Waiter added tip on credit card bill

[UnatcoAgent]

I see with my online statement a bill we had earlier in the week is $5 more than what I have on my receipt, we didn't put a tip on the CC but left it at the table in cash. Any ideas? I'm going to call the place in the morning.

---------------

OK so an update:

I called VISA, they have opened a dispute with the charge and will reverse the extra funds unless I resolve it with the manager seperately - call time, 5 minutes.

I called the store, the manager is out but I left my information and let them know what happened. The waitress I spoke to said they do -not- add any sort of tip automatically, even with large parties of people. We'll see where this goes.

It is NOT about $5. It is about the principle, this woman was a horrible waitress and very unpleasant, and then she tries to rip me off. Fvck that.

Also, there were 3 of us, I covered the bill and someone ELSE got the tip, in cash.

 

[Kalmah]

I always write 'cash' in the tip amount on the recipt when paying with cash.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Kalmah
I always write 'cash' in the tip amount on the recipt when paying with cash.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: Kalmah
I always write 'cash' in the tip amount on the recipt when paying with cash.

i wrote a line across it on both, yours is better though.

 

[Finalnight]

Originally posted by: Sabot
I see with my online statement a bill we had earlier in the week is $5 more than what I have on my receipt, we didn't put a tip on the CC but left it at the table in cash. Any ideas? I'm going to call the place in the morning.

Probably be easier and more productive to call the restaurant owner/corporate office instead. Or simply dispute the charge. The merchant will be required to produce your receipt which will show you didnt authorize the additional funds.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Sabot
I see with my online statement a bill we had earlier in the week is $5 more than what I have on my receipt, we didn't put a tip on the CC but left it at the table in cash. Any ideas? I'm going to call the place in the morning.

Probably be easier and more productive to call the restaurant owner/corporate office instead. Or simply dispute the charge. The merchant will be required to produce your receipt which will show you didnt authorize the additional funds.

Yeah that is a good call, my first one will be to Visa, and then to the manager. We'll see how they react.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Sabot
I see with my online statement a bill we had earlier in the week is $5 more than what I have on my receipt, we didn't put a tip on the CC but left it at the table in cash. Any ideas? I'm going to call the place in the morning.

Probably be easier and more productive to call the restaurant owner/corporate office instead. Or simply dispute the charge. The merchant will be required to produce your receipt which will show you didnt authorize the additional funds.

Yeah that is a good call, my first one will be to Visa, and then to the manager. We'll see how they react.

When I was eighteen I waited tables at a fairly nice restaurant, and one of the servers was fired for padding his tips. Turns out the son of bitch had stolen over a hundred bucks. He was finally caught because someone like you actually kept their receipt and called the GM.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Kalmah
I always write 'cash' in the tip amount on the recipt when paying with cash.

...and then I draw a giant cock under that.

keeps them away from the receipt, you betcha. 😉

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Kalmah
I always write 'cash' in the tip amount on the recipt when paying with cash.

That = Good Idea

 

[ra1nman]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: Kalmah
I always write 'cash' in the tip amount on the recipt when paying with cash.

...and then I draw a giant cock under that.

keeps them away from the receipt, you betcha. 😉

Thanks for the chuckle...

I worked at a few restaurants to pay my way thru school and seeing a few people let go adding a bit "extra" for a tip, I always keep an eye on my bank statements.

 

[shortylickens]

The only place I tip on the card is Hooters, and the local girls are scared shitless lately because of a bunch of firings for unprofessionalism.
They're too paranoid to try any stupid shit now. But most of them are blondes, and the brunettes act like blonds. Would not be suprised if they forgot about it in a month.

 

[tboo]

Im pretty sure this is standard procedure. Ive had this happen to me before. Check your bill in about a week or so & it should be back to your original charge.

 

[PokerGuy]

I'd contact the store manager, and if he / she doesn't agree to immediately reverse the additional charge (along with probably giving you a voucher for free somethng or other), you contact the CC company and dispute the charge.

I always cross out the unused space when I leave the tip in cash....

 

[SlitheryDee]

You got gradded (sp?). Waiters tend to do that when they suspect you are a cheap bastard who won't tip. Apparently it's accepted, but it should have shown up on the receipt. I suppose if they did it as a separate charge that would be highly illegal.

Edit: Reading comp failure. This sounds like something else.

 

[Tobolo]

Has the charge actually posted to your account or is it still pending? They usually auth for more than the amount to cover a tip but it will be correct when it hits the account. Of course it might not and hes ripping you off.

