The Phoodie.info mailbag brings us one of the more interesting controversies we’ve seen in a little while:
“1601 Cafe at Tasker/Morris is overcharging Credit Cards. If you’ve been a recent patron at 1601, and have used payment methods other than cash – check your receipts. It seems that their already angry and broke bartenders are giving themselves extra tips in order to make up for their lack of customers. $3 here, $5 there… it all adds up. As a recent victim of this fraudulent behavior, I’m putting the word out.
My roommate explained a situation to me a few months ago, when she ordered a few drinks at 1601. After paying her bill with a Visa, she left a cash tip. When she checked her bank statement shortly thereafter, it turns out they overcharged her an additional $5. Thinking nothing of it, I told here to go there and get it corrected. She let it slide, as she’s the type to avoid confrontation.
Being non-frequent patrons of 1601 (as it is the most awful place existing near Passyunk Squre) I stepped in last night to pick up a couple of six packs for some friends. It cost me $18, for 2 sixers of Lager. I paid with a Visa and left a generous $1 tip for the lone tender in cash. Curious, as I was reminded of my roommates encounter, I checked my bank statement this morning. Low and behold, they took my signed an authorized $18 dollar receipt and pushed through $22. Thieving little bartenders, aren’t they?
I reported the behavior to my bank, and have an e-mail in to the owner of the establishment. Maybe this is the reason 1601 has no more than 5 customers a night? Some investigation is in order, or at least a light shown on the establishment that is taking it’s customers for total jerks: $3-$5 at a time.”
Now, before we get to the real question at hand, a few things about the email and the accusations made in it above. We spoke with both its author and 1601 Cafe owner Claude d’ Hermillon, both of whom presented strong cases as to who was in the wrong here. For our tipster, she clearly believes that someone in the chain of command at 1601 added a tip to her transaction that she didn’t authorize, and has presented to us scans and screen grabs that clearly point out the discrepancy, as well as an anecdote about her roommate. (As it happens, our own research also unearthed another accusation of overcharging a few years back on Yelp, so take that for what it is worth.) D’ Hermillon, for his part, as well attests that the charge should have been $18 and no more — but he’s blaming the discrepancy on the bank/card company, noting that a gratuity may have been added. We now know that both parties are in touch, and that this matter of three dollars and change will, eventually, meet a satisfactory end for all concerned.
But while chasing all of this down, a larger question presented itself: How easy is it for a server to upcharge a patron? When we asked d’ Hermillon to take us through the process of what happens when you sign your tab and move on into the night, it became very clear that it’d be very easy indeed — so long as said server was smart enough to only bilk you for a few dollars here and there. Because the fact is, most people simply don’t check their receipt against their bank statement, and even if they do, a few dollars here or there can always be attributed to someone else’s error.
So here’s what we’d like to know: Has this happened to you? And if you’re a server, real talk: Have you done this to others? We suspect there are yesses all over the place. And that a lot of you have a lot of explaining to do.
UPDATE: Claude d’ Hermillon writes:
“As the sole owner & operator of 1601 — not 1601cafe — let me state as clearly as possible that the accusation is absolutely not true. The customer’s credit card was swiped for the price of two six packs of lager — $18. At the end of the evening, the transactions from that night were “batched” or sent to the credit card company.
After receiving a voice mail from the customer the next day, i returned her call but could not reach her. I also reached out to her via email, though have not heard back from her. I would like to say to those interested that I stand by my staff and have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that not one individual in my employ would ever do anything to jeopardize their job or my business.
If the customer in question does contact me, i will happily produce her signed credit card receipt along with a copy of her specific transaction that was sent to my merchant credit card processor.
What happened to this customer is unfortunate but, in reality, something that happens all to often. A mistake was made by her bank or credit card issuer, not 1601. Whenever something like this occurs, I do whatever it takes rectify the situation, even when it was due to no fault of my own.
At this stage, I would like to formally invite the individual NOT to return to my business. I believe that the way she handled this situation was deplorable and libelous.
Finally, I have to take issue with the way that the article itself was composed. Come on guys…you can do better than that. I never said that servers routinely inflate credit card charges, rather that mistakes are made more often than any of us would like.”
Not to have last-word-itis, Claude, but we never said that you said that.
UPDATE 2: And finally, resolution. Our original tipster writes:
“For your information, and to all the inquiring patrons of 1601, Claude D’ Hermillion and I have spoken. It was never my intention, nor was it ever true, that I “avoided,” contact with said party. As a matter of fact, it was I that contacted him first in order to raise attention to the matter. Unlike his patrons and staff, he was gracious in his response to me. It is however, not seen in this article or comments that he did not respond until he was contacted by Phoodie.info, and the blogger creation was already on its way to mother internet. When we did speak, the article was up and running, and a good thing too. The charge I received was never “pending,” and I proved this to both Phoodie and the owner with photo’s of the charge vs. my actual receipt. Also, it is not custom for a bank to “hold for gratuity.” Funny how the only people who seem to believe this is normal are regular patrons of said establishment. A response to the dispute made against my bank, “You will need to speak to the merchant taking the payment, they need to stop taking the payments and if necessary, issue a refund. If the merchant is not able or not willing to resolve the situation to your satisfaction, you may file a dispute through the bank.” They claim no liability, simply put.
