Suggested Gratuities error on restaurant bill

[Buckeye Bob]

Recently ate at a newer restaurant in the Villages and got my bill which was $20.06 before tax. The "suggested gratuity" at the bottom of the bill showed 18%=$5.23, 20%=$5.81 and 25%=$7.26. According to the math I was taught, 20% would be $4.01; quite a difference. Maybe it's that newer Common Core math????
At any rate, don't take the calculations at the bottom of a bill for granted. I called the manager and he said the problem will be corrected. If it hasn't been the next time I visit, I will publish the name of the restaurant.:confused:

[CatskillBill]

Same thing happened to me at The Olive Garden.


Recently ate at a newer restaurant in the Villages and got my bill which was $20.06 before tax. The "suggested gratuity" at the bottom of the bill showed 18%=$5.23, 20%=$5.81 and 25%=$7.26. According to the math I was taught, 20% would be $4.01; quite a difference. Maybe it's that newer Common Core math????
At any rate, don't take the calculations at the bottom of a bill for granted. I called the manager and he said the problem will be corrected. If it hasn't been the next time I visit, I will publish the name of the restaurant.:confused:

[n8xwb]

And while you're doing the math, the 20% should be on the pre-tax total! Not the final bill.

[redwitch]

Or, you could be nice and tip on the entire bill, not just pre-tax. And don’t forget that if you use a coupon or some other form of discount, the tip should be based on the whole price, not the discounted price. Don’t punish the servers because you got a deal. They give you the same service regardless.

[Marathon Man]

Or, you could be nice and tip on the entire bill, not just pre-tax. And don’t forget that if you use a coupon or some other form of discount, the tip should be based on the whole price, not the discounted price. Don’t punish the servers because you got a deal. They give you the same service regardless.

Yes. Also remember that the same effort is needed to bring you a glass of water as it is to bring an expensive cocktail.

[JoMar]

Or, you could be nice and tip on the entire bill, not just pre-tax. And don’t forget that if you use a coupon or some other form of discount, the tip should be based on the whole price, not the discounted price. Don’t punish the servers because you got a deal. They give you the same service regardless.

Totally agree. The additional tip on the tax is chump change, most likely less than a buck on most checks.....and I do know some that tip on the net check after the discount coupon...and have called them on it.

[Doro22]

Please tell us which “new” restaurant ‘suggested’ those tips. I want to avoid that place for sure.

[NotFromAroundHere]

Yes. Also remember that the same effort is needed to bring you a glass of water as it is to bring an expensive cocktail.
It also takes just as much effort to bring me a cheese sandwich as a filet mignon. Should I take that into account?

[jimmemac]

At best it is deceitful!

[retiredguy123]

Please tell us which “new” restaurant ‘suggested’ those tips. I want to avoid that place for sure.
I agree. A tip is a voluntary gift and no business should ask for tips, or suggest an amount.

[skip0358]

The Business isn't asking for a tip. It's the suggested amount for the server who gets paid squat to start with. IF your Server or Bar Tender takes care of you especially if you go to the same places often you will be remembered and taken care of a little better. Trust me on that!

[Chi-Town]

Glad to see reminders to tip on the full amount, not the 2 for 1 or discounted coupon amount.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I barely even look at those things. I can figure out 15% if the service was not very good and 20% if it was good and 25% if it was great in my head.

For as long as I could remember, the tip for good service was 15%. Somehow in the past 25 years or so it became 20%. I often wonder when and how that happened.

[spring_chicken]

Yes. Also remember that the same effort is needed to bring you a glass of water as it is to bring an expensive cocktail.

No, and it's not even close.

[Kelsie52]

WE live in The Villages --who by the way are know as notorious bad tippers. Most servers work hard and do not make a lot of money . if you notice, most of the servers here are not retirees like the majority of their client (us) They are youngsters raising families. As for myself I never look at the restaurants suggestions for tips. I just multiply the ENTIRE bill by 20%. The prices here in TV are never so high that 1 or 2 bucks will kill you ..Is it ? The only thing I ever take into account is the servers attitude and attentiveness and that is just a rounding concern a tip of 8.50 becomes 9 or 8 ..Makes it easier for me since I am not a math person . (Thats why I married a College Calculus professor LOL)

When I first got here I was annoyed that bartenders never buy back a drink ...until I realized I was paying 2.50 for a beer I was paying better than 5.00 back up north.

