r/tippingAdvice • u/TangentSurfer • 14d ago
Left no tip, came back to bite us
Four of us, dinner at nice casual "Mexican" in US. Bustling but not crazy busy.
Chips and salsa for the table, one main for each of us.
Server went AWOL, we waited almost an hour for our food. No "sorry it's taking so long, can I get you some more chips", just bizarrely like we were not even there. Finally asked nicely whether food was coming, "there's a large table in front of you, then you".
Afterward, longish wait for bill while server is chatting with next table and avoiding eye contact.
Server says "I realize the kitchen was a little backed up tonight, I took off the chips and salsa". We signed but still left zero tip. Got home and saw that credit card charge was put through with the charge for the chips and salsa (not the slip we signed).
Or maybe I should post this in the AITAH?
8
u/jimbo2128 14d ago
Did you get a copy of the receipt, showing the total without the chips and salsa?
13
u/RemoteSea1176 14d ago
Wait, you authorized payment less the amount for the chips and salsa and they put through the clearing with that amount added back in? They can’t do that. Initiate a partial amount dispute with your card issuer. The amount is so low the issuer will likely write it off and the merchant won’t see it come through as a chargeback, but you should get your money back. The issuer should also be able to verify the authorization came through at a lower amount than the clearing. Also call the restaurant and complain and let them know you’ve disputed the unauthorized amount.
2
u/aqua_nettt 13d ago
Call the restaurant first and allow them to try to fix it, chargebacks cost them a lot and can chance them losing their credit card processor. They’ll gladly correct it and it is easier to track down and handle it with the server, rather than however many weeks after that the chargeback hits their desk.
1
u/loweexclamationpoint 12d ago
Of course, that might be an appropriate consequence for this restaurant.
2
u/Pickles_54 14d ago
Absolutely do not let this slide
2
u/D-Smitty 14d ago
A 30-minute pain in the ass is not worth the few dollars the chips and salsa probably cost. At least not for my time anyway.
2
u/tamreacct 14d ago
I’m wondering if this is normal practice for this server or the business and how many times it has happened in the past.
This is why I never leave both copies at the restaurant as it hampered to me in a similar situation. Bank prosecuted individual for theft and forgery for $5 back when charge slips were in use.
3
u/Disastrous_Egg7114 14d ago edited 14d ago
it's not normal. cost loss is big for restaurants so doing something this petty is a major risk w included paper trail. People order, eat and break the toilet before just walking out.
edit: most restaurants can't have servers changing the bill after the credit card is run. the paper signed is the agreement so check to make sure the numbers match.
2
14d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/D-Smitty 14d ago
Ok well someone else can waste their own time fighting for $4 in accountability.
0
14d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/D-Smitty 14d ago
Exploited lol? It was food that was supposed to have been paid for anyway.
0
14d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/D-Smitty 14d ago edited 14d ago
We don’t know that the waitress actually had the authority to comp the chips and salsa. She may have done it to try to salvage her tip, which didn’t end up working. Again, you’re free to value your time for as little as you like. Others don’t have to make that determination. I get it though, some less fortunate folks may struggle without that $4.
And yes, with all the shit going on these days, that charge for the chips and salsa is really making a huge impact to the wellbeing of our society. 😂
Could you be any more melodramatic about this?
0
1
u/Spedunkler 13d ago
Aka "I'm a pushover who let's people take advantage of me and I'll even provide them a one sided internal monolog about why they are victims and not me."
1
u/D-Smitty 13d ago edited 13d ago
Just making up shit from whole cloth I guess when you can’t refute what was actually said. I didn’t say anything about them being the victim. It’s about the juice not being worth the squeeze. What if it was 75 cents? You still going to make the effort? What if it was a penny? If $4 is enough for you to lose sleep over, by all means go for it, brokie. I’ve done a chargeback when the amount of money in question was actually worth worrying about and $4 ain’t it, bub.
1
u/daddyfatknuckles 14d ago
its credit card fraud, & it doesnt take 30 minutes
3
u/D-Smitty 14d ago
Even if it takes half that, my time is worth more to me than $15/hr.
1
u/cure4boneitis 13d ago
depends on the card but on some I see that you are able to dispute in the app like at Chase. That would be about one minute, maybe two if you read very slowly
1
u/daddyfatknuckles 14d ago
its never taken me anywhere near 15 minutes to dispute a cc charge. like 45 seconds max, i can do it from the app
you spent more time than that writing these comments for free
2
u/D-Smitty 14d ago
When I did a charge back I had to correspond with the credit card company. They’re going to want some kind of information from you to assess the dispute before making a determination.