So you see, all proper steps were taken in order to correct the situation. I’m not an asshole, simply a concerned customer. My complaint to the internet world is not to ruin a “perfectly good establishment,” but to inform others that it could (easily) happen to someone else. A good thing, as I see from some comments that a few people have noticed, and will be more cautious moving forward.
Claude and I spoke, apologized, and have resolved this matter in a respectful way. He understands my point, and I believe that he trusts his staff. My suggestion was that he follow up with the company that processes his credit card swipes, and find out what’s really going on behind the scenes. Hopefully, it is a glitch that is easily remedied. Finally, thank you all for reading. Its purpose has been satisfied.”
A similar thing happened to me about two weeks ago. As a perpetually poor person, I monitor my bank account tightly and saw that my purchase from 1601 was coming up as a ‘pending charge’ for about $1.50 more than I had written in on the slip. I use the ‘customer copy’ for my practice math when adding a tip via card, so I knew what I had spent. However, it cleared on my card for the correct amount of $32.00 even, not $33.50 that had been pending, so I just chalked it up to computer error. I’ll definitely only be paying cash there from here on out though.
When a food/beverage establishment runs your credit card they typically only do it for the amount on the bill (say, for example, $20). This becomes the PENDING amount on your CC. The server hands you your copy, you sign it, and hand it back to them. The establishment will then add whatever tip you left and close out your charge. Regardless of whether you leave a cash tip or put one on the card, your CC company goes ahead and adds 15% to the PENDING charge (in our example, $20 $3). It’s easier to do it this way, rather than charge you twice and then cancel one of the charges. The next day or so, once your charge clears, your bank gets the proper tip amount from the closed out transaction, and SHOULD charge you for what you signed for. I hope that made sense.
dear hateful patron,
i frequent 1601 quite often and can honestly say i am shocked at your accusations. your claim that the bartenders at 1601 are stealing is audacious, bordering on ludicrous. i will say this, as someone who is in the restaurant industry, i can tell that mistakes happen. im sure if you just went to the owner, or whomever served you, you would be fully reimbured for the error, if such an error actually occurred. i do find it interesting that you take to the internet with your accusations. and upon rereading your statement it seems like you went into the establishment waiting with baited breath for an excuse to post some hateful bullshit.
i hope i never have the displeasure of serving you.
Yo! Actually! You just got Xena warrior princess battle cry bicycle kicked in the teeth by evan Ashley hard! BAM!
Dear Frequent Patron (Xena Warrior Princess,)
I apologize for your frequent visits. However, this article would not have been published had proof of the incident not been fair. Normally, one would not take to the internet a first time offense – but after several – something needs to be said. The owner was contacted, and sadly Phoodie.info responded first. It was taken into deep consideration that it may have been a banking mistake, yet the said bank was also contacted, and claimed no liability on any party but the merchant. The proof is in the pudding BEFORE it goes into your mouth and turns to shit. Stop your angry babble and let the people be heard!
Be safe, alcohol consumers. Go to a bar that doesn’t suck you dry, and fills you up instead. Whiskey anyone?
Ninja Spin Kick > Hipster Cry Bicycle Kick. Zing!
The key piece of information missing is: when the writer checked her statement “the next morning,” was the charge cleared for $22 or was it just held for more than you specified?
The moral of this and so many other financial sob stories is to USE A CREDIT CARD not a debit card. Let the hooligans mess around with the bank’s money, not yours. TThe bank will be more helpful when a mistake is made and you will still be able to write your rent check while things get sorted out.
And, real talk, anyone been around the neighborhood long enough to remember when the short, dark-skinned bartender was cute?
I have to say I’m hovering between appalled and high hilarity right now. I was sitting directly next to the person who purchased the six packs. I saw her credit card slip, signed with a one dollar tip. I noticed this because of a)proximity and b)the fact that she left a (generous, really?!) one dollar tip on take out, which could have easily been three, without breaking the bank of even the fiscally conscious. I take umbrage with this situation for many reasons, and I will bore you with them right… now.
First, as a previous poster noted: if you have an issue with an establishment you take it to them before crying to cyber-mommy. If your repeated effort at restitution is not met feel free to bash away, but due diligence is in order when you’re talking about an establishment’s livelihood, reputation, and credibility. This chick clearly wants to blow someone at Phoodie, was not breast fed long enough, is having the girl flu, or is bewitched by some other attention craving circumstance, because normal, sentient adults don’t behave this way. Well, at least those who aren’t assholes don’t.
