Just Back and had some tipping issues

[Disneyfan1977]

Hello All
We just got home yesterday from our 8 night stay in Disney. We used the dining plan and thought it was a pretty good value.

My concern, however, is the tipping of the server. I like that Disney gave us the suggested tipping amount, I think thats a great idea.

But...heres my issue. We opted not to put a credit card on file so we could charge. We always bring plenty enough cash so we don't have to charge anything. Everytime we would hand our card in so they could charge our meal plan for our table service, the server would always say "don't you want to add a tip" or "was there a problem" or "I need you to fill in the tip part". I kid you not, every table service with the exception of Spoodles did this to us. We would never forget to give a tip. I think though its tacky to ask!

My response everytime was "no we will leave cash". The thing that really gets me is how matter of fact there tone was.

Aside from all that I did feel that portion size at all table service restaurants were on the small side. Other people we talked to said they same thing. Most of the servers too were just ok nothing that spectacular.

Anyway, thats just my two cents....

 

[waughzee]

Same scenario for us in May...dining plan, but no credit card left on file. One difference, we were NEVER asked about a tip. How strange!

 

[Praying Colonel]

Hello All
We just got home yesterday from our 8 night stay in Disney. We used the dining plan and thought it was a pretty good value.

My concern, however, is the tipping of the server. I like that Disney gave us the suggested tipping amount, I think thats a great idea.

But...heres my issue. We opted not to put a credit card on file so we could charge. We always bring plenty enough cash so we don't have to charge anything. Everytime we would hand our card in so they could charge our meal plan for our table service, the server would always say "don't you want to add a tip" or "was there a problem" or "I need you to fill in the tip part". I kid you not, every table service with the exception of Spoodles did this to us. We would never forget to give a tip. I think though its tacky to ask!

My response everytime was "no we will leave cash". The thing that really gets me is how matter of fact there tone was.

Aside from all that I did feel that portion size at all table service restaurants were on the small side. Other people we talked to said they same thing. Most of the servers too were just ok nothing that spectacular.

Anyway, thats just my two cents....

Under those circumstances, I would've been tempted to say, "No, we were going to leave cash."

 

[WDWBetsy]

I was thinking I would just write CASH in the tip blank. We've done that here locally and never had a problem.

 

[danny1649]

I was thinking I would just write CASH in the tip blank. We've done that here locally and never had a problem.

Fellow Hoosier I think we will do same on August trip and December also. Danny

 

[ReneeA]

I was thinking I would just write CASH in the tip blank. We've done that here locally and never had a problem.

That's how we've always handled it and never had an issue - WDW or locally.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's been explained here in the last couple of months that in order to ring out the transaction, the server HAS to include tip information - whether it's an amount, or (somehow) that it's being paid separately.

Writing CASH in the tip field before handing the slip back to the server would have prevented the problem encountered by the OP. I'm a little surprised she/he didn't see any of those posts.

Under those circumstances, I would've been tempted to say, "No, we were going to leave cash."

Now, Kaytie, be nice, be polite, don't be snarky, no sarcasm... deep breath...) While there may have been better/more tactful ways to address the issue, if the Guest intends to charge the tip, it CANNOT be done after the transaction is rung through; thus, no tip if the Guest has no cash.

Guests who have an issue with the way the tip is addressed REALLY should discuss it with restaurant management and/or Guest Relations.

 

[Narnia]

Locally they always ask if we needed change never a amout to pay. I find it kind of rude and would make me upset if they were to say anything about a tip. I just don't understand why they need to be rude!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, what are you considering rude? The question itself? The tone used when the question is asked? Because if it's just the question, the reasonable response would by, "Yes". If the servers have an attitude - real or perceived - when asking, again, that is an issue that TRULY needs to be addressed with restaurant management.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Under those circumstances, I would've been tempted to say, "No, we were going to leave cash."

1) Absolutely.
2) If a waiter
. . . asks about a tip
. . . suggests a tip
. . . hints about a tip
3) They lost the tip.

