Havana CC - watch your change

[POCA]

Three of us stopped by Havana April 24 at about 3:00 PM to have a drink after golf. The drink special was a "Flamingo". One of my friends ordered that. She had a choice of rum or vodka in her drink. She chose vodka. The waitress came back in a minute and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. Afew more minutes passed and another server came out and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. But my concern is with the bill.
Our total bill came to $8.56. I paid with a $20 bill.
I received $11 dollars in change. I lost about 44 cents in that deal. This seems to be a consistent pattern. A while back I had a sandwich for lunch. My bill had come to seven dollars and some change. They gave me twelve dollars back. I lost about 70 cents on that deal. They seem to round up in the restaurant's favor, not the customers.
I tried to call the manager twice when I got home, and its telephone line mailbox is full. You are given a recorded message to hang up. I eventually was able to contact the manager, Maria. Though she asked some questions, I got the impression she didn't believe me. She said that it must just be me. She wanted me to come back and get my change. I told her that it wasn't the money, it was the principle of the situation.
I have learned my lesson. I won't go back. The amount of money lost is trivial, but it is the inferior service and treatment of the customer that is lacking.

[Bogie Shooter]

Three of us stopped by Havana April 24 at about 3:00 PM to have a drink after golf. The drink special was a "Flamingo". One of my friends ordered that. She had a choice of rum or vodka in her drink. She chose vodka. The waitress came back in a minute and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. Afew more minutes passed and another server came out and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. But my concern is with the bill.
Our total bill came to $8.56. I paid with a $20 bill.
I received $11 dollars in change. I lost about 44 cents in that deal. This seems to be a consistent pattern. A while back I had a sandwich for lunch. My bill had come to seven dollars and some change. They gave me twelve dollars back. I lost about 70 cents on that deal. They seem to round up in the restaurant's favor, not the customers.
I tried to call the manager twice when I got home, and its telephone line mailbox is full. You are given a recorded message to hang up. I eventually was able to contact the manager, Maria. Though she asked some questions, I got the impression she didn't believe me. She said that it must just be me. She wanted me to come back and get my change. I told her that it wasn't the money, it was the principle of the situation.
I have learned my lesson. I won't go back. The amount of money lost is trivial, but it is the inferior service and treatment of the customer that is lacking.

Why didn't you speak to the manager when you were at the restaurant??

[rayschic]

Three of us stopped by Havana April 24 at about 3:00 PM to have a drink after golf. The drink special was a "Flamingo". One of my friends ordered that. She had a choice of rum or vodka in her drink. She chose vodka. The waitress came back in a minute and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. Afew more minutes passed and another server came out and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. But my concern is with the bill.
Our total bill came to $8.56. I paid with a $20 bill.
I received $11 dollars in change. I lost about 44 cents in that deal. This seems to be a consistent pattern. A while back I had a sandwich for lunch. My bill had come to seven dollars and some change. They gave me twelve dollars back. I lost about 70 cents on that deal. They seem to round up in the restaurant's favor, not the customers.
I tried to call the manager twice when I got home, and its telephone line mailbox is full. You are given a recorded message to hang up. I eventually was able to contact the manager, Maria. Though she asked some questions, I got the impression she didn't believe me. She said that it must just be me. She wanted me to come back and get my change. I told her that it wasn't the money, it was the principle of the situation.
I have learned my lesson. I won't go back. The amount of money lost is trivial, but it is the inferior service and treatment of the customer that is lacking.

What did the waitress say when you asked for the missing change ?

[Skip]

Wow. That happened to me too. Some restaurants will round the bill DOWN in favor of the customer. (Welcomed gesture.)

I was there months ago and when I got my change back there was no coin and the printed slip did not return either. We were in a hurry (because of slow service) and I just put the bills in my left pocket (separate from my other cash). My friend left the tip. When I got home, I counted that change and found it was a dollar different than I expected. The rounding was in favor of the SERVER. I haven't been back since, mainly because of slow and indifferent service but now I read this is a pattern at this restaurant.

