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Post by cadoodlebug on Jul 22, 2015 17:29:54 GMT
We were at a restaurant that adds an 18% gratuity. Fine, I can live with that even though it took forever for them to take our order and the staff never asked if we wanted our water glasses refilled, which were empty because we were eating spicy food. I was just looking at the receipt and realized two things. Our dinners were 19.99 per the menu. They printed out at $40. No big deal but I've never seen a restaurant do that. The 18% tip should have been $7.20. They rounded it up to $8. Maybe this is standard practice but we didn't get 20% service.
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freebird
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Jun 25, 2014 20:06:48 GMT
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Post by freebird on Jul 22, 2015 17:31:44 GMT
We were at a restaurant that adds an 18% gratuity. Fine, I can live with that even though it took forever for them to take our order and the staff never asked if we wanted our water glasses refilled, which were empty because we were eating spicy food. I was just looking at the receipt and realized two things. Our dinners were 19.99 per the menu. They printed out at $40. No big deal but I've never seen a restaurant do that. The 18% tip should have been $7.20. They rounded it up to $8. Maybe this is standard practice but we didn't get 20% service.
I would make a point of calling the manager and having it fixed, let them know the gratuity is wrong, that the menu price is wrong and the service you received was substandard. I had that happen to me once and called and let them know I was not happy and they actually refunded the tip.
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Post by freecharlie on Jul 22, 2015 17:39:02 GMT
I don't like auto added tips. I almost always tip 20%. If I dont, you sucked as a server. I would not have been happy that they rounded my menu price up and would have said so.
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Deleted
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May 15, 2024 11:39:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 17:39:23 GMT
That is very presumptuous of them to round up. Is this a chain restaurant? I would not be happy.
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jul 22, 2015 17:41:10 GMT
I would not be happy with that either
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Post by jemali on Jul 22, 2015 17:48:51 GMT
That is not right. I would think about calling the manager.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Jul 22, 2015 17:51:16 GMT
I would not be pleased with that, and would address it with the manager.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jul 22, 2015 18:01:20 GMT
Thank you for your replies. This is a local restaurant that we like and go to several times a month. We will call their attention to it next time we go. I needed the peas to validate my feelings because I thought maybe I was being petty.
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Post by threegirls on Jul 22, 2015 18:09:05 GMT
My husband never looks very closely at the bill and automatically adds the tip. I've learned to grab the bill and take a good look at it to see if the tip is included or not.
I've never heard of a restaurant rounding up. I probably would not return.
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lesley
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Post by lesley on Jul 22, 2015 18:10:36 GMT
I don't think you're being petty at all. I think they're extremely presumptuous.
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Gennifer
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Jun 26, 2014 8:22:26 GMT
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Post by Gennifer on Jul 22, 2015 18:15:48 GMT
So, here's the thing. As a customer, I'm not a fan of autogratuity, because I generally tip more than 18%. It's particularly irritating when it's sort of arbitrary: Oh, group of 6? Autograt!
But it looks like this restaurant does 18% automatically, on every order, yeah? No matter the size of the party, or any extenuating circumstances? That's weird. And rounding up is also weird. Autograt is almost always added by the computer, so it calculates the percentage to the penny. I would definitely call them, if I were you.
However, from the other side of it: There's nothing more irritating than a table of 8 that has 8 different checks. It significantly increases the amount of work for the server, because most kitchens require that the order is placed as one ticket, and then you have to go through and reinput them individually, or separate them after the fact. That might not seem like a lot, but it adds up. Larger groups also take up more time than they would if they were seated separately. It messes with the flow. Most servers have a "system" down for their timing, and it's what enables them to promptly take your order, get your drinks in a timely manner, see to drink refills, and check on your table at appropriate times. Things that mess up that timing (like spending twice as much time at a computer than you normally would) throw everything off, so you don't have as much time to get refills, etc. And it sucks, both for the customer and server.