Second, again, as a previous poster noted (I’m late to this party, clearly): the blame lies with the credit card processing facility, as it is standard practice to hold *actual* charges plus gratuity from restaurant customers. God forbid should restaurant workers have their *customer authorized* tips taken into consideration when a financial transaction is taking place.
Third, and finally- I have been a patron of this bar nearly since its inception. I have had a similar experience seeing transactions that are *PENDING* and not the amount that I know I signed for. In my case, they were for less than what I know I spent, because I don’t tip like a juvenile. I never worried about it, because it always reconciled to the proper amount. I find it interesting that, although Phoodie did couch this with some democracy, there is a bent towards conspiracy when what we have is this lunatic, the allegations of her roommate, and a complaint from 2000 and fucking 7, neither the latter of whom probably noticed the *PENDING* status of the transaction, and who, for all intents and purposes, also deserve criticism for it (though at least the roommate had the sense to not post it to the web).
For what it’s worth, I have continued to visit 1601 despite other choices in the neighborhood because the staff is great and I don’t have to brush a hipster off my back every three minutes. The vibe is good, and the regulars devout. If you don’t get it, you don’t get it. That’s fine. Frequent another bar. If you walk into mine again and I know it? You’ll be answering to me, miss thing.
1601 may not be as cool as your little barbary or POPE, but it’s a damn fine bar. if you can’t air your concerns with the owner, grow the hell up.
This chick is obviously only trying to do the rest of us a favor by
reminding us to be careful in establishments where it is clearly
possible to be ripped off. Â I’m not sure where the angry fat lady
above received her information, but it is not a normal circumstance
for a banking institution to “hold actual charges plus gratuity.”
Otherwise, we would all be complaining of charges in excess of our
regular spending. Â It’s clearly a problem with the establishment, in
one way or another. Â So wipe the doggy drool off your face, and let
the ranter rant. No one is going to read this shit tomorrow anyway,
with the exception of the poor lost souls pining away over it as they
sit by themselves at 1601. Trying to blow the bartender, possibly? Be
grateful, at least now you have something interesting to discuss amongst yourselves.
Hi,
My name is Regis, I am the chef here at 1601, its pretty sad that based on someone’s ignorance about how “complicated” credit cards are, that something like this can go so far.
Heres the deal , or “real talk” Â we have a very small staff here, a total of 5 people, we are all very close friends I would say basically best friends. Â As real friends do, we wouldn’t screw each other over. Screwing over a customer despite her “generous tip” (lol) is not something that any of us would ever do because in the long and short run it would affect each other. Â We love our customers, most of the people we hang out with outside of work started as customers here. Â There is no mystery to the fact that we have die hard repeat customers who bring their friends and family to eat food, drink a very well priced thoughtful beer selection and hang out with us.
So you gonna attack us and say we are the worst place around? Â Ok, so I am going to attack you:
You are a bitch, talking your bullshit on the internet is the same reason why people yell at you and talk their shit while they are driving by in their cars, they and you feel it is safe for you to be that way.
Which you demonstrated by not returning our phone calls, voice mail, or email and running to the internet like a child. Â I’m so glad I don’t have friends like you my friends act like fucking adults and handle their shit correctly.
Your 8th grade level slander isn’t as damaging as you think. Â You thinking that you are going to be this whistle blower on this big scam that we are pulling is dumb. Â You just look like the dick that you are.
We provide a chill atmosphere at this bar and aim to please the people that come here. Â Like the post above said, “if you don’t get it, you don’t get it.” Â Attacking our livelihood is not the right thing to do. This could of been settled in a 5 min conversation. Â Grow the fuck up.
I’m proud to have a boss and a friend that will stand up for his employees against shit like this, I’ve been in the industry a very long time and it isn’t very common.
I’m a server. I work at a different restaurant and have no affiliation with 1601, although I used to drink there years ago, when I lived in South Philly. There’s a very obvious reason that what you’re accusing 1601 of doing DOESN’T happen: because it’s very easy for the customer to go back and check your bank statement. Not that we servers want to screw you over and just can’t get away with it–in fact, we’re constantly trying our best not to feel insulted when customers intimate that they assume we’re going to try to screw them over. But if any of us were stupid and uncaring enough to do what you’re accusing us of, we’d be really, really dumb to do it in a way that leaves us in a position of being so easily caught.
How long did it take you to check your bank statement? A few seconds. Guess what? That’s how long it takes every single customer. Many of them can do it on their phones, immediately. And we have dozens of them every day. At my restaurant, I usually have somewhere between 30 and 50 charge slips a day–that’s a lot of opportunities for me to get caught committing a crime if I charge the wrong amount. The idea that someone’s stupid enough to do this all the time is extremely unlikely. In fact, you know it’s unlikely; otherwise, you would have called the police instead of emailing your favorite food blog. I once worked in a retail shop where a girl ran a pretty tricky credit card scam, and she ended up going to jail for ten years. If you genuinely thought you were being stolen from, you’d contact the authorities. But since you know there’s no real evidence because nothing happened, you’re just being a stupid little bitch.