EVERYONE BEWARE! :pray:

Skip

[PaPaLarry]

Three of us stopped by Havana April 24 at about 3:00 PM to have a drink after golf. The drink special was a "Flamingo". One of my friends ordered that. She had a choice of rum or vodka in her drink. She chose vodka. The waitress came back in a minute and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. Afew more minutes passed and another server came out and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. But my concern is with the bill.
Our total bill came to $8.56. I paid with a $20 bill.
I received $11 dollars in change. I lost about 44 cents in that deal. This seems to be a consistent pattern. A while back I had a sandwich for lunch. My bill had come to seven dollars and some change. They gave me twelve dollars back. I lost about 70 cents on that deal. They seem to round up in the restaurant's favor, not the customers.
I tried to call the manager twice when I got home, and its telephone line mailbox is full. You are given a recorded message to hang up. I eventually was able to contact the manager, Maria. Though she asked some questions, I got the impression she didn't believe me. She said that it must just be me. She wanted me to come back and get my change. I told her that it wasn't the money, it was the principle of the situation.
I have learned my lesson. I won't go back. The amount of money lost is trivial, but it is the inferior service and treatment of the customer that is lacking.
To me, it sounds like this situation could have been nipped in the butt by just going to manager, or challenging the waitress. If I was you, I would go back again just to see if it happens, even if you just have drinks. Its not right, but without rectifying the situation, the problem goes on without being resolved. I guess if you had paid with credit card, they couldn't do that. Sorry for your misfortune

[kimball]

Three of us stopped by Havana April 24 at about 3:00 PM to have a drink after golf. The drink special was a "Flamingo". One of my friends ordered that. She had a choice of rum or vodka in her drink. She chose vodka. The waitress came back in a minute and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. Afew more minutes passed and another server came out and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. But my concern is with the bill.
Our total bill came to $8.56. I paid with a $20 bill.
I received $11 dollars in change. I lost about 44 cents in that deal. This seems to be a consistent pattern. A while back I had a sandwich for lunch. My bill had come to seven dollars and some change. They gave me twelve dollars back. I lost about 70 cents on that deal. They seem to round up in the restaurant's favor, not the customers.
I tried to call the manager twice when I got home, and its telephone line mailbox is full. You are given a recorded message to hang up. I eventually was able to contact the manager, Maria. Though she asked some questions, I got the impression she didn't believe me. She said that it must just be me. She wanted me to come back and get my change. I told her that it wasn't the money, it was the principle of the situation.
I have learned my lesson. I won't go back. The amount of money lost is trivial, but it is the inferior service and treatment of the customer that is lacking.

Based on my experiance, not going back may be the best thing you can do for your stomach!

[BarryRX]

To me, it sounds like this situation could have been nipped in the butt by just going to manager, or challenging the waitress. If I was you, I would go back again just to see if it happens, even if you just have drinks. Its not right, but without rectifying the situation, the problem goes on without being resolved. I guess if you had paid with credit card, they couldn't do that. Sorry for your misfortune

I think you meant "nipped in the bud". Nipping in the butt is just over reacting!:1rotfl:

[villagerjack]

Thus all sounds so petty in relation to just about any and everything else. Life is too short.

[The Flash]

If you are worried about 44 cents, just subtract it from the tip.

[ilovetv]

If I cared about piddly amounts under $1 (knowing I have at least 3 large drink cups of change sitting around the house...change I've not used in years), I'd have said to the server, "You gave me the wrong change. I want you to bring me the correct change, please." If he/she balks, go to the manager.

[Happinow]

Thus all sounds so petty in relation to just about any and everything else. Life is too short.

Although the OP may have been shorted a small amount, it's the principal of it. They have no right to take money that does not belong to them. It's called stealing. I would certainly count my change in the future and put the server on the spot by asking for your change. If he or she doesn't make it right, I would not leave until I spoke to the manager. They way they are operating is wrong.

[OnTrack]

Although the OP may have been shorted a small amount, it's the principal of it. They have no right to take money that does not belong to them. It's called stealing. I would certainly count my change in the future and put the server on the spot by asking for your change. If he or she doesn't make it right, I would not leave until I spoke to the manager. They way they are operating is wrong.

BINGO!! :thumbup:

.

.

