If your restaurant bill turns out to be less than what is should be...

Jump to Last Post 1-25 of 25 discussions (39 posts)
  1. BlissfulWriter profile image71
    BlissfulWriterposted 11 years ago

    If your restaurant bill turns out to be less than what is should be...

    would you tell your server of the mistake?

  2. cebutouristspot profile image69
    cebutouristspotposted 11 years ago

    I try to be honest specially if the service I get is great and the food is great.  smile  Already happen to me.

    But and this is a big but.  If the service is crappy and the food is bad then I would not bother smile Also had happen already.

    1. profile image54
      graceinusposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So, what you are saying is this, in the end their paying for your honesty.

    2. cebutouristspot profile image69
      cebutouristspotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well. Why would you point out their mistake in the bill when they treat you like crap? 

      Honestly I had even at one time contest the bill. smile Since the food taste like crap and is not cook right

    3. SidKemp profile image72
      SidKempposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Cebu, my short answer to your why: 2 wrongs don't make a right. I'd pay my bill because it is the right thing to do. I'd contest my bill because it is right not to pay for lousy food. But to be dishonest to get what I think is fair is, for me, cheat

    4. cebutouristspot profile image69
      cebutouristspotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well it is because for me its not cheating.  The price you are paying for your food include service.  If you dont get the service you deserve then you are the one getting ripped off. 

      I apologize if you guys thing that I am cruel but it is just me

    5. SidKemp profile image72
      SidKempposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Cebu - I'm not here to judge you or anyone. We each get by in our own way. I was just answering your question, "Why would you . . ." with my honest answer, "Here's why I would . . ." I'm glad we're different: that's what makes the world go round!

    6. cebutouristspot profile image69
      cebutouristspotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I Know Sidkemp. I myself is a very good tipper but as I said I believe the price of food you pay in a restaurant include the price of service smile

    7. SidKemp profile image72
      SidKempposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Cebu, for your clear statement of your position. I really appreciate it. This discussion is stimulating an idea for a new hub!

  3. My Esoteric profile image84
    My Esotericposted 11 years ago

    I go with @cebutouristspot as well as my mood; sometimes honesty wins out even if service and food don't deserve the price that would have been charged.

  4. DDE profile image43
    DDEposted 11 years ago

    I would be honest in any way,  stopping by the next time would much easier and I would  feel free of guilt too.

    1. kenneth avery profile image80
      kenneth averyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I gladly agree with you.

  5. profile image0
    Vickiwposted 11 years ago

    Yes. I would be worried that she might be supporting a family, and could have it taken out of her pay check. I would feel terrible.

    1. kenneth avery profile image80
      kenneth averyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are a rare lady.

  6. davidlivermore profile image82
    davidlivermoreposted 11 years ago

    I point it out.  I try to be honest.

    Same goes for any other place as well.  Once I went to Toys R Us, and bought two of the same game (one for me, one for my partner).  The person only charged me for one.  I could have walked away, but I didn't.  He was very relieved that I came back to pay for the second game, and a little shocked.

    1. tsmog profile image85
      tsmogposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Just kidding, did he win the bet or lose the bet with his buddy that you would return?

    2. kenneth avery profile image80
      kenneth averyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I respect your attitude.

  7. SidKemp profile image72
    SidKempposted 11 years ago

    I don't always check my bill. But if I caught the error, I'd be honest. Always!

    There are three reasons for this. One is, it's just my nature. I don't think it's better or anything, but I've just always been this way.

    The other is that I've known enough waiters to know that all errors come out of their pockets. And, at the restaurants with stricter management, it can be a real hit on the waiter's or waitresses reputation, too. So the error is a lot more costly for them than many people realize.

    The third is that there is real joy to watch someone surprised by honesty. Maybe it gives people a little faith in the world.

  8. profile image67
    Jmiller17posted 11 years ago

    This happened to me the other day and it was a significant difference, nearly $15.00. If its that big of a difference, i couldn't just walk away, so i told the waitress, if it was only a couple of dollars, i not even sure i would have noticed and probably would have paid that ticket.

  9. ReneeDC1979 profile image61
    ReneeDC1979posted 11 years ago

    yes -cause if i didn't i would feel like i was stealing

  10. tsadjatko profile image72
    tsadjatkoposted 11 years ago

    I asked "the man on the street" this question - here is the answer:
    Do you mean if a restaurant gets stiffed on a portion of a customer's bill the Government doesn't cover it? Restaurants don't get subsidized for this?  That is terrible. Electric cars are subsidized, windmills are subsidized, solar panels are government subsidized - how did restaurants fall through the cracks? Does Michele know about this? So you mean now I have to actually calculate my bill at a restaurant myself? - yeah, like they taught me that in school. What is this world coming to? I thought Obama would insure the government to take care of all our problems, Why should I pay for the restaurant's mistake? - isn't that what government is for?

