Please Stay Aware in Bars/Restaurants

[whitenoise]

We had lunch at Mamitas the other day, and the bill clearly stated that the tip is not included. However, the waiter gave us a blurry copy of hte receipt and proceeded to write on top of the total as he mumbled something in Spanish to my friend, acting as though he was explaining the amounts to her. What he actually did was write on top of the total, and then write in another amount which included a 15% tip, presenting that as the total upon which we were to tip. I called the waiter over and asked him why that amount was written in when the bill clearly states that the total does not include a tip. He said something about the restaurant being busy, then claimed that it was because we were there on the weekend. He then gave us the actual bill.....in any case, if it weren't for my friend's good eye in spotting that the total wasn't accurate, we would easily have just added 10-15% on top of that amount, which I'm sure is what the waiter was hoping for. It pays to keep an eye out for this sort of thing!

I've also had incorrect change given to me at stores like Walmart--these could be mistakes, but I have the feeling that certain employees just think that tourists aren't paying attention and will be easier to rip off.

[midtowngirl]

Thanks for the tax explanations--I wasn't looking at the receipt carefully enough. Now it makes sense that the tax is already calculated in the price. I panicked momentarily thinking that alcohol cost 50% more than the sticker price!

[Fpaps]

In planning my second visit to Playa I stumbled upon this thread. I am the notorious "memorable" poster Stever refered to earlier in the thread. Admitadly I was a little buzzed when I started that thread
(http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...laya-maya.html)
but the theme and feelings were the same. However instead of sypathy most postered lambasted me for "attacking" a reputable establishment. In fact the moderator shut down the thread for what reason I don't know. I believe it's healthy to discuss the good as well as the bad and for the moderator to censure us...well, might as well be in Cuba.
We all must admit if we do not want to be ripped off we must pay attention; but at the same time we're on vacation and paying attention to anything but making sure my beer never gets more than half empty (or full) is not part of the plan. I don't want to bring my reading glasses to the beach, I don't want to bring a flashlight to a dimmly lit restaurant and I sure don't want to bring a calculator with me everywhere I go. When I go out I don't want to have to remember how much I ate or drank never mind looking for it on a messy hand written bill. So what are you supposed to do?

I know you all LOVE Playa or else you wouldn't be reading this but I have to admit my experience left a real bad taste in my mouth. Unfortunately I can see how people can generalize a town, region or country based on experiences like mine and those written about. And honestly, no this does not happen everywhere you go. My wife and I go out to dinner or drinks at least twice a week and I can't remember the last time we were "ripped off." I know I'm not one to pay much attention on vacation but of the 100's of meals we've eaten on vacation this is the first time we were taken advantage of. (that we know) Am I still upset? A little. Am I coming back? Sure. Will I enjoy myself as much as I did the first time? Unfortunatly probably not. My vacations are supposed to be relaxing and hassle free and constantly battling to avoid being robbed to me is neither.

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by Fpaps

In planning my second visit to Playa I stumbled upon this thread. I am the notorious "memorable" poster Stever refered to earlier in the thread. Admitadly I was a little buzzed when I started that thread
(http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...laya-maya.html)
but the theme and feelings were the same. However instead of sypathy most postered lambasted me for "attacking" a reputable establishment. In fact the moderator shut down the thread for what reason I don't know. I believe it's healthy to discuss the good as well as the bad and for the moderator to censure us...well, might as well be in Cuba.
We all must admit if we do not want to be ripped off we must pay attention; but at the same time we're on vacation and paying attention to anything but making sure my beer never gets more than half empty (or full) is not part of the plan. I don't want to bring my reading glasses to the beach, I don't want to bring a flashlight to a dimmly lit restaurant and I sure don't want to bring a calculator with me everywhere I go. When I go out I don't want to have to remember how much I ate or drank never mind looking for it on a messy hand written bill. So what are you supposed to do?

