Restaurants rounding your change to the nearest dollar

[kenny]

We went to a nice restaurant and paid the bill with cash.
When the waiter brought the change, which should have been, say, $8.43 they only brought eight dollars.

I politely told the waiter he forgot my change.
He told me for cash they round the change up or down to the nearest dollar.
He said the restaurant makes the same money and on average I pay the same money and it is less hassle for them and me.

I didn't like the idea, but I held back my annoyance out of courtesy to my SO who gets very embarrassed by what he perceives to be a conflict.
Have you seen this practice?

Are you okay if restaurants round your change to the nearest dollar?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I've never seen this before and would be really mad if a resturant did this to me. In fact, I would write a complaint letter as they're basically stealing money from their customers. Also, where is the money going? If the receipt only shows, say $20.55 and they keep $21, are they paying taxes on the difference or hiding that money somewhere? They could hide it rather than report it! Is this a big resturant or family owned?

 

[junebug17]

Idk, I might seem like a penny pincher, and I know it's a small amount of money, but the restaurant is basically short changing you. I understand that they're saying on other visits to the restaurant you may receive more change and it will balance out over time, but what if you're from out of town or something and will only be eating at this restaurant one time? It's more the principle than the actual money I guess. Just my gut reaction, will be interested to hear other's opinions!

edited for spelling

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Idk, I might seem like a penny pincher, and I know it's a small amount of money, but the restaurant is basically short changing you. I understand that they're saying on other visits to the restaurant you may receive more change and it will balance out over time, but what if you're from out of town or something and will only be eating at this restaurant one time? It's more the principal than the actual money I guess. Just my gut reaction, will be interested to hear other's opinions!

I bet they only follow their practice when the change is in their favor!

 

[junebug17]

Idk, I might seem like a penny pincher, and I know it's a small amount of money, but the restaurant is basically short changing you. I understand that they're saying on other visits to the restaurant you may receive more change and it will balance out over time, but what if you're from out of town or something and will only be eating at this restaurant one time? It's more the principal than the actual money I guess. Just my gut reaction, will be interested to hear other's opinions!

I bet they only follow their practice when the change is in their favor!

Haha! That's a good point MC!

 

[kenny]

It is an independent restaurant.
The food is superb and prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere and location are wonderful.
We have been there a few times but this was the first time paying with cash.

The more I think about it the madder I get.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

It is an independent restaurant.
The food is superb and prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere and location are wonderful.
We have been there a few times but this was the first time paying with cash.

The more I think about it the madder I get.

oooh, money laundering! hahaha

Really, though, if that is their policy, it should be written on the menu just like other policies such as additional gratutity for tables w/over 8 people...

 

[movie zombie]

i would have said something regardless. my $, my choice. they can refuse to serve me. i can refuse to eat there. but when price is listed, tax added, and bill presented, well, bring me my change.

 

[kenny]

i would have said something regardless. my $, my choice. they can refuse to serve me. i can refuse to eat there. but when price is listed, tax added, and bill presented, well, bring me my change.

When leaving I did speak to the manager, who repeated the policy.
Again, I didn't argue because my SO is so sensitive about what he sees as making a scene.
In fact the moment he saw me go for the manager he hightailed it out the door.

We've been together 10 years now and keeping peace with the SO is a groovy thing; I certainly have my quirks too.

 

[iheartscience]

I prefer that they bring me exact change, but I don't think it's a big deal. I would just take the $.43 out of the waiter's tip.

ETA just pay with a card from here on out when you go there-problem solved.

 

[rainydaze]

for me, it's the principle - it's my money and therefore not *your* decision to make about what to do with it.

i find a similar scenario irks me with dunkin donuts - often if my change is 5 cents or less they won't give it to me. i haven't spoken up yet and have just driven off sans change, but i'm about ready to speak up the next time it happens. i will often tip too, but if they don't give me my change, i don't. again, my change, my decision.

 

[soocool]

It seems to me that a restaurant makes out when their customers pay with cash, so why short change them? (no cc fees) Usually when I pay with cash I include the tip in the amount I pay and say keep the change or whatever change I get back I'll leave on the table.