I realize everything in life is about our experiences from th past and our expectations.

My only thought is treat people with respect and it will return to you in spades.

Would you rater spend you life :beer3::pepper2:

or :swear::grumpy:

[Skip]

The "suggested gratuity" at the bottom of the bill showed 18%=$5.23, 20%=$5.81 and 25%=$7.26. According to the math I was taught, 20% would be $4.01; quite a difference.

This is obviously intentional and we need to know who is doing this. As long as you are factual, you should name the place, so we can ALL watch for this crookedness. I'll bet the servers know it is incorrect (and in their favor).

Try writing on the check: "My calculation is that 20% tip = $1.43 ".

That'll get the servers to force the management to correct it.

Skip

[Skip]

I barely even look at those things. I can figure out 15% if the service was not very good and 20% if it was good and 25% if it was great in my head.

For as long as I could remember, the tip for good service was 15%. Somehow in the past 25 years or so it became 20%. I often wonder when and how that happened.

You're right and I've seen 18%, 20%, 25% as suggested tips on the slip. It's called pushing the envelope.

Skip

[Two Bills]

I always cash tip at the table, never on the card at the checkout. Never trusted management to give it all to the staff

[redwitch]

It also takes just as much effort to bring me a cheese sandwich as a filet mignon. Should I take that into account?

Considering that a filet is at least twice the price of a cheese sandwich, the tip difference is already factored in. However, if you really think the same effort is used for these two items suggest you become a server for a week. A cheese sandwich requires picking it up and bringing it to the table. A filet requires bread, salad, possible sides on separate plates, and sour cream, etc. added to baked potato.

Glad you aren’t my daughter’s customer (she gave up on Villagers and now works in Ocala).

[NotFromAroundHere]

Considering that a filet is at least twice the price of a cheese sandwich, the tip difference is already factored in. However, if you really think the same effort is used for these two items suggest you become a server for a week. A cheese sandwich requires picking it up and bringing it to the table. A filet requires bread, salad, possible sides on separate plates, and sour cream, etc. added to baked potato.

Glad you aren’t my daughter’s customer (she gave up on Villagers and now works in Ocala).

I think your daughter would be very happy to have me as a customer. I don't know why you think she wouldn't.

Since my point was missed, I'll restate - I have been a server, and still don't understand why a tip should be more for a filet than it is for something similar that costs half as much.

[GoodLife]

WE live in The Villages --who by the way are known as notorious bad tippers.

How is this exactly known? Has there been a study on this? I have lots and lot of friends here, none of us are bad tippers.

[redwitch]

WE live in The Villages --who by the way are known as notorious bad tippers.

How is this exactly known? Has there been a study on this? I have lots and lot of friends here, none of us are bad tippers.

Talk to the servers. Too many here still think 10% is a good tip. I actually heard one woman tell her friend to not leave a tip because “tips were part of the amenity fees.”

[GoodLife]

Talk to the servers. Too many here still think 10% is a good tip. I actually heard one woman tell her friend to not leave a tip because “tips were part of the amenity fees.”

I talk to the servers every time I go to a restaurant. Kinda hard to order without talking to them. This whole "villagers are bad tippers" seems like an urban myth. Never see it, never hear of it until someone starts a rumor on the internet.

If some 90 year old lady living off her social security can only muster up 10% tip on her one night out per month so be it, the occasional 30% tip balances it out.

I promise to tip 20% on my next glass of water. :loco:

[justjim]

Recently ate at a newer restaurant in the Villages and got my bill which was $20.06 before tax. The "suggested gratuity" at the bottom of the bill showed 18%=$5.23, 20%=$5.81 and 25%=$7.26. According to the math I was taught, 20% would be $4.01; quite a difference. Maybe it's that newer Common Core math????
At any rate, don't take the calculations at the bottom of a bill for granted. I called the manager and he said the problem will be corrected. If it hasn't been the next time I visit, I will publish the name of the restaurant.:confused:

OP, Others might disagree but I think you did the right thing by giving this restaurant the benefit of doubt. It could be a computer program error. It’s hard to believe that a manager wouldn’t be smart enough to know that a customer wouldn’t do the math and be upset with the situation. Thanks, and keep us posted.