I know you all LOVE Playa or else you wouldn't be reading this but I have to admit my experience left a real bad taste in my mouth. Unfortunately I can see how people can generalize a town, region or country based on experiences like mine and those written about. And honestly, no this does not happen everywhere you go. My wife and I go out to dinner or drinks at least twice a week and I can't remember the last time we were "ripped off." I know I'm not one to pay much attention on vacation but of the 100's of meals we've eaten on vacation this is the first time we were taken advantage of. (that we know) Am I still upset? A little. Am I coming back? Sure. Will I enjoy myself as much as I did the first time? Unfortunatly probably not. My vacations are supposed to be relaxing and hassle free and constantly battling to avoid being robbed to me is neither.

May I be the first to apologize to you.
I know how it feels now.....crappy.
I agree with you! Have a great second trip!
Melissa

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Fpaps

However instead of sypathy most postered lambasted me for "attacking" a reputable establishment. In fact the moderator shut down the thread for what reason I don't know. I believe it's healthy to discuss the good as well as the bad and for the moderator to censure us...well, might as well be in Cuba.

some threads go in circles and nothing new is really added.... this thread is pretty much to that point........ my wife checks our bill throughly when we go to any establishment here in the states, even ones where we are considered locals...... I typically don't bother with it too much, but she finds mistakes probably 1 outta 3 times, so I guess technically, she is smarter than me........ I woulda posted this from an internet cafe in Cuba but I couldn't find one

[Tommygurl]

I can't remember the last time I had a wrong bill at a bar or restaurant in Canada or the US.

C'est la vie!

Speaking of Cuba we are thinking of going there next winter...

[syl]

Originally Posted by Fpaps

In planning my second visit to Playa I stumbled upon this thread. I am the notorious "memorable" poster Stever refered to earlier in the thread. Admitadly I was a little buzzed when I started that thread
(http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...laya-maya.html)
but the theme and feelings were the same. However instead of sypathy most postered lambasted me for "attacking" a reputable establishment. In fact the moderator shut down the thread for what reason I don't know. I believe it's healthy to discuss the good as well as the bad and for the moderator to censure us...well, might as well be in Cuba.
We all must admit if we do not want to be ripped off we must pay attention; but at the same time we're on vacation and paying attention to anything but making sure my beer never gets more than half empty (or full) is not part of the plan. I don't want to bring my reading glasses to the beach, I don't want to bring a flashlight to a dimmly lit restaurant and I sure don't want to bring a calculator with me everywhere I go. When I go out I don't want to have to remember how much I ate or drank never mind looking for it on a messy hand written bill. So what are you supposed to do?

I know you all LOVE Playa or else you wouldn't be reading this but I have to admit my experience left a real bad taste in my mouth. Unfortunately I can see how people can generalize a town, region or country based on experiences like mine and those written about. And honestly, no this does not happen everywhere you go. My wife and I go out to dinner or drinks at least twice a week and I can't remember the last time we were "ripped off." I know I'm not one to pay much attention on vacation but of the 100's of meals we've eaten on vacation this is the first time we were taken advantage of. (that we know) Am I still upset? A little. Am I coming back? Sure. Will I enjoy myself as much as I did the first time? Unfortunatly probably not. My vacations are supposed to be relaxing and hassle free and constantly battling to avoid being robbed to me is neither.

well i am going to respond..and this is just my honest response....i always look at the bill and ck it for errors..whether here in my little home town or travels in mexico..maybe you have been ripped off at home but never noticed .i have double tipped here at home because i did not realize tip was added for parties of 6 or more and the waitress did not mention it when presenting the bill...fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me....secondly i bring my reading glasses everywhere...if i cant see the numbers...how am i going to know what i owe...and at the beach i have alittle notepad no big deal and i write the drinks and food as i order...its not that hard and honestly if its alot of booze ..i may have thought i only had 6 shots but maybe it was 9???and i really try not to get so plastered that i cant handle the calculations...i am not great with numbers so a cell phone calculator.helps..i speak spanish so that helps..and i am very disappointed when i find someone was trying to rip me off.and i do not return to that establishment..i also try and establish a friendly intro to whoever is my server for the day...basically you take care of me i will take care of you...and honestly that has helped ..we were charged a 6 usd service fee on a bottle of wine we bought at the resturant.. we asked about it.. no mention of it on the menu and even the waiter was abit confused ..it was removed but i learned to ask in the future about any wine fees??!!i love playa and i will return ..to the places that were friendly and honest..