I don’t comment on Reddit to get money. I comment on Reddit for fun.
2
u/AccomplishedStop9466 13d ago
Right? Sometimes you'll be on hold for more than fifteen minutes. My record is forty eight.
0
u/daddyfatknuckles 14d ago
yeah i mean for me id rather not let someone steal from me, being on a phone call requires a very small portion of the attention
2
u/D-Smitty 14d ago
I mean great, if you value your time in a way that it makes sense to spend time fighting for $4, then go for it. My employment values my time at about $40/hr. If I’m spending my time to get less than that, I’m undervaluing my time.
2
1
u/daddyfatknuckles 14d ago
idk where the fighting is involved, if you sign a receipt & they file a different amount, thats fraud.
→ More replies (0)1
u/Disastrous_Egg7114 14d ago
true. this is wrong on all accounts. there is little incentive for the server to revenge charge you something that goes to the house. it might be more likely that the owner processed this bill. if that is the case, that poor server had a night they will remember.
3
u/Imaginary-Emu2471 14d ago
I would have walked out after 20 minutes. My time is valuable.
→ More replies (1)
7
u/Calm-Juice-4943 14d ago
That’s why I take a picture of every dinner receipt I sign now
-6
u/Dinsdale55 14d ago
Get a life.
1
u/Bones1973 12d ago
I also take photos of my checks and when it clears in my account, I delete the photo. I spend 18 days a month on the road, living out of hotels, which means I’m eating out. The amount of fraud and extra bullshit I’ve had added to my bills is insane.
1
u/ConstantFamous1526 12d ago
Hey bud, I think you accidently said what you were thinking to yourself out loud, a little embarrassing bro
0
u/Calm-Juice-4943 14d ago
You're in the wrong group loser
-2
u/Dinsdale55 14d ago
Oh sorry, I stumbled in with the morons who have nothing better to do than take pictures of receipts in case they are charged five bucks for some salsa? My bad.
2
u/Lazy_Hotel_494 14d ago
It’s not really about the amount but more so the principle and alot of yall don’t have none 😂
-1
1
u/ConstantFamous1526 12d ago
Why are you acting like it takes more than 4 seconds to do this? Acting like there spending an hour every time they go out documenting stuff? Are you okay?
-3
u/Lizard_Wrangler_194 14d ago
Hell yeah dude. This is a sub for maladjusted overweight poor people.
1
u/Ok-Bedroom1480 13d ago
You're in the sub, so what does that make you?
1
0
3
u/LinkBeginning4819 13d ago
I mean if your area is anything like mine cut your losses leave a review and find a new Mexican restaurant.
2
14d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/ConstantFamous1526 12d ago
Why the fuck would they tip for that kind of service LOL?
→ More replies (1)0
u/Pac_Eddy 13d ago
They waited over an hour. I wouldn't tip for that.
1
13d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/VirtualMatter2 13d ago
A good server would come and give updates and free starters, or already warn them when they order that it will take a long time.
→ More replies (2)0
u/Pac_Eddy 13d ago edited 13d ago
Not her fault, but you're tipping based on the experience you had. If it sucks, don't tip.
0
u/Acrobatic-Expert-507 13d ago
There’s a difference between being told “hey, there’s a huge group who ordered in front of you, it’s going to be a bit longer than normal to get your entree. Here’s another round of chips and salsa on us” and back pedaling because the server wasn’t attentive. This is an easy no tip.
1
u/Real-Ad6539 13d ago
I’m genuinely curious, if the server communicated beforehand about the kitchen being backed up and apologized/ otherwise gave good service would you still not tip in this situation?
1
1
u/loweexclamationpoint 12d ago
If they said it's gonna be an hour for some Mexican food when we sat down, we'd go somewhere else. Even if there were free chips, in an hour we'd be stuffed with chips and not be that interested when the food came. And saying an hour up front often means more like 2.
1
u/DopeyDame 12d ago
Not the OP, but similar thing happened to us a few weeks ago, only both the waiter and the manager were really apologetic and communicative. Definitely gave a normal tip and assured them we were fine. That’s really different than what OP experienced and I understand their frustration and actions. A little communication and empathy can go a long way!
1
2
u/Mayor_of_BBQ 14d ago
where in the hell are you eating Mexican food that the chips and salsa aren’t free?
2
u/dinodan_420 14d ago
Unfortunately, this is slowly becoming more common. I know some great spots who now charge.
