topic Re: hypothetical situation question in Credit Cards

hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:12:26 GMT

Let's say I ate at a restaurant and didn't fill out the tip and total for the bill, but I signed it, and some worker there decided to fill in those sections without my knowledge. Would I do a chargeback in this case? I just thought about it because I usually never put anything in the tip or total section.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:15:09 GMT

That has happened to me twice. The second time the waitress added a second zero to the tip making it 100.00. Both times I was notified and it was corrected without any effort on my part.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:21:41 GMT

I should add that since that happened I make sure all fields are filled in on the ticket now.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:23:51 GMT

You were notified because the tip was a bit too high, you think? How were you alerted, etc? thanks!

does anyone know what to be done if the problem hadn't corrected itself?

Re: hypothetical situation question

Sharingan — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:24:46 GMT

I actually had a similar scenario happen very recently when ordering pizza. For whatever reason, there was a tip line at a place that one wouldn't normally tip at, which I routinely put a line through. Some dishonest worker added an amount on top of the cost of the pizza and probably thought I wouldn't notice when the transaction posted. I didn't request to have the full charge reversed. I only submitted a request for the overage, which Chase promptly refunded to my card without any further questions.

When dining, I usually take a snap of the copy of the receipt that I have to leave behind after I sign it and determine the tip amount (if any) if the bill is high enough. I've heard enough stories of unscrupulous waiters and waitresses.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:36:43 GMT

@Sharingan wrote:
I actually had a similar scenario happen very recently when ordering pizza. For whatever reason, there was a tip line at a place that one wouldn't normally tip at, which I routinely put a line through. Some dishonest worker added an amount on top of the cost of the pizza and probably thought I wouldn't notice when the transaction posted. I didn't request to have the full charge reversed. I only submitted a request for the overage, which Chase promptly refunded to my card without any further questions.

When dining, I usually take a snap of the copy of the receipt that I have to leave behind after I sign it and determine the tip amount (if any) if the bill is high enough. I've heard enough stories of unscrupulous waiters and waitresses.

How come you didn't just dispute the entire bill? Just curious. Is it a much longer process if the entire bill is disputed?

Re: hypothetical situation question

Sharingan — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 03:54:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Sharingan wrote:
I actually had a similar scenario happen very recently when ordering pizza. For whatever reason, there was a tip line at a place that one wouldn't normally tip at, which I routinely put a line through. Some dishonest worker added an amount on top of the cost of the pizza and probably thought I wouldn't notice when the transaction posted. I didn't request to have the full charge reversed. I only submitted a request for the overage, which Chase promptly refunded to my card without any further questions.

When dining, I usually take a snap of the copy of the receipt that I have to leave behind after I sign it and determine the tip amount (if any) if the bill is high enough. I've heard enough stories of unscrupulous waiters and waitresses.
How come you didn't just dispute the entire bill? Just curious. Is it a much longer process if the entire bill is disputed?

Because I'm not that kind of person. If I consume a product, I pay for it; and that is irrespective of whatever else goes on. If I had a problem with the food itself, then I probably would've explored that route. Usually, I reserve that for truly fraudulent and unauthorized charges that I had nothing to do with though.

But yes, usually a full on dispute requires an investigation that can take some time.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 04:16:48 GMT

@Sharingan wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Sharingan wrote:
I actually had a similar scenario happen very recently when ordering pizza. For whatever reason, there was a tip line at a place that one wouldn't normally tip at, which I routinely put a line through. Some dishonest worker added an amount on top of the cost of the pizza and probably thought I wouldn't notice when the transaction posted. I didn't request to have the full charge reversed. I only submitted a request for the overage, which Chase promptly refunded to my card without any further questions.

When dining, I usually take a snap of the copy of the receipt that I have to leave behind after I sign it and determine the tip amount (if any) if the bill is high enough. I've heard enough stories of unscrupulous waiters and waitresses.
How come you didn't just dispute the entire bill? Just curious. Is it a much longer process if the entire bill is disputed?
Because I'm not that kind of person. If I consume a product, I pay for it; and that is irrespective of whatever else goes on. If I had a problem with the food itself, then I probably would've explored that route. Usually, I reserve that for truly fraudulent and unauthorized charges that I had nothing to do with though.

But yes, usually a full on dispute requires an investigation that can take some time.

Whoever is doing this is quite stupid as unlike the past, consumers are getting reported either by email or SMS what is being charged on their credit card. Steal a few bucks, lose your job.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 05:27:20 GMT

Recently I was out dinning and we had phenomenal service and I left a larger than normal tip, when the restaurant processed the final charge I received an email from Cap1 notifying me of the tip because it was larger than the average percentage and wanted verify that that was indeed the tip I left which it was.

Whenever I fill out and sign a sales receipt I always put a line after the amount to prevent anyone from adding numbers.

Re: hypothetical situation question

OmarGB9 — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 05:39:40 GMT

Good practice to do that.^ kinda like filling out a check. Gotta make sure to use the whole space and not leave room for someone to get cute.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anomalous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 05:56:10 GMT

I've had no issues, but had a friend who was cheated that way by a server and he went back to the restaurant and raised hell.

I don't even factor in a tip to be added to the bill. I keep some cash on me and write "cash tip" in that field and hand it to the server. I don't eat out much, for dietary reasons, and so it works for me. And for those take out places that have the tip field, I always write "carry out". Lol! Seriously...

