Fees added to restaurant bills?

[BumpaOompa]

I am relatively new to The Villages and my wife and I have been enjoying many of the restaurants at the town squares. When dining specifically at the Brownwood restaurants I noticed some unusual activity on my restaurant charges. As I have done my entire life I order, eat, pay the bill with a credit card and close it out after adding a gratuity. I am very articulate about my financial house and accounting so I always save a receipt and reconcile them with my credit card statement. What is unusual is that only half of the receipts reconcile with my statement (granted I have only dined in Brownwood about a dozen times). The ones that don’t match generally have an additional amount of $1-$5 on my credit card statement. There is no pattern that I can make out. This has occurred multiple times at WOB, City Fire and even when I use a credit card at the beverage shacks. So, with me being new, I am wondering if fees for some reason (entertainment on the square, use of credit card, ?) are being added after I close and sign the receipt. The amount is small so I have been letting it pass but if there are no good explanations for why this extra amount is added I may start taking it up with the restaurant managers.

[Two Bills]

I would get on to CC provider.
What is on the receipt, and you signed off for, is the amount you should pay.
Had this myself some years ago, so only pay cash now.

[Skip]

Seems to me someone is padding your charge. I always insist that:
1. I get an itemized bill, noting each item and the tax.
2. I always use a credit card, never a debit card. (My credit card gives me 3% back.)
3. I usually tip about 20% for good service but I always round the amount so the total comes out to a whole dollar.
Eg.: $52.31 + $10.69 tip = $63.00
4. I write $10.69 on the tip line, write $63.00 for the total
5. When I sign, I add $63.00 after my name and circle it.
If there is any despute I can tell the bank the correct total is in my signature and circled.
6. I do the same at the gas pump, stop at $**.00
7. When you get your credit statement it's easy to see the odd totals not ending in .00


If you suspect a problem with a restaurant changing the amount, you should bring your duplicate credit slip to the OWNER of the restaurant, NOT THE MANAGER, who may have been the culprit. Threaten the owner with a complaint to VISA or MC who can shut them down for tampering with credit slips. Some day we will be like Europe and they will bring the "machine" to the table and you type in your own tip. Problem solved.

There should be NO FEES added to your bill AFTER you are presented the total. Padded bills are more common near the interstates. People are traveling and live no where near where they had lunch on the way.

Years ago in Sarasota a restaurant manager did all the bills for the servers. You were presented with a bill for say $46.70 but when the charge slip came back it said $56.30 but the original slip was no longer with it. When patrons like me complained to the server about the NEW total, the manager would come over and explain that the server "hit the wrong key". NOT! It was the manager that was the thief. Turns out the manager was padding the bills for an extra cocktail you never received (mine said "7&7" on a reprint) and somehow pocketing that $9 on every bill all day long. The credit card company finally got multiple complaints, they investigated and shut down the charge system for that restaurant.

So go talk to ONLY the OWNER in person or by phone. The Villages Gourmet Club WEBSITE (http://thevillagesgourmetclub.com/page1.html) lists the owners of all the restaurants around town.

Hope this helps.

Skip

[papillon]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?

[vintageogauge]

What is more unusual is that more than one restaurant plus the booze shacks are doing this. Why not just take one of the receipts and ask them what it's for.

[Bay Kid]

I always compare my receipt to the statement just in case this type of problem shows up.

[giorgio1948]

Unfortunately, the wait staff (server) may change the tip amount.

