If you're really cheesed off about it, call your credit card company and dispute the charge.
You do still have the receipt don't you?
L
They might have authorized the amount plus the expected tip, but they can't charge you for more than the amount that you signed.
I had the same thing happen to me, the charge that appeared was 20% more than the charge signed for.
But the actual amount of money taken out, and the number that the charge read after it was fully processed by the bank, was the number I'd signed for.
I'm still not sure what that was all about... happened in DC.
It isn't always convienent but pay in cash when possible.
My wife and I were in a resturant recently and printed on the menu in very small print it said that a 15% gratutity had been added to each menu item. All around us people were leaving tips on their tables. I left nothing but still paid the 15% whether I wanted to or not.
Good service but the waiter lost money on me because I would have left more than 15%
The restaurant manager needs to know about this, pronto. Extremely bad for business. Sounds like a case of dishonest waitstaff.
Some restaurants do automatically add their tips for bills over $50, parties of 5 or more, etc. If you want to be a nice guy, I'd call the restaurant first. However, if you left it on the table, they are double dipping.
I've got a real problem with the custom of tipping-- it is a way of subsidizing the restaurant owner's niggardly wages. I lived in Japan 15 years and nobody tipped. One of my favorite noontime restaurant managers lived in my neigborhood so, I assume, made an income similar to mine and the meals were roughly $7 a plate in the local currency with no tip added.
interesting article here:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/237788_overcharge24.html
I always leave tips on the table and refuse to pay tacked on "gratuities". If a problem arises over this refusal, I simply never return again.
Dishonest and unethical business practices. Plain and simple.
The same thing happened to me and we found out that the waiter was increasing his tips (stealing) quite often.
This same thing happened to a gal at work. She called the store and got her money back. Even if they do charge the gratutity it wouldn't be more than 18 per cent at the most, not 20.
When you use a charge card at a restaurant, they initially run your card through an electronic charge machine which authorizes the charge. To assure them that your account has sufficient credit available, they will normally "reserve" an amount that would include the tip that most people add to the charge slip. That charge slip will be processed later and the additional amount will be added to the total charge, clearing the reserved amount.
I suspect you accessed your on-line statement before the restaurant's bookkeeping had reconciled the charge slips.
Wait a day or two and check again before you complain.
What they did was wrong and fraud unless it was clearly stated on the menu and receipt as a matter of policy. You should contact your credit card company and complain to them as you should only be liable for the amount you signed for.
I think tips should be discretionary and a reflection of what you thought of the service you received – a bonus for going “above and beyond” your expectations.
The problem with the whole system is that servers are paid below minimum wage as tips are “expected” to make up the difference. And the servers have to claim it as income to boot. The IRS makes restaurants responsible for reporting tips and administratively it’s easier for them to add the gratuity to the bill.
I usually tip 15% for good service and 20% for exceptional service. In most cases, service at a chain restaurant deserves 10% at best. Tipping should be discretionary and in this scenario, a really good server gets screwed out of a higher tip.
Was the service lousy? Why would you not leave a 20% tip on the table to begin with? During the few times I left less than a 20% tip in a restaurant, I always let the waitstaff know why.
I think you got weaseled. Call them.