[buggyone]

Three of us stopped by Havana April 24 at about 3:00 PM to have a drink after golf. The drink special was a "Flamingo". One of my friends ordered that. She had a choice of rum or vodka in her drink. She chose vodka. The waitress came back in a minute and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. Afew more minutes passed and another server came out and asked her if she wanted rum or vodka. But my concern is with the bill.
Our total bill came to $8.56. I paid with a $20 bill.
I received $11 dollars in change. I lost about 44 cents in that deal. This seems to be a consistent pattern. A while back I had a sandwich for lunch. My bill had come to seven dollars and some change. They gave me twelve dollars back. I lost about 70 cents on that deal. They seem to round up in the restaurant's favor, not the customers.
I tried to call the manager twice when I got home, and its telephone line mailbox is full. You are given a recorded message to hang up. I eventually was able to contact the manager, Maria. Though she asked some questions, I got the impression she didn't believe me. She said that it must just be me. She wanted me to come back and get my change. I told her that it wasn't the money, it was the principle of the situation.
I have learned my lesson. I won't go back. The amount of money lost is trivial, but it is the inferior service and treatment of the customer that is lacking.

You seemed to have counted your change at the time of the transaction but left the restaurant without speaking first to the server (or manager). The manager did offer you the 44 cents back when you spoke with her on the phone and you declined. Why not speak up at the time of the transaction instead of stewing over it until "eventually" you got through on the phone?

IF the restaurant had rounded DOWN in your favor - would you have verbally questioned the server and told her you got too much change? Probably not.

Did you subtract the 44 cents from the 18 - 20% tip you should have left?

[Bill32]

Why didn't you speak to the manager when you were at the restaurant??

New that was coming
.........................

[Barefoot]

[QUOTE=ilovetv;

If he/she balks, go to the manager.[/QUOTE]

The last thing I would want to do on a fun evening out with friends is "ask to speak to the manager". We just "vote with our feet".

[PaPaLarry]

I think you meant "nipped in the bud". Nipping in the butt is just over reacting!:1rotfl:
LOL LOL Yes, I stand to be corrected. No harm done. LOL

[golf4me]

New that was coming
.........................

You "new" it because it is a reasonable response. Did OP tip?

[ROCKETMAN]

Every friday our group of 12 go to havana after executive golf. We enjoy sitting on the patio and they have good happy hour prices for beer and wine which is what everyone in our group drink. Yesterday (april 26th) we got there and there were plenty of tables but no chairs. Two smaller groups were there but there was plenty of room. Asked server but she had no idea where all the chairs were. We went inside and were seated. Thought that kind of strange because we told them we were not eating and they usually need that space around 5 PM for dining. Someone ordered a bottle of bud light and said to bring 2 right away. Waitress came back with 1 and said that was the last bottle. It's the largest selling beer in the world. Guy nest to me ordered a strawberry daq. Waitress said they were out. But we will be back next week so hope they find chairs, bud light, and some strawberries.:ohdear:

[ROCKETMAN]

:ohdear:Every friday our group of 12 go to havana after executive golf. We enjoy sitting on the patio and they have good happy hour prices for beer and wine which is what everyone in our group drink. Yesterday (april 26th) we got there and there were plenty of tables but no chairs. Two smaller groups were there but there was plenty of room. Asked server but she had no idea where all the chairs were. We went inside and were seated. Thought that kind of strange because we told them we were not eating and they usually need that space around 5 PM for dining. Someone ordered a bottle of bud light and said to bring 2 right away. Waitress came back with 1 and said that was the last bottle. It's the largest selling beer in the world. Guy next.s. to me ordered a strawberry daq. Waitress said they were out. But we will be back next week so hope they find chairs, bud light, and some strawberries.:ohdear:

[ajbrown]

I have never seen this practice of rounding. It would certainly catch me off guard if someone did not return all of MY change and I would ask why...

That said, trying to be sympathetic, maybe her calculator battery was dead? Possible she never quite mastered the art of "borrowing the one" :icon_wink:?

[OnTrack]

Every friday our group of 12 go to havana after executive golf. We enjoy sitting on the patio and they have good happy hour prices for beer and wine which is what everyone in our group drink. Yesterday (april 26th) we got there and there were plenty of tables but no chairs. Two smaller groups were there but there was plenty of room. Asked server but she had no idea where all the chairs were. We went inside and were seated. Thought that kind of strange because we told them we were not eating and they usually need that space around 5 PM for dining. Someone ordered a bottle of bud light and said to bring 2 right away. Waitress came back with 1 and said that was the last bottle. It's the largest selling beer in the world. Guy nest to me ordered a strawberry daq. Waitress said they were out. But we will be back next week so hope they find chairs, bud light, and some strawberries.:ohdear:
That's pretty weird.

