[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Skip

We had that happen too. They rounded UP the total paying cash. When I complained and they said "we don't do coins", I made them round DOWN to the lower dollar.

Some restaurants (one in particular nearby) even with a reservation, will say "Go to the bar and we'll get you when your table is ready." Yet the restaurant is empty and the servers are standing around waiting for patrons. Obviously we left and don't go there any more.

This behavior is getting out of hand.

Skip

Wow I would wave goodbye to manager as we left.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Guy

Soooo.....is it safe to say that when you get a $10 burger you tip like it's a $30 steak? Or is it the other way around?

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THINK TIPPING IS A CITY IN CHINA!

In an earlier post I said that I typically tip $20% of the pre-tax/fees total. But, that doesn't mean that I like or agree with the practice. A practice, by the way, which puts pressure on the server to upsell from the burger to the steak and drink other than water. Suggest appetizers and dessert. Oh, and for $x dollars more you can have the salad bar. Your $10 dollar burger and water has become $63. You may have had an average waiter/waitress, but you got a great sales person.
Best of all, even though you didn't get what you wanted, you let everyone know you can afford it and you won't have to suffer those who want to show that you are a cheapskate.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

There's a local bar up here in northern Minnesota. They started charging a 2.5% surcharge. The bartender was defending the owner saying "last year Archie had to pay $50,000 in credit card fees!" I responded "do you know if he paid $50,000 in fees that means he had $2 million in sales?… Let that sink in for a minute considering he's paying you minimum wage". The guy stood there with a dumbfounded look on his face and you could see the gears turning.

Then I pulled out my checkbook and wrote him a check.

Any clue to what the bar's profit margin was?

I doubt it was as high as you think it is...

[Whitley]

Originally Posted by Sandy and Ed

Considering they now “for our convenience” suggest a minimum tip of 18%, have increased the meal cost and in some cases reduced the meal quality and selection, might as well do more cooking at home.

What, if anything do you tip on take out. I work from 6 am, usually leaving around 4 or 5. Too tired to cook. When I pick up take out (BBQ, Chinese etc) they have suggested tips on the bottom. I have been tipping on takeout for a few years now. I tip 20% when I eat at the restaurant (I'm so old I remember 12%, then 15, then 18 and now 20). This is for the service performed by the waiter. Who gets the tip on take out?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Whitley

What, if anything do you tip on take out. I work from 6 am, usually leaving around 4 or 5. Too tired to cook. When I pick up take out (BBQ, Chinese etc) they have suggested tips on the bottom. I have been tipping on takeout for a few years now. I tip 20% when I eat at the restaurant (I'm so old I remember 12%, then 15, then 18 and now 20). This is for the service performed by the waiter. Who gets the tip on take out?

We tip for being served at a restaurant or having empty plates removed and water glasses refilled at a buffet.

Do not tip the cashier who hands us the food to go and takes our money. As far as I am concerned the restaurant should be paying him/her his wages.

[rsimpson]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Interesting. The credit card fee seems to violate this Florida law.

Update: Although this Florida law is still current, a Federal court ruled that it is unconstitutional. So, it may be legal to charge the fee. Go figure.

Fla. Stat. §501.0117

(1) A seller or lessor in a sales or lease transaction may not impose a surcharge on the buyer or lessee for electing to use a credit card in lieu of payment by cash, check, or similar means, if the seller or lessor accepts payment by credit card. A surcharge is any additional amount imposed at the time of a sale or lease transaction by the seller or lessor that increases the charge to the buyer or lessee for the privilege of using a credit card to make payment. Charges imposed pursuant to approved state or federal tariffs are not considered to be a surcharge, and charges made under such tariffs are exempt from this section. A convenience fee imposed upon a student or family paying tuition, fees, or other student account charges by credit card to a William L. Boyd, IV, Florida resident access grant eligible institution, as defined in §1009.89, or to a private school, as defined in §1002.01, is not considered to be a surcharge and is exempt from this section if the amount of the convenience fee does not exceed the total cost charged by the credit card company to the institution. The term “credit card” includes those cards for which unpaid balances are payable on demand. This section does not apply to the offering of a discount for the purpose of inducing payment by cash, check, or other means not involving the use of a credit card, if the discount is offered to all prospective customers.

