Have you ever had anyone "keep YOUR change"

[Stacerita]

I have had change kept a few times. Not sure if it was on purpose or not. Most times when Im somewhere like fast food or a quick stop place I just throw the change in my wallet and do not count it. So maybe Im being shorted more than I think I am.

I do find that Im being given an extra penny more often though. If Im supposed to get $.04 in change back, I usually will get a nickel. So if im penny under a full coin, the cashier will more likely than not give me the coin. Makes my wallet a bit lighter.

I have also found that some places (usually not chain places) will have one of those "take a penny, leave a penny" cups. Makes it easy at times for both the customers and cashiers.

 

[Chrisypoo]

I have also found that some places (usually not chain places) will have one of those "take a penny, leave a penny" cups. Makes it easy at times for both the customers and cashiers.

The cafeteria where I work has this, and I'd almost always put my pennies in there. Until, that is, I found out at the end of the day when they were closing out the register, they'd dump it into the til to be counted out with the rest of the money. Needless to say, I don't put money in the penny cup anymore.

 

[tink2020]

It has never happened to me but DH came home all irritated one day because he got into an argument with a lady at the store over a nickel. She got an attitude when he asked for the rest of his change. How dare she?
On a lighter note I saw a gag on Candid Camera where a store posted a huge sign that read WE DON'T GIVE CHANGE. People took it to mean the store wouldn't give change if someone walked in and wanted four quarters for a dollar. But they literally meant they don't give change as in if the customer pays more than the exact amount they are unable to refund any change. When the customers would argue about their change they were instructed to read the sign. It was hilarious!!

That sounds hilarious!

 

[kayebee]

Interesting thread, though I have to say I haven't encountered much of this. It could be because I pay for nearly everything with a credit card, though.

I worked developing training programs for a large retailer for many years and inevitably spent a lot of time on the topic of employee theft, so I'm a bit jaded. Short changing a customer isn't a preferred method of stealing, though unsophisticated thiefs may try it. More likely giving back the wrong change is simply a matter of plain old employee error.

I'm curious about the pizza delivery folks--why aren't the prices rounded up or down if they're going to send you out without change? Seems like this would solve all of the hassles, and I can imagine this change issue being a very big hassle.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

I'm curious about the pizza delivery folks--why aren't the prices rounded up or down if they're going to send you out without change? Seems like this would solve all of the hassles, and I can imagine this change issue being a very big hassle.

I don't know about the other person but, my husband runs a store (the one I deliver at) that is a national chain, and prices are generally determined by the main company, with only slight control given to the individual frachises and to be determined by location, etc etc.
And there are tax variations from state to state so finding a price that would figure in tax to round it out for all states, is well, impossible.
And there are too many variables, side items, drinks, and variations of delivery charges (don't get me started on those, just let me point out that NO, the driver does not get the delivery charge- but most people assume we do and so, count that as our tip), not to mention coupons and discount codes or special promotional prices (THINK 5-5-5).

I dunno, maybe even the company assumes that the person getting the delivery will do the right thing and tip the driver????
Either that or have the correct change, or be using a credit card or check?

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

.. and when his teen son told him that most pizza delivery people get tips (thanks, kid), dad guffawed and said, seriously, "I'll give her a tip.." then turned and half yelled in my face, "get a better job!"

Eeeeew what a sad story! Com'on at least you had a job, right? Whatever it takes to pay the bills, seriously.

 

[dbarker]

I've had cashiers at Wal-Mart short-change my DS. DS wanted to pay for something. So, I give him $. The cashier rings up the sale and enters the $ tendered and the cash register tells her how much change to give back. ????? I always count my change, so I grab DS's hand w/ the change in it before he can put it in his pocket and sure enough she short-changed him. I show her the change and let her know that he needs the rest of his change.

For a while a certain fast food franchise I frequent had a gal who could not make change. She would know she had goofed (sometimes before I would tell her) and would have to call the manager over to fix it. Like a previous poster, I now always tell them how much $ I am giving them. I can't afford to not get the change for a $20 for a $3 meal.

 

[Poohlovr]

Ummm.just happened to me tonight. DH and I went out to eat. Total came to $30.22. I paid with $40.00.
When the waitress brought my change, she brought 9.00, not $9.78. I was so p.o.'d that I almost left no tip.
I had planned on leaving the silver as part of her tip anyway (along with $5.00), but it's just the principal of the thing. I still left 5.00, but I really wanted to walk out with her just having the 78 cents that she had already taken.

