Tip added without my permission?

[maggiew]

wow. I always put a line through but now I will write cash tip instead. One thing I found is that some of the restaurants who participate in restaurants.com promotions require a big tip, like 18% of what the full price order would have been. Had this happen when just two of us were eating and there was only one other occupied table. And they billed us for the other table's tab (easy to spot they were drinking and we weren't). I always check my bill closely.

Personally I don't think 18% is a "big tip." And you should be tipping on the full price - with a restaurant.com certificate and if you have coupons, etc.

Sometimes DD and I share a meal or one DD gets an appetizer, etc. since none of us can really eat a full meal. I usually tip extra in those cases, as if we all had meals. I don't want to penalize the waitress for the fact that we ordered less.


Maggie

 

[mm1971]

This has been happening more frequently and I am really getting tired of it. Yesterday I connected thru the San Fran airport. In a hurry I grabbed two gatorades and a coke from a cooler at a dessert place. (not sit down) The clerk rung it up and I gave her my credit card. She then said here is some paperwork. I put a dash thru the tip line and totalled it. (like $9.00 for the three) I checked my credit card today and sure enough they added a couple of bucks. I always seem to let this go....What do all of you do? I have no problem tipping for good service but this did not even involve service. She merely scanned the drinks!!

This is fraud and theft and I would hope the individual would be fired for doing so. Remember that tips do not go to the business, it goes to the workers. If you clearly put a line through the area for the tip, then this person committed a crime by charging your card with a tip. I would report it to the credit card company and have it removed. I would also call the company and let them know. I assume they will not be happy about it either.

 

[smitch425]

OP, has the charge cleared your account yet?

 

[Lewisc]

This has been happening more frequently and I am really getting tired of it. Yesterday I connected thru the San Fran airport. In a hurry I grabbed two gatorades and a coke from a cooler at a dessert place. (not sit down) The clerk rung it up and I gave her my credit card. She then said here is some paperwork. I put a dash thru the tip line and totalled it. (like $9.00 for the three) I checked my credit card today and sure enough they added a couple of bucks. I always seem to let this go....What do all of you do? I have no problem tipping for good service but this did not even involve service. She merely scanned the drinks!!

This is fraud and theft and I would hope the individual would be fired for doing so. Remember that tips do not go to the business, it goes to the workers. If you clearly put a line through the area for the tip, then this person committed a crime by charging your card with a tip. I would report it to the credit card company and have it removed. I would also call the company and let them know. I assume they will not be happy about it either.

I would absolutely file a credit card dispute. I wouldn't bother calling the company, the dispute brings it to their attention.

Not what happened here...Wrong to add a tip not authorized by the customer under any circumstances....Waiters pay taxes based on their (generally reduced) hourly wage and tips. Imputed tips based on the dollar value of their tips is generally used. Some restaurants include take out orders in that calculation. Not fair to the employee since I doubt people much on carry out orders.

 

[plummer925]

I would absolutely file a credit card dispute. I wouldn't bother calling the company, the dispute brings it to their attention.

Not what happened here...Wrong to add a tip not authorized by the customer under any circumstances....Waiters pay taxes based on their (generally reduced) hourly wage and tips. Imputed tips based on the dollar value of their tips is generally used. Some restaurants include take out orders in that calculation. Not fair to the employee since I doubt people much on carry out orders.

I used to work for both a bank and a credit card company.

You MUST try to work something out with a merchant before filing a dispute. If the merchant doesn't make it good then you may file the dispute.

 

[momtofour]

OP here. The charge is still listed as pending. I will post back when it clears. Meanwhile, assuming that the charge clears with the fraudulent tip included I plan on contacting the company. The problem is I do not want to call the airport location. If I did talk to the manager, it could very well be the person I purchased from. There were only two employees there. I found the company on the web. It basically is a bakery. I have the CEO's email. Should I email him?

 

[bpesch]

I have the CEO's email. Should I email him?

