A cafe owner has criticized ‘rogue vigilantes’ for sending death threats and trying to destroy his business after a man was charged $1 to heat up his raspberry and white chocolate muffin.
A diner took to Facebook to complain about the surprise fee on his $7 bagel at a Melbourne cafe, saying the first he knew about it was when he saw it in black and white on his receipt.
His post went viral with hundreds of people criticizing the cafe’s label and urging him to go to the ACCC.
But the cafe’s owners criticized the customer for choosing to vent on Facebook, saying the whole matter “is a bit over the top” and could have been resolved in person.
“We do not and have never charged for heating our wonderful baked delights,” the cafe’s spokesperson told FEMAIL.
A young man has been left in hot water after he was charged a ‘heating fee’ for accepting a waitress’ kind offer to heat his bun.
“Unfortunately, this has become a mountain of a problem that could have easily been solved without a lynching caused by the negligence of an influential keyboard warrior who, ironically, sells the idea of spiritual living practices and being grounded but turned upside down by a muffin.’ they said.
‘A damn dollar to warm my bun? It’s shit like this that makes you shake your head and wonder where it’s all going,” the customer wrote in their original post.
“The waitress came over and asked if I wanted a second coffee. I said yes, but also said I wouldn’t mind a muffin because they looked delicious. With some friendly banter we agreed that the guilty pleasure of the white chocolate muffin would be worth it. Then they asked me if I would like it to warm up. Cold morning in Melbourne, sure why not.
The cafe claimed they had “never charged” a heating fee and that the whole thing had been exaggerated, encouraging people to target the small business (muffins pictured).
He included the receipt showing his $4.50 long black, the $7 bagel and a $1 ‘Heat Standard’ fare.
“The food and the service were great, but never forget how you leave people because it’s the last experience or, in the case, the last taste that you will leave in their mouth,” he fumed.
His post had more than 870 comments before being deleted and more than 1,000 reactions.
Some of those who saw it closed the cafe, sent them messages, commented on Instagram posts and called their company phone number.
“It’s a sad world when a local cafe that seeks nothing more than customer satisfaction and upholding community values receives threatening messages from dishonest vigilantes who want to see us go out of business for preparing and serving a bagel to quality standards “. said the cafe owners.
The cafe responded to the growing online backlash by announcing that its muffins would be free on Tuesday.
The man said the waitress never mentioned anything about paying for heating (file image)
“Today we’re treating you to a conscious bun while they last,” they captioned a photo of the baked goods on Instagram.
They also made a post calling on everyone to “be kind” which included the much-debated raspberry and white chocolate muffins.
‘We start each day at (redacted) with kind hearts and happy faces and the tantalizing scent of freshly baked delights that make our mornings even sweeter. “Then YOU walk through the door and the magic begins,” the post reads.
‘Tomorrow is a new day, Tomorrow is the day for YOU! A new day to make you feel special, a new opportunity to be mindful and lead with kindness,” they continued.
‘Come and receive a complimentary muffin on Tuesday 5/28 to enjoy with your morning beer!’
The man stated that his main problem with the $1 fee was that he didn’t know about it.
“They just add it to the bill without telling you,” he said.
While he understands margins are tight due to the cost-of-living crisis and “increased” expenses, he says customers should be aware of additional charges.
Others debated the cost of the bun itself.
“For $7 it must have been the best muffin ever; I would never pay more than $5 and even then it would have to be charged,” one woman said.
‘I would turn red right then and there. “It would make me furious,” said another.
Others advised the man to go to the ACCC because the charges needed to be made clear to customers.
“They’re supposed to say, ‘It’ll be an extra dollar, okay?'” they advised.
The man said he would take a closer look at his receipts from now on, adding that most people don’t pay attention when they are in cafes.
After hearing the story, people revealed their own experiences with “hidden” fees.
“We went to a seafood restaurant in Melbourne and after a meal, but before dessert, they offered us wet wipes to clean our hands,” one woman said.
“I was shocked until they charged us $1 each for wipes.”
Another grumpy customer revealed that a waitress once brought them a delicious shortbread cookie while they finished their breakfast in a Melbourne cafe.
“I got to the register and she had added $12 to the bill,” they said, horrified.
Another claimed he was charged “$3 for sustainability” at a hair salon.
“They don’t tell you, they just put it on the bill at the end,” he said.