Forgiveness or try to Bring the Hammer Down?

by Guest 2016-08-02, 12:00

On Friday I had to go to Grayling for some heart tests. After I was done I met my daughter, son in law and eldest son for lunch.
We decided on a local place that recently changed hands. We were kind of hoping the food had improved and it was far enough
away from downtown that it wasn't too crowded from the canoe race people.

Long story short - the service stunk. The food was mediocre or worse. The bill was around $40. I paid using a debit card
and added a pretty skimpy tip - $4.00. Seriously it was more than the waitress deserved. With only 3 other tables in the
place we waited over 25 minutes just to order and it got worse from there.

This particular debit card is kind of funky in that they always email me the preliminary hold amount then a few days later I
get the final amount. Those two amounts really only vary at gas stations and restaurants. Friday afternoon i got the preliminary
amount - it was correct. Last night I got the "final" amount and someone had added $10 to the bill. I'm assuming the waitress
didn't like her tip.

I called the place last night, the owner returned my call this morning and asked that I not contact anyone else until she had time to
deal with it. I understand her point of view but this is fraud and I've seen wait staff go to jail for it. The question I have is how
many other people haven't noticed her doing this? Do I honor the owner's request or contact the Sheriff's office?

by **InTenSity** 2016-08-02, 12:06

LooseGoose wrote:On Friday I had to go to Grayling for some heart tests. After I was done I met my daughter, son in law and eldest son for lunch.
We decided on a local place that recently changed hands. We were kind of hoping the food had improved and it was far enough
away from downtown that it wasn't too crowded from the canoe race people.

Long story short - the service stunk. The food was mediocre or worse. The bill was around $40. I paid using a debit card
and added a pretty skimpy tip - $4.00. Seriously it was more than the waitress deserved. With only 3 other tables in the
place we waited over 25 minutes just to order and it got worse from there.

This particular debit card is kind of funky in that they always email me the preliminary hold amount then a few days later I
get the final amount. Those two amounts really only vary at gas stations and restaurants. Friday afternoon i got the preliminary
amount - it was correct. Last night I got the "final" amount and someone had added $10 to the bill. I'm assuming the waitress
didn't like her tip.

I called the place last night, the owner returned my call this morning and asked that I not contact anyone else until she had time to
deal with it. I understand her point of view but this is fraud and I've seen wait staff go to jail for it. The question I have is how
many other people haven't noticed her doing this? Do I honor the owner's request or contact the Sheriff's office?

I wouldn't say forgive, but I also wouldn't say go to the Sheriff with it.

by **Rocinante** 2016-08-02, 12:12

Did the owner give you a timeline when she would call you back?

by Guest 2016-08-02, 12:22

Rocinante wrote:Did the owner give you a timeline when she would call you back?

Before closing tonight.

by tanfan! 2016-08-02, 12:25

I'd go back to the restaurant and have a face to face with the waitres and the manager.

by **NigelUno** 2016-08-02, 12:26

Contact your credit card company.

by **The_Dude** 2016-08-02, 12:33

Dont go to the Sheriff over $10.

Contact your bank and say that its a fraudulent charge and they will charge it back.

by **NigelUno** 2016-08-02, 12:34

A restaurant should batch out your total (tip included) at the end of the night. Not sure why it would show up in separate amounts.

If she doesn't refund your money, call your credit card company. You probably should have done that already (unless you want to be nice and give her a chance to rectify it...maybe it was a mistake).

by **Rocinante** 2016-08-02, 12:35

LooseGoose wrote:
Rocinante wrote:Did the owner give you a timeline when she would call you back?

Before closing tonight.

Give her that much time. Maybe it's her daughter, or niece or something. If you don't have to fuck up someone's life because of a stupid mistake, maybe don't. If she gives you a satisfactory answer, acknowledging the crime, maybe let it go.

Having done a lot of stupid things as a young person, that's my perspective anyway.

by **InTenSity** 2016-08-02, 12:37

Tanfan! wrote:I'd go back to the restaurant and have a face to face with the waitres and the manager.

Like a menage a trois?

by **NigelUno** 2016-08-02, 12:38

Go to small claims court!!!

- Tanfan

by Guest 2016-08-02, 12:42

Rocinante wrote:
LooseGoose wrote:

Before closing tonight.

Give her that much time. Maybe it's her daughter, or niece or something. If you don't have to fuck up someone's life because of a stupid mistake, maybe don't. If she gives you a satisfactory answer, acknowledging the crime, maybe let it go.

Having done a lot of stupid things as a young person, that's my perspective anyway.

That's sort of where I'm at. My daughter thinks I'm being a softy. If they don't call back and ignore me then I might change my mind.

by **tGreenWay** 2016-08-02, 12:47

NigelUno wrote:Go to small claims court!!!

