Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill

mrscdobs · November 2009

OK - so two nights ago I went out in Boston to a bar with friends. We got there early and grabbed a table. A waitress came over and opened a tab for us, on my debit card, no big deal.

So all night we were ordering drinks and I thought that my friends were tipping her for her drinks as she brought them over, and I thought theyd just give me cash at the end. Again, no big deal.

At the end of the night she follows me upstairs and is like here, close out your tab. So I write a $5.00 tip because again, I was under the assumption that the cash tips had been coming all night.

So my bill was $87.50 in drinks - I had wrote in $92.50. She turns around and comes back and says "You only tipped me $5?!" and starts to cross out what I wrote. I explained I thought she had been tipped by my friends all night and I said no big deal, I'll give you cash right now. So I'm taking additional cash out of my wallet for her and I was like, please stop crossing out on the bill, leave it, I'm giving you cash. She made it look like she was fixing it.

I gave it to her and she walked away with the bill and the money - I check my account today and it shows a charge of $105!! Meaning she added more money on to my debit charge bill!!

I don't know what to do - how can I get this resolved? I am really angry that she walked away with a ton of cash and basically stole from me by manipulating my bill. My first step is to call the bar today and tell them what happened.

sarahmk5 · November 2009

That's horrible. I would call the restaurant and speak to a manager about that - your waitress was totally out of line.

[Deleted User] · November 2009

Ditto Sarah. I would be calling the bar asap this morning to let them know what she did. She should be terminated and you should get your money back.

[Deleted User] · November 2009

Um yeah you can't do that! Call for sure.

I worked at a restaurant in 1999-2000 and an waiter added money to tips often. He was fired and charge with theft.

Mrs.B6302007 · November 2009

Um, yeah. That's stealing. Her ass needs to be fired.

tlv204 · November 2009

That's ricockulous. Definitely call the restaurant and probably your bank. I don't know if they could take the money off or not but it's worth a shot. I can't believe she even commented on the amount of tips, let alone actually changed it. And in front of you! Not that it would be any better if it were behind your back, I just can't believe anyone would be that audacious. There are so many things wrong with that it's not even funny.

Mrs.B6302007 · November 2009

First: 8/13/2009

Last: 11/29/2009

So my bill was $87.50 in drinks - I had wrote in $92.50. She turns around and comes back and says "You only tipped me $5?!" and starts to cross out what I wrote

I can't believe that she was going to change it right in front of you. What a witch.

lyndausvi · November 2009

First you need to call the bar and complain about her attitude. Her behavior is unacceptable.

That said, it's too early for your credit card to have been charged. Right now it is most likely only authorized . When you swipe a credit card at a restuarant it automatically authoritizes an extra 20% from your card because most people add tips to the card. (which would total $105 in your case). After the the close out through the bank, it's adjusted to whatever amount is on the check (some might not tip anything, others might tip more). Normally it takes a few days or more (especailly because of the holiday)

So while I would complain about the waitress, I would wait a few days (Tuesday) before accussing her of stealing untiil the charge actually goes through.

scoetto · November 2009

That's messed up, but lynda is right. I'd wait till Tues when everything clears.

LesPaul · November 2009

I would call the restaurant and speak to the general manager, and also dispute the charge with the bank. Since you have the charge receipt that has been altered, you have proof.

janedoe1113a · November 2009

I would definitely wait until the charge is completely authorized and not just pending. LIke Lynda said, some companies automatically add extra to your card, but it comes off because it's authorized.