 

[dman]

How does anyone who has a credit card not know what to do when there is an unexplained charge on their card?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Sabot

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Sabot
I see with my online statement a bill we had earlier in the week is $5 more than what I have on my receipt, we didn't put a tip on the CC but left it at the table in cash. Any ideas? I'm going to call the place in the morning.

Probably be easier and more productive to call the restaurant owner/corporate office instead. Or simply dispute the charge. The merchant will be required to produce your receipt which will show you didnt authorize the additional funds.

Yeah that is a good call, my first one will be to Visa, and then to the manager. We'll see how they react.

Your first call needs to be to the manager, then call the CC issuer. The bank won't do anything for you until you try to work it out on your own.

I'm assuming this isn't a pre-authorization since it's a week later.

Edit: I just realized you said "earlier in the week." Wait until next week to see if it changes.

 

[brxndxn]

I forgot to write in a tip at Hooters once.. The waitress was a bitch, though.. I just wanted to get out of there quick and plain forgot - though I would've at least left her 10%..

She decided to leave herself a 40% tip.. God that pissed me off.. Ever since, all my restaurant receipts get stick on a needle I keep on my desk.. Every month, when I pay my bills, I verify if the charge looks different than what I remember.

 

[Steve]

How many were at your table? Was it a party of six or more where gratuity is added in too?

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Tobolo
Has the charge actually posted to your account or is it still pending? They usually auth for more than the amount to cover a tip but it will be correct when it hits the account. Of course it might not and hes ripping you off.

This.

Don't be a dick and make assumptions.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Sabot
I see with my online statement a bill we had earlier in the week is $5 more than what I have on my receipt, we didn't put a tip on the CC but left it at the table in cash. Any ideas? I'm going to call the place in the morning.

Probably be easier and more productive to call the restaurant owner/corporate office instead. Or simply dispute the charge. The merchant will be required to produce your receipt which will show you didnt authorize the additional funds.

1) wait and make sure its not a pre-charge

2) if it is NOT a pre-charge call the resturant and talk to the manager and that is far as you will need to go. they will pull the reciept and teh transaction on the card. it will help if you have the copy of the reciept.


this happened to us at ruby tuesdays. we had around a $60 bill (took some friends out for dinner) and we all paid the tip in cash. I can't remember if we wrote cash or just a line throguh the tip area.

Anyway my wife is anal about keeping up on the CC amounts. since it is online she checked it. when it came through it was $20 more then it should have (and it was a the real charge). i just called up the resturant. a few hours latter they called back and said oops. sorry come in.

we got refunded the amount of the overcharge and lunch. Then we got a letter from the district manager (who happened to be there at the time i complained) saying come in for dinner on them.

that $20 cost the store a lot hehe.

 

[TwiceOver]

Applebee's has a 15% automatic gratuity if you have a table larger than 5. They are supposed to tell you but the waiters often "forget".

Just an FYI

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Kalmah
I always write 'cash' in the tip amount on the recipt when paying with cash.

Plus, dispute the charge with the CC company, you have the receipt as proof.

 

[cronos]

Is there a reason why people like to leave their tip in cash?

I've never done it.

 

[dullard]

Sabot, I'd first wait to see if that is the final charge on the CC. When restaurants swipe the card, they frequently add a tip to make certain that you have enough credit limit to pay a typical tip. Then, when you actually tip the manager later corrects the billing to match your tip. This process can take several days. Thus, it is frequent that there is an incorrect amount on your CC online statement before this correction comes through.

If that correction never comes through, then follow the instructions (exactly) on your CC bill. They tell you step by step what to do to get your money back. First you try to settle the issue with the mananger. If that fails, you are required to mail a complaint letter (the text is specified by federal laws).

Originally posted by: cronos
Is there a reason why people like to leave their tip in cash?

I've never done it.

Basically, it is a tactic (usually used by former waiters) to help other waiters scam the system.

Some restaurants subtract the CC fees from the waiter's tip. So, if you are in a restaurant like that, you pay $5 and the waiter gets $5*97% = $4.85 and the CC company gets $5*3% = $0.15. Of course, not all restaurants do that to their staff.

Also, some waiters perfer to not pay income tax (illegal). If you put the tip in cash, the government will never have any record of the tip. If you tip on a CC, the government has the chance to find out about the tip.

The drawback is that you have to carry a CC and cash with you. Also, you don't get your 1%-5% CC cash rewards. So, you are losing money in hopes that the waiter may get a bit more tip. And finally, it leads to more risk in cases like the OP in this thread.