Could it be that stealing the change from customers, is but the tip of the iceberg of deeper financial problems?

.

[Bill32]

I hear things from people in the restaurant business in TV. Havana isn't accepting credit cards now? COD with all suppliers?, notice to vacate? Such a shame for such a beautiful location. I hear the owner of Bonifay/EP wants the location. He also owns the location of TGIF. Apparently the father of the son that runs Havana ( and fronted the money) needs enough money from a sale to satisfy creditors. Don't know why the father didn't hire a competent manager to run his business......

[memason]

I hate to say it, but it sure looks like Havana is in the death spiral....service/food is inconsistent; folks start staying away; cut costs to be profitable; service/food gets worse; more people avoid going there; more cost cutting; worse service/food/outages, etc....eventually, close the doors.

Although I hate seeing anyone [or business] fail, I think it's time for Havana to close the doors and get a competent owner/operator in there that will revive the business.

I have also been there when they were out of wine and/or beer. Happy hour all day doesn't mean much, when there isn't anything to buy.

...before someone asks....I have talked to Kris, the Manager. I let him know about the lack of beverages (nicely) and now he won't talk to me anymore...go figure!

[KathieI]

...before someone asks....I have talked to Kris, the Manager. I let him know about the lack of beverages (nicely) and now he won't talk to me anymore...go figure!

That's my experience as well. Have had long talks with Kris over the years about improvements and now he won't talk to me either. Weird!!!

[Skip]

That's my experience as well. Have had long talks with Kris over the years about improvements and now he won't talk to me either. Weird!!!



News for you. He's not the manager, he's the owner.
Officials of any establishment usually stop talking to customers when they are getting too many complaints. Just human nature.

Skip

[PaPaLarry]

Just paid with credit card last week?

[paulandjean]

I would tell the server,When you get the bill and the change correct, I will get your tip corrrect.

[Golfingnut]

We live 5 minutes by cart from Havana and have been waiting for 3 years for satisfactory food and service. So far that has not happened. We do go by about every three months or when someone posts on here that there has been improvement, but have not seen any. It is a perfect location for us and nice atmosphere, so we would love to see a complete revision of management, ownership and direction.

[ROCKETMAN]

Went to havana last night with our group and they had no tap beer and only bottles of mic ultra. Their taps were broke and they were repairing them. They must be on a cash basis with suppliers or how could be out of beer at 4pm on a friday. This was after last week when all the chairs were gone and they had no bottles of bud light. Will see what happens next friday.

[marianne237]

So sad. Hate to see any business go down like this. However, Havana has been a problem in many respects for a long time. Poor service, disappointing food...and managers or owners who don't care. Time for them to hang up their hats.

[graciegirl]

So sad. Hate to see any business go down like this. However, Havana has been a problem in many respects for a long time. Poor service, disappointing food...and managers or owners who don't care. Time for them to hang up their hats.

I think you have said a mouthful.

I have never run a restaurant but keeping current with bills is really important. Now that the snowbird season is over so is the big money.

The legal responsibility of the rent payments still go on.

I just don't know why some restaurants housed in Country Club facilities survive and others don't. Some flourish, like Mallory, Cane Garden and Glenview.

But when you are serving the public, you have to give them what they want and here it appears that is decent food at cheaper prices.

I wonder why some do it better than others.

The few experiences that I had at Havana made me think that the folks in the kitchen didn't have much knowlege of just simple cooking and food prep. I don't know if there is a real problem with getting decent cooks or what here. I know the pay scale is low.

I think that it could be run much better than it has been run, but now what? How long do you think their lease is?

[spk7951]

News for you. He's not the manager, he's the owner.
Officials of any establishment usually stop talking to customers when they are getting too many complaints. Just human nature.

Skip


Actually he owns the lease to run the restaurant, which is up sometime in the 2nd half of this year. Thankfully!