If it doesn't change though, definitely call the bar and talk to a manager. She should be fired and you will get your money back.

jajph1974 · November 2009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_need-advice-waitress-changing-tip-bill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c9d0db8-7164-4f16-96e5-0ce7aee6f0f2Post:9182f408-0355-460c-8135-6dbf8fa22681">Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill</a>:
[QUOTE]First you need to call the bar and complain about her attitude. Her behavior is unacceptable. That said, it's too early for your credit card to have been charged. Right now it is most likely only authorized . When you swipe a credit card at a restuarant it automatically authoritizes an extra 20% from your card because most people add tips to the card. (which would total $105 in your case). After the the close out through the bank, it's adjusted to whatever amount is on the check (some might not tip anything, others might tip more). Normally it takes a few days or more (especailly because of the holiday) So while I would complain about the waitress, I would wait a few days (Tuesday) before accussing her of stealing untiil the charge actually goes through.
Posted by lyndausvi[/QUOTE]

We always use our debit card at restaurants and I've never seen this happen on my pending transactions. it has always been the exact amount that I autorized. Maybe it depends on your bank?

Also, I always leave a cash tip (I figure it's easier for the server). In the tip line on the bill I just write in "cash tip".

I think you should verify with your friends that they did indeed give her cash tips all night and then call and speak to the manager. With her attitude, she really should not be in the service industry.

mocha beans · November 2009

Wow, what a bitch. I wouldn't have even given her any cash tips after she started to write in a different tip, especially with you right there. That is completely unacceptable, and she needs to rethink her line of work.

Lynda's right too. We ran into that at Applebee's with our WellsFargo debit card a few times. Sucks, but I'd wait and see. But I'd still be having strong words with the bar manager.

goheels05 · November 2009

I'd call regardless since she was being such a twatrocket.

Moneypenny424 · November 2009

That is unbelievable! Lynda is right and I've seen many times where my pending charge is more than it ends up being. Maybe it does depend on the bank.

Geez, I'm in Boston too, what bar was this? Her azz needs to be fired. I can't believe she did it in front of you.

sisybermudiana · November 2009

While it often is authorized for a higher amount, once it is "closed", which would happen by the end of the night, it would only show the total amount of the check in your account. The only time you end up with random authorizations is when the credit card was swiped on the wrong check or something... the authorization is out there in checking account purgatory for a few days before it is cleared, which happens because the check is never "closed" to that account.

In this case, she closed your check to a higher amount and got the bigger tip.

I've been a server/bartender/manager for 9 years and this is ridiculous behavior. Tipping is customary and it suuuucks to get burned, but I would fire a server on the spot for doing this. Bad tips go with the territory, no matter how good a job you do... if you can't deal with that, you shouldn't be in the service industry.

[Deleted User] · November 2009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_need-advice-waitress-changing-tip-bill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c9d0db8-7164-4f16-96e5-0ce7aee6f0f2Post:6c63f273-63e8-4d7f-8da0-1fa290a9c079">Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill</a>:
[QUOTE]I'd call regardless since she was being such a twatrocket.
Posted by goheels05[/QUOTE]

twatrocket made me laugh out loud.

mrscdobs · November 2009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_need-advice-waitress-changing-tip-bill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c9d0db8-7164-4f16-96e5-0ce7aee6f0f2Post:ab3cf391-f4a5-4e3d-88e1-10d884a87c45">Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill</a>:
[QUOTE]That is unbelievable! Lynda is right and I've seen many times where my pending charge is more than it ends up being. Maybe it does depend on the bank. Geez, I'm in Boston too, what bar was this? Her azz needs to be fired. I can't believe she did it in front of you.
Posted by Moneypenny424[/QUOTE]

Sissy K's down in Faneuil.

I called over an hour ago, spoke to the manager - he tried to say it was my bank charging a "few extra dollars" as a hold on the account. He said he'd look into it and call me in 15 minutes... thinking that is not gonna happen, ha.

squirrly · November 2009

Absurd all the way around. I'd follow lynda's advice, wait till Tuesday, and then call and complain.

jajph1974 · November 2009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_need-advice-waitress-changing-tip-bill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c9d0db8-7164-4f16-96e5-0ce7aee6f0f2Post:85405086-2e5b-4208-9f33-c8f996fb0228">Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill : Sissy K's down in Faneuil. I called over an hour ago, spoke to the manager - he tried to say it was my bank charging a "few extra dollars" as a hold on the account. He said he'd look into it and call me in 15 minutes... thinking that is not gonna happen, ha.
Posted by mrscdobs[/QUOTE]

