Something fishy about Inverness chip shop order as prank caller orders 32 fish suppers and fails to collect
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An Inverness chippy was left out of pocket after a fake caller ordered 32 fish suppers then failed to collect them.
The Redshank, a popular takeaway at the city’s marina near the Kessock Bridge, succumbed to the malicious prank at lunchtime on Wednesday this week.
Rather than waste the food, the family firm run by Jamie and Anne-Marie Ross alerted its large social media following to offer the free suppers which were quickly snapped up.
But the episode left them counting the cost in staff time and hundreds of pounds of stock, with standard fish suppers costing £12.50 at the eatery.
Mr Ross told the Courier: “We had taken orders from the form that the caller quoted before, so we didn’t suspect anything.
“We have been in business for five years, so we know, often, it is best to take deposits and information.
“But this one was done under good faith. We felt we were doing them a bit of a favour by accepting the order at short notice.
“It turned out they were using the company name under false pretences and it was a complete waste of food and staff time and costs.
“We would have felt a lot worse if people didn’t take it, but within a short time we had three or four vans pulling up to accept the free food!
“There’s a whole list of costs that go into creating a portion that maybe people underestimate.”
The Redshank operates a van overlooked by the Kessock Bridge in the Smithton Industrial Estate and recently opened a spot in the Victorian Market in the city centre.
The hard-working couple may reconsider how they take orders in the future, but are reluctant to burden existing customers by asking for too much information or advance payment.
Mrs Ross added: “We just hope people got full bellies out of it and enjoyed the fish.”
Well-wishers rallied to condemn the culprits on social media.
Kirsteen Eckersley was supportive, saying: “I’d like to buy five portions from you if you have left. Very happy to pay and will heat up later for a family dinner.”
Nicole MacRae wrote: “I’m sorry that you got scammed, but nice to see that you turned out into something positive, a very kind gesture.”