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Tommygurl

I can't remember the last time I had a wrong bill at a bar or restaurant in Canada or the US.

C'est la vie!

well, we frequent a local Mex restaurant, usually eat there 3-5 times a month (for around 20 years now)..... always BS with the owners when we're there, never think about the bill because we always order our "usuals"..... go up to the register and slap the bill down and Herbert says
"That'll be 24.72"
"What???? it should be $19.68"
so we examine the bill, and sure enough, we were billed for 2 tortilla soups instead of one....... by a waitress that has been serving us for years...... but I sure didn't scream at Herbert about being ripped off, nor did I leave the restaurant feeling like it was a standard operating procedure to double charge..... in my younger days as a bartender, I screwed up my fair share of bills too, so I guess I have a little more sympathy for wait staff..... terri is not so forgiving and she does find mistakes all the time..... even at places like Chili's and Bennigans where bills are all logged and generated by computer ....... she stays aware I guess

[Tommygurl]

Originally Posted by sctx

well, we frequent a local Mex restaurant, usually eat there 3-5 times a month (for around 20 years now)..... always BS with the owners when we're there, never think about the bill because we always order our "usuals"..... go up to the register and slap the bill down and Herbert says
"That'll be 24.72"
"What???? it should be $19.68"
so we examine the bill, and sure enough, we were billed for 2 tortilla soups instead of one....... by a waitress that has been serving us for years...... but I sure didn't scream at Herbert about being ripped off, nor did I leave the restaurant feeling like it was a standard operating procedure to double charge..... in my younger days as a bartender, I screwed up my fair share of bills too, so I guess I have a little more sympathy for wait staff..... terri is not so forgiving and she does find mistakes all the time..... even at places like Chili's and Bennigans where bills are all logged and generated by computer ....... she stays aware I guess

That is because they fixed the mistake right away. They didn't start speaking only Spanish all of a sudden or tell you it was a tax or to pay the kitchen staff. People make mistakes sure....it is how it is handled after it is pointed out is what leaves the bad taste in someones mouth.

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Tommygurl

People make mistakes sure....it is how it is handled after it is pointed out is what leaves the bad taste in someones mouth.

that is true....... that's one of the reasons we do not patronize a local establishment called The River Pub here in town

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by sctx

well, we frequent a local Mex restaurant, usually eat there 3-5 times a month (for around 20 years now)..... always BS with the owners when we're there, never think about the bill because we always order our "usuals"..... go up to the register and slap the bill down and Herbert says
"That'll be 24.72"
"What???? it should be $19.68"
...

That just happened to us at our (my) favorite local Mexican restaurant. They had just reopened after a 2 month remodel (I didn't notice much different, other than the 30 year old carpet had been replaced). Turns out they decided to give their menu a remodel with new prices to help pay for the new carpet.

[NWCreoleLady]

Originally Posted by MikeW

That just happened to us at our (my) favorite local Mexican restaurant. They had just reopened after a 2 month remodel (I didn't notice much different, other than the 30 year old carpet had been replaced). Turns out they decided to give their menu a remodel with new prices to help pay for the new carpet.

Yes, I've seen this type before - ripoffs come in many forms and in many places. It does happen everywhere believe it or not. I know often in restaurants the bills are incorrect, especially when you are eating with others where the bill gets mixed up. Sometimes honest mistakes, sometimes not.......we have to deal with it and move on. I agree with how it's handled makes a difference in how we feel, but sometimes the attitude of how the servers are treated/approached can also make a difference in how they respond to us.