SC man hit with $525 federal fine for failing to pay for 89-cent drink refill at VA hospital

[unhappycamper]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/17/nc-man-hit-with-525-federal-fine-for-failing-to-pay-for-89-cent-drink-refill-at-va-hospital/



SC man hit with $525 federal fine for failing to pay for 89-cent drink refill at VA hospital
By Travis Gettys
Thursday, April 17, 2014 11:50 EDT

A South Carolina man was slapped with federal fines for failing to pay for his drink refill at a veterans hospital.

Christopher Lewis was working construction Wednesday at the VA Medical Center in Charleston, S.C., when he refilled his soft drink at lunch without paying 89 cents and was issued a ticket by the Federal Police.

“As I was filling my cup up, I turned to walk off and a fellow grabbed me by the arm and asked me was I going to pay for that, and I told him I wasn’t aware that I had to pay for that,” Lewis said.

Lewis said he did not see signs informing patrons that refills aren’t free and admitted he refilled his drink without paying on several other occasions.

[Trillo]

1. A lot of the fast food joints around SoCal with self-dispensing soda machines

offer free refills. Buy a soft drink, and just keep refilling it. This is also true at Costco.

Perhaps this guy was trained by the many such places that a self-serve drink dispenser itself presumes free refills. If refills aren't free, then why does the cafeteria trust the customer and intentionally offer self-serve? Entrapment?

[yeoman6987]

2. I have a friend

who would request a water cut and then go and mix water with lemonade. I have complained many times that she is stealing but she just laughs it of saying, "I am only adding flavor"......it is rather annoying. I hope she gets caught someday. I am sorry but I can't stand crooks. I suppose I could dump her as a friend, but hope with my influence try to change at least that one negative.

[Downwinder]

3. Hobo's Tomato Soup

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hobos-Tomato-Soup/

[CurtEastPoint]

4. Latest: changed to a warning.

[Niceguy1]

5. he knew they werent free....

It wasnt his first time there.....

[frylock]

6. when you buy a drink, be it a soda or a beer, you're essentially paying for the cup..

the price of the soda is negligible, thus the free refill policy at most places. in any case, any place I've been to that charges for refills explicitly states as much in the way of a sign posted on the machine. perhaps they should consider that at the medical facility in the story.