Did he say anything about the server's behavior?

janedoe1113a · November 2009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_need-advice-waitress-changing-tip-bill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c9d0db8-7164-4f16-96e5-0ce7aee6f0f2Post:85405086-2e5b-4208-9f33-c8f996fb0228">Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill : I called over an hour ago, spoke to the manager - he tried to say it was my bank charging a "few extra dollars" as a hold on the account. He said he'd look into it and call me in 15 minutes... thinking that is not gonna happen, ha.
Posted by mrscdobs[/QUOTE]

Did he even apologize for her behavior? He should have fired her on the spot just for that.

mrscdobs · November 2009

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_need-advice-waitress-changing-tip-bill?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:9c9d0db8-7164-4f16-96e5-0ce7aee6f0f2Post:2a12c0aa-d692-4dae-83cb-88313503e5c7">Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Need advice - waitress changing tip $ on bill : Did he even apologize for her behavior? He should have fired her on the spot just for that.
Posted by navybaby1113[/QUOTE]

Not at all! I'm REALLY hoping he calls me back - if he doesn't, when should I call again?

jajph1974 · November 2009

I'd give it an hour from the last time you spoke with him.

mocha beans · November 2009

I'd give him an hour, then call and see what he's found out. And make sure he knows about her behavior. If he's at all worth his managerial salt, he'll fire her.

eastunder1 · November 2009

Wait until midday tomorrow and call and ask to speak to the general manager. Not any old manager - the one actually in charge. Theyre the one that gets things done and they need to know about someone behaving like this. Plus, sometimes lower level managers will try to cover for their employees if it is someone they like and keep the big fish from finding out. Yes, it happens. All the time. Make sure you are talking to the person actually in charge. They wont put it up with that crap.

Regardless of if she added a tip or not, her behavior was grossly out of line. I worked in the resturaunt/bar scene for the better part of a decade and I would have fired a server on the spot for even questioning a customer about a tip. Sometimes you get shitty tips, its part of the game. You NEVER question the shitty tipper about it if you feel like keeping your job. Period.

janedoe1113a · November 2009

I completely agree with East.

Catwoman708 · November 2009

Call your credit card company and protest the amount. She added to your bill against your specific instructions. This could be considered fraud or theft.

Then call and report it to the restaurant manager, and if they are a chain, report it to their corporate headquarters.

*Just saw your update that the Mgr. would look into it. I assume he meant look into it with the server and with their receipts.

Because I don't know that even a merchant/vendor can look into any charges on YOUR credit card with YOUR credit card company or bank. I'd think they only give information to the account holder.

eastunder1 · November 2009

Ditto about calling their corporate offices if they are any kind of chain. That is how you get things done. If you just call managers it is totally their discretion to act on it or not. If you call corporate they will without doubt hand down the order to fire her, which is absolutely what should happen.

And don't feel bad. Anyone who is a decent server would NEVER behave like that. She has no business working in that industry.

ootmother2 · November 2009

Questions:

Was there any notice on the menu that ___ % would be added to all checks for (insert $ number)? The waitress many not have been the one that changed the tip amount if so.

You "assumed" your friends were tipping her? That's the first mistake.

Yes, her attitude stinks but I know the place and it can be a mob scene. I've waited table and I would have a pissy attitude in that situation as well.

I'm NOT blaming you at all, just pointing out where the problem may have started.

eastunder1 · November 2009

If there was gratuity added to the check, it would have already been on the check prior to the waitress bringing her the bill. You can't go back and add it once you have presented a check/amount to guests without notifying them that you have done so.

I totally agree that I would have been livid to only get five bucks on a 90 buck check, but thats when you go out back and scream or kick something.

eastunder1 · November 2009

Cdobs, I just realized this was you! Hi!

You should come visit us more!

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