Oh yes, no telling who you will get by calling. By sending an email you make sure someone other than on property gets notified.

 

[pixiewings71]

Wow, the business would so be getting visited by the labor board in California.

They must pay a base salary of no less than minimum wage BEFORE tips and cannot deduct tips from your wages by state law.

CA is one of the few states that does require their servers be paid minimum wage, my sister was a server in Idaho and Oregon and was paid a reduced hourly wage based on estimated tips, it was ridiculous.

Guess what-its not illegal,its not stealing and writting CASH on the tip line will not prevent it. When the server,or manager, or homever runs your card,prior to you signing they run it for an ESTIMATED charge. Just like when a hotel runs it for an Estimated charge when you check in or a rental car company runs your credit card for the estimated charges when you drive the car off the lot.The funds are put on hold from your account until the paper copy that you sign is run thru the bank. The transaction for the hotel-or the car-or the meal has not actually processed-the funds are just held to pay it. Once that posts then the charge for the actual amount you sign for is what is actually debited from your account. Its a very very common practice in the resturant business for that estimated charge to include a 20 or 25 percent additional hold for tip funds-ensures that the business doesnt pay tips out in cash to the server and then have the funds not be available in the account. The only way to avoid it-always pay-and tip in cash. On of the larger draw backs of the debit/credit card system.

I'm sorry, this is incorrect, it is illegal because the total you signed for is with a tip, if no tip is written in and the total line is for the dining room total only and a tip is taken out in addition that is illegal. It is theft. You are thinking of pending charges, not completed charges. For instance we went to lunch the other day and our total was $36.24, we left a generous tip (DBF had a birthday certificate for $30 off so our total was actually almost $70) on the pre-coupon amount in cash and used his card for the actual meal (earning points), he wrote "cash tip" on the tip line, dropped the $36.24 down to the total line, signed it and we left with cash as the tip. If the server goes in and writes in an additional tip that is theft and we will report it. I've only had it happen once or twice, both times we worked it out with the restaurants it happened at.

OP here. The charge is still listed as pending. I will post back when it clears. Meanwhile, assuming that the charge clears with the fraudulent tip included I plan on contacting the company. The problem is I do not want to call the airport location. If I did talk to the manager, it could very well be the person I purchased from. There were only two employees there. I found the company on the web. It basically is a bakery. I have the CEO's email. Should I email him?

Yes, I would email him and just let him know what happened, let us know how it works out.

 

[Lewisc]

I used to work for both a bank and a credit card company.

You MUST try to work something out with a merchant before filing a dispute. If the merchant doesn't make it good then you may file the dispute.

My bad. I forget you need to first contact the merchant. That said I wouldn't waste any time with the restaurant. Make a phone call. Leave a message if you get voice mail. Just enough so you can tell your credit card company you made a phone call and the restaurant didn't call you back. My point is the credit card dispute, if it comes to that, is more likely to make an impact then a phone call from the customer.

I'm confused some posters are talking about "pending charges". That's different then a real charge. No point even complaining until the charge is posted.

 

[powellrj]

OP here. The charge is still listed as pending. I will post back when it clears. Meanwhile, assuming that the charge clears with the fraudulent tip included I plan on contacting the company. The problem is I do not want to call the airport location. If I did talk to the manager, it could very well be the person I purchased from. There were only two employees there. I found the company on the web. It basically is a bakery. I have the CEO's email. Should I email him?

As long as it is still pending, don't do anything. I am going to guess that it will clear without the added charge. Most restaurants always add a tip to the total that is pending to make sure the whole total will clear. Once the bill clears, the pending total will drop and you will only be billed for the actual total.

I know that is as clear as mud, but I guess I am trying to say, don't worry about it until the amount clears and is no longer pending.

 

[ssawka]

15-20% has been a standard tip for good service for years. Guests who use a BOGO (entertainment book) or restaurant.com promotions were always told to base their tip on the full menu price. The only thing which has changed is some restaurants are now adding an automatic tip in those circumstances.