[retiredguy123]

I am relatively new to The Villages and my wife and I have been enjoying many of the restaurants at the town squares. When dining specifically at the Brownwood restaurants I noticed some unusual activity on my restaurant charges. As I have done my entire life I order, eat, pay the bill with a credit card and close it out after adding a gratuity. I am very articulate about my financial house and accounting so I always save a receipt and reconcile them with my credit card statement. What is unusual is that only half of the receipts reconcile with my statement (granted I have only dined in Brownwood about a dozen times). The ones that don’t match generally have an additional amount of $1-$5 on my credit card statement. There is no pattern that I can make out. This has occurred multiple times at WOB, City Fire and even when I use a credit card at the beverage shacks. So, with me being new, I am wondering if fees for some reason (entertainment on the square, use of credit card, ?) are being added after I close and sign the receipt. The amount is small so I have been letting it pass but if there are no good explanations for why this extra amount is added I may start taking it up with the restaurant managers.
If that is happening, it is fraud and totally illegal. I would dispute the charges with my bank. I always use cash to pay at a restaurant because I will not allow the server to take my credit card into the back room. I use a credit card for all other purchases, never a debit card.

[CWGUY]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?

:) Sam's Club Mastercard..... 3% on Dining and Travel, 5% on gas, 1% on other things.

[bilcon]

I agree that someone is playing you. I also use cash at restaurants. Too many horror stories of card numbers being stolen or tips being added or changed. I also like giving the employees their tip in cash. That's just me.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?has a I/2:/3% you can look up details I usually get back between $1500 to $2000 a year not so much this year because of not doing as much it’s a no fee card and the whole bill is drafted every month from credit union

[JohnN]

one reason I always pay cash

[Skip]

one reason I always pay cash

I agree cash is KING, but if we go out to eat 3 times a week, that means we need to carry about $200+ on me and go to the ATM every week.

Credit cards are very safe. Federal law protects you from fraudulent charges. If you tell the bank you did not make the charge, they freeze your account and issue you a new card. Stealing and using credit card numbers is a felony. The new cards with chips are even safer. Soon the account numbers will be removed from the cards once we go to 100% chip processing.

Skip

[VApeople]

I always use cash to pay at a restaurant

Yeah, same here.

[golf2140]

Capital One Savor gives 4% at restaurants

[retiredguy123]

Capital One Savor gives 4% at restaurants
Yes, but it also has a $95 annual fee. So, you need to spend $2,375 on restaurant food to break even on the 4 percent cash back deal.

[skyking]

Yes, but it also has a $95 annual fee. So, you need to spend $2,375 on restaurant food to break even on the 4 percent cash back deal.

My Costco Citi card gives me 3% back on restaurant charges and 4% on fuel purchases. Also zero liability on fraudulent charges. Why would anyone pay cash?

[rjm1cc]

You should report it to the restaurant and the police as well as your cc company. This is probably happening to others. I would also watch for other charges as they may have copied your cc information and use it to make purchases.

[Nucky]

Some of these joints don't deserve to hold my Credit Card. If they bring the little machine to the table sometimes I still pay CASH. It's a judgement call that each adult has to make.

If one of these establishments played around with the total I signed for I would just call the Credit Card Company and contest the entire charge. When they ask if I tried to work it out with the business just say they never answer the phone. Get the business as involved as possible and waste as much of their time as possible and stretch out the time until they get paid for their service. That will learn them. If enough people did it they would act properly instead of like clowns. They are counting on you just letting it go because the amount is small. Many people are not cheap they are principled! Go Get 'Em OP!

[EdFNJ]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?


USBANK Altitude Go Card gives you 4% restaurants, 2% gas and supermarket PLUS they give you $250 CASH BACK after spending only $1000 in first 3 months PLUS 0% APR for 1 year. NO FEE. Get your $250 then (if you want something a little better) close the card or just stick it in your sock drawer. The $250 cashback averages out to a LOT more for a long time no matter what % they give you. Or you can get 2% on EVERYTHING with Citi Double Cash card (but no bonus cashback).

[Velvet]

Fudging the credit card charge seems to be a common practice. My yacht club up north kept adding charges I had not made and just added it to my bill. This was a complete surprise as I know all the servers. I called them on it twice and after that they got it right. But bar bills are usually a good target. They expect you not to remember how many drinks you had, and how many you got for your guests.

