Posted on 04/23/2005 3:55:13 PM PDT by Jalapeno
By ROMA KHANNA
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Two men who sued more than a half-dozen strip clubs because of extra fees charged for lap dances got some good news from a Houston appeals court.
But that could be bad news for other lap-dance fans, who may want their appreciation for that art form kept confidential.
A three-judge panel of the 14th Texas Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that Paul Brian Meekey and Michael Fulmer should be allowed to sue over surcharges for credit card use.
A lawyer for Meekey and Fulmer said the lawsuit may be made a class-action.
That could mean notifying a lot of other men who used credit cards to pay for lap dances in recent years.
And that might not go over very well in some households.
"They are going to want the (strip) clubs' credit card companies to give them the names of all the different people who have charged dances there," said Albert Van Huff, attorney for several of the clubs.
Meekey and Fulmer sued a number of local "gentlemen's clubs" in September 2003, claiming they had been illegally charged $25 for $20 lap dances simply because they used credit cards.
The businesses named in the suit include Rick's Cabaret and the Men's Club.
Lawyers for the clubs argued that their clients are not responsible for the higher fee.
"Since the dancers are independent contractors and not employees of the club, the clubs are not the ones selling the dances," Van Huff said.
The clubs' lawyers also argued that the case should go before the state Finance Commission, not a court. The trial judge agreed and dismissed the lawsuit.
The panel from the 14th Court of Appeals reversed that ruling and sent the case back to state court.
"Texas law is pretty clear that you cannot charge someone extra for using a credit card," said Sandra Krider, one of the lawyers for Meekey and Fulmer. "The fact that they are strip clubs shouldn't mean they get away with it."
Hehe. What did they do, stuff credit cards into the girls' thongs?
Good news for a change!
But one can give a cash discount.
These guys are so dumb. You never, never, ever use a credit card at a strip club. If you use a credit card, who knows what they're going to charge you. You have to always pay cash and then you can leave with no worries about overcharges.
Are they free without credit cards? (Shakes her head, and reminds herself that men can't HELP that they're visual.)
No, you just swipe the cards quickly.
Or because your wife will bust you! After my father-in-law's death, my former mother-in-law got the credit card bill for his day at a strip club just a couple weeks earlier. A few years before she saw a visit to a less than reputable Nevada location on his card statement, too.
I think I'd beat him in effigy!!! Or wreck his favorite car or something. (Yes, I understand "Cutting off your nose to spite your face," but I'd feel better!)
this story is right up tyour alley ping the reptiles lol :-)
you two need to be apprised of your rights.... ; )
Been there done that.
'Course, it was expired.
< ];^)
There should be stiff penileties for screwing customers over like this...
In related domestic law and community standards news, porn shops create photo-ops...for public exposure of those who are piece-ably a$$embled....
Howl!!! Does this count towards puns? Or is this just sort of a play on word thing? I love it!!!!
No, No! Take his money, find yourself a really good looking younger hunk, and go out and have a really good time. That would be a good payback. Make sure all his buddies saw you, too. Then move away from there and start a brand new life for yourself and be happy!
What's this world coming to? The immorality of it all is shocking. Poor fellas, my heart breaks for them.
LOL! I'd rather find an OLDER man who has better SENSE than to chase after tail that isn't his!!!!! THAT would be JUSTICE!!!
:-D
"Oh, I've been getting it, there's a bunch of box fraud going around right now and I've been coming home at lunch to check the box..."
No, you just swipe the cards quickly.
I might need some help finding the slot.
(It's been a long time since I charged anything.)
Keep your CC zipped up !
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.