Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

Inspired by the "I just got not-tipped" thread (sorry, can't remember the title):

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When you get your bill at a restaurant now, they always have a spot for you to write a tip in. I always write zero and tip in cash. However, I never tip until I leave, and if I'm paying by a card, they have to bring me back the bill, in which case I'm sitting there and my tip isn't on the table yet. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

So it's awkward (I hope I spelled that correctly) when you get this option on your bill.

The reasons that I don't tip electronically are:

-turnaround time: I want the server to get their tip immediately
-potential costs to the server (i.e. house takes x% of tip to cover visa fees or whatever).
-I'd prefer that the server be allowed to get this tip in cash, for tax purposes. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Anyways, please discuss your thoughts on electronic tipping, and if you're a server, please let us know some of the positives / negatives of this method.

Thanks,
Dave.

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

At least at my restaurant, we did get all our tips in cash. At our end of the day cashout, we count up what we owe, pay that to the float and keep the rest.

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

Don't they usually just give the server cash out of the register when you leave a tip via card?

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

I was a waiter for a while and the whether the tip was cash or electronic made absolutely zero difference for me.

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

Most of this stuff does not matter to waiters at all. When they check out, they are required to turn in a certain amount of cash that already has accounted for their tips on charge, so they receive the money that same day. The only reason tipping with cash is slightly more advantageous for the server is that there's no physical evidence as to how much they were tipped; therefore, they can claim less and pay slightly less tax.

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

just write "cash" on the tip line and duplicate the pre-tip amount in the total line. Problem solved.

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

[ QUOTE ]
just write "cash" on the tip line and duplicate the pre-tip amount in the total line. Problem solved.

[/ QUOTE ]
I always thought those people were kinda dorky. Nothing big though, at least they're tipping.

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

all the places ive worked...even the credit card tips we get in cash when we leave...is it not the same everywhere?

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

[ QUOTE ]
just write "cash" on the tip line and duplicate the pre-tip amount in the total line. Problem solved.

[/ QUOTE ]

Brilliant. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?
 

[ QUOTE ]
all the places ive worked...even the credit card tips we get in cash when we leave...is it not the same everywhere?

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for sharing that: two sources are better than one... I'd always assumed that it would run up a weekly tab or whatever and be added to your paycheque... I was wrong, though. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

P.S. It's awesome that you got a pink name! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

--Dave.