Automatically tipping servers via Interac or Credit Card?

[DavidC]

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.