A cafe has come under fire after charging a customer $1 to heat up his raspberry and white chocolate muffin.
The customer was shocked to discover he had been charged a heating fee to warm up a $7 [$5.00 USD] muffin at a Melbourne coffee shop, sharing a photo of his receipt on Facebook.
“A f–king dollar to heat my muffin? It’s crap like this that just makes you shake your head and question where it is all going,” he wrote alongside the photo.
The customer said he decided to order the muffin after a waitress asked him if he would like a second coffee.
“I said yes, but also said I wouldn’t mind a muffin as they looked delicious. With some friendly banter we agreed the guilty pleasure of the white chocolate muffin would be worth it,” he wrote.
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“Then I was asked if I would like it heated. Cold Melbourne morning, sure why not?”
In total, the man’s bill came to $4.50 [$3.00 USD] for a long black coffee and $8 [$5 USD] for a muffin with the additional charge.
He claimed he was not informed about the $1 surcharge.
“They just add it to the bill without telling you,” he added.
The man said he understood expenses “going up” amid the cost of living crisis but argued customers should be informed about an extra charges.
“The food and service was great, but never forget how you leave people for it’s the last experience or in the case the last taste you will leave in their mouth.”
The man’s Facebook post went viral, wracking up over 870 comments and 1,000 reactions before it was deleted.
Many online expressed their shock over the extra charge as well as the price of the muffin itself.
“I can’t believe they charged you $1 to heat a muffin,” one woman wrote.
“For $7.00 [$5.00 USD] it must have been the best muffin ever – I would never pay more than $5.00 ($3 USD).”
Others advised the man to go to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, claiming the charges should have been made known.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, a cafe spokesperson claimed the $1 fee – which was categorized under “heat standard” on the receipt – was a “mistake.”
“We do not nor have we ever charged for any heating of our wonderful baked treats,” they told the publication.
The spokesperson also slammed the customer for sharing the post on Facebook, suggesting he could have discussed the issue in person.
After the post was shared online, the cafe received a number of phone calls and messages, with the publication reporting the owner also received death threats.
“Unfortunately this has become a mountain of an issue that could have easily been resolved without a lynch mob caused by negligence at the hands of an influential keyboard warrior.”
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Responding to the backlash, the cafe shared a post on social media, reminding everyone to
“be kind” and announcing they would be giving away free muffins on Tuesday.
“We are treating you to a mindful muffin today while they last,” they wrote.
‘Tomorrow is a new day, Tomorrow is for YOU day! A new day to make you feel special, A new chance to be mindful and lead with kindness,’ they continued.
‘Come in and get a complimentary muffin on Tuesday 28/5 to enjoy with your morning brew!’