[retiredguy123]

Fudging the credit card charge seems to be a common practice. My yacht club up north kept adding charges I had not made and just added it to my bill. This was a complete surprise as I know all the servers. I called them on it twice and after that they got it right. But bar bills are usually a good target. They expect you not to remember how many drinks you had, and how many you got for your guests.
Padding a credit card charge before it is signed is a completely different situation from adding charges after the customer has signed it. Adding charges to a bill after it is signed is bank fraud, a much more serious crime.

[BumpaOompa]

Thanks everyone for your valuable input. From the discussions it appears my charges are being padded. I plan to refute future discrepancies.

[Bill14564]

Has anyone else experienced this? I know I have not and I've been out a lot. I may not have been to all the same restaurants but I've been to WoB and the beverage shacks.

If others have had this issue then maybe it's the establishments. If not, then maybe it has something to do with the individual's card.

Before we begin accusing establishments of padding cards we should find out where the additional charges are coming from.

[johnbarnon]

You should also be aware that is not uncommon that bartenders, eg. In the square may make additional charges for their own benefit, although I cannot see anyway they can benefit from doing so with card payments, far more likely with cash. I used to do bar work many years ago and it was common practice in most pubs, so easy when people are enjoying themselves and having a tipple. I never did such things of course, but it did happen.

[ficoguy]

That happened to me at Belle Glade. Server jacked up the tip by $3. Also happened at O’Shucks and at Square One. So it’s not just on property restaurants. But these are desperate times for food servers. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble when my sticks go up $800 a day

[Shadia328]

This is disturbing. Hope managers can give you an answer.

[La lamy]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?

Not sure about OP's card, but mine is a DIVIDEND credit card that gives you back percentage at the end of the year. Mine gives 2%.

[perrjojo]

It always surprises me when people feel cash is safer. Credit card companies always reimburse you for fraudulent charges. If lost or stolen, cash is gone. .

[Rich42]

Lived in villages 15 yrs and shop and eat out often. Never once have I had a credit card receipt that did not match the amount shown on the bill!

[rmd2]

I am relatively new to The Villages and my wife and I have been enjoying many of the restaurants at the town squares. When dining specifically at the Brownwood restaurants I noticed some unusual activity on my restaurant charges. As I have done my entire life I order, eat, pay the bill with a credit card and close it out after adding a gratuity. I am very articulate about my financial house and accounting so I always save a receipt and reconcile them with my credit card statement. What is unusual is that only half of the receipts reconcile with my statement (granted I have only dined in Brownwood about a dozen times). The ones that don’t match generally have an additional amount of $1-$5 on my credit card statement. There is no pattern that I can make out. This has occurred multiple times at WOB, City Fire and even when I use a credit card at the beverage shacks. So, with me being new, I am wondering if fees for some reason (entertainment on the square, use of credit card, ?) are being added after I close and sign the receipt. The amount is small so I have been letting it pass but if there are no good explanations for why this extra amount is added I may start taking it up with the restaurant managers.

I also check my receipts with my Visa credit charge and realize that if I check it right away the pending charge does not include the tip. The tip is added when the bank does the final charge. On one Visa I have for my gas expenses a single dollar is charged in pending and then the entire amount is done on the final charge. I have never seen any "extra" charges for anything I've charged around here.

[Pedrocarrasco01@yahoo.com]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?
I use BOA Visa, Discover and SunTrust Master card, all of them give you at least 2% back some more, pay them every month never a fee

[Marty94]

Last year on Father’s Day, I took my dear friend out to lunch at WOB in Brownwood. I never use my credit card for dining unless paying at the register, but that day I didn’t have enough cash with me, so I handed my card to the server. She was gone quite awhile, almost as long as it took to get our meal which was unusually long, and when she came back she apologized for all the delays and stated they had to bring in help as many of the regular servers were off for the day. It made sense and I didn’t think much about it. Later that day though, I got a call from my bank asking if I was shopping in Daytona as they noticed a lot of activity on my card along with several online electronics purchases. Of course, I was no where near Daytona and the credit card being used was the one I used at WOB. I had to cancel my card, wait for a replacement, then change all my automatic payments for utilities, etc. I learned a few valuable lessons. And while I do still go to WOB every now and then, I pay cash.

