A simple Saturday treat turned into a financial nightmare for an Edinburgh man after a visit to a popular bubble tea stall. He expected a refreshing afternoon, but instead found himself battling a baffling overcharge of £115.
The incident unfolded at a bustling location within the St James Quarter. He purchased three bubble teas, each costing £4.89, and partially offset the price with a £1.68 gift card. The expected total was a reasonable £12.99.
But a routine card tap revealed a shocking reality. Instead of the anticipated amount, a staggering £127.99 was deducted from his account. A wave of unauthorized transactions quickly followed, appearing one after another.
Immediately raising the alarm with the store, he was met with an explanation involving a supposed Wi-Fi error. Staff acknowledged the mistake, promising a swift resolution. However, hope quickly faded as communication stalled.
Contacting the company’s head office brought little relief. He was informed that only a single transaction appeared on their records, a claim that directly contradicted the evidence from his bank account. Days turned into a frustrating silence.
The man shared images of his original receipt, clearly showing the £12.99 charge, alongside screenshots of the nearly £128 total debited from his account. The discrepancy was undeniable, yet a refund remained elusive.
He described a series of five £20 transactions and one for £15 appearing on his statement, a deeply unsettling experience, particularly during the expensive holiday season. The financial impact was significant, and the inability to immediately halt the charges added to his distress.
Beyond the monetary loss, he expressed profound disappointment with the customer service. A manager initially offered assistance via WhatsApp, but then vanished without a trace. Promises of resolution proved empty.
While confident his bank will ultimately reverse the charges, he believes the core issue is the company’s “unscrupulous” practices and shockingly poor handling of the situation. He feels compelled to warn others.
“It’s a disgrace, especially at this time of year,” he stated, emphasizing the need for customers to exercise extreme caution when making payments at this particular establishment. The incident serves as a stark reminder to carefully monitor transactions.
The man’s experience highlights a troubling disconnect between a seemingly minor purchase and a major financial disruption, leaving him frustrated and determined to share his story.
