Update: March 27, 2007
The waitress motive for not informing us of the price was to increase her tip. The waiters and waitress's at Bogarts understand no one will purchase the Lobster Tail if they inform them of the price. Management allows this to happen because of the waiters and waitress's rate of pay. This is not rocket science. Be careful of where you eat. You might get more than you expected.
March 25, 2007
Bogart’s Charhouse
18225 South Dixie Highway
Homewood, Illinois 60430
Re: Menu Pricing and Customer Awareness
On March 24, 2007 I, Fred L Nance Jr., took my wife and 2 daughters out celebrating my wife’s birthday. I took them to Bogart’s Charhouse, Homewood Illinois. I had been there before and thought it to be a nice place to eat. I had no idea of their public policies.
We ordered our entrée expecting to enjoy our meal. There were some concerns about service of our meal, but not to any extreme where complaining about them would make a difference in their service. Until, I received my bill.
On the 1st bill the waitress (Rebecca) submitted to me, keeping with how we were served from the beginning, I was billed for an entrée returned to the waitress. This was minor. The major issue was being billed for a Lobster tail at a market rate of $76.99. This was a bit much.
I asked the waitress why she didn’t inform me the market rate for the Lobster tail was $76.99, so that I could make an informed decision of whether we wanted that entrée. Rebecca and her manager, Dave, informed me I had to ask what the market rate was for the Lobster tail. Dave insisted Bogart’s Charhouse policy is not to inform the consumer of the market rate value of the Lobster tail. Dave insisted Bogart’s Charhouse policy dictates the consumer must ask for the price because if Bogart’s Charhouse informs the consumer of the price, the consumer may get embarrassed. This is absurd and ridiculous.
A consumer should be able to make an informed decision to whether they want to purchase an item, in this case an entrée, with the best information possible. A consumer is not likely to ask every question needed for a purchase. If a price is not listed for an entrée, the restaurant has a duty to inform their consumers. Evading or purposely not giving information is misleading and deceitful.
This writing is meant to be informative. The public should be aware of the deceptive practices of an entity providing services. I call this deceptive because it is a hidden price and promotes more revenue for Bogart’s Charhouse and a bigger gratuity for their waitresses or waiters. There is a method or reason for this madness. This is a hidden cost, which Dave the manager suggests rests on the shoulders of the consumer. Dave insists or demands the consumer must inquire about a hidden price on a menu. Dave insists Bogart’s should not and will not inform a consumer of a hidden price on their menu unless the consumer asks for the price.
Fred L Nance Jr.
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/ and http://click.townhall.com/