Here’s what you do instead of ruining the reputation of a perfectly good neighborhood restaurant: call your bank and ask them why the charges are not what you authorized. 999 times out of 1000, they’ll tell you they put a hold on your account, and they’ll take it off.
They do this because they don’t know how much tip you’re going to write in, and they want to make sure you don’t authorize the withdrawal of more money than you have.
As a matter of fact, some banks double-charge their customers. They put a hold on the account for 100% of the charged amount, just in case you’re a high roller. So if you charge 50 bucks, they put a hold on your account for 100. All you have to do to get back access to that extra 50 bucks is CALL YOUR BANK and have them remove the hold. It’s very very easy to do.
They’re trying to protect you, but since you’re stupid and inconsiderate, you ungraciously freak the fuck out and go after an unrelated small business in your community. Wow, you’re a total winner.
Stop being such a paranoid piece of shit. And Philebrity, in the years I’ve been reading you, I’ve come to expect journalism that’s more than just libelous conspiracy theories. I’m disappointed.
PS — dear Phoodie.info, when you said, “Because the fact is, most people simply don’t check their receipt against their bank statement, and even if they do, a few dollars here or there can always be attributed to someone else’s error,” you were just flatly wrong. Trust me–I get confused customers calling my restaurant ten to fifteen times a night to complain about holds on their account. Every single time, I have to tell them to call their bank. Seriously, you’re just wrong. Many people check their account, and we know it. We are not stealing from you; we have no desire to steal from you; and you just need to accept that.
Yeah, i gotta say, I’ve been coming to 1601 for years and this has never happened. Not to me, not to anyone I’ve ever talked to, nada. Lady, if it was one $4 charge, it was probably just a mistake. I think it’s irresponsible for you to make a federal case out of it before taking your concerns to the manager and next time I hope you have more sense.
word up regis. i would like to raise another issue. hater, are you there? hey. what i have to say is this: why are you going to the bar if you are counting dimes and nickles to buy a pabst. i go out a lot, and constantly see people,(not just at 1601, but surrounding bars), asking for waters and the favorite, “what’s your cheapest beer?” then you get upset when there is an extra $1.50 charge on your credit card. if $1.50 breaks the bank…stay the fuck home. or get a second job. otherwise, there is a fine selection of 40 oz. at your local bodega. im sure. as far as your $5.00 charge that you cant justify…consider it asshole tax.
@Blah: Cowardice is just for that: Cowards. The General Rule is to be comfortable where you live. Since you’re not, play on in another venue. Don’t try and play with the grown-ups. You’re outclassed.
i don’t even care what happened here, but a $1 tip is “generous”? uhhhhhhhhhhhh. next time buy your damn six packs where you don’t have to be bothered with a tip.
keep your receipt, always check your bank statement… every day in order to avoid these type of incidents. Check while the charge is pending AND after, throw out your receipt at the end of that months bank statement period. This happens all the time. I’ve been overcharged by jimmy johns, by bars by a ton of places often they fix it if you call them up the next day. I realize it is annoying and should be done correctly the first time but if this teaches one anything, it is to be diligent about checking your finances AND KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS!
Here’s some news:
1. Honest mistakes exist in every bar/restaurant/business. This does not mean every employee of every business is out to get you.
2. Banks also make mistakes, all the time.
3. There is no need to hurl insults to make your point, children. Stating the facts would have been sufficient enough. ahem, @Blah.
4. Dragging this local business through the mud because of a $1.50 discrepancy in your bank statement is outrageous. Check your statement after you buy a 6 pack at a different bar 10 minutes after you leave. Then check it 3 days later. You will notice that the charges will most likely have changed to reflect the actual amount you intended on paying.
5. $1 will never be a generous tip. Get over yourself and keep your dollar next time. We’ll survive.
6. Credit card fraud is a serious accusation. You’d better get your facts straight before you point fingers at people.
7. Local small businesses are important to our neighborhood’s economic welfare. Just because 1601 isn’t a sweat box filled with 21 year old kids, crushing PBR cans and pissing on the floor, does not mean it’s a bad bar. It means it’s a bar for grown ups that don’t feel like getting puked on.
8. I have used a credit card/debit card/cash at 1601 on numerous occasions and had zero problems. I have never heard of anyone having any problems with money there in the two years I bartended at one of the “cool bars” on Passyunk. (BTW, 1601 isn’t even on Passyunk)
I’ve never even heard of 1601 Cafe, but I can say that this has happened to me and other people I know a few times. Especially if you charge the bill, but leave a tip in cash. If I do this, I ALWAYS write “cash tip” on the restaurant copy of the receipt and rewrite the total (sans tip) at the bottom.
