Consumer compalints about local businesses (credit card, how much, wage)

[theluckygal]

I frequent some of my favorite restaurants in the valley & depending on how much cash I have, I tip them accordingly. I dont want to add tip on my credit card. Sometimes if I dont have any cash I dont add the tip & try to cover it during my next visit. This has happened to me more than once at 2 separate restaurants (soooo tempted to add the names but afraid my post will be deleted). In one restaurant the waitress would check my receipt & come after me to add the tip & in another restaurant they just added tip on their own. Did this happen to anyone else? I didn't want to come across as cheap so I approved it anyways but was really mad at them for harassing patrons for tips. These are small local restaurants who dont have a website to file a complaint so not sure how I should bring this to management's attention without confronting them & making a scene. Maybe I could write a letter to them but not sure if management is also involved in this. Is there any local consumer complaint office in our area where I can complain about this practice? They are not doing anything illegal as I approve the transaction but still its not acceptable.

[Rtom45]

Originally Posted by theluckygal

I frequent some of my favorite restaurants in the valley & depending on how much cash I have, I tip them accordingly. I dont want to add tip on my credit card. Sometimes if I dont have any cash I dont add the tip & try to cover it during my next visit. This has happened to me more than once at 2 separate restaurants (soooo tempted to add the names but afraid my post will be deleted). In one restaurant the waitress would check my receipt & come after me to add the tip & in another restaurant they just added tip on their own. Did this happen to anyone else? I didn't want to come across as cheap so I approved it anyways but was really mad at them for harassing patrons for tips. These are small local restaurants who dont have a website to file a complaint so not sure how I should bring this to management's attention without confronting them & making a scene. Maybe I could write a letter to them but not sure if management is also involved in this. Is there any local consumer complaint office in our area where I can complain about this practice? They are not doing anything illegal as I approve the transaction but still its not acceptable.

Sounds pretty cheap to me. Servers in restaurants depend on their tips. If you can't afford the tip, you probably shouldn't be in the restaurant.

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by Rtom45

Sounds pretty cheap to me. Servers in restaurants depend on their tips. If you can't afford the tip, you probably shouldn't be in the restaurant.

Yeah you really kind of have a choice - either put the tip on the credit card - or make sure you carry cash - the third option of saying "I'll just tip 'em next time" probably isn't the wisest choice!

[headnsouth]

1. Don't eat at full-service restaurants if you don't want to tip.
2. Speaking directly with the server and/or the manager is not the same as causing a scene.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by theluckygal

Sometimes if I dont have any cash I dont add the tip & try to cover it during my next visit.

If I left a full-service restaurant without tipping (would never do it), I wouldn't go back for fear of my food having "extra ingredients" added to it. Even if you have the intention to double-tip to cover your last visit too, you likely will have already eaten something nasty. And no double tip can reverse that.

[Kreutz]

Wouldn't it be nice if waiter types were just paid a realistic wage and it was just factored into the cost of a meal?

We can dream...

[convextech]

Originally Posted by Rtom45

Sounds pretty cheap to me. Servers in restaurants depend on their tips. If you can't afford the tip, you probably shouldn't be in the restaurant.

Don't go out to eat if you can't afford to tip. It isn't the server's fault the law allows their boss to only pay them $3/hr or whatever it is. They are trying to make ends meet just like everyvbody else.

[LynchburgLover]

I'm thinking the OP wouldn't like it if her boss suggested paying her "next time" when the boss has extra money.

Waiting tables is hard work and they deserve a decent tip (assuming the service was good).

[j1n]

Hey, just out of curiosity... if you go to one of the Chinese buffets where the waiter/waitress seats you, takes a drink order, keeps your drinks filled and table cleared, and gives you your check...

What do you tip them? Same as in a full-service restaurant?

[LynchburgLover]

I do usually leave a regular tip because there are frequently fewer wait staff for buffets so they have to cover more tables. They are also usually helping replenish the buffet, getting the drinks, clearing the plates etc.