How $0.14 Pushed Me Over the Edge

I’m noticing a trend – restaurants are keeping my money – but not in the obvious “you ate it so you have to pay for it” kinda way. Let me explain …

   

Earlier this week the family and I went to our local Ruby Tuesday for a late bite.  The food was adequate, the service was fine, the environment was standard, but the code of ethics was nowhere to be found.  Our bill was a total of $31.86 and we paid with $40.00 cash.  That’s right, good old fashion cash.  When our change was dropped off we received an even $8.00 and a waiter who vanished.  Let me see here, $31.86 + $8.00 = $39.86.  Whoa-nelly, where’s my $0.14?!

I typically wouldn’t go all east-coast-angry-woman-hostile over 14-cents, but this was the THIRD time in two months this has happened to me (with 14-cents being the smallest amount).  The first time was at the Aquarium Restaurant about a month ago, and then just this past Sunday at Maggianno’s.  I ask you, has the entire world gone mathematically challenged?  Has correct change become a foreign word? When did stealing from customers become en vogue?

That’s right, I said stealing.  Let’s look at is this way for dramatic effect … If said restaurant turns 50 tables a day, and each table is jilted 14-cents, that adds up to $7 a day or $2555 a year.  That's a lot of dough! Or steak! Or salmon! Or Pinot Noir!

At the Aquarium Restaurant I simply walked out, not tipping for the first time in my life.  Hey, he kept the 80-some cents, I figured that’s what he wanted. 

I spoke with the manager at Ruby Tuesday who showed no interest in my concern but said he would talk to the staff.  There was no offer to come in for my 14-cents, he felt they should keep that I guess.  Still not happy, I reached out to Ruby Tuesday corporate with my story and some additional commentary like “Whether it’s 14-cents or $140, the principle is the same.  This is my money, not yours,” and “So my question to you is, if [the manager’s] books aren’t over by $0.14 – then who stole the money from your corporation that was stolen from me?”

Today I received a $10 off coupon in my email from Ruby Tuesday’s Manager of Guest Services, Valerie.  Here’s my reply where share my little calculation noted above:

“Valerie,

I'm going to be honest - your lack of direct commentary to my situation tells me this is standard operating procedure - insert name and location in form letter, send a coupon and appease the guest. 

This entire situation is a matter of principle. Money, regardless of the amount, was directly stolen from me.  If you turn 50 tables a day and keep $0.14 from each table, that amounts to $2555 a year that you are stealing from your guests.  Now have you taken notice? Again I ask, why is that okay?

Please keep your $10 coupon.  I will choose to patron a location that values honestly and enforces a code of ethics that abides by the law.”

I’m waiting on a reply, but not holding my breathe.

UPDATE ... So I've spoken with the restaurant manager by phone, the Guest Services manager via email, another Guest Services person via phone,and I'm forwarded my complaint to the President of Ruby Tuesday and still no one wants to return my money to me.  The only part of the above conversation that seems to have resonated with them is whether or not the manager balanced the restaurant books that night (they should be at least $0.14 over).

I ask you, what am I not getting here? There has been no offer to stop by for my change.  No offer to cut me a check for my change.  Frankly, that's what should happen - I should not have to waste my gas and time.  I don't care if it costs them the price of the paper and postage to return my FOURTEEN CENTS CHANGE ... it's MINE and not theirs.

This is a matter of ethics and principle - something that Ruby Tuesday obviously lacks.