Sherry N.
Google
On Halloween night, I left my tab open at District. I’ve been a bartender, so I understand the risk of leaving without closing out. The tip can end up more than generous.
But what shocked me was a subsequent charge for Chinese food from a neighboring restaurant. When I returned to collect my card, it was handed back to me, meaning the card was in their possession when the charges occurred. This wasn’t a lost or stolen card—it appears it was used by District staff for personal purchases at 2am.
I calmly explained to the bartender. He went to the manager who then left me waiting.
When he finally walked over to me, he said my card was given to someone else, they ran that person’s charge on my card, and then that person returned later with my card. At one point he said she said she charged something on it, but then backtracked saying he didn’t know if she used it.
There was no reversal of charges, no note with my card, and frankly his story doesn’t add up.
When I expressed doubt, this manager erupted in anger and walked away. My money was stolen and yet, he is angrier than me? I followed and said as much to him. He insisted on his “integrity and credibility” while gaslighting me.
He finally said he would “make this right” , gave me a personal gmail address—not a District email address— and told me to email him. I did. It’s been a week, and he’s never replied.
Is his story a cover up? You decide.
I’ve always defended Oakland against unfair criticism, but when local businesses abuse customers like this, it’s disheartening and unacceptable.