 

[christinadei]

It happened to us at a Dollar General store. The cashier just put our coin change in the donations bucket and didn't say a word about it, like it was normal. It was for some education fund and while I didn't mind donating to the fund, I was shocked and offended that she just decided we wanted to donate it. I didn't say anything because it wasn't that big a deal, but I thought it was rude of her to just assume.

 

[Tiki Room Fan]

I have had (and heard the same from others) of our local dunkin donuts...esp the drive thru. Not giving change back. They assume that the change is a tip. One of my coworkers went out and got a couple of coffees and watched the person put the $1 and change right into the tip cup. They then questioned them on it. I have gift/debit card for their now, so I don't have to deal w/the assumptions or wrong change. i just check my balance on my receipt..as I know what I should have. If there was another one on my way or close to my work, I'd probably change..but I live in the boonies and I work deeper into the boonies.

OMG Dunkin Donuts is infamous for this!!! They boldly put out tip cups. Gee, I dunno...but $2.28 for a cup of a coffee and I'm expected to leave a tip, too? I stop there at least twice a day. And what's the tip for anyway? I either walk up to the counter or drive up to the window. I'm not a cheapskate...I usually let them keep the change, but when they EXPECT it...I think the meaning behind leaving a tip has gotten lost in greediness or something. Seeing as how I'm a regular customer, maybe they should throw something MY way now & then.

 

[VintageKnight]

I'm a Sonic GM here in Oklahoma, and yes its hard to get people that can count change back. I have a high school senior that is getting straight A's and doing very well in her honors classes that cant count money to save her life. shes doing better since i showed her easy ways to keep her bills straight but she cant figure out the coin changer.

and drive thru... please tip, these girls dont get car hop time and your talkin about there gas money, this time of yr sales are random and the big wigs dont give us a huge margin to pay these kids with, so if we want good workers we have to start em high but theres only so much we can go up in wages...

if they do good let em know by giving those few pennies extra to em. I've taught them in my few months here how much spare change adds up when i brought my disney jar by as an example.

Chris

 

[jessica52877]

I would be livid if someone didn't give me my change, whether a $.01 or $1000. Money is money to me! It makes me so mad when I get charged wrong, if only a couple cents, think of all the money they are making over time!

 

[jessica52877]

I'm a Sonic GM here in Oklahoma, and yes its hard to get people that can count change back. I have a high school senior that is getting straight A's and doing very well in her honors classes that cant count money to save her life. shes doing better since i showed her easy ways to keep her bills straight but she cant figure out the coin changer.

and drive thru... please tip, these girls dont get car hop time and your talkin about there gas money, this time of yr sales are random and the big wigs dont give us a huge margin to pay these kids with, so if we want good workers we have to start em high but theres only so much we can go up in wages...

if they do good let em know by giving those few pennies extra to em. I've taught them in my few months here how much spare change adds up when i brought my disney jar by as an example.

Chris

I commend you for trying to teach the value of a penny. But I really don't see myself ever tipping someone if I went through the drive through, isn't that their job? I guess maybe drive through workers saleries should be figured differently or something. I have never eaten at a Sonic but if I were expected to tip for a drive through purchase I wouldn't be eating there period.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

...I think the meaning behind leaving a tip has gotten lost in greediness or something.

Definitely. The question is, though, whose greediness? Tips are considered part of the pay for table-service waitstaff, so restaurant owners pay their staff less than minimum wage (not that people can live off minimum wage, anyway). Now it seems as though it has filtered into counter-service places as well, the idea that regular wages can remain low if workers can be expected to use tips to augment those wages. I do feel that people have forgotten that tips are supposed to be a reward for or acknowledgement of great service and now assume that tips are just part of the job regardless of the type of job or quality of service given. Some individuals are definitely guilty of assuming they deserve tips just for showing up, but the problem has really become institutionalized, IMO.

 

[tmt martins]

YES! At our local Wendy's, there were a few employees at the drive thru that I couldn't prove but swore they were dishonest. On several occasions, I've either not gotten change unless I asked or the total received was not correct. My theory is that they were keeping it & figuring most people are in a hurry & won't check or pay attention. They got me at least twice til I wised up & started checking more closely, then had to ask for the correct amount.

