Is it lawful for restaurants to keep customers' change (i.e cents)?

Question

We went to a number of eating establishments and each one did not give change. (e.g. One meal total $28.70 monies were rounded up to $29.00). Same thing happened other locations. When the waitress was asked whether or not this is company policy- we were told that she does keep change in case the customer wants it. The restaurants gain each time that they do this. I will admit that I want all of my change back including nickles, dimes,etc. If this is a policy of these restaurants I will in the future deduct that amount from my tip.The bottom line is that it is not fair to just keep a person's money, it is paramount to stealing as there is no mention that you will not receive your change.

Answer 1

You are due the exact change - the diffrence between the bill and what you gave them. You are correct - whether it's company policy or not is immaterial - it's NOT their money.

If I were you, I'd leave NO tip and contact the manager. If he doesn't respond (and it's a franchise), then bump it up the ladder to his regional manager.

Answer 2

I definitely don't see why a business would just assume that they could keep the change. I have never been to a business that did such a thing. However, if the bill is $28.70 and you get worked up to the point where you feel the need to withhold 30 cents from the tip, that is just plain cheap.
I take my son to The Longhorn a lot. When we just get cheesefries and two drinks, it totals about $16 so I give $4 plus for a tip. When we have meals it usually totals in the mid to high twenties so I give $7 or so. If the bill was $16.41 I would give a tip of $4.59 because I like dealing with whole numbers and $3.59 doesnt seem like enough for good service. Likewise if it is $28.60 I will give $7.40 to bring it to an even number. I have never had bad service at The Longhorn, they know us by name, know what we want before we ask and I reward that- plus even though I am just a working class Joe, I am not cheap. Waitstaff remember who tips and who doesnt and you future service depends on rewarding them if they are good at what they do.

What does bother me is restaraunts that have shared tip policies. I want to tip my waitress/waiter because of what they did for me, I dont know nor care what Amanda did over at table 26 and none of my tip should go to her especially if she is worthless

Answer 3

I have never heard of this. the closest I have heard of is places that automatically add a fixed percentage (usually 15%) for parties of 6 or more (party size varies). If this is done, they must disclose the policy up front. On the rare occasions I actually eat at such an establishment, I consider the 'gratuity' part of the cost of the meal.
I would consider this poor customer service, but as long as they give you change on request, they are probably not breaking the law.

Answer 4

You do not have to give tips, this is only a american ego think, it was started by wealty people to get so called special service, now the rest of us try to do it to keep up with the jones to look cool, and the wealtier don't want to feel guilt, and feel safer, ...... why not just give people a living wage instead.....capitalism is so cool......following the herd.....why not look poor if you are and be honest with yourself makes better sense.....try being who you are , instead of a pertending society.......back to the fear issue in america i suppose........to bad the gossip seems to over run the facts ....just like media talking heads and political half truths to move you

Answer 5

Complain to the manager, dont screw the waitress out of the tip, shes not keeping your precious 20 cents

Answer 6

It would only make sense if they also rounded down and only asked for 28.00 if the total was 28.35.