[Skip]

Thanks everyone for your valuable input. From the discussions it appears my charges are being padded. I plan to refute future discrepancies.

Pretty sure you can dispute each one back about 90 days. Call the fraud department at your bank (phone on the back of the card). They are your friend.

Skip

[tomhinz]

How can they do that without your permission?

[sterlingcnslts]

This is a somewhat normal scam. I caught several "tips" added to my credit card charges I had signed for. Each time I called the manager and he returned my overcharges explaining that the "waitress" had added to the tip amount. I save all my receipts to check my charges each month,

[Number 10 GI]

I use my debit card exclusively and have never had an over charge on a bill. Twice I've had my debit card charged for purchases I didn't make but my bank returned the money for the fraudulent charges. I always enter the amount spent in my check register and then rectify it with the bank statement at the end of the month. I also periodically check my expenditures on line with our bank's website during the month just to be safe.

[retiredguy123]

Pretty sure you can dispute each one back about 90 days. Call the fraud department at your bank (phone on the back of the card). They are your friend.

Skip
Credit card charges must be disputed within 60 days of the statement date when the charge first appears.

[OhioBuckeye]

I am relatively new to The Villages and my wife and I have been enjoying many of the restaurants at the town squares. When dining specifically at the Brownwood restaurants I noticed some unusual activity on my restaurant charges. As I have done my entire life I order, eat, pay the bill with a credit card and close it out after adding a gratuity. I am very articulate about my financial house and accounting so I always save a receipt and reconcile them with my credit card statement. What is unusual is that only half of the receipts reconcile with my statement (granted I have only dined in Brownwood about a dozen times). The ones that don’t match generally have an additional amount of $1-$5 on my credit card statement. There is no pattern that I can make out. This has occurred multiple times at WOB, City Fire and even when I use a credit card at the beverage shacks. So, with me being new, I am wondering if fees for some reason (entertainment on the square, use of credit card, ?) are being added after I close and sign the receipt. The amount is small so I have been letting it pass but if there are no good explanations for why this extra amount is added I may start taking it up with the restaurant managers.

I would get cash & Pay my bill exactly what it says & tell them I left a tip the last time I was here! Bumpa Oompa watch out about using names of people or businesses or you’ll be banned from using this site!

[Topspinmo]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?


None of them, they have way getting it back.

[Topspinmo]

I also check my receipts with my Visa credit charge and realize that if I check it right away the pending charge does not include the tip. The tip is added when the bank does the final charge. On one Visa I have for my gas expenses a single dollar is charged in pending and then the entire amount is done on the final charge. I have never seen any "extra" charges for anything I've charged around here.

Anytime you let somebody take you’re credit card form you’re eyes you are opening yourself fraudulent charges.
Even then you can’t see what doing behind screen.

[Topspinmo]

How can they do that without your permission?


They got all information they need and you card in hand.

[Skip]

Credit card charges must be disputed within 60 days of the statement date when the charge first appears.

My bad. Thank you, wasn't sure if it was 60 or 90 days.
Skip

[Skip]

What credit card gives you 3% back, please?

None of them, they have way getting it back.

How do they "get it back". Hi interest rate?
I pay my balance in full every month.
I pay no interest.

Skip

[Velvet]

I would get cash & Pay my bill exactly what it says & tell them I left a tip the last time I was here! Bumpa Oompa watch out about using names of people or businesses or you’ll be banned from using this site!

Well, if it was me I would not only name where it happened also post the photo of the receipts on various media sites. Depending on their explanation. Once could be a mistake but not twice.

[Aw Man]

Lived in villages 15 yrs and shop and eat out often. Never once have I had a credit card receipt that did not match the amount shown on the bill!

