Do servers know if you're paying cash or credit?
I just started going to "upscale" restaurants a few years ago. I usually pay cash, very rarely using a credit card, even if the bill is large. I noticed that any big box restaurant will always take the bill, along with my money and bring back the change...
Yet, most upscale places will let my money sit there until I leave. I don't get it...why do they do that? Most of the night will have amazing service, so I am convinced there must be a reason for this. Is it to avoid the possibly embarassing question of "Would you like change?"...but still...I always thought it was best for the server to simply bring all the change back...
I usually don't want change back anyways....some restaurants I understand remember me and assume I don't want change But for other restaurants, I guess the server must see I am not paying by credit...
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IMHO, (with years of experience serving and managing a restaurant), as long as there is a bit of visible money sticking out, the server should pick it up, and then say "I'll be right back with your change", giving you the opportunity to tell them it's fine if you don't need any, or, if you say nothing, they'll bring you the change.
(I throw in the line about bringing back change, so that if it's not necessary, I don't waste valuable time making change when it's just going to be left for me).
If there is no money or card sticking out, I will leave the folder for awhile. Then, if it's been an inordinate amount of time, I may come up and ask the table if I can run a card through for them. Sometimes the card or cash has been in there hidden all along, sometimes they have just been engrossed in conversation. If they aren't ready, I just tell them to take their time and let me know when they're ready.
Leaving a billfold with visible cash sticking out of it seems like a money grab, but I've never seen anyone I work with do that.
›11 Replies-
re: upsidedownorchid
greygarious
Oct 1, 2010 01:33 PM
Not having worked in the restaurant business, I have a question. Doesn't a server HAVE to make/get change on a cash tab in order to get the tip money into his/her pocket?
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re: monku
greygarious
Oct 1, 2010 05:39 PM
So you are saying that the servers keep the money for both check and tip with them until the end of their shift, rather than depositing the cash for the tab into a register and pocketing the tip? If not, and the money for the tab has to go into the register at the time of payment, then change is being made at that time and I don't understand why it is a burden for the server to bring it back to the table.
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re: greygarious
monku
Oct 1, 2010 06:00 PM
They "settle" up with the house at the end of the shift. Turning in cash and credit card slips which have to match the total from the POS machine, whatever is left is their tips for the shift. .
There is no "cashier" or register....saves on hiring someone to run the register. The manager(s) take the receipts at the end of each shift.It's a burden if the server doesn't bring a big enough bank or they don't bring enough "coin" change....then they have to scramble among the other servers to make "change" for the customer. You might bring a $25 bank to start the shift and first customer gives you a $100 bill for a $30 check...you have to scurry to make change from other servers, bartender or manager who can make change of that $100 bill.
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re: kpaxonite
monku
Oct 3, 2010 09:05 AM
True, the suffering is waiting for your change, but the customer doesn't understand what's going on. Sure, they just want their change pronto.
They call it "server banking". If you don't see a cashier, this is most likely what is being done. The restaurant doesn't supply the server with "change" before the shift. The manager will make change for big bills.The server is responsible for showing up for their shift with a certain amount of "change" (coin and currency) to make change for the customers, it's as important as being in uniform.
There are always servers who will show up with no change or not enough "coin" to make exact change, so you will notice in some cases they'll round up the change in your favor to the nearest nickel or dime if they don't have pennies.Customers take it for granted what happens when you leave that portfolio closed and pay cash. It would be uncool for the server to come to your table open it and make change for you right at the table. So they go somewhere out of sight and make change and come back. They don't return right away, that's a sure sign they didn't have enough change on them and they're looking for someone who has change.
I try and make it easier by laying out exact change for the bill and tip and leaving the portfolio open(signal to the server it's ready to be collected) and telling the server I don't need change or I do need change.
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re: monku
brandywiner
Oct 3, 2010 11:35 AM
Over the years, I'd inferred that change was handled something like this, but had never actually heard the term "server bank", or had it explained clearly. Thanks!
Since I nearly always pay by card, this is fairly moot for me, but I always like to understand the server's prespective.
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re: brandywiner
monku
Oct 3, 2010 07:43 PM
May be moot, but one reason I always use cash is the greatest chance for credit card identity theft is at a restaurant.
"The restaurant industry is the only industry where you give somebody your credit card, and they walk away with it," says Ken Chaisson, vice president of information technology.
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re: monku
Bill Hunt
Oct 4, 2010 08:12 PM
Even when they process it at the table, there can be issues. In the UK and Europe, there are often folk right outside the restaurant, sitting in their autos, stealing the credit cards, via Wi-fi. I have mentioned this in several threads, after working with Interpol on credit card fraud.
No one is safe - regardless. THEY are out to get your personal info.
Hunt
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re: upsidedownorchid
Bill Hunt
Oct 3, 2010 07:38 PM
I have not been a server, and I hardly ever pay with cash, but in the very few instances, where I have, that has been the interaction.
