A customer in Xicheng District, Beijing, was recently surprised to discover that their meal at Yang Guofu Malatang was charged by the "jin" (a Chinese unit of weight), but the system mistakenly calculated it as "kilograms," resulting in a final bill of 97.21 yuan. Yang Guofu later attributed the incident to an employee error. While this may sound like an isolated case, such "discrepancies" are not uncommon in weight-based pricing models within the food and beverage industry and are unlikely to be the last.
Weight-based pricing has expanded rapidly in recent years, ranging from malatang and self-service buffets to Japanese cuisine and seafood sold by the gram. An increasing number of dining scenarios require consumers to settle bills based on weight. While the pricing model itself is not problematic, the issue lies in consumers' inability to independently verify the weighing results—the scale is controlled by the merchant, records are stored in the system, and consumers only see a final number at the point of payment.
Common pitfalls in weight-based dining pricing include:
Unit confusion: As seen in the Yang Guofu incident, mixing "jin" and "kilograms" can lead to customers paying double the intended price if the system is misconfigured. Such errors are often difficult to detect on the spot and are only realized after payment.
Use of unverified scales: Scales used by food establishments should comply with metrological regulations. However, many small vendors use uncalibrated or inaccurate scales, leading to overcharges or undercharges that ultimately disadvantage consumers, who lack immediate means to verify the weight.
Pre-soaking or oil-coating to increase weight: Some merchants selling fresh or cooked foods by weight have been exposed for adding water or oil to ingredients to artificially increase their weight. This practice, which is not visible to the naked eye, results in customers paying a premium for excess moisture.
Lack of detailed receipts: Providing only the total price without displaying the weight and unit price for each item makes it impossible for consumers to verify what they have actually purchased. This also complicates efforts to identify specific discrepancies when issues arise.
How to protect your rights in case of measurement disputes:
Measurement violations fall under the jurisdiction of market regulatory authorities. Consumers can report such issues by calling the 12345 mayor hotline or the 12315 consumer complaint hotline, requesting an inspection of the merchant's weighing equipment and practices. The use of unverified scales or scales that do not meet accuracy standards is a violation, and market regulatory agencies can impose penalties on offending businesses.
When filing a complaint, key evidence includes proof of purchase (receipts or invoices) along with documentation of the issue (screenshots of the pricing interface, photos of the scale's display). If evidence was not collected at the time, consumers can request a detailed breakdown of the pricing from the merchant, which reputable establishments should be able to provide.
The Black Cat Complaints platform is efficient in handling dining-related disputes. Public complaints can prompt brands to address issues and implement internal improvements, particularly when involving well-known chains. The platform supports submissions via its website, app, and mini-programs on WeChat, Alipay, and Douyin, making the process convenient.
Self-protection tips for consumers:
Before paying, check the receipt for a detailed breakdown of each item's weight and unit price. If the receipt lacks detail, request a detailed pricing record from the merchant before completing the payment.
Pay attention to the unit displayed on the scale. When weighing items, confirm whether the unit is grams (g) or jin. If it differs from the menu description, raise the issue immediately for verification.
When using mobile payments, carefully review the order amount before confirming. If the total seems unusually high, do not rush to pay—verify the details with the merchant first. A moment of caution can save considerable time and effort spent on post-payment disputes.
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