Kawasaki Concours Forum

Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: Conrad on January 19, 2015, 06:14:18 AM

Title: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Conrad on January 19, 2015, 06:14:18 AM
We went out to Longhorn Steak House for dinner last night with some friends. Good meal, good service, and good drinks.

The bill came and I look it over. Total for the two of us, including tax, is $77.72. Everything is right and I glance down at the bottom at the 'suggested' tip amounts. 

"Suggested tips amounts are based on total including any tax."

20% - $17.54
18% - $15.79
15% - $13.16

Say what?  :o 

I left $15.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: gPink on January 19, 2015, 06:22:47 AM
Other than the computer generated math error  :o, what the hell are they including the tax as a tippable charge for? I would have asked for the manager and the server to my table for an explanation and in turn explained to concept of 'theft by deception' to them. 
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 19, 2015, 06:40:35 AM
I don't include tax on the amount to tip on.  Never have, never will.  I start at around 20% and go down from there depending on the service.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Conrad on January 19, 2015, 06:59:42 AM
I don't include tax on the amount to tip on.  Never have, never will.  I start at around 20% and go down from there depending on the service.

Whip out your calculator and check those amounts above, Jim. Even if you, incorrectly, include the tax in your calculation those amounts are wrong.

I didn't want to raise a stink about this in front of my wife and friends while we were at the restaurant (I'm famous for doing this already) but you can be sure that I'll let Longhorn know about this via the survey they'd like me to take online.   
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 19, 2015, 07:02:03 AM
You didn't say anything about having to do math this early in the morning..
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: gPink on January 19, 2015, 07:03:25 AM
Did you keep a copy of the receipt?
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Conrad on January 19, 2015, 07:07:58 AM
Did you keep a copy of the receipt?

Yep, I have it sitting right here in front of me.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: gPink on January 19, 2015, 07:13:44 AM
I wonder if the Steak House has a facebook page that could be posted to. Not that I'd know how.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: stevewfl on January 19, 2015, 07:35:15 AM
but for chain food steak, the joint is acceptable   ;D
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: B.D.F. on January 19, 2015, 07:58:15 AM
Interesting. I agree with you Gary generally but in this case, it seems that more and more people are either 1) not leaving a tip or 2) leaving a totally inappropriate tip. So perhaps Longhorn is including that 'helpful' little crib note as a nudge to people who I guess have no idea of how things are supposed to work.

As far as the tip, sounds right to me Conrad. 20% is what I shoot for and it is easy enough to zone in on.

Brian

Other than the computer generated math error  :o, what the hell are they including the tax as a tippable charge for? I would have asked for the manager and the server to my table for an explanation and in turn explained to concept of 'theft by deception' to them.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Rhino on January 19, 2015, 08:06:34 AM
This has got to be deliberate. Those number are coming from a computer. I would not take it out on the waiter and would have left a 20% tip like you did (assuming the service was good) but would have mentioned it to the manager. What's up with your badly programmed point of sale system?
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Outback_Jon on January 19, 2015, 11:42:08 AM
The bill came and I look it over. Total for the two of us, including tax, is $77.72. Everything is right and I glance down at the bottom at the 'suggested' tip amounts. 

"Suggested tips amounts are based on total including any tax."
20% - $17.54 = 22.56%
18% - $15.79 = 20.31%
15% - $13.16 = 16.93%

Correct math:
20% - $15.54
18% - $13.98
15% - $11.66

I'm going to have to check the math the next time I go somewhere that has those suggested tip amounts.

Here in the Hudson Valley, we had a Meet & Greet at a diner.  They provided us with separate checks.  They included the tip without any indication that they had done so on the receipts.  Now, granted, our group was big enough for them to include the tip - as per the note on their menus - but to do so without any indication?  The diner has since gone out of business, so I guess we weren't the only unhappy customers.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: MrPepsi on January 19, 2015, 12:08:32 PM
Looks like they added $10 to the bill before calculating.
Percentages are based exactly on $87.72
That's just plain crooked.
I would call management, however I bet they know they are doing it.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Mister Tee on January 19, 2015, 12:15:37 PM
Just blast them on Yelp.  They will get the point that way.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Rhino on January 19, 2015, 12:30:22 PM
I like Longhorn Steakhouse and have one 1/2 mile from my apartment. Maybe I'll go there for dinner and see if they do it too.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: just gone on January 19, 2015, 01:22:44 PM
Total for the two of us, including tax, is $77.72.

I left $15.