    1. Mitch Alan profile image81
      Mitch Alanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Haha...beautiful answer!

    2. Dont Taze Me Bro profile image60
      Dont Taze Me Broposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Beauty is in the mind of the beholder, but yeah beautiful answer! lol

    3. montylyn profile image60
      montylynposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for making such an awesome point....maybe others would see it different now and bring it up to the waitress....hugs....Linda

  11. barbat79 profile image64
    barbat79posted 11 years ago

    Yes!  The server may be billed for the difference and also would affect their tip. 
    Servers are generally not paid much as an hourly rate, so the difference could make a huge difference in their pay.

  12. profile image54
    graceinusposted 11 years ago

    Assuming I am aware of the err I would without any doubt  bring it to their attention and ask for a corrected bill. I would pay it in FULL. Why? because it's the RIGHT thing to do. No if , No and, No but.

  13. LauraD093 profile image70
    LauraD093posted 11 years ago

    I've worked in food service and if a mistake was made often the wait-staff have to pay out of their own pockets. Knowing this I would call attention to the mistake. people are human mistakes are made. I figure if I ate it -I owe for it.

  14. profile image0
    lesliebyarsposted 11 years ago

    Yes I would because I want to be honest but also I wouldn't want the server to get fired.

  15. kenneth avery profile image80
    kenneth averyposted 11 years ago

    Yes. I love to sleep nights. And by me not telling my server, that one somehow insignificant action, will cause someone, maybe the waiter, to be cheated out of his or her hard-earned tip. In short, I just want to do what's right.

  16. ytsenoh profile image57
    ytsenohposted 11 years ago

    I would absolutely inform the server based on my personal level of integrity.  Also, if you chose not to, it would lessen her ability to earn more in her tip, which is where she (or he) makes most of their earnings.

  17. Mitch Alan profile image81
    Mitch Alanposted 11 years ago

    I would and I have. I've also gotten home and realized that an item from a shopping trip wasn't paid for and have returned to pay. A business is in business to make money and if I don't pay, then I am stealing. It doesn't matter the size of the business, as in this case, size doesn't matter. As to the waiter/waitress, they should not be stiffed on the tip for their service or be stuck with a bill that is rightfully mine.

  18. ChitrangadaSharan profile image93
    ChitrangadaSharanposted 11 years ago

    Of course, I would tell the server. It has happened a few times and by being honest, you do good to yourself as well as to others.

  19. Deborah Demander profile image86
    Deborah Demanderposted 11 years ago

    I try to do the right thing in every situation. You never know when a mistake could cause injury to someone, whether it be financial, or with their job, or whatever. If I can avoid being deceitful, I generally do.
    Karma is real my friend, and always remembers.
    Namaste

  20. profile image0
    Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

    I would always report any mistakes. My wife and I were were at a Pizza Buffet place and instead of being charged $10.10, I was charged $1.10. I went to the counter to tell the clerk and someone did not push enough buttons. She was going to refund the 10 cents and then run the bill again. I told her not to bother, just run it over, which she did. I also left a tip. Sometimes mistakes will get by you. The grocery store we used makes many. We usually catch them before leaving the parking lot but not always. If it is significant,we go back. If it is not, we figure those errors that were in our favor balance out to those not in our favor. Usually, we are overcharged because he scan code does not match the posted sign.

  21. duffsmom profile image60
    duffsmomposted 11 years ago

    Absolutely.  Businesses struggle to make ends meet and I wouldn't feel comfortable not mentioning if I noticed the mistake.  Honesty is a decision and not always an easy one, but I can't save a few pennies at the expense of someone else - when I know what the right thing to do is.

  22. BlissfulWriter profile image71
    BlissfulWriterposted 11 years ago

    Looks like the majority of opinion is to tell the truth.  I'm in agreement with that as well.

  23. montylyn profile image60
    montylynposted 11 years ago

    I would also because I have a daughter who works in a restaurant and wouldn't want it done to her either ...so yes ....huggies, Linda

  24. Iammattdoran profile image95
    Iammattdoranposted 11 years ago

    If it was a big bill of like 10 items and 1 item was missing then no, I probably wouldn't say anything.  I was in a restaurant recently where I only had 2 beers (I was watching a soccer game) and one dish from the menu.  When I asked for the bill it came with only one beer.  I quickly corrected them,  But I probably only did this as I was sure that they'd see the mistake and they'd know that I knew they'd made a mistake.  if there's enough items that I can plead ignorance and confusion then I'll try it.  But at the same time it depends on the establishment.  If it's my fave local indie then I'll likely point out the error.  If it's a big chain then I'll keep quiet and plead ignorance.

  25. Hendrika profile image69
    Hendrikaposted 11 years ago

    It has happened to me and I drew the attention to it and had the bill corrected. I suppose I am too honest for my own good

 
working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)