"Credit Card Overcharge" at Sokcho Snow Crab Sashimi Store
Restaurant: "Calculation Error... Apologized to Customer"
In response to the recent "credit card overcharge" controversy at a restaurant in Sokcho Central Market, Sokcho City has issued a guidance measure to the establishment.
On the 8th, a post titled "Almost Got Scammed at the Snow Crab Sashimi Direct Sales Shop in Sokcho Market" was uploaded to an online community. The author attached a receipt and various photos, urging everyone to be cautious when visiting Sokcho.
The author visited a snow crab sashimi direct sales shop in Sokcho Central Market with their parents over the weekend. After telling the staff they wanted to eat sashimi, they were told that, since it was a weekend evening, snow crab was required. Wanting to treat their parents to something nice, they decided to dine at the restaurant.
After the meal, the receipt showed a total of 364,000 won. The author, having already calculated the expected amount, knew the actual order should have been only 240,000 won. Noticing the significant discrepancy, the author approached the counter and asked to check the bill. A woman, presumed to be the owner, responded without even looking at the receipt, saying, "Did I make a mistake with the calculation?" and offered to process the payment again. She then canceled the original charge and recharged the correct amount of 240,000 won.
The author commented, "It's disappointing that, even as we try to revitalize the market, there are still shops inside pulling scams like this," and added, "I'm sharing this because I think many people might fall victim without realizing it."
As the controversy grew, Sokcho City issued a guidance measure to the restaurant through the market merchants' association that day. The restaurant explained to the association, "We made a mistake with the calculation due to the large number of customers," and claimed, "We also apologized to the customer on site." The merchants' association also announced plans to conduct customer service training for merchants to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
Last Month: Squid Street Vendors Overcharging
Meanwhile, last month, Sokcho was also embroiled in an overcharging controversy. On August 8, a post titled "I Went to the Squid Street Vendors and Was So Angry" appeared on the Sokcho City Hall online bulletin board. After hearing that squid prices had recently dropped, the author, identified as Mr. A, visited the squid street vendors. Mr. A wrote, "The vendors lied, saying 'You can't catch squid these days,' and 'It's rare,'" and continued, "I bought some because I didn't want to waste my time and effort, but the price was an absurd 28,000 won per squid, and since they refused to sell just one, I ended up buying two for 56,000 won."
However, Mr. A claimed that the restaurant's unfriendly attitude continued even after purchasing the squid. "I had barely taken a few bites when they asked if I wasn't going to order more or drink alcohol," Mr. A said. "When I asked for more chojang sauce, they grumbled, 'Why do you need more sauce if you're not going to order anything else?' I was so offended that I just got up and left."
On the 8th of last month, squid street vendors and officials held a midnight resolution meeting at the Sokcho Fisheries Cooperative in Cheongho-dong, Sokcho City, Gangwon Province, bowing their heads in apology over the controversy regarding their unfriendly behavior. Photo by Yonhap News
As the controversy spread, the squid street vendors and related officials issued an official apology. The Sokcho Fisheries Cooperative, the Jigging Business Association, and the Yangmiri Gillnet Association held a special customer service training session and resolution meeting with about 20 vendors in Cheongho-dong, Sokcho City. The merchants adopted a resolution promising bright smiles, honest pricing, and pledged to prevent repeated overcharging and forced high-priced orders. They also stated that the restaurant involved had received a warning, and announced, "If the same complaint recurs, we will consider suspending or closing the business."
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