I’ve had this happen a couple times when using a debit card – one place charged me an extra $20! Now I’ve been lucky that places were willing to work with me, and was able to get the charges off my account in 5 business days. I never use a debit card anymore, for the reasons barryg stated. Having a $100 charge run 3 times on a debit card has taught me that lesson.
However, the responses from 1601 staff have totally intimated me from ever going there. Heaven forbid I have a problem, I’d probably be told it’s an asshole tax and to move on.
1601 has surprisingly good food. just had to say it.
Who even reads Phoodie, anyway? This was just a poorly constructed post. I don’t think 1601 staff have had the most professional responses….but neither is this expose.
You tipped the guy for two take-out sixers??? Sucker.
Just checking in to see if Hateful Patron has confirmed that the PENDING charge has now gone through at the inflated amount. If not, as would be expected, Hateful Patron is obligated to chime in say, “I was wrong, I have a limited understanding of how pending card charges work and I should have just waited a couple days until the charge properly cleared before meowing all over the intarwebz.” I would also expect Phoodie to update their blog as well. It’s not the first time S’weenie, et al followed a bullshit tip: http://www.philebrity.com/2008/01/31/readers-write-dickhead-from-overrated-punk-band-allegedly-likes-to-spit-on-girls/
Blah: your white knight approach slays. “Stop bitching on the internet and let the lady bitch on the internet!”
I have only gone to 1601 a couple times due to proximity (or my lack thereof). However, the staff is super nice, Regis’s menu is solid and Paco’s mad science specials are delicious and completely unique. The beer selection is solid and their drink specials are awesome (like the $4 Jameson Lager citywide… I will take that over Jim and Pabst any day).
I understand that people don’t tip a lot when getting takeout and I probably would’ve left a $1-2 tip myself, but I would never have the courage to call that generous.
@offandaway, the person who talked about the asshole tax was not 1601 staff.
Phoodie, you owe it to the city’s local businesses to follow up on this and find out if this woman was indeed overcharged and if it was resolved appropriately. And if she won’t respond to you, as these comments hint at, you need to post that info as well.
I’ve heard the mussels are good, but I never think to go for some reason. Maybe I’ll stop in this weekend.
This has happened to me a few times at other bars (most recently Azul Cantina, which has been closed for quite some time now), but it was taken care of pretty quickly every time.
Gonna have to agree with you, A Feculent Rainbow. 1601 is a decent corner bar which has never given me any trouble, debit charges included. The food is, as others have said – surprisingly delicious for such a small bar. I’m sure if this place were in Fishtown, everyone would love it…
Usually I am a bit suspicious of anyone who takes to the internet -on a blog OR Yelp – only to bash a place or a specific employee, rather than focusing on the whole picture (service, experience, food, drinks, etc). It’s so goddamn passive aggressive. If the truth comes out that someone stole a couple bucks there, fair enough. I’ve had my bank account charged $100 twice due to a server’s error at Sidecar, but I’ll wait to see how the entire debacle plays out until I make my final judgment.
Oh, and just one little side note -a $1 tip is by no means generous. The bartender does just as much work -if not more -to fetch you a couple six packs as they would if you were drinking at the bar. Why are people so weird when it comes to tipping etiquette?
I can across this article and after reading the thread and all the comments i felt i needed to also put in my two cents. Although I’ve never been to 1601, cause S Philly is alittle far from W. Philly, however a buddy told me about a cool hip hop night there with Jedi mind tricks on monday’s. But back to the point. As a bartender I’ve had to deal with people coming back in complaining about credit card charges but what people fail to know and, some people just dont know is that the bank does put holds on authorizations to ensure the money is there, at least that is what i was told by the bank when i was overcharged double for 2 days, after which it went back to the original amount charged and all was well. But Before pointing the finger at any said bartenders and/or buisness you should wait and check the facts. It is people like you that annoy me, but I will always be going out of my way to make you happy and even give you free things for a possible mistake that may not even be the restuarant’s fault. We want your buisness cause the busier my place is the more money i make. Stealing from people is not a good way of getting repeat customers. Also for any hopsitality employee that would steal money from a Credit card is a fucking idiot. All that is documented, why jeoperdize your job over whatever the amount was, $2. You must realize while money is money, for a person that makes fairly good tips $2 isnt much to care about. And for your Generous tip… Me personally, I dont expect anything when doing take out cause i feel like i havent done my job as a bartender entertaining my patrons, so when someone does tip on take out, i am gracious for it. However $1 is not generous in the sense of being some huge tip, you just gave a tip.
Hello, I am the quizzo host at 1601, and I have to throw in my two cents. I have been frequenting 1601 as a regular for the past 6 months or so, hence why I got the quizzo job, and I must say I am completely shocked and have no reason to believe this is true at all. The staff here is great and would never do anything like that. I also find it hard to believe that Claude would allow something like this to happen.
