Tipping question.

[Kali]

What do you tip (if you do) when you phone in a food order and pick it up yourself?

Hicks in the big city. Last night I called and ordered pizza from a long time university area pizza joint in Tempe. They don't deliver every night so sent the husband over to pick it up. He paid with plastic and did not add in a tip although he put a buck in the jar on the counter. The receipt he brought home is for $29.50, but I was just checking the account on line and there is a charge for the place pending for $35.40! Did they really fill in a 20%+ tip after he left? For counter pick up????!!!!:wtf: :mad:

edit amount typo

[ReliantJ]

1. Whatever my iPod app tells me to

[flvegan]

2. Wait and see what the actual charge is that hits your account.

I think some places have the "pending" thing out there like the gas stations do.

If $35.40 is actually withdrawn from your account, you've got a bit of fraud on your hands.

[Left Is Write]

8. Exactly. Many restaurant "pending" charges are for 20% over the amount of the purchase

as a matter of course, but the actual charge will be only what the signer authorized.

[Kali]

11. is that right?

Man I am so out of touch. I eat out occasionally but VERY rarely have to-go food other than real junk. I will wait and see then. Thanks.

[Left Is Write]

14. Yes. I wouldn't worry about it - just check for the actual charge in a day or two.

[Iggo]

21. Really? Do you know why?

Is it to potentially punish stiffs?

[Gormy Cuss]

22. It's so that if the customer adds the tip to the bill the higher amount is authorized.

If the restaurant asked for only the amount on the bill and the customer added the tip they would need to get a second authorization for the additional amount. This takes more time for the staff. It could also potentially pose a problem if the customer has exceeded the number of transactions for the day. Many cc companies set a limit on the number of transactions in a time period (usually a day) as part of fraud detection.

[Iggo]

23. Thanks for the info.

I did not know that. (Obviously)

[Kali]

9. yeah I was kind of thinking that - but what a strange amount

is it fraud when *someone* forgets to draw a line through the tip blank and total the receipt?

[flvegan]

12. It's fraud if the purchaser doesn't add any amount, but someone else does.

Altering that purchase/sale contract is fraud.

[AlCzervik]

10. that's exactly what they do, then the pending drops off after the put through the actual.

[Kali]

13. DU is so cool

and I am such a hillbilly:rofl:

the funny addition to the story is my big thrill was supposed to be getting it delivered (I am 20 miles from town and it just doesn't happen so I am easily amused!) and they don't deliver on Mondays:nopity:

[Orrex]

3. I tip twice as much as ReliantJ

[ReliantJ]

6. $.20 FTW

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

4. I don't tip when I pick up a pizza, and I'm in NJ where we tip for just about anything

I tip $4 or so when they deliver.

[Kali]

16. I'm generally a pretty good tipper, having waitressed before but

for picking up food? Maybe the small change if I paid cash, but no.

[SPKrazy]

5. I think it is appropriate to tip

I don't usually go 20% on a pick up pizza, but 15% if it comes out hot and ready for me when I'm there to get it!

[Kali]

17. really? for pick up?

I might if it was a strange situation - like the place doesn't normally sell to go, and it was some effort to get it ready. But pizza?

[jobycom]

7. I don't tip if I pick it up. Why would I?

I delivered pizza for five years, and wouldn't expect a tip for a pickup.

I'm a large tipper, but I don't tip for counter service. I'm offended when I see tip jars, for that matter. I always think the owner is a cheapskate who needs to pay his employees more.

[Kali]

18. I'm with you on the tip jars. I usually ignore them.

[RagAss]

15. Tipping ?...I follow Mickey's lead......

[Kali]

19. Update

It went through at the lower amount. Now I know. Thanks all!

[Orsino]

20. A place that isn't serving gets a buck in the tip jar, if they have one.

Glad you resolved it.