Complaint Review: Panera Bread

I go to Panera in Hoboken often,the food is good and I usually have no problems,I ate dinner at Panera on Monday evening,I also purchased bagels. I paid for my sandwich and soup with my  debit card the total was $8.97,I purchsed the bagels after dinner and paid cash for them.

The following morning I called citibank automated number to verify recent transactions,the 8.97 was debited from my account 2x's ,I spoke to a representaive from Citibank and was told that Panera had debited my account 2x's once at 6:30 and again at 11:30 the same evening.The rep advised there were 2 ways to rectify one call Panera aka the merchant and resolve with them or Citibank would dispute,the rep advised was better to deal with "The Merchant."

I called Panera and was very cordial explaining the food was excellent however I needed to speak with a manager regarding a transaction. The rep was courteous and asked me to hold,within seconds the" Manager" came to the phone,I asked for her name and she said Lilly,I expalined the situation and advsied her that citibank also asked if I signed anything twice,since the transaction was done 2 x's",Lilly" said this was not possible becasue they were not over on their registers and I should tell Citibank they usually don't resolve situation like this.I told her I would call Citibank back ,Citibank advised the  same scenario and said since the merchant does not want to cooperate,they would dispute it ,but I would have to wait 3 to 5 business days,the citibank rep suggested I call back Panera give them Citibanks number and they would rectify the problem with Panera.

I called Panera back and asked to speak to "lilly" I was told there is no Lilly here,but did  I just speak to you about your debit card? I said yes and she said you were speaking to me,I asked her name and she said I am the manager.Lilly or who ever I was speaking with,gave the same scenario and said I was not charged 2x's by Panera.

Granted this is only $8.97 ,Panera is a very popular company,they are suppose to be the professionals,yet they lie about their names,they obviously do not want to credit me and I am now wondering if this is something they do often and try to get away with it.

I am not so thrilled about Panera anymore,thogh it is close to my home I doubt I will do business with them anymore.Today is Thursday   I have been charged $ 8.97 2 times which adds up to $17.94 for a cardbord cup of soup and a salad.

Panera has good food but it is not fair,and I WILL JUST NOT GO THERE ANYMORE!!!In the meantime Citibank has advised  I have to wait 3 to 5 business days and see if the $8.97 is credited and if it is not they will dispute it.

Bottom line we are the customer I was charged 2x's and I shoul have been credited immediately.Panera  Management should pay attention to this incident,I am just one customer but a word to all check your debit and credit card tranactions after you leave Panera,or you will find yourself paying double money for your sandwiches and soups.

I am not implying the soup taste like casdboad,the soup is served in a very small cardboard container,I am trying to get accross is what an expensive cup of soup and salad this turned out to be.