- Tanfan

Jesus, Nigel. STFU, already.

by **tGreenWay** 2016-08-02, 12:54

I'd put it on the owner. If she calls back and has discovered it has happened to more than just you, I'd say she needs to contact the cops and if she doesn't, then you should.
If you get the feeling you're being lied to, or getting blown off, then maybe a call to the cops is in order.
If it's a one-time fuck up, a temporary lapse of judgment, I'd let it slide.
Hell of a moral conundrum over $6, but you don't know how many other times this has happened.

by **The_Dude** 2016-08-02, 12:55

Im glad I dont live up North. Food scene would kill me.

by **Gomer** 2016-08-02, 12:57

Loose has bad karma? Whodathunkdit.

by **GRR Spartan** 2016-08-02, 12:57

I would call your credit card company ASAP and stop payment to that vendor.

In today's interconnected world the credit card company, Visa/Mastercard/Discover, will at least be on the lookout for other overcharges from that establishment.

I have a hard time believing you are the only customer whose tip amount was altered. Another scam could be the proprietor and that would be shady times 2.

by Guest 2016-08-02, 12:59

The_Dude wrote:Im glad I dont live up North. Food scene would kill me.

lol, depends on what you like. TC has a very good variety right now but that's too far for me to drive for a meal.

Locally there was a real hidden gem but they closed last fall. Literally on the level of the Lark. I've been weeping ever since.

There are 3-4 decent "local" restaurants within 10-15 miles and another 2-3 that try to be more but aren't.

You're very correct in the sense that there's very little variety or good ethnic food up here. You have to get that when you're
traveling.

by **DWags** 2016-08-02, 13:00

Well shit, there's something else I never do that I will now.

by Guest 2016-08-02, 13:01

tGreenWay wrote:I'd put it on the owner. If she calls back and has discovered it has happened to more than just you, I'd say she needs to contact the cops and if she doesn't, then you should.
If you get the feeling you're being lied to, or getting blown off, then maybe a call to the cops is in order.
If it's a one-time fuck up, a temporary lapse of judgment, I'd let it slide.
Hell of a moral conundrum over $6, but you don't know how many other times this has happened.

Just for clarity it was $10....tip went from $4 to $14.

by **tGreenWay** 2016-08-02, 13:01

GRR Spartan wrote:I would call your credit card company ASAP and stop payment to that vendor.

In today's interconnected world the credit card company, Visa/Mastercard/Discover, will at least be on the lookout for other overcharges from that establishment.

I have a hard time believing you are the only customer whose tip amount was altered. Another scam could be the proprietor and that would be shady times 2.

I considered this possibility, too. Overcharge the customer and split the difference.

by **MiamiSpartan** 2016-08-02, 13:03

4 adults and the total bill was $40? Gotta love small Midwestern towns.

In any event, I would suggest you give the restaurant a chance to rectify it. Maybe there was a legit mistake (i.e., they misread your handwriting, or a typo when entering into their system). Give them the benefit of the doubt, until they give you reason not to. Obviously, you have your copy of the receipt as proof of what you intended to pay.

by Guest 2016-08-02, 13:10

MiamiSpartan wrote:4 adults and the total bill was $40? Gotta love small Midwestern towns.

In any event, I would suggest you give the restaurant a chance to rectify it. Maybe there was a legit mistake (i.e., they misread your handwriting, or a typo when entering into their system). Give them the benefit of the doubt, until they give you reason not to. Obviously, you have your copy of the receipt as proof of what you intended to pay.

lol, yep....Burger and Fries for around $7 - Fish basket (it was the Friday special) for $8. Standard pricing areas for the "local" restaurants up here for lunch time.

by **Robert J Sakimano** 2016-08-02, 13:24

32X32
5'10"
168 lbs
112/72 mmHg
42 RHR

by **Watch Out Pylon!** 2016-08-02, 13:27

Forgiveness or try to Bring the Hammer Down? 061c21ddbd55cd33369bb84a94ebffca

Don't get the cops involved over $10 though. Unleash holy hell on the owner if she doesn't make this right though.

by **NigelUno** 2016-08-02, 13:27

tGreenWay wrote:
GRR Spartan wrote:I would call your credit card company ASAP and stop payment to that vendor.

In today's interconnected world the credit card company, Visa/Mastercard/Discover, will at least be on the lookout for other overcharges from that establishment.

I have a hard time believing you are the only customer whose tip amount was altered. Another scam could be the proprietor and that would be shady times 2.

I considered this possibility, too. Overcharge the customer and split the difference.

The owner and waitress conspired to get an extra $5 each?

