Seeing Movie in a Mall (Or why do I feel I was being ripped-off)

June 11, 2011.  I went to a mall north of Edsa. When I am in need of something, this mall north of EDSA is where I go.

Two hours of walking, looking and buying made me exhausted so I decided to see a movie to rest.  Off I went to buy a ticket at the IMAX Cinema.  I was charged P300.00, quite expensive, but what the heck, I wanted to rest.

To be honest, I was impressed with the Mall's IMAX Cinema. Clean lobby, nice and homey furniture to sit on while waiting for the movie to begin. It was while I was lounging on the sofa, however,  that I notice something amiss with my ticket stub.  I knew that I was charged P300 but why is it stated in my ticket stub that entrance is only P250.  I looked in the debit slip that the teller gave me, sure enough my BPI account was debited P300.00. Confused, I went to ask an usher and he told me that the P300.00 is inclusive of a bag of popcorn.

Now that got me piqued. Last time I checked, "inclusive" meant included. Meaning the P250.00 entrance fee includes a bag of popcorn already. If a movie inclusive of a bag of popcorn would cost me P300.00, I am fine with that, too.  But to charge me P250.00 for the movie and then force me to shell out another P50 for the popcorn, I felt cheated.  Why would anyone force me to buy something that I don't need and don't like?  I came to watch a movie.  Had I wanted to eat while watching, then I will buy what I want and not be forced fed like this one.  It is my money after all. I went to complain to an usher and all he can say was "Sorry Sir but that have been our practice since then".

Having done that before does not make it right. I have been a loyal customer of Mall. From the store in Sta.Cruz to the Malls. I like shopping in this Mall, it's comfortable, I have confidence in the products that I buy and the salespersons are very friendly.  Until today, I haven't had any reason not to be happy with this Mall.  Until today.  .

I do not know if my rights as a consumer was violated but I know that being forced to pay something that I do not like does not make me happy at all.  The idea of a divorce with this Mall would be unfortunate but given the circumstance, DOABLE. I hope the management does something about this cause I would really hate not to go to this Mall anymore.  The idea alone is already making me unhappy.

Meantime, definitely no IMAX Cinema for me.