 

[crisi]

I feel really sorry for WDW servers. Last year they were guartanteed an 18% tip on a bill they could inflate easily by suggesting people order - without needing to pay for it. "Oh, why don't you get a dessert anyway, everyone can just have a taste."

This year the tip isn't automatically added, and I'm willing to bet they are getting outright stiffed a good deal. Or undertipped.

I'm sure free dining will bring a ton of undertippers - people who scrimped and saved to get their families to Disney this year with higher gas prices (they are higher for the waitstaff as well) and can't afford 15-20% tips.

If reminding people to tip helps - or at least seperates out the well intentioned (and if you were leaving cash, you were well intentioned) from the non-tippers, I can't really find an issue with it.

Personally, I think tipping is a lousy way to pay someone and wish it were abolished. I love the DDE for that reason - tip is in there, they've pretty much made tipping a thing of the past with the DDE.

 

[tiger4me2]

When we were there this past May we never had a problems with tips or the CMs being rude. We did tell them beforehand we were using Disney Dining & would leave a cash tip. Never a problem either way. Never encounter a rude CM at any place except one at the Tusker House but he wasn't that rude just darn down slow lol. DH & myself like how they suggested on the receipt on how much you can leave as well.

 

[Alexander]

It's been explained here in the last couple of months that in order to ring out the transaction, the server HAS to include tip information - whether it's an amount, or (somehow) that it's being paid separately.

Writing CASH in the tip field before handing the slip back to the server would have prevented the problem encountered by the OP. I'm a little surprised she/he didn't see any of those posts.

In defense of the OP, I am on the boards daily and never read one of these posts either. Come on, if the process is that difficult then Disney needs to print a little card explaining how the process works. I would have NEVER thought to write "Cash" on the tip line or tell the server in advance.

I cannot imagine the nerve of a server to ask about the tip! That is just downright wrong! I tip is a gratuity and at the discretion of the guests. I understand that it is also how they are pretty much paid, but by asking for a tip, you ain't gettin' one from me after I tell them that they are way out of line for asking for one. They might as well carry a sign around their necks and hold out a coffee can!

 

[ekidwell0001]

1) Absolutely.
2) If a waiter
. . . asks about a tip
. . . suggests a tip
. . . hints about a tip
3) They lost the tip.

I feel the same way. Thats why it is called a tip. I was a server for 5 years throughout high school and my first year of college and rule one, is do not work there for the money, beause people can tell if you really love your job and want to take care of people, or you do just enough then run over and count the money afterward. I am honestly pretty nervous about this, since we are going in Sept. for the free dining. I will feel very uncomfortable if a server mentions the tip or ask's how much or what not. But thats just me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Shut up, Ronda; calm down; don't say anything - you don't want an infraction...; go ahead, throw something at the wall, get the frustration out of your system... deep breath... While

"don't you want to add a tip" or "was there a problem" or "I need you to fill in the tip part"

is not the most tactful way to handle the issue - to penalize the server because Disney's policy on tipping changed, along with the way the POS systems are able to process the transactions (i.e. once a slip is signed and the transaction completed in the register, nothing can be added to it - meaning if the Guest had intended to tip via credit card or room charge, now they can't) is equally, if not more, tactless.

I understand that it is also how they are pretty much paid, but by asking for a tip, you ain't gettin' one from me after I tell them that they are way out of line for asking for one.

A tip is given in exchange for service. The only valid justification for not leaving a tip is lack of service. Did you bring your own order to the kitchen? Pick up your own food when it was ready? Fill your own drinks? Bus your own table?

If you do not like the way the servers are handling the issue, again, it needs to be addressed with restaurant management/Guest Relations.

If you did not GET service, you are justified in not leaving a tip (per Miss Manners, by the way).

Fair/decent/good/excellent/amazing service followed by one perceived tactless question is not a valid reason for not leaving a tip.

 

[Disneyfan1977]

It's been explained here in the last couple of months that in order to ring out the transaction, the server HAS to include tip information - whether it's an amount, or (somehow) that it's being paid separately.

