Comments on: WWYD: Errors on the Dining Bill

By: Queercents » Blog Archive » WWYD: How do you handle server errors on restaurant bill?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:56:11 +0000

[...] Paula covered this “error on the restaurant bill” topic over a year ago, but in light of my recent experience, it seems worth repeating her [...]

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By: FIRE Finance

FIRE Finance — Tue, 01 May 2007 03:12:30 +0000

Carnival Round Up - April - Week #4!... Welcome to the carnival round up for the last week of April. Gosh it was a great week of publishing by FIRE Finance at the various carnivals. Every couple of weeks a new carnival is taking birth and it is fun to explore them. This week we have a new...

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By: THE SKILLED INVESTOR Blog

THE SKILLED INVESTOR Blog — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 07:07:31 +0000

[...] Paula presents WWYD: Errors on the Dining Bill posted at Queercents, saying, “In this week’s What Would You Do series at Queercents, Paula asks: When you go out for dinner do you review the details when the server brings the check or do you assume it is right? Do you do a quick "ballpark glance" or do you look at each Dining Billitem one at a time and do the math? Would you bring it to the server's attention if there were an error (especially if that error was in your favor)?” [...]

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By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:52:57 +0000

I check the bill carefully, but not obsessively. I also check my change. I've even driven back thru the drive thru to return a extra $10. I figure it's just good karma.

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By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:25:56 +0000

I always check the bill fairly closely if it's just the two of us, or a very small group. I was a waiter many years ago. Based on my experience, my perception (perhaps wrong) is that servers usually don't get docked for items accidentally left off the bill. As a result, I typically don't report errors in my favor, unless the error is really large (say 30-40% omission), too big for me to "not notice." I guess it's just the way I was raised (passing the blame?).

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By: Debbie

Debbie — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:14:46 +0000

I always check the bill to make sure we got charged for exactly what we ordered, although if it's a large group I do only look at the parts I ordered. I don't generally argue about the amount charged per item--if it's different than my memory, I generally trust my server better than I trust my memory. I always ask for errors to be fixed, no matter how large, no matter in who's favor, no matter what kind of establishment, and no matter what kind of ownership. I never noticed being given something free on purpose by looking at the bill. Sometimes a complaint is addressed by giving us something free, but I know about that ahead of time. And one time I dropped my piece of pizza on the floor at a fast food place and ordered another one--the guy would not let me pay even after I said that I appreciate when people pay for their own mistakes, but they shouldn't have to pay for mine. So I put that money in the tip jar. I don't recall being undercharged by a server I didn't like. Tempting! Still, I think the right strategy is to tip low but pay for the whole bill.

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By: donna jean

donna jean — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:42:07 +0000

I always give a quick glance and most of the time things are in line. Recently I was shocked at the total, but reviewing it made me see that something was actually left off! I do bring it to the server's attention when I notice and I don't feel that it was intentional. Anyone notice that they are often intentionally given free things when dining out -- recently the daughter ordered from the kids menu but got such a small amount of food that she was still hungry, we got a bowl of soup thrown in. Perhaps we just eat at places where extras are often included, or they're just used to seeing our (hungry) smiling faces and like the repeat business.

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By: David

David — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:27:23 +0000

It's also a good idea to cross check your credit card statement with the bill with tip. The VAST majority of servers and bartenders are honest hard working men and women, but there are of course a few bad apples out there. It has only happened once to my family, but the server fudged the tip (I can't remember exactly, but it was something like switching a 3 to an 8). However, this also could have been an honest error in server's reading the tip amount or punching in the wrong digits. Regardless, it takes 1 minute to glance at the charges - a cursory one will do. This practice has also helped me minimize my restauranting. Often going to a restaurant is an impulse decision and does not fit well with my frugal nature. Scanning my credit card bill reaffirms my desire to limit this spending.

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By: Didi

Didi — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:18:49 +0000

I point out errors, even if they're in my favor. I feel too guilty otherwise. Once, the server accidentally rang up the credit card slip as $14 instead of $41, and I called him over so he could fix it. Every time we go back to that restaurant, he makes sure we get some kind of little treat, an extra appetizer, something. It's more than made up for the $28 it would've saved that one time.

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By: Liza

Liza — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:14:56 +0000

I don't tend to pay close attention, but if it seemed off, I would look more closely. And if I noticed an error, I would ask for it to be corrected, whether or not it was in my favor.

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