[jarodrig]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

We went there with neighbors today to enjoy the 2-for-1 fish & chips.

Because we got a deal on the food, I put in a higher % gratuity than usual.

When I got home and looked at the receipt I saw that the gratuity had been charged on the "pre discount" amount.

Not a big difference, obviously, but very underhand of them.

Call them and ask to speak with the manager. I guarantee that they will fix whatever the issue was.

The Suleiman restaurant group is well known for their good service, good food and great customer service.

I can assure you that the extra dollar (or whatever amount was charged) would have made a difference in their bottom line for that day ….

[Arctic Fox]

Thank you for all of your advice and suggestions

In future, I shall certainly be paying the basic amount due by credit card and handing over, in cash, the exact gratuity of MY choice

To clarify, the correct amount owed was showing on the credit card machine screen and I selected one of the "tip" percentage buttons, assuming that the one would be applied to the other. There was no indication that they would gross up the indicated amount and charge it on that. Had there been, I would have selected a lower percentage.

Yes, I should have checked my receipt before leaving (the receipt was optional, so others didn't even get that chance) but I assumed that what I had agreed to pay on the machine would be the amount that I would be charged.

The difference is not large enough to warrant calling the restaurant or my credit card company, but "lesson learned" and hopefully you good people will now not fall into the same trap.

[bonrich]

If only there was a better way to determine how much to tip. Presently It is based on the cost of the dinner (check) and not on the quality of service. The more expensive the dinner, the higher the tip. Some tip on the total, some tip based on the cost before the sales tax, and now the restaurant determines what it should be. What to do to be fair to the server?

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by EastCoastDawg

Can that be legal? They are effectively charging more $ to your credit card than you authorised.

It was there BEFORE they signed so they DID authorize the charge.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by jimhoward

Yes he saved money on the 2-for-1 deal but he only tipped so generously because he thought he was tipping on a discounted amount so goosed up his tip to account for that. Now he has learned that at least that restaurant dials the discount into their recommended tip amounts...so he will feel less need to be generous next time.... which could hurt if the next restaurant just plays it straight.

I'd rather if they all just gave me the bill and let me do the tip math. But I know the current system leads generally to higher tipping, so I wont get my wish.

NO higher tipping from me. My father taught me to do the arithmetic in my head.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I would call the restaurant and give them an opportunity to change the amount. If they refused, I would dispute the charge with the bank, based on the fact that this was clearly not a legally executed contract. One of the elements of a contract is "agreement" or a "meeting of the minds". In this case, that element is missing. Also, without the OP's signature on a final amount, the contract is not enforceable.

I believe it was there...they just didn't look.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

...

To clarify, the correct amount owed was showing on the credit card machine screen and I selected one of the "tip" percentage buttons, assuming that the one would be applied to the other. There was no indication that they would gross up the indicated amount and charge it on that. Had there been, I would have selected a lower percentage.

...

Thank you for the explanation.

For me, there's a lot of pressure when they hand me the machine. I don't feel pressured to tip a particular amount but I feel pressured to hurry things along so I can hand the machine back. Plus, it's sometimes difficult to understand whether the total presented includes a suggested tip or if it is before tax or just where it came from. And finally, those displays can be pretty small and hard to read. Putting all that together, it's easy to make a mistake.

My biggest pet peeve at the moment is when I take the time to type in my email address to get a copy of my receipt it sometimes doesn't arrive. By the time I see realize it isn't coming it's too late to go back and get a printed receipt. Fortunately, that hasn't yet caused me any real trouble.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

It still isn't clear to me that the restaurant changed the amount the OP entered into the machine or wrote on the receipt that he signed. It could be that the OP was charged the exact dollar amount he was expecting to be charged when he stood up from the table.

If the restaurant changed the tip amount then that is an issue that needs to be addressed. (but how would he know that from looking at the credit card receipt later that night?)

If the concern is he used a suggested tip that was calculated on the full amount rather than the discounted amount then paying in cash would make no difference. He read a number, wrote it on the credit card receipt, and that is what the restaurant charged his bank. No different than reading a number, taking that amount from a wallet, and leaving it on the table.

The OP's original post is not clear, but it sounds like the OP allowed the restaurant to calculate the tip based on a percentage. This would never happen to me. I ignore any suggested tip percentages or calculations. I determine the tip amount in my head, based on the level of service and the bill amount, I pay the bill in cash, and I never ask for change.

[Dark'n'Stormy]

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to go out for a fun and relaxing meal with one's friends without having to constantly be on the guard to being scammed?

I like to think that I pay attention when on-line or at other places that are notorious for fraud, but a local restaurant should be above all that.

You have a nice meal, a couple of drinks, the service is great and you quickly settle the bill assuming that the restaurant is doing the right thing, then there's a nasty stain on the whole event when you find that you've been ripped off by people you trusted.

Those credit card machines with pre-set gratuities are designed to make it easy for you. Easy to overpay, for sure!

I, for one, will be following the OP in paying the basic amount by credit card and any gratuity in cash.

[jarodrig]

Originally Posted by bonrich

If only there was a better way to determine how much to tip. Presently It is based on the cost of the dinner (check) and not on the quality of service. The more expensive the dinner, the higher the tip. Some tip on the total, some tip based on the cost before the sales tax, and now the restaurant determines what it should be. What to do to be fair to the server?

The restaurant does not determine the amount, the customer does based on the selection they click on in this case , the device used by the server.

There is no right or wrong way to do it , it’s entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable with.

For the past couple of years (maybe longer) I’ve been giving a cash tip so that way there is no misunderstanding.

And every server I’ve spoken to would rather have the cash in hand.

Minimum I leave is 20 % and that’s on the FULL PRICE , not the discounted BOGO deals you get at the pool bar and other places….

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by defrey12

I believe it was there...they just didn't look.

Apparently not. See Post No. 17. This was not a properly executed contract.

[airstreamingypsy]

So, you uptipped on the discounted price, not the price it would have been without the discount? No wonder it's hard to find staff for restaurants around here.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Apparently not. See Post No. 17. This was not a properly executed contract.

Yes, see post #17. Note the words: "...the correct amount owed was showing on the credit card machine screen and I selected one of the "tip" percentage buttons..."

I have not seen all credit card machines and can't remember all that I have seen but my recollection is that either the dollar amount of the tip is shown along with the percentage or the text on the screen makes clear the base amount that the percentage is calculated against. But maybe this particular machine was different.

[LenoxHillLil]

Originally Posted by swooner

Always tip on the pre-discount amount. Why make the server suffer because you got a deal? Don't be cheap!

Exactly. If people can't afford a 25 percent tip maybe they shouldn't be eating out, mkay?

When we travel to Israel we tip AT LEAST 1/ 3 the bill. In china, they no tip at all!
'Nuf said.

[HellToupee]

This is what the kids call , in the parlance of our times, a “self own”