A complete and total f***ing rip off. I've heard about how bars and bartenders rip people off but ever since I've been bartending at a local pub near me, I never quite knew how bad it was. The bartenders I work with are scumbags but the pay is pretty good for now (I’m in grad school) so I'm not entertaining the idea quitting. But holy shit, they rip of drunk people way more than I ever thought was even possible.
continue...
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I think what he means is they add drinks to the tab, thereby increasing the size of the tip.
I guess the ideal frame of thought is that if the tab is big enough and the group is big and drunk enough that they won't notice a drink or 6 extra. I know, I know...most of you are way too smart for that. Nonetheless, you would be surprised at how many people don't review before they sign. Hell I’m still shocked from the weekend.
Of course not all bars are this way. But I would use cash if you already don't. Don’t have any? Hit up the ATM before you go.
people that use credit cards for bar bills usually max out the card then claim bankruptcy. It is the consumer that gets ripped off.
beaverton accountant wrote:
people that use credit cards for bar bills usually max out the card then claim bankruptcy. It is the consumer that gets ripped off.
Huh?
just write down your drinks on a napkin as you order them, it's not that hard.
Go to a bar where they know you well and will take care of you. There is no substitute for that and credit card or not, you're fine.
I have a local bar where it's not uncommon for me to receive a bill for as low as $12 after a night of drinks with 4 people. I'll give them a $50 tip or more.
DWUO wrote:
I guess the ideal frame of thought is that if the tab is big enough and the group is big and drunk enough that they won't notice a drink or 6 extra. I know, I know...most of you are way too smart for that. Nonetheless, you would be surprised at how many people don't review before they sign. Hell I’m still shocked from the weekend.
How is this a credit card issue? Can they not still add drinks to the bill for cash paying customers? Seriously.
Agreed. I was once charged almost $500 for 3 drinks and did not know it until my credit card statement arrived a few weeks later. Fortunately, American Express resolved the dispute in my favor, but it took close to 6 months and was a royal pain in the ass. Now, I always pay cash up front and close my tab after every drink.
I believe the OP was talking about paying for drinks as you get them, as opposed to running a tab. For me, its' not much of a problem. I have something to eat, a couple of beers, and I'm gone. There's not much place for padding on my bill to hide. I thought this thread might be about credit card numbers being stolen while the cards are being held at the bar.
might be a problem at a strange bar, but at my local establishments it usually goes the other way (end up getting a few free drinks)
midwaste wrote:
just write down your drinks on a napkin as you order them, it's not that hard.
Just make sure not to blow your nose in the closest handy napkin. You'll end up having to read the count off the side of your nose in the bathroom mirror.
I suggest text messaging yourself for every drink, and when you can't text yourself, stop drinking.
pay in cash wrote:
Agreed. I was once charged almost $500 for 3 drinks and did not know it until my credit card statement arrived a few weeks later. Fortunately, American Express resolved the dispute in my favor, but it took close to 6 months and was a royal pain in the ass. Now, I always pay cash up front and close my tab after every drink.
Did you forget the lap dance you charged?
I was once charged $3500 for drinks on my amex, when i received the bill i just thought i drank alot, so i paid it.
Might have to cut down on drinking during the day.
jiggedy jared wrote:
chill out, senor roid-o. It was a joke, and not necessarily directed at you.
It was funnier the first time.
(BTW, don't post when you've been drinking.)
The only problem I have with paying cash for everything, each time you get a drink, is that you end up paying more in tips.
Think about it. If you leave $1 tip for each $3 beer, you're tipping 33.3%!
Now, drink your 5 beers and keep it on a tab for the night and then leave your standard tip percentage. So, $15 bucks plus tip, say $3 bucks to put it at 20%. That's $18 total.
Individually, those 5 beers would have cost you $15 plus $5... I'm sure Flagpole could tell you what to do with the extra cash from each night...
Now, those two dollars don't sound like much, but take your g/f out, or even worse your drinking buddies, and it really adds up!
If you're not coherent enough to keep track of drinks ordered, make sure SOMEONE ELSE is...
Oh, don't even get me started on the raping that happens at ATM's in popular bars...
midwaste wrote:
just write down your drinks on a napkin as you order them, it's not that hard.
This strategy is also guaranteed to impress the hot chick sitting next to you.
"Yaegerbomb and a pen! WOOoooOOH lets fukkkin party!"
Find a bar you like and stick with it. Once you become familiar with the staff and they know you won't get stupid in their place, they will take care of you. I like to call it the frequent flier discount.