29.01.2025 09:51
The Ministry of Trade has initiated inspections by accepting reports regarding claims of 'minimum spending limits' and 'mandatory regular orders' at cafes and restaurants in Istanbul on social media. Teams from the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Trade conducted inspections in 30 districts. Penalties were imposed on businesses that had practices contrary to the relevant regulations. During the inspections, citizens sitting in cafes and restaurants were informed to file complaints with CIMER if they encountered such practices.
The Ministry of Trade, which accepted the claims of 'minimum spending limit' and 'mandatory regular orders' in cafes and restaurants on social media in Istanbul as a report, has started inspections in Istanbul. The teams of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Trade inspected cafes and restaurants in 30 districts of Istanbul today.
The Ministry of Trade initiated inspections by accepting the claims on social media that some cafes and restaurants, especially around universities in Istanbul, have practices such as 'minimum spending limit' and 'mandatory ordering at regular intervals.' Inspections were launched by the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Trade with 48 teams in 30 districts. The teams conducting inspections in Fatih penalized businesses with practices contrary to the relevant legislation. The teams also advised citizens sitting in cafes and restaurants to file complaints with CİMER if they encounter such practices.
"A VERY COMMON SITUATION"
During the inspection, Dilek Aydın, a student at Istanbul University sitting in a cafe, stated that even the use of sockets is subject to a fee in some establishments, saying, "I am a student at Istanbul University, and I spend most of my days here. I have come across such a place a few times. Honestly, I don't prefer it much as a student because financial difficulties are evident. That's why I prefer not to sit in such a place. It's a very common situation I encounter. One waiter comes, and another goes. You can feel that someone is constantly waiting at your table. You get the feeling that you have to order without wanting to. In some places, there is also a table fee. You are expected to spend directly over 300 TL. Sometimes you end up paying as soon as you sit down. There are places where sitting or using a socket is also charged. They probably round it up to 300 TL automatically," she said.
"WE DON'T IMPOSE A RULE ON THEM"
Halit Talha Has, the operator, emphasized that they consider the economic situation of students due to the presence of universities and high schools in the area, stating, "We do not have a specific spending limit during the time you sit. Since we are a student cafe, we try to create an environment where students can feel comfortable without charging any fees, as we are a cafe around the university and high school. Our priority is for people to feel comfortable because students do not have much financial means. Our priority is for them to be comfortable, and then they can spend as much as they can. Because they continue their lives with a certain income. Therefore, we do not impose too many restrictions or set a rule while they are sitting here," he expressed.