It honestly seems like some kind of mistake happened and this girl who sent this into Phoodie was baiting, and unfortunately, something went wrong. Also, I must add that a $1 tip isn’t generous…I was really hoping that was sarcasm when she said that. I guess you’ve never heard of 20%? The tip should have been $3 minimum. It always disgusts me that people are too cheap to tip bartenders or servers. Learn to tip or go buy your beer at a 6 pack store or beer distributor.
I don’t understand all of this 1601 bashing either. This bar is fantastic. The food is great, the beer selection is solid(and I’m a beer snob), the music selection is good, as is the service. The drink specials are always solid, too. On my quizzo night we either do $2 hometown Lagers or $4 for a domestic beer and top shelf shot. Can’t beat that. Stop trashing a bar you know nothing about. This bar deserves more hype and customers, but I’m sure they’d prefer what they have now than the crowd other bars in the area get.
Wondering if it was Candy. That girl is sweet as dog shit. She always seems annoyed at costumers walking into the joint and if you actually ask for something.
Thanks for another reason to not go there.
1601 is the perfect neighborhood bar, and I trust it completely. In fact, to prove it, I will go in there and charge each of my drinks individually.
Come to think of it, that’s what I usually do…
i agree with harpua1031. never had this happen to me and i frequent this bar as it’s become my favorite in the neighborhood.
occasionally i’ll see a “pending” transaction on my account for a couple dollars more, and then when it’s actually a confirmed charge it is ALWAYS EXACTLY what i was charged on that night.
As a server, I find it extremely unfortunate that most people to this day still do not know how to use their credit cards. There may be a pending charge for a couple of dollars more for a day, but that is usually on behalf of the credit card company or bank. If you go back a few days after that the charge will be gone. I guarantee this bitch saw the charge the next day, freaked out, wanted her 15 minutes of fame to try and help “save the customers” from us evil restaurant industry people, and is neglecting to own up to the fact that the charge is now gone. I also blame Phoodie for posting this article without verifying facts and going on he-said she-said bullshit alone. Not only is this stupid bitch hurting a GREAT bar with slander and accusing them of fraud, she AND Phoodie are putting the rest of us industry people at risk. This opens up a whole world of opportunity for people who are pissed off at a certain server or bartender to slander their establishment by making up some bullshit about adding on an extra dollar or two of tip, which people will now take at face-value. Shame on both that girl and this blog.
So what’s the tipping etiquette for takeout? If I get a 6-pack or 2, I usually leave $1-$3 depending on the bartender. When I’m sitting at the bar I generally tip $1 a beer (as opposed to the 20% I leave for waiters/waitresses when I’m at a table) and figure getting a 6-pack from the fridge is just as much work as getting someone a beer.
Seriously, Phoodie, this is getting really bad. I’m a little ashamed to say it but this story is really poorly researched and presented.
The restaurant clearly has the signed receipt and transaction record, he even offered it to the customer. I don’t see how on earth the article would continue to imply that 1601 is anything other than a legitimate and, apparently, very well liked establishment. (I’ve never been there myself but the way this article drags them through the mud is just horrible, maybe I’ll go there this week and offer some support).
So, yes, banks and their payment processors (they’re different entities) will sometimes authorize a higher amount but that amount should not be posted (i.e. “clear”) it’s just there to ensure the full amount is available as the time of clearing and it helps ensure the payee doesn’t overdraft their account. And, yes, mistakes do happen so it’s very possible the payment system cleared the authorized amount rather than the actual amount. Take it from a former bank teller, computers aren’t prefect. They’re surprisingly imperfect actually. Much like this blog.
golly gee, philebrity! blog hits are lucrative in the short term – but in the end, all you’ve really done is destroyed the credibility of a local bar and your own blog. cool story bro!
To all of those decrying the fact that we saw fit to post this: We here at Phoodie took great pains to present this piece as fair, and verified facts with both parties before going live with this post. Look at the post again, and please don’t confuse our tipster’s opinion — or that of any of the commenters — with our own. We get a lot of cranks in the inbox here and there, often asking us to assist them in dissing whatever establishments they have bones with which to pick. Ordinarily, we ignore them, but in this case, the story checked out. And as we said in the post, we’re not as concerned with who is to blame here as we are with the notion of whether or not this kind of thing happens often, and what our readers’ experiences have been like. In short, it’s not our job to protect 1601′s reputation — it’s theirs and theirs alone, and we leave it up to you to decide whether or not they’ve done a good job of that.
I had the pleasure of visiting Philly this year, and found myself in 1601. What an awesome little restaurant, loved everything about it. The minute I walked into that little corner bar with those polished wood floors, I knew the experience was gonna be good, and it was. I work in the service industry, and when no tip is left on a credit card, I mark thru the tip area, and let the customer know I did it. Hopefully makes them think. Hateful patron, you did the wrong thing. Blasting a really good restaurant/bar over something like this makes you a very small minded person. Shame on you.