(2) A person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in §775.082 or §775.083.

In addition - Merchant Agreements between businesses and Card Processors PROHIBIT (or use to when I was on Commercial Banking) this fee practice. Many are now charging this fee, which is bogus.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by rsimpson

In addition - Merchant Agreements between businesses and Card Processors PROHIBIT (or use to when I was on Commercial Banking) this fee practice. Many are now charging this fee, which is bogus.

But the processors seem to be turning a blind eye to this so other than get into an argument with owner or manager what is one to do other than take business elsewhere?

[Two Bills]

Debit Cards are basically a cash payment direct from your bank a/c and should have no charge.
I will not eat in an establishment that adds any surcharge for a CC. which should be an inbuilt cost, or if service charge is added that presumes I wish to leave a tip.
I am a good tipper, but also have the balls to say "You get nothing" if service is bad.
I never blame a good server if food is indifferent either, as they are not the cook.
I just don't go back!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Debit Cards are basically a cash payment direct from your bank a/c and should have no charge.
I will not eat in an establishment that adds any surcharge for a CC. which should be an inbuilt cost, or if service charge is added that presumes I wish to leave a tip.
I am a good tipper, but also have the balls to say "You get nothing" if service is bad.
I never blame a good server if food is indifferent either, as they are not the cook.
I just don't go back!

There is a big difference of what you think "should" happen and what actually happens...

I get dinged for every single payment, with both a percentage AND a "swipe fee"...

I find is astounding that there are so many commenting on this thread who have never run a business or taken CC payments... Most haven't a clue as to what they're talking about...

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

There is a big difference of what you think "should" happen and what actually happens.

Many, if not most, things don't go the way you think they "should".

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Most haven't a clue as to what they're talking about...

Presumptuous. But probably fairly accurate.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Skip

We had that happen too. They rounded UP the total paying cash. When I complained and they said "we don't do coins", I made them round DOWN to the lower dollar.

Some restaurants (one in particular nearby) even with a reservation, will say "Go to the bar and we'll get you when your table is ready." Yet the restaurant is empty and the servers are standing around waiting for patrons. Obviously we left and don't go there any more.

This behavior is getting out of hand.

Skip

For the establishment to "round up" is simple theft. If they can't make change I am guessing they didn't try very hard to find change. Telling the customer that they rounded up says a lot about the ethics of the business and management.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

There is a big difference of what you think "should" happen and what actually happens...

I get dinged for every single payment, with both a percentage AND a "swipe fee"...

I find is astounding that there are so many commenting on this thread who have never run a business or taken CC payments... Most haven't a clue as to what they're talking about...

I have never been charged for a debit card payment buy a business or my bank..
I said I won't pay CC surcharge in a restaurant. I use cash mostly anyway.
I was not commenting on collecting CC, or DC payments, and I do have a clue, that's why my money goes further!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

I have never been charged for a debit card payment buy a business or my bank..
I said I won't pay CC surcharge in a restaurant. I use cash mostly anyway.
I was not commenting on collecting CC, or DC payments, and I do have a clue, that's why my money goes further!

YOU don't get charged by your bank when you use your credit card either... No one has been talking about that.

The business DOES get charged for BOTH Debit AND Credit Cards...

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

YOU don't get charged by your bank when you use your credit card either... No one has been talking about that.

The business DOES get charged for BOTH Debit AND Credit Cards...

The business gets charged a nominal fee for a Debit Card, unless they're doing busing with some tiny bank, that's exempt.

It's a violation of Federal Law (Durbin Amendment) to charge a surcharge on Debit Card or a Pre-Paid Card transaction.

What CC processors can charge for Debit Card transactions is also regulated by the Durbin Amendment and it's significant less than the transaction fee for a Credit Card.

If I'm not mistaken, all VISA & MC Merchant Agreements also prohibit charges for Debit Card use and will deny the charge.