Things that don't make sense
Whenever I call my phone company, insurance agency, bank, etc...they always want me to put in my account number, zip code and the last 4 of my social security number on the phone key pad. Ok fine... Why is it that after doing all that and waiting for someone to answer do they have no idea who I am or what my account number is? Don't they have computers? Are they just making me put all those numbers in as a stalling tactic or for a dry run to make sure I have them ? When I ask them why I have to give it again, they say, ummm it didn't pull up in my system...Bullshit
Radio stations all play their 20 minutes of commercials at the exact same time. Are they in collusion? Wouldn't it be smart for one maverick to play music while all the others are playing their advertisements?
How can something be a free gift if you have to buy something to get it?
Why is there a tip jar on the counter at the Starbucks for the person who rings up your coffee? I don't see a tip jar at the grocery store for the person who rings up a huge pile of groceries, bags them and puts them in the shopping cart.
I don't mind tipping, actually I over tip because I've worked in the service industry and I know how difficult and annoying it can be. But places these days are starting to add an 18% gratuity to my bill automatically. I call bullshit. Who the fuck do they think they are? Jokes on them... I usually tip more than that for good service. If the service sucks I'm calling the manager and having the gratuity removed.
posted by Bill Rowland @ July 18, 2007
31 Comments
31 Comments:
I hate the auto gratuity too. To me my tip (and I also over tip) is based on the service I get. If the tip is automatically added there is no real incentive for the wait staff to make sure you're being taken care of properly. I too call "Bullshit" on this one.
Same here. I usually tip 20-25% for excellent service. If they add in the tip automatically, I work the hell out of the waiter and don't leave an extra dime.
I was a waiter. That tip was my incentive to provide good service. It made me hustle.
If it's automatic, there is zero incentive.
I'm with all y'all. If they're gonna stick me with an automatic tip (usually a lot less than I would have given), I'll bitch if I don't get service commensurate with what they're charging me.
And yes, the radio stations are in collusion about the ads. If they staggered the ad times, no one would listen to them. They would just tune to another station when the ads started. This way, you're forced to listen to SOMEBODY's commercials. Luckily, we have a couple of commercial-free radio stations here in Houston. I listen to them a lot.
I don't understand the whole "can you confirm your social security/account/phone number" thing either. I used to work in a call center and when someone entered their information, pop! there it was on our screen.
1. The message is coming to you from somewhere completely different than the place to which you are connected.
2. Most radio stations are owned by the Clear Channel company, and are all formatted and scheduled by the company.
3. TANSTAAFL
4. Some places use automatic tipping as a way to get out of paying the employees more.
television stations play commercials at the same time as well.
and not being able to reward my server specifically ticks me off.
I dont understand the Radio stations here either. I mean they have thousands of cd's now instead of records and they only play a handful of them each day. I mean they set there favorites and then just replay them each day. Its Bull shit I say.
I hate when I call our phone, Utilities or anything and have to do the same thing and then it takes twenty minutes after you enter all the information in then they ask you again for all that info again. Yikes. Where are these people in this world.
I am a great tipper when it's good, but your right thats bullshit if its bas service. I also hate that all radio stations play commericals at the same time, I have wondered myself why one station wouldn't grab the listeners during that time by stepping outside of regular commercials!
AUTOMATIC TIP = OXYMORON- it's now not a TIP- IT'S FRIGGIN salary!!!
Let ME express MY thanks as to how I was served and to the wait staffs personality, service etc, and I will always support you over and above the usual 15%!
And it's posts like these Hammer that get me to reflecting on the good ol days- so yep my friend- I am going to pass on a Blogger Reflection Award that was given to me by Monkeygirl. Please go to my site for details and I hope to have it all up by tonight!
You are one of the reasons I blog!
Thanks my friend.
JOhn
Thanks for the tip Hammer. Next time I get lousy service, I'm calling over the manager to explain the situation and have the gratuity removed. Fabulous idea. So glad you thought of it.
I've always wondered that myself, Hammer. It infuriates me too when they ask for info. I've already had to enter.
The whole commercial thing is strange too.
I almost always tip 20% or $5 per person, whichever is greater.
I've given 100% when the server is awesome.
But poor service doesn't deserve it.
I love the commercial for the hair growing crap on the radio..."Get a free months supply of Avacor today! Just pay shipping and handling!" Free and just pay don't really belong together, but ...that damn shipping, and especially the handling...my god man! It's crazy expensive to mail crap!
jp - have you tried telling them to just drop it in a box and to not handle it? You don't want someone else's fingerprints all over your brand new bottle of Avacor! And then tell them to just mail it to you; getting a ship to someplace like Denver or Tucson has got to be WAY more expensive than just mailing it.
I agree with your complaints. Automatic answering systems are designed to discourage callers. The new tag line is now, or check our website. More often is the tag line, we are experiencing a high volume of callers.
Commercial radio, not for me.
Tipping definitely depends on service received.
Computer problems? It is because of that video you put a few days ago.
Where is there NOT a tip jar these days? To me, tipping has always meant someone doing more than pouring a cup of coffee. However, if that service is provided in a non-corporate establishment then I do tip...based on service, though.
Excellent as usual, Hammer.