Our experience matches yours.
We’ve been here 6 years and eat out 3 or 4 times a week in all areas of The Villages and the surrounding areas.
We HAVE NEVER experienced the bill padding being discussed in this thread.
Frankly, I find the stories and complaints in this thread very hard to believe.

[Velvet]

Our experience matches yours.
We’ve been here 6 years and eat out 3 or 4 times a week in all areas of The Villages and the surrounding areas.
We HAVE NEVER experienced the bill padding being discussed in this thread.
Frankly, I find the stories and complaints in this thread very hard to believe.

To be fair, I have also never personally experienced padding of credit card bill in TV either.

[eddie888]

My credit card has been hit before. Not here in the villages, but in another area. I just pay in cash. I may be losing points on my credit card but I’m saving peace of mind.

[NavyVet]

We had it happen once in Belleview. Paid tip in cash (over 20%), signed c.c. receipt, and later found waitress had added $5 to bill when we checked our statement. Also had cc compromised after filling up at gas station in Wildwood. We are proactive and don't wait until statement comes to match receipts. Spouse checks c.c. balance daily on line. We also have never used a debit card and haven't even used an ATM in years. Also, our c.c. fraud dept is very on top of catching suspicious activity. We don't like to carry a lot of cash and get good rewards on c.c. The latest helpful thing we learned was to use a different card just for restaurants where your card is out of sight. That way, if fraud occurs, you'll know where the breach happened and you don't have to cancel your main c.c. where all your automatic payments would have to be changed to a new account number. That is a huge pain in the butt. We even have 2 separate card numbers under one Visa account and divide the list of automatic payments on each, so if one is compromised/stolen, the other person can still use their card and we only have to update half the autopay list with the new number instead of all of them. Saves a lot of time and hassle because it's going to happen sooner or later.

[juddfl]

This happened to me a few years ago. I ordered a $12 salad, added a $3 tip for a total of $15. When I reconciled my receipt with my credit card bill, it was $18. I went to the restaurant and spoke with manager. The person was fired because he changed his tip from a 20% tip to 50% tip. The lady that takes you to your table said this will be the 3rd. person fired for that. She said that they show each other how to do this and laugh at the seniors and say that we are are to stupid to check our receipt against our credit card bill. Check your receipts against your credit card bill. I'm not the only one that this has happened to. I have some of my friends checking and comparing and one called me with the same thing.

[EdFNJ]

Credit card charges must be disputed within 60 days of the statement date when the charge first appears. Yes, that is federal law but CC banks can do it as far back as they want to assist their customers. I recently disputed a charge from Villages Entertainment for tickets purchased November 2019 for a show that was cancelled due to the pandemic in March of this year for which after 10+ calls I still had not been credited and Citi-Bank took it and permanently refunded me. Villages Entertainment is a story in itself.

[Topspinmo]

How do they "get it back". Hi interest rate?
I pay my balance in full every month.
I pay no interest.


Skip

One of the few that pays balance off every month. Majority of card holders are deep in debt and can’t pay off so they don’t get out of interest And compounded hit. If they didn’t get majority back they wouldn’t be in business or CEO’s getting 7 figures.

[PickleballPJ]

I am relatively new to The Villages and my wife and I have been enjoying many of the restaurants at the town squares. When dining specifically at the Brownwood restaurants I noticed some unusual activity on my restaurant charges. As I have done my entire life I order, eat, pay the bill with a credit card and close it out after adding a gratuity. I am very articulate about my financial house and accounting so I always save a receipt and reconcile them with my credit card statement. What is unusual is that only half of the receipts reconcile with my statement (granted I have only dined in Brownwood about a dozen times). The ones that don’t match generally have an additional amount of $1-$5 on my credit card statement. There is no pattern that I can make out. This has occurred multiple times at WOB, City Fire and even when I use a credit card at the beverage shacks. So, with me being new, I am wondering if fees for some reason (entertainment on the square, use of credit card, ?) are being added after I close and sign the receipt. The amount is small so I have been letting it pass but if there are no good explanations for why this extra amount is added I may start taking it up with the restaurant managers.