The fact that you didn’t get the business name right doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in your journalistic legwork. Secondly (I did my own research), the lady made the purchase around 10pm Tuesday and this article was up around 4pm the next day – that is highly suspicious. “So you see, all proper steps were taken in order to correct the situation. I’m not an asshole” She couldn’t wait half a day to talk with the owner before submitting lines like “already angry and broke bartenders are giving themselves extra tips in order to make up for their lack of customers” to Hatchet Press? I don’t know how one could even assume the the charges were completely processed in time to report, research and write blog by 4pm.
wouldn’t have expected anything less than pretentious in your response. do you have the scans of the tipster’s bank account to prove that the extra pending dollars were in fact charged? i’m genuinely curious! my beef lies not with the position 1601 has been put in (i live far from it, and have no allegiances) but with the fact that this scathing expose is anything but reeking of blackmail and excrement. what’s more, i can’t even post another response from the same IP address!
can’t take the heat, joey? the posting of this accusation makes you no better than the trolls that post crap on your hated yelp. a respected food blog would have no interest in these pithy affairs and that’s why i’ll stick to mealticket/foobooz for real food writing, thanks!
But there’s nothing fair about this story. You’re delusional if you think this is fair. I mean maybe if you’re talking about the Fox News kind of “fair and balanced” then it’s fair. First you title the article with a clearly scaremongering headline. There’s no attempt at all to present the situation in a balanced view as an introductory paragraph. By calling it an “interesting controversies” you inflate the importance of the situation to imply nefarious action, action by way of the establishment. Your “research” consisted of searching Yelp, laughable. Laughable even for a blogger. The one incidence of supposed overcharging (did you verify that the previous incident was true and accurate with the poster and their bank and the establishment?) you did find was several years ago. Yes, several years ago. So we’re supposed to believe that two incidences of possible overcharging (one might not even be true) are enough to constitute a “controversy”. Like I said, not fair at all.
But let’s get back to your amateurish “research” or as you say “while chasing all of this down”, what exactly did you chase down? It’s quite unclear, did you process map and diagram the failure modes and effects analysis of electronic payment systems as they relate to the overall process of restaurant payment systems and fraud detection? Can we see it?
From what I’ve read it’s actually INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT for a server to overcharge because the restaurant keeps the signed receipt and the transaction record are kept at numerous points along the transactional path: 1. the signed receipt, 2. at the point of purchase (register receipt) 3.Batch record 4. Bank authorization record 5. Bank post or clearing record.
BTW at what point does the transaction differential occur? Did you “research” this?
In my mind it points the the bank or the payment processor and your presentation is at best disingenuous.
I live real close to 1601, and personally don’t care for it. So I’m not part of the big rush of 1601 patrons calling foul.
That said, I do agree with the above and many other comments on how fundamentally off base this post is. From what I can tell, we have a penny pincher who left the insult of a buck tip on a credit receipt (And seriously? Who does that? If you want to leave a buck put down a bill or some change) and then hawked her bank account like one of those day traders who went on psychotic shooting sprees back in the 90s. How credit/debit transactions are actually processed has been explained constantly by your commentators, the plain obvious facts which should have been figured out in the first place before going forward with this post are now there. No where in your rebuttal to all the folks in the industry or just with half a brain is there any acknowledgement
that you clearly took your tipsters hysterics over bothering to look into how card payments are processed, facts which also makes your allegation that such theft is likely “commonplace” in the business laughable.
So what we have here is not so much introducing a controversy, but simply embracing a tipster/friend’s ignorance and stupidity at the expense of a business’s reputation.
Btw, what do you mean 1601 is at Tasker/Morris? You do realize those streets run parallel to each other from Front Street to Vale Ave, right? If you mean the BSL stop, no. It’s nowhere near the Dolphin, try the other side of Passyunk Square (unless you think Cantina, POPE, and all the Passyunk businesses that exist between 1601 and the BSL Tasker/Morris stop are also Tasker/Morris, whatever you mean by that). You say you did research? What did that entail?
But as many people point out, we’re clearing dealing with a complaint by a penny pinching obsessive compulsive who
so, next time i get an erroneous charge, i’ll take to the internets with it. lesson learned, girlfriend! *groan*
To Phoodie….After reading your response to the out cry’s in this thread. what you have said is clearly untrue. If you did do so much research on the subject then why did you allow it to post in under 24 hours. Your work involves Restaurants, wouldn’t you wait to publish such accusations after a Credit card didn’t clear. Instead you took the work of some cheap young girl and have now put the restaurants livelyhood in jeopardy over $2 or $3. As far as saying ” In short, it’s not our job to protect 1601’s reputation”, it accually is your job as a respected food blog to bring to the table fact!.. in order to keep your reputation. So in turn it is your job the help the bars reputation before publically posting slanderous threads. I will soon be checking your site for more story’s to see if you fucked more restaurants unfairly, and after that i will soon be moving to a new Food blog where fact is proven first, before publish. Good day sir
What the hell happened to CEF? This blog has just been regurgitated (and late) press releases and idiocy since he stopped posting.