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Post by JustCallMeMommy on Jul 22, 2015 18:39:41 GMT
I went to dinner with a small group (6) just last night and the server added the 18% gratuity. I normally tip more, but, frankly, if they want 18% enough to add it themselves, then I'm going to let them have 18%. It didn't help that the waitress was slow as molasses. We had to ask her to take our order, and we got to the point where we talking about how long it had been since we ordered and trying to figure out who had ordered something that would take a long time to prepare. We had to ask for our checks, and it took a really long time after we asked. While I didn't calculate what 18% should have been, I would have asked for a manager if I thought the restaurant had been presumptuous enough to rounded up.
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marianne
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Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on Jul 22, 2015 18:40:39 GMT
Wait. The restaurant is stealing your money... pennies and dimes at a time... and providing substandard service as well, and you think it's petty to say something? C'mon Joy, I know you've got more sense than that. Of course, you should say something, AND get your money back. I think I'd be patronizing a different restaurant as well.
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marimoose
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Jul 22, 2014 2:10:14 GMT
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Post by marimoose on Jul 22, 2015 18:44:20 GMT
I nearly always tip 20% and like freecharlie, you must have been subpar if I don't. If a restaurant is going to add automatic tips, they better be prepared to back that up with really good service. I would rather go to a restaurant that doesn't operate off tips but the cost is figured in the price and I know exactly what it will cost, versus feeling that I am paying for service which may or may not exist.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 22, 2015 19:00:26 GMT
So, here's the thing. As a customer, I'm not a fan of autogratuity, because I generally tip more than 18%. It's particularly irritating when it's sort of arbitrary: Oh, group of 6? Autograt! But it looks like this restaurant does 18% automatically, on every order, yeah? No matter the size of the party, or any extenuating circumstances? That's weird. And rounding up is also weird. Autograt is almost always added by the computer, so it calculates the percentage to the penny. I would definitely call them, if I were you. However, from the other side of it: There's nothing more irritating than a table of 8 that has 8 different checks. It significantly increases the amount of work for the server, because most kitchens require that the order is placed as one ticket, and then you have to go through and reinput them individually, or separate them after the fact. That might not seem like a lot, but it adds up. Larger groups also take up more time than they would if they were seated separately. It messes with the flow. Most servers have a "system" down for their timing, and it's what enables them to promptly take your order, get your drinks in a timely manner, see to drink refills, and check on your table at appropriate times. Things that mess up that timing (like spending twice as much time at a computer than you normally would) throw everything off, so you don't have as much time to get refills, etc. And it sucks, both for the customer and server. I get this, but I'm not sure what a good alternative would be. Not go out with friends? Surely that is a big part of restaurant business? Honestly, I think that is more on the restaurants accounting system. It should be fairly easy for a server to separate out checks (with a good system/program.)
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Jul 22, 2015 19:08:30 GMT
So, here's the thing. As a customer, I'm not a fan of autogratuity, because I generally tip more than 18%. It's particularly irritating when it's sort of arbitrary: Oh, group of 6? Autograt! But it looks like this restaurant does 18% automatically, on every order, yeah? No matter the size of the party, or any extenuating circumstances? That's weird. And rounding up is also weird. Autograt is almost always added by the computer, so it calculates the percentage to the penny. I would definitely call them, if I were you. However, from the other side of it: There's nothing more irritating than a table of 8 that has 8 different checks. It significantly increases the amount of work for the server, because most kitchens require that the order is placed as one ticket, and then you have to go through and reinput them individually, or separate them after the fact. That might not seem like a lot, but it adds up. Larger groups also take up more time than they would if they were seated separately. It messes with the flow. Most servers have a "system" down for their timing, and it's what enables them to promptly take your order, get your drinks in a timely manner, see to drink refills, and check on your table at appropriate times. Things that mess up that timing (like spending twice as much time at a computer than you normally would) throw everything off, so you don't have as much time to get refills, etc. And it sucks, both for the customer and server. I get this, but I'm not sure what a good alternative would be. Not go out with friends? Surely that is a big part of restaurant business? Honestly, I think that is more on the restaurants accounting system. It should be fairly easy for a server to separate out checks (with a good system/program.) It may depend on the restaurant? I think the bigger chains usually will let you enter it together (seat 1, seat 2, etc.) and then separate it out at the end. I have quite a few servers ask at the end of the meal, "separate or together." So, I think it's more on what system is being used.
