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

1. 71

   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?

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2. 69

   cebutouristspotposted 11 years ago

   I try to be honest specially if the service I get is great and the food is great.    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 Also had happen already.

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   1. 54

      graceinusposted 11 years agoin reply to this

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

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   2. 69

      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. Since the food taste like crap and is not cook right

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   3. 72

      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

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   4. 69

      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

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   5. 72

      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!

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   6. 69

      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

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   7. 72

      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!

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3. 84

   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.

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4. 43

   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.

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   1. 80

      kenneth averyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I gladly agree with you.

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5. 0

   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.

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   1. 80

      kenneth averyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are a rare lady.

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6. 82

   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.

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   1. 85

      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?

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   2. 80

      kenneth averyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I respect your attitude.

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7. 72

   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.

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8. 67

   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.

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9. 61

   ReneeDC1979posted 11 years ago

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

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10. 72

    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?

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    1. 81

       Mitch Alanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Haha...beautiful answer!

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    2. 60

       Dont Taze Me Broposted 11 years agoin reply to this

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

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    3. 60

       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

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11. 64

    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.

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12. 54

    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.

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13. 70

    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.

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14. 0

    lesliebyarsposted 11 years ago

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

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15. 80

    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.

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16. 57

    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.

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17. 81

    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.

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18. 93

    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.

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19. 86

    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

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20. 0

    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.

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21. 60

    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.

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22. 71

    BlissfulWriterposted 11 years ago

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

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23. 60

    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

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24. 95

    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.

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25. 69

    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

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