I missed the Action News story whereby 1601 is a vital asset in the war on terror and their tap water also cures cancer. Jesus Christ people.
awwww expat attack, did we offend your sweeney ass kissing sensibilities? this was never about 1601 (for me anyway) – it was about the questionable content you’d never see on a self-respecting food blog, but content that’s better suited to yelp.com. god forbid I make a career out of shit talk by the time i’m pushing 40.
I’ve worked in the restaurant industry for years, and while I have no place speculating whether or not 1601 is guilty, I do know of a server who used to overcharge. You know those situations when one person says, “hey I got this” (on their card), and their friend says, “ok, well at least let me get the tip” (in cash)? Well the guy I know would pocket the cash and write a 20 percent tip in the gratuity line, banking on the fact that most people aren’t so vigilant. Also, he made out because he didn’t have to tip out bartenders, bussers,foodrunners etc. on the pocketed cash. He was discovered when a guest called, and fired on the spot.
So actually, it is an easy thing to do, most people, (no matter how disgruntled or bitter) are just more ethical than that. I do, however, always write “cash” in the grat line in those cases.
Re: update #2:
“It is however, not seen in this article or comments that he did not respond until he was contacted by Phoodie.info, and the blogger creation was already on its way to mother internet.”
But it is however, seen clearly that you waited less than 24 hours for a reply before running to said mother.
I think it’s funny that people would rather talk about the amount of tipping, if a person should use a debit or credit card, if calling someone out on the internet is wrong, Joey’s age and all other sort of nonsense instead of the likelihood of how the amazing staff of 1601 would never in a million years skim a few bucks off the top. Even when there are a few people posting that this has happened to them at the establishment.
I’ve had bad experiences at 1601 too, especially when getting beer to go. I understand the bartender wants you to stay and enjoy the red lights but every time the rules change when using a card. Sometimes there needs to be a 10 dollar minimum for a card, sometimes it’s $20 and sometimes it’s not at all. I’ve been forced to give up the couple of dollars to meet these “rules”. Sure, they were going to get it in tip for anyway, but I’ll tip you what I want to tip you. I feel like the bartenders make up their own rules as they go. Unless you’re a regular, please stay out.
Why tip for carry out six packs? All the work of putting them in the bags?? Or bending down to pick them out of the cooler??
grabbing six packs and bagging them up = the same amount of work, if not more, as serving a drink for a real patron, dumbass.
this whole tipping on sixpacks thing confuses me. i don’t tip the bagger at the grocery store… should i be? what’s the difference?
is it the fact that instead of grabbing the beer out of the case, s/he does that? is that what i’m tipping for? if not, what then? can someone explain the exact moment that that transaction suddenly requires a tip? because while i normally leave a buck for each sixer, i don’t really know why i do, if the bartenders think they deserve more than that, and if so why.
so, truly, honestly, bartenders: what are your expectations as far as tipping for takeout sixpacks. please, be as detailed as possible: what do you think is fair, and exactly why?
@dx, the difference is that a bartender relies on tips to make a living and a bagger does not.
because you’re buying the six pack at a bar? in the end, they’re making less tips on selling you a six pack than if you and a few friends bought six beers total and tipped a $1 on each of them.
it would be great if bartenders made good money like over in the UK and we never had to worry about tips – but bar/restaurant owners not paying their staff enough money is the american way and it is what it is.
What if the six packs are in a cooler by the side and I grab one, bring it over to the bar and buy it. Bartender didn’t do anything, I still tip him?? Maybe I should just go to the deli from now on and buy beer there, avoid the whole messy situation.
The idea that we should tip, cause the bartender/ server doesn’t make a living wage kind of lends credence to the idea that a hard up server might be slipping an extra $2-3 on a CC bill. Didn’t Carla talk about it on Cheers?
yeah, maybe you should just go to the deli then.
like i said – if 1601 bartenders were stealing tips, it’s absolute bullshit and unprofessional – just like i think this entire blog post was shady (the complainant should have at least waited a day for a response from 1601 before complaining on the internets). but i’m just telling you what i’ve heard from industry folks – and if you bought a six pack at a bar, a tip is appreciated.
i doubt many bars would have a cooler you could just dig in to. places like teri’s or fiume have coolers out in the open, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bottle shop, it’s for the bartenders only.
Just an update. I used my card at 1601 last night. My PENDING transaction today is for $14.40. My charge was $12 and I wrote in a $4 tip making it $16. 20% of $12 is $2.40. It’s quite obvious that the card company holds a 20% tip to make sure it can get covered while it is pending. When the tip clears it’ll go in as $16.00 not $14.40 or $18.40. I guarantee that this is exactly what happened with the girl who started this whole debacle but she’ll never confess to it because she looks like a dumb ass.