DDE experience

[granmanh603]

For the last 2 weeks I have been using my DDE card(20%off food and beverage )that has been talked about on here before and so far only 1 server has mentioned that the 18% tip has been added already(only the smallest bill at the belleview lounge at BWV) but last nights experience was a little disturbing...I hope I explain this riight....you usually get a regular itemized bill, then you give the server your credit card and DDE card, they return with a modified bill listing the discounts and the credit card form that you sign and add tip and the original bill too..Oh and on this form there is a line for tip that is empty, looking like you should still add the tip , this was on all forms we got and never indicated that the tip is included....on the modified bill it does have discounts and a line that states the tip is included.....last night after we gave our DDE card we received the original billl(with the new line with suggested tips) and only the credit card slips with place for tip empty...we were sitting there for quite a few minutes puzzleing over whether or not the tip was on this bill the waitress showed up and says oh the tip was added, I threw out the modified bill form . Why would she do that? that is the form that kinda explains everything to you of what the cost is and if this had been our first experience with this I am sure we would have added another tip on this bill again... I don't know but I felt very disturbed by this throwing out of the modified bill. And I just wanted everyone else to be aware of checking their bills if they use the DDE card. Thank you for letting me vent. Carol

 

[Inkmahm]

She was hoping you'd tip double?

 

[PrincessV]

That happened to me once on a recent trip, as well. I'm required to submit an itemeized bill for all work-related meals, so I'm just in the habit of keeping them and asked for it that one time. I, too, was told at that time that the tip was included (I never asked about the tip, so I find the reposne particularly interesting) and he'd tossed the itemized bill. I asked for it again and he printed a new one for me.

 

[granmanh603]

She was hoping you'd tip double?

Unfortunately that what I felt...I guess you would have to see the process and the forms to understand but it was also disturbing that only 1 server the whole 2 weeks mentioned that the tip was included... on the cc form you get last there is a total only and a Blank line for tip and then total.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

This also happened to us at ESPN in early February. We had to ask for an itemized receipt. My husband is one of those people that likes to make sure his check is correct. The bill she handed us did not show the 18% tip included.

We also had the VERY helpful server at MGM Brown Derby who did tell us that an 18% tip was included but we should feel free to leave more if we would like. This cracked me up

 

[Chuck S]

Isn't it pretty easy to figure out if tip is included? If your final bill/credit card slip is close to the amount of the original non-discounted bill, the tip has been added.

Since this thread is about DDE and not DVC specific, I'm moving it over to the restaurants board.

 

[granmanh603]

This also happened to us at ESPN in early February. We had to ask for an itemized receipt. My husband is one of those people that likes to make sure his check is correct. The bill she handed us did not show the 18% tip included.

We also had the VERY helpful server at MGM Brown Derby who did tell us that an 18% tip was included but we should feel free to leave more if we would like. This cracked me up

Hi I did not want to at first mention any place but the receipt issue was at ESPN last night. I did not want to complain on here about the servers not mentioning the tip being added(being too petty) but after last nights issue I feft it was worth a mention....I am the bean counter in our family and my husband was the one saying we had to add the tip in still because of the way it is printed on the first un modified receipt. After this I wondered how many have been fooled by this. The throwing away of the modifed receipt was more disturbing....Carol

 

[marvali]

just a Disney issue. There are numerous restaurants any more that add a tip to the bill automatically if the group is above a certain number. I have gotten in the habit of always checking the bill to see if this occurred. I have seldom if ever had it pointed out by the server since it opens the door for them to get larger tips if you make the mistake of not checking. My DF and DFIL have both fallen prey to this on occasion, and we have all gotten into the habit of pointing it out to each other if we see it.

For a server to "neglect" to give you an expected copy of the bill with a breakdown showing the tip is already added is a new form of deception, however. Glad you pointed it out so others check for it. If people want to add an additional amount for exceptional service, that is one thing. To be tricked into tipping twice regardless of service is something altogether different. Hopefully this is just a matter of the wait staff still adapting to the change in the DDE program instead of an intentional plot to deceive.

 

[hcortesis]

Just got back from 12 days and used the DDE card every night and most lunches. Just a FYI on a couple of restaurants. Yes, not one server did point out that the 18% was included. Second, Tutto Italia does not include the 18% automatically on the bill. According to our server, none of the servers there add the 18%. Third, for the first time ever, I was asked for photo I.D. at the Bistro when using my DDE card. Didn't have the I.D. and the card was still accepted.

 

[Momelie]

I was there this past weekend, and had the same experience. We ate at LTT, Plaza, Chefs de France and Le Cellier, and not a single wait staff told me that the tip was included. Thankfully, we knew it would be there - but it makes you wonder about those who don't know and don't know to ask...

 

[shoes99]

We also used our DDE card last week. Not one server told us the tip was included, but we did get the itemized bill with discount and 18% tip added.
We had to show photo ID at Chefs de France and Trails End. No problems. We were with my sister and BIL, and we were staying offsite, so we paid by cash. We were celebrating DH and DBIL's birthdays. We received complementary desserts for the birthday boys at Artist Point and Tony's Town Square. We left a little extra at those two restaurants. We used our card at:
Captain's Grill at Yacht Club
Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge
Tony's Town Square Cafe at MK
Chef de France at Epcot
Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness

 

[newmommie77]

I was a waittress and for parties over 6 we would include an 18% tip. I did not tell my customers. I felt that it was posted all over the restaurant, and in the menu. It wasn't my fault if patrons did not read it.

