Happened again..server added an extra tip..

[DisKneeKnut]

To the OP, I would contact the Manager first. It may have been an entry error. If not, this would bring the matter to the Manager's attention to hopefully deal with their employee.

I have worked with a credit card company, and have had experience with these types of issues.

First step is to always contact the company (restaurant) to try to resolve the issue with them first. If this does not resolve the issue. Contact your credit card company. To dispute a charge with your cc company, you may be asked for copy of your original receipt indicating the charge plus tip was only to be $15.00.

Hope you get your money refunded quickly.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I know there's all kinds of scammers out there but I think the fact the tip and the total are the same somebody just didn't pay attention to what they were doing. It happens.

 

[ZehnJahren]

But, would it not be possible to be distracted while entering the tip and enter in the total line instead of the tip line?

Having spent a long time as a server before and during college, I would say no. There are two lines on every receipt; the one on top is the tip, the one on bottom is the total. You'd have to be brand new (like, still-with-another-server new) to make that mistake. You would never look at the two lines and then decide to go with the bottom line instead; it would not only go against the habit you follow dozens of times a night multiple times a week, but it wouldn't make sense to arbitrarily use the bottom line when you know the tip is the middle line.

I personally can't see it. Unfortunately, these types of things happen all the time at restaurants, and they're on purpose.

 

[blueferral]

Have you or your wife carry a green or orange pen in their purse. Any color will do except blue, black or red (most common colors). Will make it much harder for the server to change the tip amount.

 

[disneychrista]

Not all tip mistakes are fraud, as has been mentioned. I once had a bartender enter $100 instead of $10 because they accidentally hit the 0 twice, the only way to correct it was to void the entire sale.

Contact the bar and don't go in accusing them of cheating it. Just explain that you noticed you were charged more than authorized. Most will gladly fix it. Please note: You may have to give them your credit card information again. I know we can't "fix" credit cards, only void and re - ring the sale.

 

[Tigger1]

The CC company is not likely to get to involved for small amounts. I would call the restaurant after you call the CC company. If it was not a mistake (very unlikely that it was) the manager needs to deal with waiter.

As far as typing in an extra 0 to make a 10 tip = 100 tip, accounting should have caught this as they looked at the receipt totals compared to the register totals. Also the waiter should have known that he did not make an extra $90 that day in tips.

Waiters have to report total tips they make cash and credit for tax reasons. At the end of the night they should have caught any mistakes made

 

[disneychrista]

As far as typing in an extra 0 to make a 10 tip = 100 tip, accounting should have caught this as they looked at the receipt totals compared to the register totals. Also the waiter should have known that he did not make an extra $90 that day in tips.

The bartender left a note telling me (the manager) what had happened. They have no way of fixing it though. Once it is rung it is rung. Customer is gone. Nothing they can do but tell me and have me void the transaction, we have no way to edit it.

 

[disneychrista]

Waiters have to report total tips they make cash and credit for tax reasons. At the end of the night they should have caught any mistakes made

Legally yes. But if you think they report all their cash tips, think again.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Has the transaction finalized?? Reason I am asking is some credit card companys when you swipe hold more money then what the transaction was, I am guessing they dont know how much you are going to tip..Happend to me the other day, I waited on a table they left cash as my tip..I finalized the transaction with no tip..She came back in all mad, accusing me of adding more to the bill..The manager handled it, even showed her the finalized transaction and told her some card companys hold more then swiped..She never did apologize to me but ohhh well.. Once it is final in a few days the right amount will show up, I am assuming for some reason she ran outside and called or looked online and assumed I added more..

 

[mom2my3kids]

This just happened to my business Visa. Dinner charge was $150 I added a $30 tip. I get the statement and a 5 was written over the 3 making it appear to be a $50 tip. Server wasn't too bright as he didn't adjust the total just the tip line. Called Visa and they took the info and had me send them a copy of the receipt. They told me a credit would appear on the card within 2 business days. Visa said they would deal with the restaurant. I told the CS rep I was surprised this happened and she told she isn't as they deal with this type of activity every single day.

dsny1mom

We just had a server fired for this months back..Sad really how stupid could she be, not thinking she would get caught..not worth my job..

