Tables in Wonderland- Beware

[Raenstoirm]

I accidentally paid 2 tips once while using room service at the Beach Club. Yes, that "beware" I would agree with - but I read your original post like "beware of the scam".

Ah gottcha. It was not meant as "beware Disney is evil" more of "Beware stupid this is how the plan works." Although I will say I was disappointed in some of the servers (namely the one at Tony's).

I didnt realize people would take it that other way. I just shelled out over a grand for AP's, we are defiantly in the pro-disney camp!

 

[jo-jo]

This was several yrs ago, once we DIDN'T have the tip added. We told the server and he just said "oh, well just add whatever you want". We gave him the 18% plus a bit more.

 

[awilliams4]

We have used the TIW card for three years now. No one is hiding anything, this has always been the case and it is included in paperwork you receive with it. The server didn't hide anything, we receive receipts folded from time to time. Assuming you are using a credit card, you have to open it to sign it anyway.

Wow..................

 

[Raenstoirm]

This was several yrs ago, once we DIDN'T have the tip added. We told the server and he just said "oh, well just add whatever you want". We gave him the 18% plus a bit more.

Another reason to check your bill. I would feel awful if a good server didnt get a tip! I dont know what Disney pays waiters but waiters in the real world survive off tips so I suspect CM waiters are the same.

 

[awilliams4]

It was kind of accordianed. With the top part and tip/signature lines showing and the bulk of the receipt hidden in the back. It took him an ungodly amount of time to bring us back our credit card so we suspect he was doing a little origami. It might have just been a cute way to present the receipt, but it was highly coincidental.

We have used our TIW Card over the years probably 50 or more times now. The server has to get the manager to approve the 20% off so it is very common for TIW holders to have to wait a little longer, one time we had to wait 25 minutes so I always ask for the check right after we receive our meal so I don't have to worry about the extra time.

You may want to find out the details before making all these accusations.

 

[sabrecmc]

A gentle reminder to other users that tip is included with TiW is one thing. I took the original post to be more of a "beware, Disney CMs are trying to scam you" type thing, but that might not have been how it was intended. Hard to convey tone sometimes.

Maybe some are cheating you. In fact, of all the employees, I'm sure some percent are dishonest. But...well, it is right there on the receipt and in the paperwork when you get the card. Kind of like on DCL where the tip for alcohol is included, but there is still the tip line that prints out on all food/beverage purchases. If you don't pay attention, you could be extra generous without meaning to be!

 

[awilliams4]

Seriously? Yeah, that wasn't a mistake . . . but it was a scam that must have worked for him in the past. And no one is saying that EVERY server at WDW is working the system for extra tips. But this happened to the OP, so it happens. Beware might be a bit much, but BE AWARE is good advice for everyone.

And yes, yes, it says the tip is included on the paperwork, on the this, on the that. Isn't everyone who always remembers that just wonderful? But on occasion, **gasp**, I too forget things, and it would be awfully nice to not have servers trying to game me when I do.

I waited table for 10 years. I know all the scams. It happens. And if WHEN it happened it was reported IMMEDIATELY to a manager, then trust me, it wouldn't happen again with that particular server. Who may or may not be out of a job, and justifiably so. Anyone who does one scam and gets away with it will do more, and more, and more, until they get caught.


KC

What happened? Nothing happened. The server folded a piece of paper that if the OP was using a credit card, had to be opened anyway. What scam are you talking about. There was no scam.

 

[KCMiller]

What happened? Nothing happened. The server folded a piece of paper that if the OP was using a credit card, had to be opened anyway. What scam are you talking about. There was no scam.

Sigh. Ah, marks.

OK, here's the thing. A scam is only successful if, when a potential mark NOTICES the scam, it can be explained away. Sure, the receipt was only folded. Yup, that's right, only folded - nothing too odd, or remarkable. So most of the time, the mark - I mean, customer - just unfolds it, reads it, and signs it. But ah! SOME of the time, the mar . . sorry, customer, DOESN'T unfold it, and just writes down a tip and total. And the grifter makes bank.

What would be the possible reason for folding the receipt in that fashion? Seriously, what possible reason? None, trust me. What I find vastly amusing is the number of people here who, hearing what transpired, will still say that nothing out of the ordinary happened, that the OP should have remembered that the tip was included, that the server did nothing wrong, how dare we accuse him . . . what are you all afraid of? A little knowledge? A little way to protect yourselves from the folks who want to take advantage of you? Go ahead, assume that everyone is just as honest and wonderful as you all seem to be. Me, I'm keeping my eyes open, even in the happiest place on earth.

KC

 

[LaurenT]

I love the TIW card. I knew when I bought it that the tip is automatically added and have never sensed that any was trying to get a second tip.

 

[mom2of2]

The receipt gets folded in half so it will fit in the book without hanging out the top. No one is scamming and the server isn't being sneaky....its service 101
And yes a manager has to swipe his/her ID so make sure you mention you have TIW before you ask for the check
Geeze

 

[k5thbeatle]

I've been a TiW holder for years even before the mandatory tip was implemented and always gave 20% even with average service. However even though I like the TiW I dislike the idea of making any tip mandatory as a tip should be earned. Otherwise what is the incentive to deliver great service?...But I totally see and understand why they did this as no doubt the "cheapo" crowd would probably not tip or tip way less even with good service despite getting a 20% discount on food and drinks...hence a mandatory tip.

