This is a New Trend - I Think

Fona · ‎11-16-2011

A few months ago a new diner opened up nearby and I go there sometimes for breakfast at the weekend. Recently I started to notice a new trend among the wait staff. They never give me my full change when I pay the bill, and I am always shortchanged. For instance, if my change is, say, 64 cents, they will give me, say, 50 cents. Since there are a few wait staff doing this, I am guessing it is a scheme among them. I mentioned this to a friend, who told me that this has happened to her lately at a restaurant she goes to (I don't).

Now, the staff in two small shops nearby have also started to do the same thing.

To be honest, although it is just small change each time, I resent this. I pay full price for what I buy and I always leave a good tip at restaurants, so my strategy is to just stand there and ask for my full change. Strangely, no one looks disconcerted as they hand over the rest of my change or even says Sorry, so I guess they are thinking that I am being mean - but that is not the case. I am an honest person and I resent being openly shortchanged.

I have not yet spoken to any manager and, to be honest, I am hesitant to do so, but I might get around to doing that if this continues.

Has anyone else come across this?

Ms X · ‎09-13-2012

I'm going to have to count my change from now on! I wouldn't bother going to management just yet. I'd just say loudly, "You didn't give me all my change" so that everyone within earshot would hear. If management is around, they'd hear it and could decide on their own what to do. The next time you go there, you might get correct change without asking.

It's outrageous if they're pilfering nickels and dimes from customers. Depending on how busy a place is and how many pay with cash, this could add up. Have they decided to basically steal from the customers?

AKgirl2 · ‎05-24-2016

Whenever I eat out, I always pay with a debit card. I haven't heard of this and absolutely agree that no one should be shortchanged.

Where does one get the right to do this? Maybe wait staff is pooling the extra $ towards tips already received? Still pretty nervy and wrong.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Maybe they can't count. If it's on purpose it's stealing and should be brought the attention of the manager. Unless they give you the right change, I'd bring it up to them first. If it starts with change, it'll be bigger and bigger bills to come. It's wrong!

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

This is theft. It's not grand larceny but that change adds up over time. If you could find out who the owner is, I'd contact him/her. The manager could be in on this scam too.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

Scams like this have been going on for a long time. Imagine 10 waiters in a restaurant, each keeping 20, 30 or 50 cents per customer. That can add up fast and adds to their tips. It also happens when using debit cards....oops, they charged an extra few center or a dollar, sometimes more.

I would report it on the 2nd or 3rd occurrence.

Tallgal · ‎03-12-2010

I agree with you. I would resent this. The wait staff is wrong, they are stealing from the customers. I would let the management know about this and if it continued I would no longer go there.

Abrowneyegirl · ‎03-15-2010

Just curious - do they round up and down?

I can recall in a major city a very busy deli would round up AND down for speed (I was only in there for breakfast grab and go type). Sometimes it was in my favor sometimes in their favor.

They kept a bowl of change on the counter for those who needed their EXACT change and had time on their hands to fish through. You were expected to do this out of the way and not disturb the flow of traffic.

loisp · ‎03-30-2011

I frequented a restaurant in our area and found the same thing was happening--I would never get all my change. I accepted this a few times and then got angry since I felt the change was my hard earned money and wait staff had no right to take it. I wrote to management and explained my feelings. Told them I wouldn't mind if they shorted themselves but that was not the case--it is always at the customer's expense. Received a note back saying they would "speak" to staff. Actually this bothered me so much, I never went back.

BriggsiePeawiggle · ‎03-09-2010

@AKgirl2, just a warning....be careful when using your debit card if you have to hand it over to the staff for the charge. I know someone who got her card number ripped off that way. If I have to hand over a card at a restaurant for the charge, I always use a regular credit card.