DUBAI // The manager of a restaurant in a five-star hotel has been reprimanded for adding items to a customer’s bill that brought the total up to more than Dh3,000.
The Dubai Department of Economic Development took action against the manager after the customer filed a complaint that food and beverage items he did not order were added to his bill.
The Saudi businessman was visiting the restaurant in Jumeirah on Friday night with a group of his friends.
Mohammed Lootah, executive director of the Consumer Protection sector, said the Saudi had backed up his claims with receipts and sufficient evidence.
The department proceeded to investigate the matter, whereupon it summoned the restaurants manager.
Mr Lootah said “protecting consumer rights is one of the department’s top priorities”.
He added his section would not “tolerate any violation committed by any commercial establishment against consumers” as this would “preserve Dubai’s position as an international shopping destination”.
The restaurant manager said that the items were added because of a misunderstanding between the customer and the waiter.
“It was a miscommunication that I personally tried to resolve immediately by taking these items out of the bill,” he said.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
