Digest Number 1462

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Jane Shure
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Bev

I have to respectfully and very strongly disagree with you.

With today's high tech computers, yes cash registers also, it is just a
simple matter of pushing a few buttons (zip whiz wham bang) a machine
will spit out a check faster than you can say Jack Robinson.

Usually resturants has a person or persons who greets and takes people's
money. They are just plain being lazy and do not want to please the
customer. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior.

My question is who is responsible for the short fall of money after
people has contributed their money, they are leaving and you are the one
holding the bill???

I have seen this happen way too many times. This kind of thing will ruin
a person's day if he has to pay the difference.

By the way I was going to stay very quite
about this and just let it blow over until I saw the person comments who
thought a single check was a good idea. I did not even mention
anything to anyone about the problem except to the person who hosted the
event. My hackels was raise very sharply and violently when a
person said it was OK for a single check.

I still very strongly say if we cannot get separate checks, then we have
no business of doing business with that place of business. Also we
should have been told up front BEFORE we ordered about the check issue.
HELL AND HIGH WATER WILL NOT CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS ISSUE. I have learn
one thing from this issue, in the future I will not rely on the host to
have things taken care of before hand, I will ask about the check issue
before I order anything and decide if I want to order or just leave
after paying up what I may owe.

Maybe the way to handle this situation is for all hosts to be the check
police and insure the people pays what they owe including taxes and
tips, to also be responsible if the cash is short. I have a feeling this
idea will go over like a lead balloon and make a big hole in the cement
below.

Jane Shure


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(This posting was entered by Jane Shure, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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Everyone one of gals should be responsible and accountsble for keeping
track of each of their own tally of the total bill to include food,
beverages, dessert, and a 10% or 15% (or greater) tip.

It shouldn't be that difficult. We all calculators on our phones. Have
your calclator ready and as your looking at the menu start adding it up.
This isn't rocket science. But it does take a bit of honesty because we
are all on our honor to add it up correctly. It's impossible to be
looking down every one's shoulder. That is unless Jane Schurr wants that
job!


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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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Sorry for all the typos in my previous message. My big fat lady like
fingers tips are letting me down this morning.


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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Gina
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Like I said DLV is the only! Group I've ever had this problem with...
and only when I go out with the whole group and not people I've known
for a long time. We go to Morton's without any issues. Just be honest
and remember tax and tip so add at least 25% to your food cost. Wouldn't
be a problem then. And also remember drinks are really expensive!

Gina


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(This posting was entered by Gina, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: janeshure
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Dear Vera

Please reread my post again.

You did not answer my question and I did not volunteer for any jobs.

This is a problem I feel needs to be addressed. It should not be
difficult as you have said but unfortunatly It is for some people.
 You said everyone should be responsible and accountable.

My question to you is how do you propose to enforce this idea of yours?
I will ask again, since DLV is not responsible for any shortages in the
check come pay up time and people are leaving for the door, WHO IS
RESPONSIBILE???


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(This posting was entered by janeshure, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Sara P.
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Jane,

Based on my own experience, I have to come to the defense of the single
check being something that most (if not all) restaurants won't budge on.
It might not be for the reason you think.

There is no "magic button" which will split that party of 10 check into
a bunch of smaller checks. Some servers will do "separate totals"
though. I have had this hit & miss over the years during my event at
P.F. Chang's. Sometimes we get it, sometimes we don't. Depends on the
servers and/or managers on duty.

That said, think of the logistics of running 50-100 separate checks as
our group might prefer. It just isn't going to happen. Imagine that many
orders popping up in the cook area, they would blow a fuse. Not to
mention that none of the food would be timed properly and 100 different
orders would come up at different times. In fact, many restaurants now
have the technology to time orders within a single check to ensure that
the meal which takes 15 minutes to prepare & cook comes out at the same
time as that salad that might only take 2 minutes. They have it dialed
in that tight.

Another reason is that we need to get the restaurant to move beyond
their own thinking that all meals need to come out as close together as
possible. That is part of my annual negotiations with PF's, that there
is no expectation on the part of our group that everyone eat at the same
time. People order when they want, the food comes out and they eat
whenever that happens. Simple as that. This however has helped to keep
us away from a set menu or buffet.