I have the DDE card and I am completely aware that the tip is now included, but still, if the service warrants it, we tip more (actually dh for the most part tips over 20% - it is only for really bad service that he tips under 20%).

 

[Uncleromulus]

Does sound a bit like there is some hope for a double tip---.
Though I must say that most times when we eat at Disney (or any restarant), the servers don't "explain" anything. I think they assume that if you have the DDE card, are a party of 6 or more, etc, you already know that the tip is automatically included.
Interesting that photo ID business--never once asked for a photo ID all the times we've used our DDE card.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We just assume that the tip is already included and go from there when using the DDE card. We can tell if the amount is close to what we thought it should be though.

 

[n2mm]

Sounds like our trip in early February. The same thing happened at the 50s PT. We gave her the DDE card and she brought back a receipt with a blank line to tip. She did not give us the original bill so we had no idea it the tip was there. So we asked and she pulled out the receipts our of her pocket and said yes I added the tip. We said that was good, because we didn't want her to not get one. The bar at the WL got a double tip our first night. I told hubby to check the bill as the tip is now added. He got confused with the blank line on the check and put in a tip. So the server got a $10 tip for 2 drinks. Live and Learn (I took care of the checks the rest of the trip). We were asked for an ID at Pop on every occassion that we stopped there to eat (at least 4 different times). Since we charged our meals to our room, the name on our room key matched the DDE for TS meals, so no one asked for any additional ID. We assumed that the tip was added to every meal and hoped it was. We did check the bill each time to make sure. We surely would want to cheap anyone out of a tip, but we also did want to double tip either.

 

[laurabelle]

Interesting... It sounds like lately the servers are going out of their way to mention that the tip IS NOT included with the DDP, yet NOT mentioning that the tip IS included with DDE. I had heard that they now give the extra receipt for tipping on DDP, didn't know they were giving it to DDE folks too.

 

[dvc at last !]

subscribing........

 

[PlutoLuvr]

We were there the end of January, and no one told us the fee was included. With every bill, we were given a card talking about how the "tip" is no longer included in meal plans and that gratuities are appreciated, etc. I'd read about this card, but it was in DDP-related threads. I guess they're giving this card out across the board?

Anytime we didn't get the modified bill back, I requested it. I'm often amazed -- and not just at Disney places -- at how frequently checks are rung up incorrectly, whether at a restaurant, department stores, grocery stores. I always check my bill and make sure I was charged the prices that I saw listed for the items.

And, yes, everywhere we went in Disney, the 18 percent fee had been added. It can be confusing, tho. They add the fee on a separate line item for alcohol. So if you have any drinks with your meal, you'll see the fee on two different lines.

Bistro also asked for our ID when using the card. Our credit/check cards say "see id" on the back where the signature line is, tho. 99 percent of the time, anytime we pay for something with one of our credit/check cards, we automatically hand over our ID, too. We'd just forgotten at Bistro (too much wine!).

Watch your checks!

 

[DVCSAMNH]

I was a waittress and for parties over 6 we would include an 18% tip. I did not tell my customers. I felt that it was posted all over the restaurant, and in the menu. It wasn't my fault if patrons did not read it.

First of all, I can't think of one restaurant I was in where the tipping policy was posted, but you could be 100% correct about it being on the bottom of the menu. I wouldn't know, because I don't read the bottom of the menu. So, if it's there I guess it's on me.
But, I'll bet you didn't refuse to give your customers their itemized receipt when settling up their check so that it would be a little more difficult for them to figure out if their tip was included? I'm guessing probably not.

Unless you can remember exacly what everything you ordered cost it's not too easy to sit there with just a grand total and say "Yup, tip's included" and walk out. You then have to find your waitress or in our case find another one who was willing to reprint the itemized bill.

If Disney's practice is to not have the servers tell DDE customers that the tip is included then that is fine but we need to be given the itemized receipt so that we can see for ourselves that at least 18% of the tip is taken care of.

 

[goofy4tink]

When I was in WDW in January, I was happy to see that almost all my bill receipts came with a breakdown of costs. Yes, I know that the tip is added. But, I want to see that itemized bill. So, the CM would bring the bill, I would send it back, with my cc and DDE card (or room key), CM would return with the finalized bill, showing the discount as well as taxes and the gratuity that was added. Then I would sign it and be on my way. And no, they never mentioned the gratuity being added already.
But...while at Goofy's breakfast at BC, the server brought the bill, I handed her my cc and DDE card. She returned with a receipt that just listed the final total and tip spot empty. If I hadn't known better, I would have tipped again. I did ask her if the discount was taken...she said of course. When I questioned her as to why the bill wasn't itemized, showing tax, discount, auto tip, she told me that Disney didn't do it that way...all bills just showed total due. Nope, I told her that BC was the first place in a week of meals that had done it that way. She got a bit red and hustled away.
I'm sorry....I think they're trying to put one over on unsuspecting guests. Yes, I can tell if the discount has been taken...it's pretty obvious. But, I don't think I should have to sit there, calculator in hand, trying to verify that the tax, the tip and discount are as they should be. The bill should tell me that.