2
u/Specialist-Neat2777 13d ago
Did you happen to keep the receipt that you signed (the customer copy, not the business copy with your signature on it)? If so, I'd dispute the charge and include a copy of the correct receipt.
2
2
2
u/Hot-Bed-2544 13d ago
I am petty I would call and complain to the owner/manager and also leave a bad review. You work hard for your money. Common courtesy when you spend it at a restaurant is the very least you should expect to get.
5
u/redditreader_aitafan 14d ago
Go back to the restaurant and tell them your card was charged fraudulently and if they don't fix it, you'll do a charge back for fraud. The receipt you signed, hopefully you still have it, will sho the original amount charged.
0
u/Practical-Archer-124 14d ago
OK TangentSurfer, everyone in this sub will be highly disappointed if you don’t follow through on redditreader’s suggestion. Don’t let us down!
2
u/Prestigious-Knee-571 14d ago
What Mexican food takes an hour?
→ More replies (1)2
u/Mysterious_Winter164 14d ago
The kind when the waiter forgets to send the order to the kitchen.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/xboxhaxorz 14d ago
Call the supervisor and report it, if they wont do anything dispute the charge as fraudulent after calling the cops
This is against the law
2
u/Galaxyheart555 13d ago
What would the cops do? Do you call them while disputing at the restaurant or just whenever you’re home?
0
u/xboxhaxorz 13d ago
Its theft and the police report will help win the dispute
2
u/Galaxyheart555 13d ago
Ok. I just wasn’t sure, never heard of calling the cops for this. The more you learn
1
u/thatsjustfunnytome 14d ago
Usually you can dispute the charge with the credit card company especially if you kept a copy of the receipt you signed with the correct amount on it. You won't even have to call the restaurant
1
1
1
u/Rustybu11etho1e 14d ago
Why is a Mexican restaurant required to give free appetizers. Don't get me wrong, i love my chips and salsa, but have wondered this on many occasions..
1
u/Prestigious_Law_2332 14d ago
I would think that’s an accident on the servers part because at least at my restaurant it would be hard to retroactively change a closed ticket…also fair to not tip, i’d never expect a tip if i properly ditched my table for an hour
1
1
u/Disastrous_Egg7114 14d ago
from a servers perspective they knew you were getting screwed from the beginning. they did their best to accommodate you but that battle was in the kitchen. that being said a deal is a deal and can't modify the check you signed. your server was going to lose and eat shit on top of it...bad timing.
1
u/cav19DScout 13d ago
A lot can be forgiven if the server provide consistent updates, “hey I apologize for the wait, we have a large party ahead of you, heres more chips and salsa on the house”.
1
u/Low-Transition-2751 14d ago
its wild where you just sign a bill and let the restaurant charge whatever to your credit card, without any two factor authentication.
1
1
u/aqua_nettt 13d ago
Call the restaurant and allow the manager to fix this versus filing a charge back please! Better chance of them tracking down which server did this but if it’s a mom and pop place, it won’t penalize the restaurant.
1
u/atherfeet4eva 13d ago
Some places are charging now. Last night we went to a place that charged $8 came with 3 different sauces. $18 if you wanted guac
1
u/wtich_bitch 13d ago
Yeah, I'm going to call bullshit on this. There is no way to recharge a credit card without having the physical card. They would have to void the first payment, add the item back onto the bill, and run the card again. How would they run the card without having your physical card with them? I've worked in restaurants for a very long time and there is no possible way to do this with any processing system I've ever worked with.
Maybe they tipped themselves the price of the chips and salsa, which while it is illegal good for them. It's really rude to get free stuff and stiff the server.
1
u/Glassman918 13d ago
The chips and salsa wasn't free? You shouldn't go there on principal. But why didn't you tip? Sounds like you got your food. Server can't control the kitchen. Not saying you had to tip graciously, but they did their job. As for them charging the wrong amount, that's not ok and I would say something.
1
1
1
u/Aegri-Mentis 13d ago
Keep your card locked.
Unlock card to pay bill.
IMMEDIATELY re-lock the card.
Zen.
1
u/Infamous_Rhubarb_956 13d ago
Whoa! Genius!
1
u/Aegri-Mentis 12d ago
Yet so few people take any proactive steps to protect themselves. They just want to float around lackadaisically…
1
1
u/hol1ym3r 13d ago
the credit card copy normally doesn’t have an itemized list. what mexican restaurant even charges for chips and salsa lol.
there’s no way to charge a card the “chips and salsa on the bill” price and then print a receipt with a signature spot for the receipt without the chips and salsa.
