Saturday, February 02, 2008
A Consumer Alert Notice
Went to a place called Matthews 1600 the other day for brunch after church. Place is located in Catonsville, Md. on Frederick Road on your way west (just passed Rolling Road). Now the tale...
We were a party of five. My wife and I opted for separate checks. The menus were clearly printed that parties of 6 or more were subject 20% gratuity. We were 5...small taters I know. Anyhoo - the wife and I order ...me SOS w/ 2 slabs bacon, coffee....she - a seafood omelet (shrimp) w/ a sausage...we also had 4 Mimosas...
our total rounded was $44...(huh?)...our check comes and indicates a 20% tip (we had to seek out another waitress to advise our waitress we would like a refill on coffee) rounded $8+...Md sales tax $3+ = $56 and some change. The wife uses her bank card...indicates no tip on the tip line - because it was already factored into the check. The next day she checks her account and found that $67+ was taken from the account. What? A call to the "establishment" and the "manager" nets this explanation:
Your bank automatically deducts an extra amount to cover a tip. This happens all the time. Your account will be credited back in 48-72 hours.
FOLKS - How would a computer know to automatically withddraw an extra amount of cash on a debit withdraw? How would a computer know that the amount was being credited to a restaurant? We advised his that this was absurd and wanted the account credited back $11+ that we were overcharged. "Oh okay that will occur in 48-72 hours."
The truth to the matter was someone entered the extra amount and then swiped the card advising the computer to withdraw that amount. The new amount made the waitresses' tip $20+...for eggs and SOS!
A call to the bank...which prompted much laughter led to the discussion of an affadavit. When Matthews 1600 was recontacted the $11+ was quickly sent back to our account.
What of our other party? Were they charged 20% gratuity as well?...added $ to tip line? ...ahhh but wait to find out the rest of this sordid tale...
Stankass out...
We were a party of five. My wife and I opted for separate checks. The menus were clearly printed that parties of 6 or more were subject 20% gratuity. We were 5...small taters I know. Anyhoo - the wife and I order ...me SOS w/ 2 slabs bacon, coffee....she - a seafood omelet (shrimp) w/ a sausage...we also had 4 Mimosas...
our total rounded was $44...(huh?)...our check comes and indicates a 20% tip (we had to seek out another waitress to advise our waitress we would like a refill on coffee) rounded $8+...Md sales tax $3+ = $56 and some change. The wife uses her bank card...indicates no tip on the tip line - because it was already factored into the check. The next day she checks her account and found that $67+ was taken from the account. What? A call to the "establishment" and the "manager" nets this explanation:
Your bank automatically deducts an extra amount to cover a tip. This happens all the time. Your account will be credited back in 48-72 hours.
FOLKS - How would a computer know to automatically withddraw an extra amount of cash on a debit withdraw? How would a computer know that the amount was being credited to a restaurant? We advised his that this was absurd and wanted the account credited back $11+ that we were overcharged. "Oh okay that will occur in 48-72 hours."
The truth to the matter was someone entered the extra amount and then swiped the card advising the computer to withdraw that amount. The new amount made the waitresses' tip $20+...for eggs and SOS!
A call to the bank...which prompted much laughter led to the discussion of an affadavit. When Matthews 1600 was recontacted the $11+ was quickly sent back to our account.
What of our other party? Were they charged 20% gratuity as well?...added $ to tip line? ...ahhh but wait to find out the rest of this sordid tale...
Stankass out...