Hunt
PS - regarding similar, I always leave money for our house/pet-sitters, and tell them so in the itinerary left for them. Almost all understand that this is for emergencies. One, however took the money, and when I asked about it, his comment was, "oh, I thought that was a tip." Hm-m-m, if it was a tip, why would I have mentioned that it was for any emergency? Guess who has never been back, after he returned the $100.
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Midlife
Oct 1, 2010 12:11 AM
At the risk of offending those who say some here are too quick to blame servers for such things.............. if this'cash left in the folder' thing is really true the only explanation that makes any sense to me is that the server might be 'waiting out' the guest. I may be cynical but it just seems like an extension of the 'assuming you don't want change back' thing. If you have to wait long enough you might just get up and leave without whatever change you would have received had the folder been picked up and change returned.
Boy................... some of these topics are exposing me to some really questionable restaurant situations. I don't think I'd just wait it out............ I'd get the attention of a server or captain and give them the folder. Of course, that then leaves open the next phase of this in which I may or may not get back my change unless I specify that I want it back. Sheesh!!!!! Life's too short for games like this. I must live right though, because I've never experienced anything more than the server asking if I wanted change.
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Do you leave ones? A server generally knows that if a customer is paying with cash, and the pile of bills includes at least one $1 bill, then they most likely do not need change. The most discrete way to handle the situation is to pick up the money after the customers are gone. Why be discrete, you may ask? It's hard to explain, but it kind of makes the server look like a money grubber. This is more relevant the higher up on the chain you go. It's not like retail. When you go to a store and purchase something, the cashier takes your money and makes sure it is correct, right in front of you. You don't see that in restaurants. The server takes your money, brings it to the server area, and counts it there. It would be considered rude to count it at the table, wouldn't it? Your experience is just a step further. Customers should not see counting money or whatnot. It's a hospitality thing, I guess.
›4 Replies-
re: hilltowner
No, I am Canadian, so our smallest bill is a $5. I went to C5 this Sunday, total came to $58 for brunch, I left 4 $20 bills. Pretax was probably $51, making this about a 40% tip, it's a large tip, but one I would've left if the server asked if I wanted change. I left it sticking out of the table. We sat at the table for another 20 minutes...not waiting for change, but enjoying ourselves. The server, whom has offered great service that day and prior visits repeatedly came to give coffee refills, but not once to take the bill....
This isn't a first occurance either...in fact, I would say more than half the time, this happens when I pay cash. I can't help but think the worst, that they're doing it on purpose to keep the change...and that to me is really bad. I was on a date, so I wouldn't make a scene, but it left a bad afterthought to the day.
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re: stonedtoronto
That is strange. I get very irritated on here by people always assuming the worst about servers, but you may be right. Next time, I would suggest that you put the money in his/her hand and ask for change. Unacceptable that they don't pick it up themselves, but so is you giving them a 40% tip for what ends up to be bad service.
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re: stonedtoronto
hala
Sep 25, 2010 11:57 PM
I think that what you have is a situation where servers are worried that they might do something to offend you if they were to take the cash while you are getting more and more worried the longer the cash sits there on the table. It might be less stressful for all parties involved If you were to hand the portfolio to the server and tell them whether you need change or not; that way, they don't have to stress and you don't have to wonder.
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tommy
Sep 23, 2010 05:27 AM
I've never had this happen and have been dining out for 20+ years.
People will not doubt make the unfounded claim that it's a ploy to get a bigger tip. Nonsense. LIke I said, I'v never seen it happen.
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re: tommy
monku
Sep 23, 2010 05:48 AM
An intense discussion on that subject.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/734574-
re: monku
tommy
Sep 23, 2010 06:17 AM
That's a good discussion, and one revolving around a server taking the money and not returning with the change unless you ask. This issue seems to revolve around a situation in which the server somehow knows there is cash in the portfolio thing and doesn't bother to pick it up in the first place, or sees the cash and decides to leave it. Like I said, never happened to me.
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re: stonedtoronto
dave_c
Oct 1, 2010 01:05 PM
Based upon some of the answers from the previous discussion, linked by monku, it seems that servers have a difficult time making change since servers don't have ready access to the till.
Applying that to this question, maybe the servers at the restaurant put off the "hassle" of cashing out to the last minute.... or the servers could be hoping you'll leave the change... lol.
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If the bill comes in a portfolio thing, do you leave a corner of the cash sticking out so the waitperson knows it has been dealt with?
I often notice waitstaff trying to glance discreetly as they go by - maybe for the top edge of a credit card if you put it in that lttle pocket, or as mentioned, some cash hanging out. If they don't see anything, they may assume you're still relaxing and enjoying your evening. Or not, just a thought.
›2 Replies
