Common practice for restaurant servers to keep change without asking? (credit card, review)
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I have had a server keep my change twice in the past month at two separate restaurants. I frequently eat out (probably once for lunch and once for dinner each week which is frequent in my opinion.) and have never had this happen. When I say the server kept my change they kept the coins e.g. bill was $12.82 and I received $7.00 in change. Granted it's only 18 cents but it ticked my off both times because of the fact that it's money owed to me and not the server's decision. The restaurants shall remain nameless but they are both your average everyday restaurant. The first time I never saw the server again after she brought my change so I couldn't ask her about the rest of my change so I had to leave a note explaining why she got the tip that she did (Her tip was the change that she willingly kept.). The second time was during lunch at a different restaurant. I was able to ask him about my change and he acted surprised that I wanted it but willingly reached into his pocket to give it to me. Even though it did tick me off I wasn't rude or angry at the server but I inquired if this was a common practice. His response was every server he knew did that and it was common practice. I told him the practice could be considered theft and that even though he was a decent server and provided good service I couldn't leave him a tip more than what he felt he was deserving. His tip was 27 cents.
Again, I understand it's "only 27 cents" but dammit it's MY 27 cents. And yes, I understand servers depend on tips as their salary. Fine, I'm good with that and normally tip 20% for good service. But I do not agree with this new to me trend of servers keeping the change.
I've never had that happen. It's very sneaky. Okay so it was $.17. But if you get enough $.50-and-up tips over the course of the shift and then over the course of weeks and months you're adding a nice cushion to your takehome.
I'm completely with you on this. If it starts with a few coins, next thing you know they're keeping back bills. I love your strategy of giving them the tip they thought they deserved, but you MUST also tell the manager.
I can't say this has happened to me locally, but this made me realize that I usually pay with plastic. That would prevent this sort of thing....
I'm completely with you on this. If it starts with a few coins, next thing you know they're keeping back bills. I love your strategy of giving them the tip they thought they deserved, but you MUST also tell the manager.
I can't say this has happened to me locally, but this made me realize that I usually pay with plastic. That would prevent this sort of thing....
I agree about telling the manager but the 2nd time I was impressed with the new restaurant so I had already decided I won't be going back anyway.
The only problem with using plastic is there have been reports of the server fudging the tip amount since the transaction is completed after the customer has left so be sure to review the credit card statement carefully.
I agree about telling the manager but the 2nd time I was impressed with the new restaurant so I had already decided I won't be going back anyway.
The only problem with using plastic is there have been reports of the server fudging the tip amount since the transaction is completed after the customer has left so be sure to review the credit card statement carefully.
We try to leave the tip in cash, and write "CASH" on the tip line of the receipt.
Next time talk to the manager. Back when I was waiting tables keeping change like that would get us in big trouble. It's essentially stealing. Now if my customer was getting back something like $7.90 in change I would often just round up and give them $8.00 to make my life easier.
I dine out with great frequency, but I've never had this happen to me. I agree with librarySue -- you MUST tell the manager about this. I've owned two restaurants and would never tolerate this out of a server.
Ive never had this happen in 20 years here in the Triangle.
My pet peeve is when the waiter asked if I need change. Just make the change and leave it. Don't ask, if I need no money back I will tell you.
When I say change, I mean the balance of the money between the bill and the bills paid with. Like if I spend 13.50 and put down a twenty. Just give me the 6.50 back....dont ask!
Well, they can keep the coins if they promise to stop calling my wife and me "Guys;" stop asking "Are you still working on that?" like we are a couple of hyenas on a wildbeest; and if they just get the check out to the table so I can go home before I pass out.
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