A glass of water

Press, 11 April 1977, Page 10

A glass of water

Sir, — In a city department store. Beath and Co, ltd, Cashel Street, two cups of coffee and sandwiches were purchased at a cost of $2.04. Upon asking for a small glass of water for an infant the attendant informed me .there would be ai additional charge to cover overheads. If overheads are to be recovered, then surely this will be done in the pricing of food and beverage. I wonder how much this particular store charges for customer satisfaction? How can any charge bv justified for a glass of water. —Yours, etc., MRS K. PHIPPS. April 5, 1977. [This letter was referred to the manager of Beaths, Ltd (Mr E. J. McGregor) who replies as follows; "We can only say that this was the action of an over-zealous assistant, as it has never been our policy to charge for a glass of water. No doubt, the assistant is conscious of the alarming cost structures facing the retail industry; since 1970 we have had to absorb all wage increases, etc., having been under a price freeze since that year. We apologise for the error, and would be only too happy to refund the amount to Mrs Phipps if she would make contact with us.”]