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 06:33:15 GMT

is there an official guide somewhere on the internet that teaches us how to notate things on a receipt that will help prevent most of these waitstaff undesirable tactics?

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 07:14:45 GMT

I've noticed that the counter service places that switched to chip now require the tip to get put in before the card's run and seemingly can't be changed after. Those places have all put in $0.00 though. Maybe we'll end up having to put in the tip on the check before giving the card to the waiter. (I don't really think we'll do the portable card machine thing as much as that would be preferrable for various reasons.)

Re: hypothetical situation question

tacpoly — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 10:15:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Let's say I ate at a restaurant and didn't fill out the tip and total for the bill, but I signed it, and some worker there decided to fill in those sections without my knowledge. Would I do a chargeback in this case? I just thought about it because I usually never put anything in the tip or total section.

So does that mean you usually don't tip when you eat at a restaurant?

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:25:36 GMT

@tacpoly wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Let's say I ate at a restaurant and didn't fill out the tip and total for the bill, but I signed it, and some worker there decided to fill in those sections without my knowledge. Would I do a chargeback in this case? I just thought about it because I usually never put anything in the tip or total section.
So does that mean you usually don't tip when you eat at a restaurant?

Same question I have. Hope that's not the case. Maybe the tip is in cash.

Re: hypothetical situation question

kdm31091 — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:33:20 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
is there an official guide somewhere on the internet that teaches us how to notate things on a receipt that will help prevent most of these waitstaff undesirable tactics?

Sorry, but what do you need guidance on?

Fill out the reciept completely, leave no room for anyone to change any numbers or fill anything in, and if they do, you'll almost certainly be notified by your issuer and the problem will be fixed (as stated, with probably no effort from you). While this issue does occur, it's not like it happens every day to everyone who eats out, so not sure why you are stressing about something that hasn't even happened to you yet!

While some waitstaff are dishonest, and may try these tactics, it's harder to get away with these things in the wake of SMS alerts/smartphones/just general connectivity. Also, most people are essentially honest and good and aren't going to try to do this, either because they are honest and good or they simply feel they'll get caught.

Alternatively, just leave a cash tip and avoid the whole problem.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Imperfectfuture — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:39:18 GMT

@Anomalous wrote:
I've had no issues, but had a friend who was cheated that way by a server and he went back to the restaurant and raised hell.

I don't even factor in a tip to be added to the bill. I keep some cash on me and write "cash tip" in that field and hand it to the server. I don't eat out much, for dietary reasons, and so it works for me. And for those take out places that have the tip field, I always write "carry out". Lol! Seriously...

I take it to the establishment first. Have had no problems with them refunding my card.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:44:50 GMT

@kdm31091 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
is there an official guide somewhere on the internet that teaches us how to notate things on a receipt that will help prevent most of these waitstaff undesirable tactics?
Sorry, but what do you need guidance on?

Fill out the reciept completely, leave no room for anyone to change any numbers or fill anything in, and if they do, you'll almost certainly be notified by your issuer and the problem will be fixed (as stated, with probably no effort from you). While this issue does occur, it's not like it happens every day to everyone who eats out, so not sure why you are stressing about something that hasn't even happened to you yet!

While some waitstaff are dishonest, and may try these tactics, it's harder to get away with these things in the wake of SMS alerts/smartphones/just general connectivity. Also, most people are essentially honest and good and aren't going to try to do this, either because they are honest and good or they simply feel they'll get caught.

Alternatively, just leave a cash tip and avoid the whole problem.

I don't know about others, but when I dine out, my card only shows the actual amount of the bill for several days. This means that the alert to my phone would not help in this situation, because it will only tell me the amount of the food cost. The tip only shows up when the transaction finalizes and posts.

Re: hypothetical situation question

kdm31091 — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:47:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@kdm31091 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
is there an official guide somewhere on the internet that teaches us how to notate things on a receipt that will help prevent most of these waitstaff undesirable tactics?
Sorry, but what do you need guidance on?

Fill out the reciept completely, leave no room for anyone to change any numbers or fill anything in, and if they do, you'll almost certainly be notified by your issuer and the problem will be fixed (as stated, with probably no effort from you). While this issue does occur, it's not like it happens every day to everyone who eats out, so not sure why you are stressing about something that hasn't even happened to you yet!

While some waitstaff are dishonest, and may try these tactics, it's harder to get away with these things in the wake of SMS alerts/smartphones/just general connectivity. Also, most people are essentially honest and good and aren't going to try to do this, either because they are honest and good or they simply feel they'll get caught.

Alternatively, just leave a cash tip and avoid the whole problem.
I don't know about others, but when I dine out, my card only shows the actual amount of the bill for several days. This means that the alert to my phone would not help in this situation, because it will only tell me the amount of the food cost. The tip only shows up when the transaction finalizes and posts.

Right, but most issuers will alert you if a charge seems "suspicious"; i.e. the tip adds $100 to the bill or something.

Re: hypothetical situation question

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 12:47:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@tacpoly wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Let's say I ate at a restaurant and didn't fill out the tip and total for the bill, but I signed it, and some worker there decided to fill in those sections without my knowledge. Would I do a chargeback in this case? I just thought about it because I usually never put anything in the tip or total section.
So does that mean you usually don't tip when you eat at a restaurant?

Same question I have. Hope that's not the case. Maybe the tip is in cash.

Hopefully, this thread won't devolve onto the etiquette of tipping. It seems to be a hot button topic with a lot of people. I'm going to assume that the OP either left cash.