Veritas et Fidelis Semper
I am setting up a tip jar for my house fund. You are welcome to contribute.
We have one country station here that takes odd breaks. But the norm in radio is 20 after 20 till and on the hour. If they have more than that you know that it is a crappy station that doesn't have many advertisers. Less than that is a very successful one that charges a shit ton for advertising.
I put in someone else's information, keeps the bastards guessing...
Once again, I'm in agreement with AD and you, Hammer. Usually tip a minimum 20% for good service. Ignore tip jars except for Subway because those people do work (well, you know what I mean--out of the ordinary counter stuff). It works too, because I keep going to the same places that give good service, and it gets better and better.
Poor tippers (and there are a lot of them in the GWN) are a scourage. That being said, I don't reward bad service either. That part's hard.
When I was in NC they added that 18%.. and I added to it becuse our waiter was AWESOME! [Tully's in Raliegh] excellent if ever in that area... But if the service is sub par... I talk to management.
Careful Hammer...You are treading on grounds you should be accepting and not critizing. I find that you should take the creative approach.
Do you have an ex friend or ex wife who's personal details you still have? This is the information I would enter on the phone while you are waiting for the phone company, insurance company, etc. They are not paying attention right? Then when they correct you, you can ask them, "If you had my correct information already why the FUCK are you asking me to repeat it!" I do this, its fun.
I tuned the radio out a long time ago. I got tired of listening to commercials.
Nothing is Free! Everything else you pay for in one way or another.
Tipping at Starbuck? I leave them a small note telling them to take "busted onion in the 3rd"
Overtipping? You sound like Vinny in "My Blue Heaven"
Sorry for being Verbose....
Flyinfox_SATX
Goldbloom: indeed the incentive is gone.
AD: I tip the same if given the opprotnity. Which isn't as often as I would like.
Jami: I'm starting to lean toward satteleite radio. The regualr is pissing me off.
queen: I know me too...are they just trying to mess with us?
bobg: thanks, you summed it up pretty well.
katherine: I knew rhere was a conspiracy!
Tweety: Our classic roc station thinks there are only two songs by each major band in the 60's and 70's'
Jenny: an independent station could clean up if they played songs when everyone else didn't
John: I agree it's a salary when they do it like that.
marianne: most people don't take the time to complain. It's good for the soul.
annie: you sound like me, I have tipped 100% on a meal before when it was so excellent that I could relax and not have to worry about anything.
jp: yeah when it costs 15 bucks to mail something to me from houston...I call shenanigans.
lex: they do a great job of discouraging me. But I am a stubbor fucker and will wait till they answer
carrie: They are out to get me
deborah: Next thing you know the people at the dept of motor vehicles will want a tip
snowmanpoop: we have a station called Jack or bob that is like that.
phosgene: I tried that and they hung up on me.
Bridget: Subway if they don't scratch their ass or give me dirty looks when I ask for extra mayo
cheesy: if they are awesome I ask if there is a way to add extra. Only happened once and they said no.
flyinfox: lol I'll have to remember that for starbucks!
Wow. One year. Way to go! Where's the cake?
Oh you nailed it with the phone company... I just went through that last night.
Just short of demanding a DNA sample really, and then, finally they give me a live person and the first thing they ask is "can I have your name?"
What the FUCK?
1. They are looking for ideas for lottery numbers...
2. There no true mavericks in radio anymore.
3. It's their version of a tip to you!
4. Now you went and did it... Giving them ideas... I'm telling you, if I see a tip jar at the grocery I'm coming after you.
5. Automatic gratuity = me being a pain in the ass customer. That, or I avoid the restaurant altogether.
Great rant, I agree with them all.
My hair salon started giving the option of tipping the stylist at the register. I feel that tipping is between me and the stylist, I give her the tip in cash. But the cashier still asks me if I want to add a tip. I'm not going to do it that way ever, because I don't want a third party knowing how much I tip and probably judging me. I know it's probably for making the taxes easier, but I like the old-fashioned way. The cashier still gives me a look when I say I already tipped, like she thinks I'm cheap. It's enough to make a person cut their own hair.
I also hate restaurants that automatically add the gratuity. That's like the waiter has a guaranteed tip so they don't have to go the extra mile, and chances are a customer is too shy to make a scene. Ripoffs.
Yep, the tip jar for the cashier blows my mind. I'm gonna set upa tip jar in class and see what happens.
Working in Germany I once got a 1000 DM tip... that was around £330 at the time...
I agree - I hate entering that round-robin of info-entering on voice mail systems, because I just end up feeling jerked around, anyway.
Yes, I know the pain of entering your blood type social security number date of birth date of last menstrual cycle and account number only to be told and suspiciously at that, that you must reverify your identity before you can access your account.
I also smell bullshit when they say it di not come up on the computer.
18% automatic gratuity is also bullshit.
A tip is optional, and nobody should be adding it in unless in the case of parties of 8 or more, whenn it is automatically added in as store policy. (are you ever eight or more?)
If I go some place that does the "auto tip" thing, they lose my business. I have worked retail for 20 years and NEVER got tips for good service, it was just my job. I believe in tipping....but if they add it on automatically, they lose my business. Screw that!!!
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