Customer Using Electricity for 30 Minutes, Repeatedly Demanding Orders Says "I Will Report You"

When Asked to Place an Order, Customer Threatened to Report to Media
After a Dispute, Business Owner Ultimately Called the Police on Customer

A franchise cafe owner shared a story about a customer who used electricity for 30 minutes without ordering and then threatened to report the cafe to the media when asked to place an order. On the 8th, a post titled "A customer who charged a laptop and phone for 30 minutes and left without ordering, now threatening to report us to the media" was uploaded to the self-employed community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It Hurts, I'm the Boss).

Mr. A, who runs a cafe, said, "Recently, a female customer visited the cafe, charged her phone and laptop, but did not place any order." He added, "I thought she might be waiting for her party, so I watched her, but after more than 30 minutes without ordering, I asked if she had company and told her that she needed to place an order." The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

Mr. A, who runs the cafe, said, "Recently, a female customer visited the cafe, charged her phone and laptop, and did not place any order," adding, "I thought she might be waiting for her party, so I observed her, but after more than 30 minutes without ordering, I asked if she had company and told her she needed to order."

The customer sat for about 10 more minutes without responding, then started packing to leave. Mr. A asked again for an order, but the customer replied, "Why should I order? I don't want to. I don't want to eat." Mr. A said, "It doesn't make sense to use electricity without ordering or just sitting there," and added, "If you don't order, you can't just leave. This is an infringement of private property, so I have no choice but to call the police." The customer then protested, saying, "I will complain to the franchise headquarters and report this to the media," and Mr. A eventually reported her to the police.

However, the police advised that a formal incident report was needed and left. Mr. A added, "This is really frustrating. What should I do with such an inconsiderate person? If anyone has a good solution, please share. I want to report this myself." Netizens responded with comments like, "Just reading this raises my blood pressure. Does she think the cafe is some kind of charity?", "That person probably doesn't even realize she's being unreasonable," and "How shameless to think you can just use electricity and leave."

Unauthorized Use of Electricity in Cafes Can Constitute Theft

If a person uses electricity belonging to someone else without permission, beyond the commonly accepted scope, as claimed by Mr. A, they may be charged with theft.
[Photo by Pixabay]

As Mr. A claimed, if someone uses electricity that does not belong to them without permission beyond the generally accepted scope, theft charges can apply. The Criminal Act treats "manageable power" as property, and since electricity is included as manageable power, stealing electricity can constitute theft.

If a person knowingly continues to use electricity without authorization, intent is recognized, and they can face up to six years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. However, if intent is not recognized, a fine equivalent to two to three times the amount of the unauthorized electricity used will be imposed.

In May of last year, a man in his 60s was fined for theft after charging his electric motorcycle at a public restroom. He plugged his own electric charging cable into an outlet inside a public restroom in Dong-gu, Daejeon, and charged his electric motorcycle for about 10 to 20 minutes. The theft charge was upheld, and he was fined 200,000 won.