange squash costs about 2 euro per litre, not per dash. Was the customer not already paying a pretty good mark-up for their meal?
tHe only way to stop this line of rip off is to stay away from the place, and make sure to tell as many people as possible the story.

Howjoe1

sandin wrote: »

Its not a 2000% mark up.

A business has a cost. They will need to apply a charge to a product to cover their costs. In this case the charge was about 1.50 (41c of the €2 was vat and about 10-12c was the cost of the product.)

Maybe next time you go in they can serve it in a glass that hasn't been washed? - Or they turn off the heating for you and also refuse to allow you sit down and use seats and tables?

Maybe they should just point you to the tap and the cordial and tell you to make it yourself, but only if you brought you own glass in.

Maybe next time you buy bottled water tell Tesco that you are not paying for is as it was simply poured from a tap linked to an underground well and put into the bottle.

Such a stupid thread.

Sandin,

Can you let me know who is charging 21% of the provision of tap water to customers and I'll report them to Revenue?

mikom

Maccers55 wrote: »

Was in the dropping well pub in milltown this evening for a bite to eat. We ordered 2 pints of mi-wadi orange and got 2 refills during our meal.

When we got the bill we saw an 8 euro charge for drinks. when i queried the charge with the waitress she said it was 2 euro per pint of mi-wadi which I thought was a bit ridiculous.

2 euro for what is essentially a dash of cordial seems like a bit of a rip-off. So just a heads up for anyone that might be in there in future. I won't make the same mistake again anyway!!

I'll be avoiding this place.
Thanks for the heads up.

ejmaztec

sandin wrote: »

Its not a 2000% mark up.

A business has a cost. They will need to apply a charge to a product to cover their costs. In this case the charge was about 1.50 (41c of the €2 was vat and about 10-12c was the cost of the product.)

Maybe next time you go in they can serve it in a glass that hasn't been washed? - Or they turn off the heating for you and also refuse to allow you sit down and use seats and tables?

Maybe they should just point you to the tap and the cordial and tell you to make it yourself, but only if you brought you own glass in.

Maybe next time you buy bottled water tell Tesco that you are not paying for is as it was simply poured from a tap linked to an underground well and put into the bottle.

Such a stupid thread.

Bottled water is processed and isn't neat from the source.

animaal

sandin wrote: »

A business has a cost. They will need to apply a charge to a product to cover their costs. In this case the charge was about 1.50 (41c of the €2 was vat and about 10-12c was the cost of the product.)

This is about common practice and expectations.

In this country, it's expected that when you go for a meal, the headline food price will be high, to cover staff, rent, etc. That high price generally also covers tap water, cutlery, napkins, bread & butter (if it's that kind of restaurant), ketchup, use of toilet facilities, etc. Cordial shouldn't be assumed to be a freebie, but would be expected to be a fraction of the cost of a soft drink in the same establishment. Going out for a meal would be more trouble than it's worth if we had to enquire about the price of all these things to avoid a surprise on the bill.

Of course, they can charge whatever they want, implement the Ryanair charging model, etc etc. But they need to make it very clear. Otherwise they'll lose revenue units (previously known as customers).

Nanazolie

superscouse wrote: »

What about it. The staff member still expects to be paid. The council still expect to be paid rates. The ESB expects to be paid for the lights. etc etc etc.

Or maybe you think that as its tap water it should be free?

Staff, ESB, taxes... everything will still have to be paid regardless whether the customers drink champagne or tap water. Or even don't drink at all. Surely, you wouldn't charge more customers on quiet days because you need the money to pay your staff? Said staff doesn't get paid more if the place is mad busy or less if it's dead quiet (leaving the tips aside).

A business owner who tries to recoup costs by overcharging their customers for very cheap stuff like squash is in need of some business classes. I will go back again and again to a place that charges me fair prices, and will spread the word. If they try to rip me off, that's my custom gone but also all the people I know. And the social media will make some serious damages to their reputation, if I post it on Facebook, that's all my friends who won't go near the place. And their friends. And the friends of their friends...

I would expect to pay 1 euro for a pint of squash at the most. And not be charged for refill if I'm paying 50€ for a meal

Cienciano

sandin wrote: »

Its not a 2000% mark up.

A business has a cost. They will need to apply a charge to a product to cover their costs. In this case the charge was about 1.50 (41c of the €2 was vat and about 10-12c was the cost of the product.)

Maybe next time you go in they can serve it in a glass that hasn't been washed? - Or they turn off the heating for you and also refuse to allow you sit down and use seats and tables?

Maybe they should just point you to the tap and the cordial and tell you to make it yourself, but only if you brought you own glass in.

Maybe next time you buy bottled water tell Tesco that you are not paying for is as it was simply poured from a tap linked to an underground well and put into the bottle.

Such a stupid thread.

The thread isn't stupid at all! I'll put the question to you then: If you owned a restaurant, would you charge for a glass of tapwater?

Mulumpy

People say staying away is solving the problem. Yes the drinks are over priced but should the OP not be airing their gripe with the manager and not publicly stating it and risk more jobs and another business closing.

qwert2

I'm amazed at the amount of gob****es on here defending the pub

Mint Sauce

superscouse wrote: »

What about it. The staff member still expects to be paid. The council still expect to be paid rates. The ESB expects to be paid for the lights. etc etc etc.

Or maybe you think that as its tap water it should be free?

I have never paid for tap water in an Irish Restaurant or bar, nor have I ever paid for Mi-Wadi in a restaurant, and we're talking about a jug or two of the stuff sometimes. Most paid in a bar was about 50c for a pint, some places paid nothing as well.

mikom

Mulumpy wrote: »

People say staying away is solving the problem. Yes the drinks are over priced but should the OP not be airing their gripe with the manager and not publicly stating it and risk more jobs and another business closing.

At €2 for pint of Mi-wadi they should have nice bit banked away to prevent against closing.