 

[stargazertechie]

Sigh. Ah, marks.

OK, here's the thing. A scam is only successful if, when a potential mark NOTICES the scam, it can be explained away. Sure, the receipt was only folded. Yup, that's right, only folded - nothing too odd, or remarkable. So most of the time, the mark - I mean, customer - just unfolds it, reads it, and signs it. But ah! SOME of the time, the mar . . sorry, customer, DOESN'T unfold it, and just writes down a tip and total. And the grifter makes bank.

What would be the possible reason for folding the receipt in that fashion? Seriously, what possible reason? None, trust me. What I find vastly amusing is the number of people here who, hearing what transpired, will still say that nothing out of the ordinary happened, that the OP should have remembered that the tip was included, that the server did nothing wrong, how dare we accuse him . . . what are you all afraid of? A little knowledge? A little way to protect yourselves from the folks who want to take advantage of you? Go ahead, assume that everyone is just as honest and wonderful as you all seem to be. Me, I'm keeping my eyes open, even in the happiest place on earth.

KC

I'm a prime example of someone who thought they'd never be taken advantage of in Disney. At the beginning of September, a waitress helped herself to a tip off of my gift card (I normally tip in cash) after I left the restaurant. I only found out because when I went to use the card the next day, the balance seemed awfully low, so I called the gift card hotline and they informed me there had been 2 charges on the card.

Let that just serve as an additional warning to always check your receipt before signing, and make sure that you fill it out in such a way that it cannot be modified after you leave.

 

[wendyt_ca]

We are using the TiW card this year for the first time. We know that there is a mandatory 18% tip as it is mentioned pretty well everywhere. Some people may not but that's why it's always good to check the receipt. I would think folding the receipt is for it to fit. My only issue is I feel 18% is a high tip where I am from most people tip maybe 10% to 13%. Personally I wouldn't tip 18% if I was paying for my own meals. But I would be tipping and only a few percent less so either way we will still be ahead and we love Disney servers so it's ok lol.

 

[nytimez]

We are using the TiW card this year for the first time. We know that there is a mandatory 18% tip as it is mentioned pretty well everywhere. Some people may not but that's why it's always good to check the receipt. I would think folding the receipt is for it to fit. My only issue is I feel 18% is a high tip where I am from most people tip maybe 10% to 13%. Personally I wouldn't tip 18% if I was paying for my own meals. But I would be tipping and only a few percent less so either way we will still be ahead and we love Disney servers so it's ok lol.

Just curious... what country are you in where a 10 percent tip is standard?

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

We are aware of the savinggs and the tip amount as we have had it for a number of years. This has happened a number of times with servers not showing all the receipts that detail the amount paid, the discount taken and the tip amount added. Numerous times , if I say I have TIW before I see the bill, I get a receipt with a total . not the dtails/ Just where you would sign,put the totals...if you did not know, you would add a tip and sign. Beware is right.

 

[stargazertechie]

Just curious... what country are you in where a 10 percent tip is standard?

Well, according to Emily Post, a gratuity of 10% is standard for buffets, 15-20% for sit-down.

 

[MrsToad]

We are aware of the savinggs and the tip amount as we have had it for a number of years. This has happened a number of times with servers not showing all the receipts that detail the amount paid, the discount taken and the tip amount added. Numerous times , if I say I have TIW before I see the bill, I get a receipt with a total . not the dtails/ Just where you would sign,put the totals...if you did not know, you would add a tip and sign. Beware is right.

The scenario above has happened to us a time or two, and we have also received a folded receipt similar to what the OP mentions, so I do not believe that every server is innocent. However, nor do I believe the majority of WDW servers are sneaky. I DO believe that the OP's advice to check the receipts is valid.

 

[suemom2kay]

My beware is for stupid people like my husband that dont read and over pay. It might save them a few bucks. If you do read, then you dont need the help I am offering. Why is that a problem?

The problem is this statement from your original post:

We felt that most of the servers {emphasis mine} were milking us for an extra tip.

That is a pretty rude statement to make regarding most of the wait staff at WDW. Your post was not a friendly warning to read receipts. You acccused "most of the servers" of trying to milk you for an extra tip. Something I NEVER experienced in 11 days in September. That is the problem people have with your post.

 

[suemom2kay]

I've been a TiW holder for years even before the mandatory tip was implemented and always gave 20% even with average service. However even though I like the TiW I dislike the idea of making any tip mandatory as a tip should be earned. Otherwise what is the incentive to deliver great service?...But I totally see and understand why they did this as no doubt the "cheapo" crowd would probably not tip or tip way less even with good service despite getting a 20% discount on food and drinks...hence a mandatory tip.

I agree 100% with your post. I'm sure waiters were not being tipped or people tipping off the discounted total or tipping 10%, yada yada yada...

I never mentioned TiW. I just put the TiW card in with my CC when it was time to pay so in my eyes, they still earned their gratuity. I actually never ran in to a server this trip that would not have earned their 18%.

 

[FigNewton]

I've always mentioned having TiW to our server at the beginning of the meal, and I don't feel like I've had anything less than great service - except for the guy at Jiko who wasn't giving us the time of day, apparently because we weren't ordering alcohol (determined from a distinct change in demeanor when we declined alcohol, and the level of service he provided other tables getting cocktails and wine).