Some things don't always make sense. Use a BOGO promotion and you tip on the full price. Use an early bird special or other type of priced fix meal promotion and you tip on what you're charged.

I don't argue that 15-20% is the standard tip, what I have issue with is when you go to a restaurant and they tell you what an 18% and a 20% tip is. What happen to 15%? 15% is suppose to be the starting point.

What I usually do is figure out what 15% of the total bill is (including tax) and round up to the next dollar. For example, if a bill comes to something like $25 dollars, I would tip $4 for adequate service, 20%+ for exceptional service.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I don't argue that 15-20% is the standard tip, what I have issue with is when you go to a restaurant and they tell you what an 18% and a 20% tip is. What happen to 15%? 15% is suppose to be the starting point.

What I usually do is figure out what 15% of the total bill is (including tax) and round up to the next dollar. For example, if a bill comes to something like $25 dollars, I would tip $4 for adequate service, 20%+ for exceptional service.

What they were saying is that with some restaurant.com certificatesthere is a stipulation that you MUST tip at LEAST 18% in order to use the certificate.

I've never had this happen anywhere, luckily, but one time Dh and I went to dinner with a friend of mine and her husband, the waitress charged my card for both meals and charged my friend for her meal. I called the restaurant as soon as I saw that and the manager along with the waitress reviewed the receipts and cancelled out the incorrect charge from my card and also sent me a $25 gift card for the hassle. After that, we got to be a regular of that waitress and restaurant, until she left. We went back to that restaurant on Saturday night and management had changed and the service and food was terrible and the prices had increased, we won't be going back.

I have gotten to where I prefer locally owned places, the food and service is better and you get what you pay for in all aspects.

 

[riley2008]

Same is true for gift cards.

Last Christmas we got a $100 gift card from my boss. Went to Texas Roadhouse, had dinner - had free kids coupons and DH got the veggie plate. Our total was just over $30. Tipped cash and saved receipts.

Went back two weeks later and there was no balance on the gift card - server tipped herself a Christmas bonus of over $60. (Sad part was, we tipped like $20, about 30% of pre-coupon total.)

They were able to see that the balance had been cleared out, but they were VERY rude to us. Treated us like we were trying to scam the restaurant initally. The assistant manager was great and told us that the remainder amount had been added upon closing out the sale and asked if we had purchased gift cards perhaps even tough she couldn't see that we did - nope. Manager was rude, wanted us to pay......end of story, we refused to pay based on our receipts (had them still wrapped around the gift card in my wallet). Contacted cooporate office and another lady that worked there. Come to find, our original server was the manager's girlfriend. Ended up filing a police report for theft. (We did leave our server that last time a tip - was his first day - poor guy.)

Haven't been back - passed the new gift card on to a coworker down on their luck for an anniversary dinner. They apparently had a great time.

 

[tiffjoy]

Same is true for gift cards.

Last Christmas we got a $100 gift card from my boss. Went to Texas Roadhouse, had dinner - had free kids coupons and DH got the veggie plate. Our total was just over $30. Tipped cash and saved receipts.

Went back two weeks later and there was no balance on the gift card - server tipped herself a Christmas bonus of over $60. (Sad part was, we tipped like $20, about 30% of pre-coupon total.)

They were able to see that the balance had been cleared out, but they were VERY rude to us. Treated us like we were trying to scam the restaurant initally. The assistant manager was great and told us that the remainder amount had been added upon closing out the sale and asked if we had pruchased gift cards perhaps - nope. Manager was rude, wanted us to pay......end of story, we refused to pay based on our receipts (had them still wrapped around the gift card in my wallet). Contacted cooporate office and another lady that worked there. Come to find, our server was the manager's girlfriend. Ended up filing a police report for theft.

Haven't been back - passed the new gift card on to a coworker down on their luck for an anniversary dinner. They apparently had a great time.

Wow!!! That is awful!!

 

[Srbright]

Wow, the business would so be getting visited by the labor board in California.