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Gennifer
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Jun 26, 2014 8:22:26 GMT
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Post by Gennifer on Jul 22, 2015 19:14:34 GMT
So, here's the thing. As a customer, I'm not a fan of autogratuity, because I generally tip more than 18%. It's particularly irritating when it's sort of arbitrary: Oh, group of 6? Autograt! But it looks like this restaurant does 18% automatically, on every order, yeah? No matter the size of the party, or any extenuating circumstances? That's weird. And rounding up is also weird. Autograt is almost always added by the computer, so it calculates the percentage to the penny. I would definitely call them, if I were you. However, from the other side of it: There's nothing more irritating than a table of 8 that has 8 different checks. It significantly increases the amount of work for the server, because most kitchens require that the order is placed as one ticket, and then you have to go through and reinput them individually, or separate them after the fact. That might not seem like a lot, but it adds up. Larger groups also take up more time than they would if they were seated separately. It messes with the flow. Most servers have a "system" down for their timing, and it's what enables them to promptly take your order, get your drinks in a timely manner, see to drink refills, and check on your table at appropriate times. Things that mess up that timing (like spending twice as much time at a computer than you normally would) throw everything off, so you don't have as much time to get refills, etc. And it sucks, both for the customer and server. I get this, but I'm not sure what a good alternative would be. Not go out with friends? Surely that is a big part of restaurant business? Honestly, I think that is more on the restaurants accounting system. It should be fairly easy for a server to separate out checks (with a good system/program.) When I go out with friends, we do a combined check and split it ourselves, or (often) we pay for each other and just take turns. And I don't know what the alternative is... I agree, it falls on the restaurant/server, but I just hope that people recognize that it does take more time (even with a state-of-the-art system) and will therefore slow down your server, both in how they serve you and any other tables.
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Post by myshelly on Jul 22, 2015 19:22:11 GMT
I would have complained to the manager before we left.
Empty glasses is a pet peeve of mine at a restaurant.
You don't bring me refills, I don't tip.
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Post by its me mg on Jul 22, 2015 19:27:45 GMT
Always take up issues like that in the restaurant. Even if you get a hold of a manager on the phone, you may have to wait for the GM to access the system, figure out when you ate, what time, who your server was, yadda yadda yadda ... There's more they can do to handle the situation at the time, rather then let it sit.
Not sure where the pricing discrepancy was, but I'm not sure I'd automatically blame the server for "stealing from me". Even guest complaints are a terminable offense, be careful in how you present the situation. Don't avoid the facts, but please don't make a stink just to make a stink.
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back to *pea*ality
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 22, 2015 19:53:26 GMT
Honestly, 2 dinners at $19.99 with a 15% gratuity comes to roughly $46 dollars and you paid $48 - I wouldn't call the manager over $2. If you don't like the tipping policy or service then they lose your patronage.
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Post by mirabelleswalker on Jul 22, 2015 19:57:00 GMT
A lot of restaurants in Oakland are doing this now. We recently complained about service and the gratuity was not added to our bill. I think restaurants should expect that consequence.
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tiffanytwisted
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Jul 22, 2015 20:01:10 GMT
Wait. The restaurant is stealing your money... pennies and dimes at a time... and providing substandard service as well, and you think it's petty to say something? C'mon Joy, I know you've got more sense than that. Of course, you should say something, AND get your money back. I think I'd be patronizing a different restaurant as well. Exactly. The part about stealing, I mean. Think about it. If they do this to every customer . . .