I was under the misguided opinion that I was a good tipper at roughly 20% (before tax!). I was somewhat incredulous at the last place I ate at when they had a 25% in the list of suggested tip percentages. I guess that wasn't as nearly so outrageous as purposely bad math. Generally I just move the decimal point over one place to get ten percent and then double it and round that number up or down to the closest whole dollar amount for addition ease. That works for me most of the time, I'd say roughly five percent of the time I get really bad service or exceptionally great service and I adjust it accordingly. I'm not sure of the tax rate (8.25%-9.0%?) in the Longhorn location you chose, but I probably would have only put out a $14 tip. 
If I have to start tipping at 25% I'll stay home and eat PB&J.

I'm actually sorry to hear this, as I like Longhorn Steakhouse. I eat there almost every time I travel to Chicago. Despite living in a major urban area of Texas, the closest Longhorn Steakhouse is almost 90 miles from my house.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: MrPepsi on January 19, 2015, 01:28:34 PM
http://www.seethisordie.com/screenshots/longhorn-steakhouse-is-screwing-over-their-employees-by-docking-their-tips-not-sure-where-else-to-post-this-but-it-needs-to-be-seen-by-all/ (http://www.seethisordie.com/screenshots/longhorn-steakhouse-is-screwing-over-their-employees-by-docking-their-tips-not-sure-where-else-to-post-this-but-it-needs-to-be-seen-by-all/)
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: just gone on January 19, 2015, 01:40:01 PM
http://www.seethisordie.com/screenshots/longhorn-steakhouse-is-screwing-over-their-employees-by-docking-their-tips-not-sure-where-else-to-post-this-but-it-needs-to-be-seen-by-all/ (http://www.seethisordie.com/screenshots/longhorn-steakhouse-is-screwing-over-their-employees-by-docking-their-tips-not-sure-where-else-to-post-this-but-it-needs-to-be-seen-by-all/)

So if it's a 7% sales tax (GA?) the check would have been $20.17 and 20% would have been $4.034...yep that works, would have only got 4 bucks from me.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: MrPepsi on January 19, 2015, 01:44:16 PM
I was just curious if it was happening in more than one location.
That link I posted isn't even a good example.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: B.D.F. on January 19, 2015, 02:02:08 PM
I think perhaps some of you guys are not tipping correctly.... and by that I mean physically, mechanically correctly. Get yourselves a couple of rolls of one- dollar coins and a small tube of cyanoacrylate (Super Glue). Now leave the tip 'correctly' and leave the restaurant slowly, looking back at your table often. Hijinks and hilarity will ensue but keep moving.... always moving toward the door. And maybe not go back to that restaurant for a while.

Brian
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Charlie747 on January 19, 2015, 02:41:22 PM
Wow..............we have a 20% government sales tax called VAT (value added tax) applied to most sales and products. In other parts of Europe its a bigger %.................so we as a nation don't normally tip unless exceptional quality and service.  Its also common for a 10% + service charge to be added to your bill  :popcorn:
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: just gone on January 19, 2015, 03:32:20 PM
I was just curious if it was happening in more than one location.
That link I posted isn't even a good example.
Yeah I got that, sort of an fyi post on your part.   :goodpost:
I was more just responding to the post in that the GA location was pretty much in line with my tipping practices and I'm not sure what that that poster was so outraged about. It seemed that the numbers (pre sales tax) were pretty accurate if perhaps rounded to the nearest ten cents for easier addition. Not like Conrad's experience at all.
I often wonder how many (restaurant customers) can't add the bill right even when presented with the percentages.
I've most likely spent too much time on this because I'm procrastinating going out to the garage to remove wheels and change tires.  :P

..as for Brian wanting us to glue coins to the table......well he's just mad about his gas problem and wants us to take it out on the poor waitstaff.  ;)
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: MrPepsi on January 19, 2015, 03:33:22 PM
Yeah my response was more a comment on my post than yours.
My example sucked.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: B.D.F. on January 19, 2015, 08:50:10 PM
No, no, no... not to the table but to the bottom of the plate(s) which you turn upside down. This gives the waitstaff time to take the plate(s) into the kitchen and work out HOW to get the coins off the plates. Gluing the coins onto the table would be in bad taste because 1) there would not be ample time for the server (and friends) to work the problem out, 2) it would almost certainly damage restaurant property (of value well beyond a plate or two) and 3) get in the way of seating the next patrons at that table. Gluing the tip to the table is just plain mean and I am surprised you would stoop so low Marty....