[Cisco Kid]

Recently ate at a newer restaurant in the Villages and got my bill which was $20.06 before tax. The "suggested gratuity" at the bottom of the bill showed 18%=$5.23, 20%=$5.81 and 25%=$7.26. According to the math I was taught, 20% would be $4.01; quite a difference. Maybe it's that newer Common Core math????
At any rate, don't take the calculations at the bottom of a bill for granted. I called the manager and he said the problem will be corrected. If it hasn't been the next time I visit, I will publish the name of the restaurant.:confused:

It’s a clearly greed.
The bottom of the bill it to guilt you.
And we all know who gets a kick back from TV greed.
Don’t ever pay a dime.

[Cisco Kid]

WE live in The Villages --who by the way are known as notorious bad tippers.

How is this exactly known? Has there been a study on this? I have lots and lot of friends here, none of us are bad tippers.

It’s on the internet/ Facebook.
STD’s Swingers, Mr Midnight, :a20:

[retiredguy123]

I talk to the servers every time I go to a restaurant. Kinda hard to order without talking to them. This whole "villagers are bad tippers" seems like an urban myth. Never see it, never hear of it until someone starts a rumor on the internet.

If some 90 year old lady living off her social security can only muster up 10% tip on her one night out per month so be it, the occasional 30% tip balances it out.

I promise to tip 20% on my next glass of water. :loco:
A 90 year old lady who gets a social security check and only goes out once a month has got to be loaded. What is she doing with all her money?

[bilcon]

I agree. A tip is a voluntary gift and no business should ask for tips, or suggest an amount.

Yeah, we don't want those servers making a lot of money. They make sooo much an hour. What $3.00 and they hardly have to put up with the Bull.... from a lot of senior residents. Good excuse for being CHEAP. I also like the excuse "We don't tip in our country" - but your not in your country and a service charge is added on to your bill. Just saying.However, if you get lousy service, then you get a lousy tip.

[ColdNoMore]

A 90 year old lady who gets a social security check and only goes out once a month has got to be loaded. What is she doing with all her money?

She's probably spending her money on buying hop-up parts...to modify her golf cart to run 35 mph.

And removing the turn signal stalk.



:D

[Cisco Kid]

Yeah, we don't want those servers making a lot of money. They make sooo much an hour. What $3.00 and they hardly have to put up with the Bull.... from a lot of senior residents. Good excuse for being CHEAP. I also like the excuse "We don't tip in our country" - but your not in your country and a service charge is added on to your bill. Just saying.However, if you get lousy service, then you get a lousy tip.

Tips are just a way for the greedy restaurants to get you to pay there wages.
McDonald’s does to ask for tips, and they are paying over minimum wage per CNN.

*********************
All employees up to restaurant managers will get a pay bump as well. The result: the fast food giant projects that its average hourly wage will reach more than $10 an hour by the end of 2016 -- up from $9.01 currently. The new average will be $2.75 above the federal minimum wage.Apr 1, 2015
McDonalds to give a pay raise to hourly workers - Apr. 1, 2015 - ...

[jpvillager]

These are not errors. The restaurants are professionals and the calculations are deliberate. I see this as more of an issue of integrity than how much you should be tipping in the first place. Remember, a waitress does not make much, is usually part time and has a hard time making ends meet. If you want some interesting reading on the "error" process try an old book "Pulling Your Own Strings"

[biker1]

A quick google search will show that this has been observed by others around the country. While I am not familiar with the programming of Point of Sale systems, it is not hard to imagine that the restaurants have control over the calculations. I have experienced this sort of thing in the past. At one establishment (not around here) which included a mandatory 18% tip, I noticed the included tip was 30%, not 18%. This was quickly corrected but certainly suggests that the restaurants do have control of these sorts of calculations.

In Florida, there would be an advantage to "inflating" the suggested tip amount as the restaurants must pay additional money to the service staff if their hourly wage plus tips doesn't equal the minimum wage.

Recently ate at a newer restaurant in the Villages and got my bill which was $20.06 before tax. The "suggested gratuity" at the bottom of the bill showed 18%=$5.23, 20%=$5.81 and 25%=$7.26. According to the math I was taught, 20% would be $4.01; quite a difference. Maybe it's that newer Common Core math????
At any rate, don't take the calculations at the bottom of a bill for granted. I called the manager and he said the problem will be corrected. If it hasn't been the next time I visit, I will publish the name of the restaurant.:confused:

[SFSkol]

I think your daughter would be very happy to have me as a customer. I don't know why you think she wouldn't.

Since my point was missed, I'll restate - I have been a server, and still don't understand why a tip should be more for a filet than it is for something similar that costs half as much.