I will say though, I will usually spend more when I pay with a credit card. Do they do the same thing when people pay with credit cards?

Also, when restaurants automatically tack on an 18% gratuity for larger parties. I would tip about 20% when with a larger party, but if they want to tack on 18% that is ok with me.

 

[slg47]

they're really too lazy to make correct change? sorry...i expect correct change if i pay in cash.

 

[lyra]

I disagree in principle, however, if you love the food, try to think of it as a $1 cover charge. Don't take it out on the server (not that you would), they don't make the rules. Or vote with your wallet and stop going there.

 

[kenny]

Do they do the same thing when people pay with credit cards?

Nope.
We have been there a few times and this was the first time we paid with cash.

 

[stephbolt]

I used to do this occasionally when I waited tables. The reason was that all the servers had to carry their own "bank" to make change, and sometimes I would find myself without any coin, especially since in my experience it was very rare to have a patron pay with cash and need change back. The majority of patrons use credit cards, and for those that don't the majority just give you the check plus tip all in one fell swoop. When a customer paid with cash I would always say "I'll be right back with your change" and nine times out out of ten they said "no no, none needed."

When I was faced with that experience I tried to give back too much change though, i.e. in your situation I would have given back nine dollars. The options were giving back rounded to the nearest dollar or waiting in line at the bar to get change for a dollar. I never had a patron question me about it, I found they were more anxious to pay their bill and get out the door than worry about getting back the exact change, and when I did bring it back the coin was typically left on the table as part of my tip anyway. I've never heard of this being the restaurant's policy though, very strange, wonder if that's true or the server was just trying to explain it in a way that didn't make him look lazy.

 

[kenny]

I've never heard of this being the restaurant's policy though, very strange, wonder if that's true or the server was just trying to explain it in a way that didn't make him look lazy.

Yes, while leaving I spoke to the manager, who repeated the policy.

 

[ame]

We went to a nice restaurant and paid the bill with cash.
When the waiter brought the change, which should have been, say, $8.43 they only brought eight dollars.

I politely told the waiter he forgot my change.
He told me for cash they round the change up or down to the nearest dollar.
He said the restaurant makes the same money and on average I pay the same money and it is less hassle for them and me.

I didn't like the idea, but I held back my annoyance out of courtesy to my SO who gets very embarrassed by what he perceives to be a conflict.
Have you seen this practice?

Are you okay if restaurants round your change to the nearest dollar?

I have not yet encountered it but frankly I would find that entirely unacceptable. It might only be 43 cents but that's not the waiter's 43 cents to make decisions regarding. If it was something that allowed for a donation to a charity I fully checked out, fine. But it's not his to make a decision regarding, he's an employee with zero authority to decide about such a thing. Their cash drawer would be a disaster at the end of the night besides that. If they gave me too much, I would alert them as well.

 

[Laila619]

I'd be pissed. It's not their decision to make. If that's their "policy," then I might not eat there again, as a matter of principle.

 

[QueenB29]

It may only be a few cents, but it's still YOUR money. They have no right to keep it. I, personally, would have given the server a much smaller tip (It may not be his/her fault, but if they get fewer tips, you know they'll protest the policy.) and I would NOT be back.

 

[Laila619]

i find a similar scenario irks me with dunkin donuts - often if my change is 5 cents or less they won't give it to me. i haven't spoken up yet and have just driven off sans change, but i'm about ready to speak up the next time it happens. i will often tip too, but if they don't give me my change, i don't. again, my change, my decision.

Yes, that's annoying too. I don't care if my change should only be a penny--I am entitled to receive the correct change back.

 

[marymm]

This just seems wrong to me on so many levels - enough so that I would actually tend not to patronize these establishments. And if the policy is not clearly posted on the menu and also repeated on the bill presented to customers, then I would likely insist on receiving full change. (If I was with someone who would not be comfortable with my stance, I would let them know they should wait for me outside.)

