Tipping in the US?
Aug 15, 2008 | 7:49 am
#1
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Tipping in the US?
I went to a restaurant in Boston last night and the bill (incl. drinks) was $39 ($37 before tax). I paid by credit card and wrote down $45 in the total section. I now found out that $47 has been debited from my credit card from this restaurant. I was under the impression that 15% tip is standard, 20% tip for exceptional service (based on pre-tax amount). Am I wrong? Can the restaurant change the credit card slip after you leave the restaurant?
This is a neighbourhood restaurant (certainly not fine dining) and the party consists of 2 adults and 1 toddler (13 months old who did not eat nor require a highchair).
This is a neighbourhood restaurant (certainly not fine dining) and the party consists of 2 adults and 1 toddler (13 months old who did not eat nor require a highchair).
Aug 15, 2008 | 8:17 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Legally they should bill you whatever you wrote in the TOTAL line (not what they think they should have been tipped). Your tip was fine anyway. You could go back via your credit card company (do you have your copy of the receipt?)
Aug 15, 2008 | 8:23 am
#3
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The restaurant forged a higher price, plain and simple. Call the CC and challenge the charge.
Re tipping in the US, your perceptions are right.
Now stand back and watch about 20 posters say that the entire concept of tipping is "outragous" (mostly folks who live in countries where tipping is not customary, as well as a few uberconservative Americans) while a few posters will defend the practice.
It seems we have to go through this every few months.
Re tipping in the US, your perceptions are right.
Now stand back and watch about 20 posters say that the entire concept of tipping is "outragous" (mostly folks who live in countries where tipping is not customary, as well as a few uberconservative Americans) while a few posters will defend the practice.
It seems we have to go through this every few months.
Aug 15, 2008 | 8:30 am
#4
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You should dispute the charge amount with your credit card company. What the restaurant did is illegal.
Tipping is 100% discretionary. 15-20% is customarybut not obligatory. Even if you had left $0, they have no right to add anything.
Tipping is 100% discretionary. 15-20% is customarybut not obligatory. Even if you had left $0, they have no right to add anything.
Aug 15, 2008 | 8:49 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2002
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As for tipping in the United States, the rule is that you are supposed to generously tip each and every person you come in contact with -- or at least that's what many on this board believe.
You must tip the hotel maid, the taxi driver, the Starbucks girl who takes your coffee order, the busboy and any other person you come in contact with.
Aug 15, 2008 | 8:58 am
#8
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credit card charges in the past. I'd suggest you call in. Its not about $2, but
if its a standard practice at this restaurant, they must know that its not
tolerated.
Aug 15, 2008 | 9:07 am
#9
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Aug 15, 2008 | 9:14 am
#10
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I would definitely let the CC company know that the restaurant was fraudulently altering your charge.
Cheers
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Aug 15, 2008 at 3:41 pm Reason: See above
Aug 15, 2008 | 12:31 pm
#11
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Aug 15, 2008 | 1:32 pm
#12
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When one has a dispute with a vendor, the normal procedure is to first call the vendor to try to settle the dispute, no?
Does everyone on this post immediately call the credit card company when there's an error on a charge?
Btw, this thread has little to do with tipping and much to do with credit card charges.
Does everyone on this post immediately call the credit card company when there's an error on a charge?
Btw, this thread has little to do with tipping and much to do with credit card charges.
Aug 15, 2008 | 1:41 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: OKC
Posts: 906
If this is an on-line statement, it may be that it's showing a 'reserve' from the restaurant (like a hotel or car rental would do), and the actual, signed charges will be correct on your regular statement.
If , however, your charge slip as signed by you has been altered, then you're almost certainly an almost-victim of fraud & both the restaurant and your cc company should be notified.
If , however, your charge slip as signed by you has been altered, then you're almost certainly an almost-victim of fraud & both the restaurant and your cc company should be notified.
Aug 15, 2008 | 1:47 pm
#14
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Go for the gold! Like a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, a salutory lesson for the restaurant may break that old hound from sucking aigs (a phrase which once caused me to be threatened with dire consequences for using on FT).