Here's a better example: caculate the gratituity on the service.

Opening and pouring a bottle of 1982 Petrus at $5,000 with two wine glasses.
Opening and pouring a bottle of last weeks Sutter Home White Zinfandel at $22.00 with two wine glasses.

[GoodLife]

I agree. A tip is a voluntary gift and no business should ask for tips, or suggest an amount.

Apparently it is ok for some individuals in this thread to suggest amounts. :loco:

[golf2140]

Yes. Also remember that the same effort is needed to bring you a glass of water as it is to bring an expensive cocktail.

:BigApplause::BigApplause::BigApplause:

[NotFromAroundHere]

[QUOTE=bilcon;1500422]Yeah, we don't want those servers making a lot of money. They make sooo much an hour. What $3.00 and they hardly have to put up with the Bull.... from a lot of senior residents.

I believe the tipped minimum wage in Florida is something over $5 an hour. Other places it's a little over $2. Does that mean we should tip more in Georgia, or less here?
The entire idea of basing your tip on the cost of the meal is irrational. Maybe it should be based on how long you stay in the restaurant. Or how many times the server visits your table.
And of course you should probably ask the server what their hourly wage is so that you can take that into account. What if the place is really busy and the manager waits on you? They probably make way more than a server - should you even leave a tip?

[Chatbrat]

To the OP, if the restaurant is a chain restaurant--the #'s IMHO were engineered by corp mgt, please disclose the name of the establishment, your polite waiting for things to change will not change a thing- its a new way to scam customers

[retiredguy123]

I went to Evans Prairie tonight with a singles group for happy hour/dinner. The restaurant had agreed to provide separate checks for the 40 attendees. However, when the checks arrived, they had included a 20 percent gratuity to each check amount. In my opinion, this is worse than just suggesting a gratuity amount. I hope that customers will not accept this kind of practice. A gratuity should be a voluntary gift and totally up to the customer to give or not to give. If the gratuity is mandatory, what incentive does the server have to provide good service?

[CFrance]

I went to Evans Prairie tonight with a singles group for happy hour/dinner. The restaurant had agreed to provide separate checks for the 40 attendees. However, when the checks arrived, they had included a 20 percent gratuity to each check amount. In my opinion, this is worse than just suggesting a gratuity amount. I hope that customers will not accept this kind of practice. A gratuity should be a voluntary gift and totally up to the customer to give or not to give. If the gratuity is mandatory, what incentive does the server have to provide good service?
It's not an uncommon practice for restaurants to add a gratuity on the bills for a large group. And I really don't blame them. It's a lot of work to serve a large group all at once, not only for the servers, but the chefs.

[ColdNoMore]

It's not an uncommon practice for restaurants to add a gratuity on the bills for a large group. And I really don't blame them. It's a lot of work to serve a large group all at once, not only for the servers, but the chefs.

:agree:


In fact, a lot of menus will state that there will be an 18%-20% gratuity added for groups of (usually 6, but varies)...or more.


Totally understandable to me, but I don't recall it happening after getting lunch with my golf groups that are sometimes up to 20...so go figure. :shrug:

[Topspinmo]

I barely even look at those things. I can figure out 15% if the service was not very good and 20% if it was good and 25% if it was great in my head.

For as long as I could remember, the tip for good service was 15%. Somehow in the past 25 years or so it became 20%. I often wonder when and how that happened.

Yep, I'm waiting for 100%, plus extra charge when they take my credit card in the back room charge up so stuff for them. And it will happen sooner or later with all the little skimmers lurking

[retiredguy123]

:agree:


In fact, a lot of menus will state that there will be an 18%-20% gratuity added for groups of (usually 6, but varies)...or more.


Totally understandable to me, but I don't recall it happening after getting lunch with my golf groups that are sometimes up to 20...so go figure. :shrug:
I am aware of some restaurants adding a gratuity to a bill when a large group is charged for multiple meals on a single bill. But, in this case, each person placed a separate order with a server and received their own individual bill with a 20 percent gratuity added to it. The idea to charge an automatic gratuity removes all descretion from the customer. In my opinion, any tipping should be voluntary and based on the quality of the service received.