 

[Jennifer W]

I don't much care, to be honest. It doesn't seem worth getting upset or angry over. If I even noticed (doubtful, since I'm dyscalculic and wouldn't know what the change is supposed to be anyway) I would just pay with a card and never give it another thought.

 

[Laila619]

This just seems wrong to me on so many levels - enough so that I would actually tend not to patronize these establishments. And if the policy is not clearly posted on the menu and also repeated on the bill presented to customers, then I would likely insist on receiving full change. (If I was with someone who would not be comfortable with my stance, I would let them know they should wait for me outside.)

Yeah, that's what I find silly about the whole thing--they only tell you their policy after you've already paid?! What if their policy is anyone with brown eyes is not entitled to change at all? Obviously that's an extreme example, but you get my point. They have to inform customers of this beforehand.

 

[LJL]

stephb0lt +1 for me

I cant remember the last time I paid with cash and needed change...I waited tables for so long that I know how much of a pain the change this is - and while, like steph, I would try to give back more, the coins end up on the table half (or more) of the time. Honestly, I have short-changed people but it was pretty rare. If I was busy, I'd say "I'm sorry, your change is going to be a minute, I have to run to the bar to get it and they're backed up" - most people say, thats fine, I'll just take the dollars.

I have been out of waiting tables for about 2 years but that sort of policy sounds REALLY weird to me. I bet the money (whether positive or negative for that day) just goes to the servers and then the bartender/managers don't have to worry about giving coin change. It does seem to make it easier for everyone in my opinion. The problem may be for the one-off customer. But now that you know as a regular customer, you will either pay with your card or you will consider that change-shortage to be part of the cost of eating there.

I have enough stress in life, I wouldn't worry about this one. However, it always bothers me when people KNOW its not the servers' fault and they short them on the tip anyways. The servers arent going to start an uprising and protest the policy to the management - they are probably happy that they have jobs and have little/no control over the practices of the management/ownership.

 

[kenny]

My friend had a great idea . . .

Bring a calculator and order food and drinks that will come to something like $37.49 after tax.
Then put $35 cash on the tray and tell them it is my policy to round to the nearest 5.
Ones are too much hassle and my policy will save me and them time and money.

 

[movie zombie]

they are hurting themselves in the long run. you will end up paying with your credit card from now on and that costs them $. of course, they can always raise the prices....but i would not be paying with cash. i'd also tell them that it wasn't posted and i'd report them for fraudulent pricing practices......yeah, its a small thing. but unless its posted as policy, well, in my book its robbery. i do like your friend's idea, though.

 

[Porridge]

IF it were clearly stated beforehand then that wouldn't bother me at all. In fact I'd love it, I hate small change, I would leave it on the table anyway. Especially if I were a regular, I'd be more than happy because I'm sure it would balance out.

The fact that you are not informed until afterwards would really bother me. It's the principle. And how annoying because you appear petty asking for cents back, yanno? But it's your money!

 

[ksinger]

This just seems wrong to me on so many levels - enough so that I would actually tend not to patronize these establishments. And if the policy is not clearly posted on the menu and also repeated on the bill presented to customers, then I would likely insist on receiving full change. (If I was with someone who would not be comfortable with my stance, I would let them know they should wait for me outside.)

Amen to that!

If a business presents me with a bill for services/goods rendered, and I agree to pay said bill as presented, if they try to keep monies in excess of the bill, THEY ARE STEALING. Pure and simple. Large or small it is STEALING.

If it was a roofing job, or a grocery bill, or clothing...anything, you would expect to pay what is stated ON THE BILL. I don't know where a restaurant gets off acting as if they are exempt from such basics as not stealing money from their customers.

They would never ever see my wallet again, and I would likely report them to the BBB just to make a point.

I can be cavalier about my money. Other people don't get that privilege.


ETA - creative programmers have gone to the clink for less...as in, rounding less than a penny off bank transactions and funneling them to personal accounts. But hey, it's less than one cent right?

Stealing is stealing.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

ETA - creative programmers have gone to the clink for less...as in, rounding less than a penny off bank transactions and funneling them to personal accounts. But hey, it's less than one cent right?

Stealing is stealing.

Office Space!