Forgiveness or try to Bring the Hammer Down? 502811600

Sounds like someone accidentally entered a 1 ($14.00 instead of $4.00).

by **InTenSity** 2016-08-02, 13:30

The 1 and the 4 are right next to each other on the keypad. Could be a case of fat fingers.

by **DWags** 2016-08-02, 13:31

InTenSity wrote:The 1 and the 4 are right next to each other on the keypad. Could be a case of fat fingers.

That would have to be Blanch Girl friend fat

by **NigelUno** 2016-08-02, 13:35

Some podunk bank called me about $9000 in charges I made after I (someone else) opened an account. I was like...yeah...your fraud department sucks.

by **xsanguine** 2016-08-02, 15:27

Well, the good news is you know where the waitress works.

So...

by tanfan! 2016-08-02, 15:30

InTenSity wrote:
Tanfan! wrote:I'd go back to the restaurant and have a face to face with the waitres and the manager.
Like a menage a trois?

Exactly.

by tanfan! 2016-08-02, 15:32

LooseGoose wrote:
tGreenWay wrote:I'd put it on the owner. If she calls back and has discovered it has happened to more than just you, I'd say she needs to contact the cops and if she doesn't, then you should.
If you get the feeling you're being lied to, or getting blown off, then maybe a call to the cops is in order.
If it's a one-time fuck up, a temporary lapse of judgment, I'd let it slide.
Hell of a moral conundrum over $6, but you don't know how many other times this has happened.
Just for clarity it was $10....tip went from $4 to $14.

She's got to pay for gas bro

by **GRR Spartan** 2016-08-02, 15:42

NigelUno wrote:
tGreenWay wrote:

I considered this possibility, too. Overcharge the customer and split the difference.

The owner and waitress conspired to get an extra $5 each?

Sounds like someone accidentally entered a 1 ($14.00 instead of $4.00).

$10 x how many out of town customers ( let's say 5 per day)x 7 days a week x 15 week tourist season is a $5250 summer bonus and that's enough to be interesting.

Unlike Goose, I probably wouldn't have noticed until I got the next statement and then I'm dealing with did I or didn't I add right etc.

by **WhiteBoyHatcher** 2016-08-02, 15:44

what restaurant. spill.

by **xsanguine** 2016-08-02, 15:48

GRR Spartan wrote:
NigelUno wrote:

The owner and waitress conspired to get an extra $5 each?

Sounds like someone accidentally entered a 1 ($14.00 instead of $4.00).

$10 x how many out of town customers ( let's say 5 per day)x 7 days a week x 15 week tourist season is a $5250 summer bonus and that's enough to be interesting.

Unlike Goose, I probably wouldn't have noticed until I got the next statement and then I'm dealing with did I or didn't I add right etc.

Yep. Maybe this is foreign out here but this shit happens all the time in cities like NYC and Chicago.... only ones I can speak to first hand, but I'm sure the "down to earth" country folk take advantage of this, too.

I draw strong lines on either side of the numbers and make it very clear which numbers are which when I fill out a restaurant tip bill. Not fool proof but gives them pause... maybe I took a pic with my phone? Take a chance you you thieving fucks...

Mistakes do happen, but... I'd assume the situation as them trying to fuck me out of money before I just go all midwestern and assume young Mandy who can't handle 3 tables accidently increased her shitty tip by $10.

by BleacherSwill 2016-08-02, 15:52

Don't know how true but I have been told that restaurants and gas stations are the number one credit card fraud risk locations.

by Guest 2016-08-02, 15:52

WhiteBoyHatcher wrote:what restaurant. spill.

You'd know it, right on your way. Used to be the Old Barn, now Tinker's Junction.

by **tGreenWay** 2016-08-02, 15:53

NigelUno wrote:
tGreenWay wrote:

I considered this possibility, too. Overcharge the customer and split the difference.

The owner and waitress conspired to get an extra $5 each?

Sounds like someone accidentally entered a 1 ($14.00 instead of $4.00).

I said I considered it. I didn't say I thought that's what happened. It's not entirely far-fetched if it happens a couple of times a day, or more. A few bucks here and a few more there, and suddenly you're talking a decent enough amount to pay a bill or two each month.

As for your accident theory? That's unlikely. This sounds more like a deliberate act.

by **WhiteBoyHatcher** 2016-08-02, 15:54

Indeed. Never stopped in there before.

Next time drive another 10 minutes and go to Shirley's. Wink

by **tGreenWay** 2016-08-02, 15:55

DWags wrote:
InTenSity wrote:The 1 and the 4 are right next to each other on the keypad. Could be a case of fat fingers.

That would have to be Blanch Girl friend fat

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