[CFrance]

I am aware of some restaurants adding a gratuity to a bill when a large group is charged for multiple meals on a single bill. But, in this case, each person placed a separate order with a server and received their own individual bill with a 20 percent gratuity added to it. The idea to charge an automatic gratuity removes all descretion from the customer. In my opinion, any tipping should be voluntary and based on the quality of the service received.
Why should it matter if billed separately? It's still a large group that requires extra help & more work done at one time in the kitchen.

[retiredguy123]

Why should it matter if billed separately? It's still a large group that requires extra help & more work done at one time in the kitchen.
I could agree if the restaurant wanted to add an extra mandatory service charge for large groups. But, it is wrong to call it a gratuity. By definition, a gratuity is voluntary.

[Marathon Man]

I could agree if the restaurant wanted to add an extra mandatory service charge for large groups. But, it is wrong to call it a gratuity. By definition, a gratuity is voluntary.

Really? That's actually a problem?

[Topspinmo]

Here's a better example: caculate the gratituity on the service.

Opening and pouring a bottle of 1982 Petrus at $5,000 with two wine glasses.
Opening and pouring a bottle of last weeks Sutter Home White Zinfandel at $22.00 with two wine glasses.
Anybody that pays that for soured A$$ wine have never earned wage working

[Chatbrat]

Yeah, but he provided 300 people with a good living way above "working wage"--also, thats why you taste the wine -its not whether you like the taste or not, what maters is that it has not "turned"--had to return an expensive bottle of wine because air had leaked past the cork and the wine had "turned"

[GoodLife]

I am confused here.

Many posters here telling us what we should tip servers, but restaurants telling us what we should tip is wrong.

Gratuities are voluntary, but somehow virtue signaling about what is appropriate is ok.

[ColdNoMore]

I am confused here.

Many posters here telling us what we should tip servers, but restaurants telling us what we should tip is wrong.

Gratuities are voluntary, but somehow virtue signaling about what is appropriate is ok.

It shouldn't be all that confusing, given that everyone is simply giving their 'opinions'...as to how they view tipping.

No one is forcing anyone else to do anything and it is still our own individual choice, whether to tip or not...and how little or how much.

However, what's not an 'opinion,' is the math percentage mistake made on the receipt...by the restaurant the OP described.

That it is a mistake, is simply... a fact.

And in spite of some opinions in our country these days to the contrary, I personally believe that while everyone is entitled to their opinion(s)...facts are still facts.:ho:

[GoodLife]

It shouldn't be all that confusing, given that everyone is simply giving their 'opinions'...as to how they view tipping.

No one is forcing anyone else to do anything and it is still our own individual choice, whether to tip or not...and how little or how much.

However, what's not an 'opinion,' is the math percentage mistake made on the receipt...by the restaurant the OP described.

That it is a mistake, is simply... a fact.

And in spite of some opinions in our country these days to the contrary, I personally believe that while everyone is entitled to their opinion(s)...facts are still facts.:ho:

The 'Suggested gratuity" at the restaurant the op referred to is an opinion as well, no one is being forced to pay it. They are just sharing their "opinion" with you. Whether the restaurant's suggestion or "opinion" is based on the bill pre tax or not does not make it a fact. It is still just an "opinion" that cannot be forced by law, same as the "opinion" of posters telling us what they think is the correct tip.

[ColdNoMore]

The 'Suggested gratuity" at the restaurant the op referred to is an opinion as well, no one is being forced to pay it. They are just sharing their "opinion" with you. Whether the restaurant's suggestion or "opinion" is based on the bill pre tax or not does not make it a fact. It is still just an "opinion" that cannot be forced by law, same as the "opinion" of posters telling us what they think is the correct tip.

I'm going to have to bring up those pesky 'facts' again.

Please go back and read the OP's post again.

If the restaurant had avoided putting a % in front of the dollar amounts and instead did something like....poor service=$1.00, fair service=$2.00, good service=$3.00, etc., etc....then THAT would be an opinion.

However, once they tried to equate a completely inaccurate dollar amount next to the percentages it's no longer an 'opinion'...it's trying to be passed off as a fact. :ho:

Whether it was on purpose to increase the gratuity, or someone was really bad at math and made an honest mistake, is at this point (without additional information)...an opinion.

See the difference?

[GoodLife]

See the difference?

Nope sorry, it is a fact that the restaurant suggested a gratuity based on bill plus tax. Its also a fact that some here suggest tips should be the same for glass of wine or glass of water. Since neither suggestion is enforced by law, they remain opinions.

Whether you think either suggestion is wrong or right does not change the facts.

Not difficult to understand.