I am a manager of Ricciardi's Italian Table in Brownwood. We do not have any hidden fees or charges. If you experienced this at my restaurant, please feel free to give me a call on my cell at 772-882-5476

Paul

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I don't understand the fear of carrying cash, 200-300 . . . or so, my wife and I routinely do so. If your fear is getting robbed, you have not noticed that theft is now electronic with credit and debit cards? So what i don't get is to have to check your credit card statement everyday, saving and comparing receipts, that's the last thing i want to spend time doing. So I pay in cash most times at restaurants, saves time, and no one knows how much is in my wallet anyways.

One time i was so excited about the day, getting out of military, that i used a $50 for a $5 tip. . . but that's ok, its was a great day!

not an accountant guy

[retiredguy123]

I don't understand the fear of carrying cash, 200-300 . . . or so, my wife and I routinely do so. If your fear is getting robbed, you have not noticed that theft is now electronic with credit and debit cards? So what i don't get is to have to check your credit card statement everyday, saving and comparing receipts, that's the last thing i want to spend time doing. So I pay in cash most times at restaurants, saves time, and no one knows how much is in my wallet anyways.

One time i was so excited about the day, getting out of military, that i used a $50 for a $5 tip. . . but that's ok, its was a great day!

not an accountant guy
I agree. But, to add another point, if you do get robbed, handing over a couple hundred bucks may actually save your life.

[EdFNJ]

I don't understand the fear of carrying cash, 200-300 . . . or so, my wife and I routinely do so. If your fear is getting robbed, you have not noticed that theft is now electronic with credit and debit cards? So what i don't get is to have to check your credit card statement everyday, saving and comparing receipts, that's the last thing i want to spend time doing. So I pay in cash most times at restaurants, saves time, and no one knows how much is in my wallet anyways.

One time i was so excited about the day, getting out of military, that i used a $50 for a $5 tip. . . but that's ok, its was a great day!

not an accountant guy If i got robbed I'd just hand over my credit cards. :) I keep $20 in my pocket for emergencies. Not a matter of "being afraid" just don't see the necessity when I can get 2% on every purchase I make from a fee free CC. That plus my shorts have shallow pockets and I find it easy to lose things when taking out something. A CC takes 2 seconds to go into the respective app and click on "freeze card" and if the robbers want to charge away it's not my problem. One time I lost my card and Citi bank Fedex'd a new one to me at no charge so minor inconvenience. I never carry a debit card because that will put a loss on my bank account for a much longer time then a CC on my credit line. Cash is like a fax machine or a cassette, so 1990's. :D I don't find any of the credit card inconveniences you listed as valid for myself. Of course others will have their own opinion on that.

Cash | 2019 Findings from the Diary of Consumer Payment Choice (https://www.frbsf.org/cash/publications/fed-notes/2019/june/2019-findings-from-the-diary-of-consumer-payment-choice/)

Cash vs Credit Card Spending Statistics (2020) | Fundera (https://www.fundera.com/resources/cash-vs-credit-card-spending-statistics)

[CoachKandSportsguy]

One time I lost my card and Citi bank Fedex'd a new one to me at no charge so minor inconvenience.


Except when mine got compromised overseas and was locked while traveling in europe. And yes, i know exactly when it happened. Your example doesn't work then. . . So we ordered 500 GBP ahead of time in the US, about $800USD and ate with that with no issues.

So yes, everyone's will vary. . .

corporate guy

[Garywt]

It is not right but sounds like some are adding the fee they pay to the card companies. If that is what they are doing they should show on the receipt a cash price and a credit card price giving you the option to save the fee.

[retiredguy123]

It is not right but sounds like some are adding the fee they pay to the card companies. If that is what they are doing they should show on the receipt a cash price and a credit card price giving you the option to save the fee.
Different cards have different fees. But, it is still totally illegal.