 :rotflmao:

Brian


<snip>

..as for Brian wanting us to glue coins to the table......well he's just mad about his gas problem and wants us to take it out on the poor waitstaff.  ;)
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: wahrsuul on January 20, 2015, 04:52:54 AM
Personally I don't care for the whole idea of tipping anyway.  pay them a decent wage, charge me a fair price, and be done with it.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Conrad on January 20, 2015, 04:54:01 AM
Upon further review, the call on the field has been reversed...    :-[

It appears that I was mistaken (glad I got that out of the way for 2015!   ;)).

I had a coupon for a free appetizer and the app. that we selected was $9.99. The price of the appetizer was included in the subtotal and figured into the computer generated calculation for the tip, not sure how the sales tax was included in that calculation as well but it was my bad and a false alarm.

We will be going back to Longhorn as the food was very good! My wife even said that her steak was the best she's had at a restaurant in years. 
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: gPink on January 20, 2015, 05:00:24 AM
It's too late to back out now. Everything's in motion.The troops are on the move. You can't stop it. LONGHORN"S FINISHED
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Conrad on January 20, 2015, 05:05:38 AM
It's too late to back out now. Everything's in motion.The troops are on the move. You can't stop it. LONGHORN"S FINISHED

Well, at least we had a good meal before Longhorn was finished.

See my sig line.   
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: twowheeladdict on January 20, 2015, 05:53:29 AM
I tip based on the service I receive.  I do not reward poor service, or someone who tries to pass off bad food like maybe I wouldn't notice.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: just gone on January 20, 2015, 10:01:36 AM
I'm actually sorry to hear this, as I like Longhorn Steakhouse. I eat there almost every time I travel to Chicago. Despite living in a major urban area of Texas, the closest Longhorn Steakhouse is almost 90 miles from my house.

...it was my bad and a false alarm.
We will be going back to Longhorn as the food was very good!   

Well I feel better, thanks Conrad. I've been wanting to share my tipping strategy with the forum ever since I signed up here.  I just didn't think that it would get the audience it deserves over in the thread about nothing at all, so thanks for starting this whole thing.  I was even able to squeeze in a complaint about there not being a Longhorn Steakhouse close to my house. You've performed a wonderful service for my psyche. My brain is now unburdened enough that I can go out and change those tires. Good work!


Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: Conrad on January 20, 2015, 10:56:54 AM
Well I feel better, thanks Conrad. I've been wanting to share my tipping strategy with the forum ever since I signed up here.  I just didn't think that it would get the audience it deserves over in the thread about nothing at all, so thanks for starting this whole thing.  I was even able to squeeze in a complaint about there not being a Longhorn Steakhouse close to my house. You've performed a wonderful service for my psyche. My brain is now unburdened enough that I can go out and change those tires. Good work!

Well now, it seems that we both feel better now Marty.    :chugbeer:

My wife wanted to know how I calculate the tip amount and I told her that, in general, I multiply by two and move the decimal point over. She said that's too much work. Why don't you just move the decimal point over and then multiply by two.    :o
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: twowheeladdict on January 20, 2015, 11:56:12 AM
Well now, it seems that we both feel better now Marty.    :chugbeer:

My wife wanted to know how I calculate the tip amount and I told her that, in general, I multiply by two and move the decimal point over. She said that's too much work. Why don't you just move the decimal point over and then multiply by two.    :o

She has a point.  Move the decimal, drop the fraction and multiply by 2.  You would have tipped $14 and that would have been just over 18% which is more than fair.
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: just gone on January 20, 2015, 01:09:38 PM
My wife wanted to know how I calculate the tip amount and I told her that, in general, I multiply by two and move the decimal point over. She said that's too much work. Why don't you just move the decimal point over and then multiply by two.    :o

She has a point. 

 ???

No, it's a planet...no, it's a star...no, it's a natural satellite? ...Oh sorry..wrong thread, I got confused... I meant to say six of one, and half a dozen of the other.
Sorry 2wheel, I have to agree with Conrad on this one. --->  :o
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I probably would have only put out a $14 tip.

You would have tipped $14 and that would have been just over 18% which is more than fair.

Well, on this second point we seem to be in agreement. ;D
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: stevewfl on January 20, 2015, 03:17:24 PM
Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband  ;D
Title: Re: How much should I leave for a tip and the new math...
Post by: twowheeladdict on January 20, 2015, 04:11:00 PM
Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband  ;D

Says the bachelor?