Writing CASH in the tip field before handing the slip back to the server would have prevented the problem encountered by the OP. I'm a little surprised she/he didn't see any of those posts.

Now, Kaytie, be nice, be polite, don't be snarky, no sarcasm... deep breath...) While there may have been better/more tactful ways to address the issue, if the Guest intends to charge the tip, it CANNOT be done after the transaction is rung through; thus, no tip if the Guest has no cash.

Guests who have an issue with the way the tip is addressed REALLY should discuss it with restaurant management and/or Guest Relations.

Where would I have seen that at??? I have been on here daily prior to leaving for my trip and have never seen it.

I do feel the servers are rude to ask about a tip. A tip is for service well done as far as I am concerned and regardless of how well the job was done, after asking me if I am going to tip takes away from their job well done. But I still tipped the correct amount.......even though part of me wanted to take off a couple of bucks.

If the servers have issues with not getting their correct tips, perhaps they need to bring it up to Disney. After all, DIsney is the one who changed the dining plan! I am sure Disney is doing very well now that there are no appetizers or tip included....

 

[SoonipiLady]

In defense of the OP, I am on the boards daily and never read one of these posts either. Come on, if the process is that difficult then Disney needs to print a little card explaining how the process works. I would have NEVER thought to write "Cash" on the tip line or tell the server in advance.

Do you on your credit card slips?? Now that everything is done electronically, the slip is usually never even looked at unless there is a problem! An unscrupulous server or manager could add a tip and change the total slightly and pocket the money. (say change 33.57 to a 38.57 by adding a 5.00 tip on that line and changing the 3 to an 8) by the time that magnetic paper copy has been in your wallet for a few days, and on your desk for three weeks until your bill arrives to reconcile it, the printing is pretty faded. But if you've written a big CASH or ZERO in there, even faded, you're going to see it. Just some friendly advise from a server whose seen it all!

That said, I need some information here...we are going to be using the plan for the first time this fall. When you are presented the slip for your signature, does it look like a credit card slip that you get at a restaurant? You know, line for sub-total with a line labeled tip under it with a line labeled Total under it?

As a professional server playing devil's advocate here, if you don't fill out the tip line with a "ZERO" or "cash", and don't fill out the bottom total line, how is the server supposed to know that you didn't just forget to fill it out? I work in a tourist area, and people foget to do it all the time. Not because they are trying to gip me, but just because they are on vacation and are excited and distracted. Multiply that by two or three little kids itching to get back to the parks, and I'm sure that it happens all the time to those servers. Why not avoid the uncomfortable situation all together, especially if you had great service and hand them the cash with the dining slip and telling them "That's for you, thanks for your service". On top on everything else, you have personally acknowledged their hard work,(which makes them feel good, bonus ) and avoided not only an uncomfortable situation, but the possibility of cash being taken off a table by a different server or customer.

Of course there are always those customers who delight in "faking you out" into thinking that they aren't going to leave you anything. You can actually see the look on their faces. They put the tip folded up under the water pitcher, put it in the sugar bowl, inside the drink menu, or my personal favorite, give it to the hostess on the way out the door, to "give to the blonde girl who waited on us". Classy.....

Avoid the confusion, personally tip the server, BEFORE he/she has to ask if you forgot to total your slip, and realize if you didn't fill in the tip line that you gave them no choice but to ask first, because it can't be adjusted after.

Karen

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney changed the tipping procedure for Dining Plan Guests in part due to complaints from those Guests that they were getting substandard service because the servers knew they would get tipped, no matter what.

If you think the question is worth deducting a couple of bucks from what you intended to tip, go ahead. You're still tipping. My issue is with subsequent posters who've stated that such a question would cause them not to leave a tip at all.

And the search function, if it's working, is REALLY, REALLY slow. If I can find/link the threads I'm recalling, I will post them - but don't hold your breath!

 

[kadesha]

Am I living under a rock or something? When we went last year I thought tip was included in the dining plan!

 

[TDC Nala]

In 2008, the tip is no longer included in the dining plan.

Like most tipping threads, this one has turned into some sort of argument and I am now closing it.