Information

[love2stamp]

Ok, so I own a small cafe and coffee shop. I had a customer come in five days in a row and he brought in his own coffee mug (travel type), not a big deal, but he had his own coffee in it. I few of those days he would drink is own coffee and then fill up his mug with our coffee, pay us and leave. The last two days he drank is own coffee sat and chat with the other regulars and then got up and left, never filling up with ours. So the last day he comes in with his coffee mug and I tell him that he can no longer bring his own coffee in. Now his is pissed, was I wrong to tell him that? I don't think I was, as I would never show up at a resturant and bring my own food, but now I'm questioning myself? Would you have done the same in my situation?

[Sus79]

I would do the same as you. I am also in retail, and I wouldn´t accept that, so I think you are absolutely right

[blbabe1234]

No, I don't think you were wrong for telling him something. I think that is just absolutely wrong what he did.

[1grandma]

I agree with you. Your space is for paying customers! If he wants to bring his own container, fine, but it is not fine to not buy. His patronage is not worth it if he is not paying. That is what you are there for. You have bills too. Mydh like his own coffee container and he takes it to Waffle House with his own coffee in it, but then he buys breakfast.

[JulesinParadise]

Our lss had a similar problem with women who would buy paper elsewhere and then monopolize her cutting machines. She lets anyone use them for free now if they buy the paper from her but charges if they bring their own. So, no, you were not out of line at all.

[Flasher]

I would have done the same thing - nothing wrong at all with that decision.

[oceanbreezes423]

I would say that was VERY bold of him to even do this, and you were more then kind to let him do it as long as you did. If indeed he bought your coffee to fill his mug, that is one thing, but he did not. You have every right to ask him not to. His anger just shows he knew he was wrong and got caught if you ask me, .

[craftyk]

No you weren't wrong at all. If someone walked into a restaurant with their own dinner and beverages and sat at one of the tables and started eating it and didn't order anything from there, I don't think the restaurant would allow it! Also, some cafes around here charge if you don't order anything. So basically if I went in with a friend who ordered something and I didn't I would be charged like $8 bucks for taking up a seat that they could have saved for a paying customer.

[cort]

You were right....there are a lot of places that you aren't allowed to bring your own things into ....so that is just for the safety of all your customers...whose to say he was not spiking his own coffee or something? Don't feel sorry.

[Queen Mum]

No, you were NOT wrong.

It's what the others said.

If he came in and sat down and chatted that would have been bad enough - you still have to bus the table and clean it after he's been there.


(Did he ever tip?)

[love2stamp]

No, you were NOT wrong.

It's what the others said.

If he came in and sat down and chatted that would have been bad enough - you still have to bus the table and clean it after he's been there.


(Did he ever tip?)

Nope, never got a tip. Most of the regulars don't tip anyway.

[love2stamp]

Thanks ladies for reassuring me that what I did was not wrong. This is one thing (among many more) that drives me crazy living in a small town. Some people just think they can get away with anything.

[FairyMouseMom]

Okay.....maybe you can put up a sign at the door....and come up with something cute.....that would go along with the line of "no shoes, no shirt, no service." You probably do NOT want to just single out this person....even though he/she is the only one who does that. But, not being cool with him/her coming in to chat with some friends....well.....you may run into some issues with those paying/buying clients of yours. It's a tricky thing....and I am sure you handled it nicely!

[Queen Mum]

Regulars don't tip? REALLY?

We always tip. I even tip my hairdresser who is a friend outside of the salon.

No, you were NOT wrong.

It's what the others said.

If he came in and sat down and chatted that would have been bad enough - you still have to bus the table and clean it after he's been there.


(Did he ever tip?)

Nope, never got a tip. Most of the regulars don't tip anyway.

[love2stamp]

Regulars don't tip? REALLY?

We always tip. I even tip my hairdresser who is a friend outside of the salon.

No, you were NOT wrong.

It's what the others said.

If he came in and sat down and chatted that would have been bad enough - you still have to bus the table and clean it after he's been there.


(Did he ever tip?)

Nope, never got a tip. Most of the regulars don't tip anyway.

Nope, we live in a small town and they assume since I own the place they don't have to tip. Not sure if they even tip when they go out of town. sometimes living in a small town isn't all it's cracked up to be.

[deerewife]

Nope, I don't think you were wrong. There is a small coffee shop in town that I meet a friend at once a week. I would never consider not ordering something or even bringing my own.
I always put at least $1 in the tip jar each time too. I wouldn't leave it on the table since I usually just get a drink and there isn't anything still there when I leave.

the only time it's okay to bring something of your own is if it's in a sippy cup or bottle!

[LyndaKay]

Post a sign that says "No outside food or drink".
I think you did the right thing.

[TraciL]

from a business perspective you can't control the quality of what he is bringing in and it could be a health code violation..........

I think you did just great! How rude of someone to think they can just come in and sit and bring their own coffee to a coffee shop! I mean really! How's he going to repeat this story "the mean lady wouldn't let me drink my own coffee at her coffee shop".

Good for you for not letting it continue!

[Janell]

I agree that it might be a health code violation, but I guess I am the only one who wouldn't have done that.

I would let him stay, but when he buys coffee it must be in one of your glasses. I would have let him keep coming in, unless he was taking up space and a seat for a paying customer, otherwise, I wouldn't have burned that bridge. It's always good for business to look busy. I don't know all the details, so I am not judging you just saying I probably would thought of a different route to handle the situation.

[Queen Mum]

I know that the Legion back in Vermont would not allow outside food or drink to be brought in because if someone got sick they could blame it on the Legion.

So, I'd see nothing wrong with putting up a sign that said, "no outside food or drink' You might still have him coming in and asking for a glass of water while he sits there and visits with his friends.


I am still annoyed with the no tipping part.

from a business perspective you can't control the quality of what he is bringing in and it could be a health code violation..........

I think you did just great! How rude of someone to think they can just come in and sit and bring their own coffee to a coffee shop! I mean really! How's he going to repeat this story "the mean lady wouldn't let me drink my own coffee at her coffee shop".

Good for you for not letting it continue!