So what is the solution besides blowing up the entire model which until
this year seems to have worked out just fine? I'd say there are two
major options to present in our future negotiations.

1) Ask specifically for separate totals. Using the Trevi example, if
each table had upwards of 10 guests, then the server for that table
would be in a better position to break down the bill and ensure everyone
is paying their fair share. This includes taxes, tips, fees, etc. and
ensuring that everything adds up to the total on the check.

2) Break things down to manageable groups, perhaps no more than four per
check. Anything higher and the table math becomes burdensome.

And speaking of tips, I saw mention of 10-15% but the reality these days
is 15-20%. If anyone has noticed, most establishments provide a
15-18-20% figure at the bottom of checks of any size. This was started
after a change in how the tax laws treat a gratuity that is
automatically added to a bill. Since they started doing this, I have
found myself consistently tipping in that 18-20% range provided I
received good service (which is most of the time). The reason is that
when the numbers are spelled out like that, you can see it isn't all
that much more to boost that tip ever so slightly for the servers who
work hard for us.

Just my 2-cents.

Sara


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(This posting was entered by Sara P., an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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Dear Jane,

First of all my idea was just that - an idea. It is not ready to be
enforced by me or anyone else for that matter since it hasn't been
brought up for a vote. We're just throwing ideas out there, Jane. I
suggested that perhaps you might be interested in taking on this task
since you're so adamant about making sure everyone pays their share of a
table tab and that no one person or group of people get stiffed for the
extra amount.

I know both Dennis and I know how much we consume and drink, and we
leave the proper amount to include the tip whenever we eat with others
at a table. There is no reason why others's can't do this. It's not that
difficult.


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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Vera Delmar
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Very good argument Sarah.


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(This posting was entered by Vera Delmar, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: janeshure
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I guess I am beating a dead horse as far as some people are concern.
Some people seems to have such a self centered myopic paradim that they
cannot see anyone else's point of view but their own. I was just trying
to shed light on a problem I thought needed correcting.

Judging from the negative feedback from some people I have to conclude
they enjoy getting ripped off or are guilty of ripping off others
themselves. I hate to say it, but someone in our party ripped us off.

I was very embarassed and got very angry when I was the last person
holding the check while being informed we were $30 short. The reason I
was holding the check was because I wanted to use my debit card, I did
not have much cash on me, everyone else payed cash.

I called the manager over and told him what I thought. He did deserve an
ass chewing because it was a problem created by him. As I look back on
this I realized I could have done some things differenty that would have
cause me to have no contact with the manager. I realize I made 3 major
screw ups that nite, screw up #1, was assuming the volunteers and DLV
was looking out for the membership's best interest. After all everyone
knows what assume means, ass u + me? Too many times people only looks
out for their own self interest.

My 2nd screw up, was not asking the volunteer if everything was set for
us to have separate checks.

My 3rd screwup was not informing the wait staff I wanted a separate
check. I have since learn it is far easier for the staff to issue a
separate check if they know before you place your order. I have decided
to do things differently in the future, that is if I do attend again and
I do not need DLV to go out as Jane.

Before I order I will ask for a separate check for myself, if ask why I
will reply for business and tax reasons. If they still refuse me I will
then have 3 options. Option #1, is to check my petty cash in my purse to
see if I am able able to throw down when it is time to pay up. Option 2
is, I will only drink water or a coke while everyone is taking the risk
of being ripped off. I can always go to McDonalds afterwards because
they will give me a separate check. Option #3 is, if the situation is
too intense I will simply get up and walk out, making sure I do not owe
anything in the process.

I do believe in paying for what I take, no more and no less. I do wish
to thank the people who did come up with the extra cash to cover the
short fall, I am for ever in your debt. If some people are pissed about
my comments then so be it. I have said all I am going to say on this
matter.



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(This posting was entered by janeshure, an external user of MyDLV.)

[Michelle V]

The way you can get around this is pay with credit card. If everyone pays with a credit card they have to break it all up or they don't get paid.