A cafe owner has criticized “rogue vigilantes” for sending death threats and trying to destroy their business after a man was charged $1 to have his raspberry and white chocolate muffin reheated.
A dinner lasted Facebook to complain about the extra charge for his $7 muffin at a Melbourne cafe, claiming the first time he knew about it was when he saw it on his receipt.
His post went viral, with hundreds of people slamming cafe etiquette and urging him to go to the ACCC.
But the cafe owners have criticized the customer for choosing to vent on Facebook, surprisingly claiming the $1 fee was a 'mistake' despite Heat Standard leaving $1.00 on the receipt. They also said that the customer could have simply resolved the problem personally.
“We do not charge and have never charged for reheating our delicious baked treats,” the cafe's spokesperson told FEMAIL.
A young man has been left feeling hot after being charged a 'heating fee' for accepting a waitress's kind offer to warm up his muffin
“Unfortunately, this has become a mountain of a problem that could have easily been solved without a lynch mob, caused by the negligence of an influential keyboard warrior who ironically sells the idea of spiritual living practices and house arrest, yet turned over a muffin. '
“A damn dollar to heat up my muffin? It's the kind of cr*p that makes you shake your head and wonder where it's all going,” the customer wrote in his original post.
'The waitress came by and asked if I wanted another cup of coffee. I said yes, but also said I wouldn't mind a muffin as they looked delicious. With some friendly banter, we agreed that the guilty pleasure of the white chocolate muffin would be worth it. Then I was asked if I wanted it heated. Cold Melbourne Tomorrow, sure why not.'
The cafe claimed they 'never charged heating costs' and the whole ordeal was exaggerated – encouraging people to turn to the small business (pictured, the muffins)
He enclosed the receipt showing his $4.50 long black, the $7 muffin and a $1 “Heat Standard” fee.
“The food and service were great but never forget how you leave people behind because it is the last experience or in the event you leave the last taste in their mouth,” he fumed.
His post had over 870 comments before it was deleted, and over 1,000 comments.
Some of those who saw it slammed the cafe, messaged them, responded to messages on Instagram and called their work phones.
“It's a sad world when a local cafe that strives for nothing more than customer satisfaction and upholding community values receives threatening messages from rogue vigilantes who want to see us go out of business because a muffin is prepared and served to quality standards,” the cafe owners said .
The cafe responded to the growing online backlash by announcing that their muffins would be free on Tuesday.
The man said the waitress never said anything about heating costs (stock image)
“We're treating you to a mindful muffin today while they last,” they captioned a photo of the baked goods on Instagram.
They also posted a post asking everyone to 'be kind', featuring the much-talked-about raspberry and white chocolate muffins.
'We start every day at [redacted] with kind hearts and happy faces and the tempting smell of freshly baked treats making our mornings all the sweeter. Then YOU walk through the door and the magic begins,” the post reads.
'Tomorrow is a new day, tomorrow is YOUR day! Another day to make you feel special, another chance to be mindful and lead with kindness,” they continued.
“Come in and receive a free muffin to enjoy with your morning brew on Tuesday 5/28!”
The man claimed his biggest 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 'rising' costs, he says customers should be warned about additional charges.
Others debated the cost of the muffin itself.
“For seven dollars it must have been the best muffin ever. “I would never pay more than $5, and even then it would have to be loaded,” one woman said.
'I would turn red there every now and then. I would be furious,” said another.
Others advised the man to go to the ACCC as the charges needed to be made clear to customers.
“They should say, 'That'll be an extra $1, is that OK?'” they advised.
The man said he would look more closely at his receipts from now on – adding that most people don't pay attention when they are in cafes.
After hearing the story, people talked about their own experiences with 'hidden' fees.
“We went to a seafood restaurant in Melbourne and after a meal but before dessert we were offered 'wet' wipes to wipe our hands with,” one woman said.
“I was impressed until we had to pay $1 each for the wipes.”
Another grumpy customer revealed that a waitress once brought them a delicious shortbread cookie as they finished their breakfast at a Melbourne cafe.
“I got to the cash register and she had added twelve dollars to the bill,” they said, bewildered.
Another claimed a hair salon was charging “$3 for sustainability.”
“They don't tell you, they just put it on the end of the bill,” she said.