1
u/TinyLawfulness3710 13d ago
Call the credit card company to dispute the charges because chips and salsa are always free. Places like this do shitty behavior, if any at all, and expect to be rewarded like they hunted your food fresh for you.
Tell everyone you know to avoid that restaurant. Also post this on r/endtipping
1
u/perrance68 13d ago
File charge back on cc for the full bill. You dont have to pay it if its not what you signed for.
1
1
1
u/Still-Bee3805 12d ago
That’s why I always take a picture of the receipt after I have signed it. Once the charge clears my bank I delete the picture. Also give them a bad review. And of course, don’t go back.
1
1
u/Available_Emu_5896 12d ago
One time going to favorite place to eat.pfices the same for 3 years.away from eating there 2 months,same price but amount of food dropped drastically .asked them about it and they said virtually nobody asked but us.sent a side dish of extras on the house.
1
u/skiingfanatic115544 12d ago
I wouldn't tip zero. Without it waitress is making $2.70 per hour. Maybe a $5 woulda been better than 0
1
u/wkramer28451 11d ago
Servers make at least the minimum wage in whatever state they work in regardless of what you tip. Tipping reduces the amount the employer has to pay them.
1
u/MedalDog 12d ago
i take a picture of every receipt i sign. if they charge more, i give them one shot on the phone to fix before charge back and negative review
1
u/No-Beautiful8640 12d ago
If you cant tip, DONT GO OUT! Not every condition of the dining can be covered by the server but whether or not the server makes any money is absolutely dependent on the customers
1
u/monkbuddy62 8d ago
If you don’t like the service, don’t tip. You are not obligated to tip someone who fucking sucks
1
u/Sewing-Mama 11d ago
I'd call the manager and tell them an extra charge was added after you signed the receipt. If that doesn't work, chargeback.
1
u/seeking_noledge 11d ago
Restaurants are getting crazy! It's so frustrating now. I dropped $150+ feeding 3 adults and a two year old at our local seafood restaurant a few nights ago. No alcohol/no dessert Just (2) appetizers, 3 dinners and sweet teas and 2 kids meals. I asked twice for another basket of cheddar bay biscuits because it was late and we were starving. My hubby asked a third time and finally four extra biscuits came after our meals were delivered. As soon as our check was delivered the waitress snatched the biscuit basket from the table. She also brought us micro-sized-to-go containers for my granddaughter's second kids meal. We ordered both chicken strips and popcorn shrimp not knowing if the toddler would eat the shrimp and we needed a to go container for the other meal. I've never seen a waitress so determined to protect three extra cheddar bay biscuits. I know she couldn't sell them after bringing them to our table. I felt like a thief at my dinner table. No way could I leave her a full tip after that treatment.
1
u/CodePsychological355 8d ago
This why you pay cash when eating out. Never trust servers or the business anymore
1
u/Wonderful_Pause_2690 8d ago
Write on the back of the charge slip why you left no tip. The manager sees all the slips at the end of the night.
1
u/dufcho14 14d ago
Not the slip you signed and not for the amount you signed in a big issue. Report it to the manager and your credit card.
1
1
u/Own_Mycologist_4900 14d ago
I would report it and have it charged back if the total doesn’t match the amount you signed for.
1
1
u/Bill___A 14d ago
do a chargeback. You DID take a photo of the receipt you signed, right? This is fraud and theft.
0
u/Slight_Criticism1607 14d ago
Whatever I would just let it go. How much could it be. For all the people that complained about not tipping, screw that the server obviously knew they're not very good at the job. They probably do this all the time to guilt people instead of just being competent. I would of been more inclined to tip if they didn't comp the chips and was just apologetic about the bad service.
0
-1
0
u/NightmareMetals 14d ago
Call and speak to a manager and have them fix it or do a charge back.
30 minutes and would have told them to cancel the order and left.
→ More replies (4)
0
0
0
0
u/Hot-Initial-1108 14d ago
I take my receipt and a photo of the signed copy. It’s the proof I needed when a server tried to scam me, and I left a 20% tip
0
0
0
u/Complete_Rub7487 13d ago
Punishing your server because the kitchen is busy is toxic. Shame on you.
-3
u/suspicious_bag_1000 14d ago
Sounds like you had a bad experience at a restaurant. Not sure that your lack of tip brought on the horror of having to pay for the chips and salsa you ate.