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jul 22, 2015 20:01:44 GMT
Honestly, 2 dinners at $19.99 with a 15% gratuity comes to roughly $46 dollars and you paid $48 - I wouldn't call the manager over $2. If you don't like the tipping policy or service then they lose your patronage. I hadn't planned to complain just ask about their policy next time we go in.
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Deleted
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May 15, 2024 11:39:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2015 20:06:05 GMT
A restaurant can't have it both ways. If they want to auto the tip, fine but you do not get to round it up too.
And not matter how good the food, if they kept doing it, along with service that isn't at least worthy of the 18% tip, I'd stop going. The experience would be ruined.
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Gennifer
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Post by Gennifer on Jul 22, 2015 20:11:34 GMT
Honestly, 2 dinners at $19.99 with a 15% gratuity comes to roughly $46 dollars and you paid $48 - I wouldn't call the manager over $2. If you don't like the tipping policy or service then they lose your patronage. Wasn't she charged $40 for each dinner instead of $19.99? That right there is what would warrant my call, but while I had them on the phone, I'd mention the other.
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moodyblue
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Post by moodyblue on Jul 22, 2015 20:12:45 GMT
I've only ever seen automatic gratuities added to groups of a certain size. I usually tip 20%, and will round up to make it an even amount, so they are taking a hit on what I would have tipped if service was good.
I don't like the fact that they rounded up on the tip either. That should be your choice, not theirs.
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Post by padresfan619 on Jul 22, 2015 20:21:22 GMT
The water refills may simply have to do with the drought. More and more restaurants are not offering water at all because of it, you have to ask for it first. It isn't a good excuse to not refill water you already have, but I am seeing signs all over about not automatically giving water when you are seated.
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 22, 2015 20:32:39 GMT
Honestly, 2 dinners at $19.99 with a 15% gratuity comes to roughly $46 dollars and you paid $48 - I wouldn't call the manager over $2. If you don't like the tipping policy or service then they lose your patronage. Wasn't she charged $40 for each dinner instead of $19.99? That right there is what would warrant my call, but while I had them on the phone, I'd mention the other. If I read the OP correctly she was charged $20 per dinner instead of $19.99.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 22, 2015 20:38:30 GMT
Honestly, 2 dinners at $19.99 with a 15% gratuity comes to roughly $46 dollars and you paid $48 - I wouldn't call the manager over $2. If you don't like the tipping policy or service then they lose your patronage. It's only a $2.00 overcharge for her because of their rounding up meals and tips. However, multiply that by each customer they do that to and you will arrive at a sizable sum in short order if they are a busy restaurant. What they are doing is dishonest and they should be called on it. There are government agencies that regulate and supervise these type of things. Depending on the response of the restaurant, I'd be tempted to report them. There have been cases locally where gas stations have done something similar. The rounding up of the dinners comes to $.02 and the tip rounding $.20 or a total of 22 cents. I have better things to do with my time than to call about 22 cents. If you think the food and service are not worthy of an 18% minimum gratuity in this case $1.78 over a standard 15% then there have to be better places to dine.
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Post by elaine on Jul 22, 2015 20:48:49 GMT
Wasn't she charged $40 for each dinner instead of $19.99? That right there is what would warrant my call, but while I had them on the phone, I'd mention the other. If I read the OP correctly she was charged $20 per dinner instead of $19.99. Yes. They didn't order drinks. The bill total should have been $39.98, but it was rounded up to $40. 18% of the rounded up $40 is $7.20, but the tip was rounded up to $8. cadoodlebug / Joy, I would ask next time you go in. You can couch it in "I was wondering what the auto-gratuity policy was? Because last time we were here the tip included was 20%, not 18%". Since $8 is 20% of $40, I wonder if it wasn't a case of rounding up, but charging a different percentage than you thought.
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