Highly annoying & really gives a bad feeling towards the business, imo. Of course, not enough that I won't go there because if we're doing fast food, the kids prefer Wendy's.

I think it's more of they can't count .Don't get me wrong I'm not saying all or most but I just can't beleive the confused look in their eyes when you give them $10.58 for something that was $8.58 and they already hit the $10.00
's in .It's sad with the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND school districts are forced (or funds are taken away) to push the kids through.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Change is change. I do expect to get it back. If I want to tip (like leave the change in the "tips" cup placed right by the register at Dunkin Donut), then *I* should decide if my change goes in there or not.

BTW, I don't tip at Dunkin Donut because all I usually buy is a cup of plain coffee. I keep my change. That is the one counter service place I frequent that has one of those tip cups. I am blown away by how much change is in there by mid-afternoon!

Here is a change story that'll make you cringe. Ds is a middle school teacher and has had lunch duty for a few years. He says that kids leave their change on their trays and throw away the change with their trays & food. He used to try to stand by the garbage cans and remind kids to take their change. They didn't care! They would say, "It's only a couple of nickels." Or "I always throw my change away. It's just change!" They were too LAZY to pick up their change and put it in their pocket or backpack! That was the issue--they would rather just throw away money than take 10 seconds to put the money into their pockets.

For part of the year, teachers collected spare change for Special Olympics. At that time, some of the change didn't get thrown away. But, I'd love to know how much money gets thrown away there (and everywhere else--I find it hard to believe that his school is the only place this happens) every day.

If my kids bought a school lunch and I knew that they should be getting change, then I'd be wondering where it all went by the end of the week.

 

[tmt martins]

I commend you for trying to teach the value of a penny. But I really don't see myself ever tipping someone if I went through the drive through, isn't that their job? I guess maybe drive through workers saleries should be figured differently or something. I have never eaten at a Sonic but if I were expected to tip for a drive through purchase I wouldn't be eating there period.

Some if not all SONICS are like the old Drive-ins you order from your parking spot and they bring the food on a tray to you .I've even saw 1 doing the rollerblades thing.So this is more of a waitress tpye thing that would be a tipping type if warneted .

 

[Callie]

A few years ago at a McDonalds, they gave me change for a $5.00 when I had given them a $20.00. When I informed the cashier that I had paid with a $20.00, she said "no you didn't". I told her that I knew it was a $20.00 because I had just gotten it out of the ATM and it was the only money I had on me. She said again "no you didn't" and began to help the person behind me. I said "Maam, I need my change". She said in a real snippy voice "Well, then I am going to have to get my Manager and he will have to count out my drawer", like she was threatening me. I said "Well, go get him". I went and sat down and ate my food (but kept an eye out while the Manager counted out the register drawer). After about 5 minutes, the cashier came and put my change on the table by me, but didn't look at me and didn't say a word.

I know this situation is different than the OP because I don't think she did it on purpose (but then again, maybe she did and didn't think I would press it), but it was still annoying how rudely they handled it.

That happened to me there a few days ago. It took 15 minutes to get the right change back......and it was the Manager who was the guy at the register who made the mistake. I was mad cause I was in a hurry to make a swim meet.

 

[rigs32]

and drive thru... please tip, these girls dont get car hop time and your talkin about there gas money, this time of yr sales are random and the big wigs dont give us a huge margin to pay these kids with, so if we want good workers we have to start em high but theres only so much we can go up in wages...

Your decision not to set different wage levels for different jobs is not my problem.

Your decision to not rotate workers through the various positions is not my problem.

 

[robinb]

Yes! I happens at restaurants all the time and I hate it.

The worst was when I was with my mild mannered step-father at a restaurant in Orlando. He paid for our dinner with cash and the waitress asked if he needed change back. He didn't quite understand what she said and responded "no". She scampered off with the $$ and I asked him if he wanted her to have such a big tip. He said "What? No!" She disappeared with her $20+ tip and we saw hide nor hair of her for the next 15 minutes that while we waited for her to come back. We even asked the manager for her, but she was not available. *sigh* My step-father did not want to make a huge issue over it, so the little witch got a huge tip for crappy service.

From that moment on I see it as a scam when a waitress asks "Do you need any change?" and they lose some of their tip. I think it's lazy on their part not to bring me my change and come back for their tip. Also, If I want them to keep then change I'll tell them when I hand them the bill and the $$.