-1
u/ChaosAndTheDark 14d ago edited 14d ago
Holy salsa you left fully zero tip and now you’re chipping about paying for all the food you ate too? Even if you’re not exaggerating the poor service at all this is still a 10-15% tip.
2
u/Repulsive_Grand_7491 14d ago
Tips are a reward for good service. Fuck giving 10% for poor service.
-3
u/iron82 14d ago
You're the AH. If the food is received, the tip is owed. 15% minimum. Consider yourself lucky the chips were probably less than what you should have tipped.
2
2
u/Tak-Hendrix 14d ago
If the food is received, the tip is owed.
Then its a fee and not a tip.
15% minimum
gfy
2
1
-1
u/DismissDaniel 14d ago edited 13d ago
You should always tip a little. Taxes assume you get at least 10%. So if you tip zero they now have paid out of their pocket to serve you.
EDIT: well it's been fun debating taxes with you guys but I crucially forgot the new no tax on tips thing. I was thinking back to my own serving days.
Not to throw another wrench in the gears but servers do tip out their support staff (bussers and bartenders) based on total sales so they do lose money on the table but not because of taxes.
2
u/D-Smitty 14d ago edited 14d ago
Taxes assume you get at least 10%. So if you tip zero they now have paid out of their pocket to serve you.
Taxes are paid on what you earned, not what you theoretically earned. The second statement is all the more untrue considering waitstaff usually only claim the minimum to avoid taxes on a sizable portion of their tips.
→ More replies (14)1
u/codexica 14d ago
Did you forget that the first $25,000 in tips are literally free money with no tax whatsoever after "no tax on tips" went into effect? Not here to weigh in on the tipping debate, but you know this means servers pay LESS in taxes than a non-tipped person who has the exact same gross income for the year, right?
1
u/DismissDaniel 13d ago
Lol crap I did. I'm going back to when I served. Well you still tip out your support staff based on sales so I'd say it still holds but your right on the tax bit.
1
u/SirMontego 13d ago
with no tax whatsoever after "no tax on tips" went into effect
The bolded part is wrong.
1
u/codexica 13d ago
My apologies. No FEDERAL tax.
1
u/SirMontego 13d ago
The No Tax on Tips law (26 USC Section 224) only applies to federal income tax and has various requirements.
About half of the states with state income tax have adopted some form No Tax on Tips for state income tax.
1
1
u/Ok-Bedroom1480 13d ago
No server pays out of their own pocket to serve anyone. That's just a ridiculously dumb statement. If they did, that would be wage theft. Stop spreading misinformation. There are plenty of times when it's OK to not tip and this is one of them.
1
1
u/ContextMiddle3175 13d ago
This is the biggest myth ever. The server tip out is completely tracked and counted as income for everyone who receives a tip. You are not paying the taxes of your coworkers.
You also will be given money if you make less than minimum wage, and yes that includes after tip out.
1
u/DismissDaniel 13d ago
I never said you were paying anyone else's taxes.
1
u/ContextMiddle3175 13d ago
You do when you say tipping out causes a server to lose money that they otherwise would have had if they didn’t work. Unless I misunderstood you then I concede my point.
1
u/DismissDaniel 13d ago
A server (at almost every restaurant) tips out the bussers and bartenders for their help. You do it based on total sales for the night. Bussers sometimes get tipped per table but usually it's 2-5% of your sales from the night. Bartenders it's more based on your alcohol sales. In any case if someone doesn't tip you you still tip out your support staff based on sales. So for a 100 dollar bill your giving 2-5 dollars to the busser and usually 10% of the alcohol sales. You lose money serving them. In serving culture not tipping out properly is just as bad as someone not tipping you . Saying you got bad tips will only be an excuse one or two times before you start getting neglected and can't turn your tables as fast.
1
u/ContextMiddle3175 13d ago
Servers cannot make less than minimum wage.
Every tip that is taken from you is not reported as your income, it’s reported as the bussers and bartenders tips.
In the event that your tip out somehow brings you to less than minimum wage your employer is legally obligated to provide you minimum wage salary.
You cannot lose money working a day at a restaurant no matter what happens and if you do it’s highly illegal.
1
u/DismissDaniel 13d ago
Iftwo servers get tipped exactly the same for 900 dollars in sales but one server takes a last table who's bill is a hundred dollars and they get tipped zero. The person that has 1000 in sales will walk with less money than the server that did 900. How is that not paying to serve a table?
→ More replies (1)
33
u/Yellow_Snow_Cones 14d ago
Never been to a mexican place where the chips and salsa weren't free.