 

[Tigger1]

Legally yes. But if you think they report all their cash tips, think again.

Years ago when I was a waitress some of my coworkers did not report enough in tips. At that time if they did not report making at least 8% in tips for cash tips plus full amount made on cc IRS could question management on this. At this restaurant you always got tips from each table. The waiters that did not report enough ended up paying taxes on those tips and likely fines.

Tips are income.

 

[disneychrista]

if they did not report making at least 8% in tips

And that is exactly the problem. Severs/bartenders some how got in their mind that they only need to report 8% since that is the MINIMUM the IRS will expect that you receive.
If they do not report 8% then servers pay taxes, at tax time, on allocated tips.

 

[Eastern]

This type of problem has never happened to me. I have more problems when there is a gratuity added to the bill for a large party.

Often, the servers will not remind you, and that results in a double tip. I remind my kids about this often as they are starting to go to restaurants on their own with their friends and the gratuity is often added to the bill in the total charge.

My DH made this mistake at Cali Grill when he used TIW for our drinks. The bartender rang it up and the tip was added in there, but DH tipped him again, not realizing.

 

[Tigger1]

And that is exactly the problem. Severs/bartenders some how got in their mind that they only need to report 8% since that is the MINIMUM the IRS will expect that you receive.
If they do not report 8% then servers pay taxes, at tax time, on allocated tips.

Yep Legally they are to claim all tips, not just 8%to IRS. If they do not show making enough in tips and wages to be equal to minimum wage then the restaurant would have to pay them the difference.

I like to add the tip to a credit card to assure the tip is accounted for. I usually tip with cash at Disney as I am on the dining plan. Guess I could put the tip on my room key and then check it before my card is charged the last night. I like the odd color pen suggestion. I will start carrying an odd color.

 

[disneychrista]

If they do not show making enough in tips and wages to be equal to minimum wage then the restaurant would have to pay them the difference.

That is not an issue in California. All servers are paid at least the $8/hr minimum wage.

 

[mom2my3kids]

At my place of employment we are to claim all tips made, the system will not let you report less then 12 percent of your sales as your tips..So even if lets say you did not make 12 percent of your sales you still have to report you did..This is where people under tipping or no tipping affects a server, no debating just saying..We were told the federal government now makes you claim at least 10 percent but you are to claim everything you made..My job makes you claim at least 12 percent if you are understanding me.. Its a corporate thing, I dont have a problem I claim everything and its always been over 12 percent but sometimes its been close...

 

[momtofour]

OP back again. I did contact AMEX. They told me to deal with the restaurant. Frankly, I was surprised they just did not write off the $11. My husband charges thousands per month for business and we never dispute anything. Anyway...called the restaurant, spoke to the manager and she blamed it on human error. Who knows? Keep checking the receipts. Love the suggestion of a different colored pen to avoid the creative total! Thanks all.

 

[ZoeBell]

This type of problem has never happened to me. I have more problems when there is a gratuity added to the bill for a large party.

Often, the servers will not remind you, and that results in a double tip. I remind my kids about this often as they are starting to go to restaurants on their own with their friends and the gratuity is often added to the bill in the total charge.

My DH made this mistake at Cali Grill when he used TIW for our drinks. The bartender rang it up and the tip was added in there, but DH tipped him again, not realizing.

Recently me and my daughter went to a Chinese buffet. When the bill came I was all set to pay and leave a nice tip. Upon looking closer at the bill I noticed the server added a $2 gratuity to the bill. This was well under what I was planing to leave. But I was annoyed at the automatic tip being added in so that's all I left.

 

[ZoeBell]

Years ago when I was a waitress some of my coworkers did not report enough in tips. At that time if they did not report making at least 8% in tips for cash tips plus full amount made on cc IRS could question management on this. At this restaurant you always got tips from each table. The waiters that did not report enough ended up paying taxes on those tips and likely fines.

Tips are income.

I was a server while in nursing school. Servers will report enough of their tips. Just not all their tips.

 

[disneychrista]

I was a server while in nursing school. Servers will report enough of their tips. Just not all their tips.

Exactly!