They must pay a base salary of no less than minimum wage BEFORE tips and cannot deduct tips from your wages by state law.

Thats not how it is in MI or OK. They pay like $3.25 an hour (per the state labor board) but if you dont make enough in tips to make minimum wage they have to pay the difference.

Stacy

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Thats not how it is in MI or OK. They pay like $3.25 an hour (per the state labor board) but if you dont make enough in tips to make minimum wage they have to pay the difference.

Stacy

I grew up on the west coast and waitressed there before moving to the Midwest. I made minimum and above (pay raises) plus tips and then I moved to the Midwest and it is 2.13 a hour plus tips. They expect you to make minimum wage through your tips. I was lucky I was a teenager when I moved here so it was easy for me to get a desk job instead of serving but the thing I have found is that the mentality here is that there is no way that businesses could survive if they paid minimum wage to servers...

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cmwade77]

I grew up on the west coast and waitressed there before moving to the Midwest. I made minimum and above (pay raises) plus tips and then I moved to the Midwest and it is 2.13 a hour plus tips. They expect you to make minimum wage through your tips. I was lucky I was a teenager when I moved here so it was easy for me to get a desk job instead of serving but the thing I have found is that the mentality here is that there is no way that businesses could survive if they paid minimum wage to servers...

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Yet the restaurant industry thrives out here in California, with many businesses paying $10+ per hour before tips.

Last I heard, Disneyland's starting salary for tipped positions is $9.75 per hour before tips (might be $9.50).

 

[cmwade77]

Same is true for gift cards.

Last Christmas we got a $100 gift card from my boss. Went to Texas Roadhouse, had dinner - had free kids coupons and DH got the veggie plate. Our total was just over $30. Tipped cash and saved receipts.

Went back two weeks later and there was no balance on the gift card - server tipped herself a Christmas bonus of over $60. (Sad part was, we tipped like $20, about 30% of pre-coupon total.)

They were able to see that the balance had been cleared out, but they were VERY rude to us. Treated us like we were trying to scam the restaurant initally. The assistant manager was great and told us that the remainder amount had been added upon closing out the sale and asked if we had purchased gift cards perhaps even tough she couldn't see that we did - nope. Manager was rude, wanted us to pay......end of story, we refused to pay based on our receipts (had them still wrapped around the gift card in my wallet). Contacted cooporate office and another lady that worked there. Come to find, our original server was the manager's girlfriend. Ended up filing a police report for theft. (We did leave our server that last time a tip - was his first day - poor guy.)

Haven't been back - passed the new gift card on to a coworker down on their luck for an anniversary dinner. They apparently had a great time.

They seem to have issues with everything, including service lately. So, sadly this does not surprise me in the least.

 

[Lewisc]

I don't argue that 15-20% is the standard tip, what I have issue with is when you go to a restaurant and they tell you what an 18% and a 20% tip is. What happen to 15%? 15% is suppose to be the starting point.

What I usually do is figure out what 15% of the total bill is (including tax) and round up to the next dollar. For example, if a bill comes to something like $25 dollars, I would tip $4 for adequate service, 20%+ for exceptional service.

Some restaurants add an automatic tip/gratuity for tables over a certain size or if the diner uses promotions like Entertainment Book BOGO or restaurant.com certificates. 15-18% is a standard tip but the automatic tip is generally 18-20%. I guess the restaurant assumes all their servers offer exception service. Asking for a manager and correcting service issues on the spot makes more sense then trying to negotiate a lower automatic tip after the fact makes a lot of sense.

 

[Lilo&Stitch]

You know this has happened to me in Disney, not once but 2 separate trips. We were using the dining plan and had a credit card attached to our accout for. Extras like a cocktail or whatever wasn't included. The waiter at LeCellier added a nice little tip for himself once and on another trip we had it happen at OHana, both times we got it rectified at our resort front desk and for that reason I will not attach a credit card to my account ! So watch those receipts !!