Bar Tab Disputes

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sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Jan 19, 2013 7:26 PM
How do you handle bar tab disputes? I went to the bar last night and opened up a tab. I had 2 beers in the space of 2 hours and went back to the bar to close my tab. I get the tab and the bill is $24. I ask the bartender how much a bud light cost and he said "$6 each bro". I then told him my bill is wrong, I only had 2 beers(keep in mind, I'm stone sober at this point). He says "No bro, you had 4 beers I promise". I then ask to speak to the manager of the bar and the manager told me that I had 4 beers and to pay the tab.

I wrote on the receipt "no tip" in the tip spot and in the signature spot wrote "Not signed". What is my recourse? Do I have any other than to not to go to the bar ever again? Has this happened to anyone else?

I ain't sweating the $12; its not about the money it's about fraud and I hate fraud.
Jan 19, 2013 7:26pm
mcburg93's avatar

mcburg93

permaban to basement

3,167 posts
Jan 19, 2013 7:31 PM
I pay cash at a bar for that reason.
Jan 19, 2013 7:31pm
gerb131's avatar

gerb131

Senior Member

9,932 posts
Jan 19, 2013 7:37 PM
Had a situation like that several years ago. I opened a tab up my tab should have been about 120 it was 280. It was about 2am so it was closing in on last call as I went to cash out. I just started picking up bottles and dropping them. I probably got about 10-15 broke before I got cuffed by the cop who worked the door. He took me outside I said I need to get my card from the bartender. In the confusion the cop got my cardand I didnt pay a dime. Cop took my name and I was consequently banned from said bar for 1yr. I never did get any criminal charges.
Jan 19, 2013 7:37pm
Pick6's avatar

Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
Jan 19, 2013 7:57 PM
Only poor people who work at McDonald's have bar tab disputes.
Jan 19, 2013 7:57pm
Rotinaj's avatar

Rotinaj

Senior Member

7,699 posts
Jan 19, 2013 8:55 PM
It annoys the shit out of me when random people use bro in that cocky/condescending fashion. You should of taken a shit in a urinal.
Jan 19, 2013 8:55pm
S

Sonofanump

Jan 19, 2013 9:35 PM
$6 for an InBev product? Jesus that sucks.
Jan 19, 2013 9:35pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Jan 19, 2013 9:41 PM
Sonofanump;1370072 wrote:$6 for an InBev product? Jesus that sucks.

Yeah, bro.
Jan 19, 2013 9:41pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

Administrator

49,363 posts
Jan 19, 2013 10:07 PM
sleeper;1369988 wrote:How do you handle bar tab disputes? I went to the bar last night and opened up a tab. I had 2 beers in the space of 2 hours and went back to the bar to close my tab. I get the tab and the bill is $24. I ask the bartender how much a bud light cost and he said "$6 each bro". I then told him my bill is wrong, I only had 2 beers(keep in mind, I'm stone sober at this point). He says "No bro, you had 4 beers I promise". I then ask to speak to the manager of the bar and the manager told me that I had 4 beers and to pay the tab.

I wrote on the receipt "no tip" in the tip spot and in the signature spot wrote "Not signed". What is my recourse? Do I have any other than to not to go to the bar ever again? Has this happened to anyone else?

I ain't sweating the $12; its not about the money it's about fraud and I hate fraud.

So JJ is a bartender now?

I imagine they assume most don't pay attention and stick it to them. $6 for a beer? Go somewhere else...fraud and gouging.
Jan 19, 2013 10:07pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 19, 2013 10:13 PM
I ran tabs frequently, or at last used to. Honestly never had this happen, although without an itemization I wouldn't know better (and even then).

I will say that, generally, my tabs are almost always less than I expect. More than occasionally I notice drinks or appetizers I had are missing, in which case I usually leave the difference as an extra generous tip.

Likely I have been overcharged more than once, but I would have to say net net I've come out ahead (not to mention it's cheaper to tip 20-25% on the whole tab vs $1-$1.50 per beer). My guess is when they are busy they try to remember who had what and update tabs in batches, so they forget drinks and maybe charge the wrong tab occasionally.

Surprised the guy hassled you over the two beers, and I agree the principle of it would irritate me. It's really not worth trying to do anything other than not patronize that place again (especially after stiffing the guy!)
Jan 19, 2013 10:13pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Jan 19, 2013 10:18 PM
Ironman92;1370087 wrote:So JJ is a bartender now?

I imagine they assume most don't pay attention and stick it to them. $6 for a beer? Go somewhere else...fraud and gouging.
I don't live in Ohio. :laugh:
Jan 19, 2013 10:18pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

Legend

27,879 posts
Jan 19, 2013 10:19 PM
gut;1370090 wrote: Surprised the guy hassled you over the two beers, and I agree the principle of it would irritate me. It's really not worth trying to do anything other than not patronize that place again (especially after stiffing the guy!)
He was wasted. When I ordered the first beer he had a customer buy him a shot, and then that guy's friend bought him another shot. I'll never go back there and I've never stiffed anyone before, but this guy was a douche and didn't deserve jack for a tip.
Jan 19, 2013 10:19pm
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 19, 2013 10:20 PM
sleeper;1370094 wrote:He was wasted. When I ordered the first beer he had a customer buy him a shot, and then that guy's friend bought him another shot. I'll never go back there.
Well, there ya go! You bought those guys two beers.
Jan 19, 2013 10:20pm
Mohican00's avatar

Mohican00

Dirty White Boy

3,394 posts
Jan 19, 2013 11:13 PM
sleeper;1369988 wrote:I had 2 beers in the space of 2 hours
They probably charged you extra for the nipples on your beers
Jan 19, 2013 11:13pm
Automatik's avatar

Automatik

Senior Member

14,632 posts
Jan 19, 2013 11:23 PM
sleeper;1369988 wrote:How do you handle bar tab disputes? I went to the bar last night and opened up a tab. I had 2 beers in the space of 2 hours and went back to the bar to close my tab. I get the tab and the bill is $24. I ask the bartender how much a bud light cost and he said "$6 each bro". I then told him my bill is wrong, I only had 2 beers(keep in mind, I'm stone sober at this point). He says "No bro, you had 4 beers I promise". I then ask to speak to the manager of the bar and the manager told me that I had 4 beers and to pay the tab.

I wrote on the receipt "no tip" in the tip spot and in the signature spot wrote "Not signed". What is my recourse? Do I have any other than to not to go to the bar ever again? Has this happened to anyone else?

I ain't sweating the $12; its not about the money it's about fraud and I hate fraud.
You did it wrong. Straight cash homey.
Jan 19, 2013 11:23pm
H

hang_loose

Senior Member

802 posts
Jan 19, 2013 11:52 PM
Mohican00;1370125 wrote:They probably charged you extra for the nipples on your beers
Excellent shot Mohican00:laugh:!!!
Jan 19, 2013 11:52pm
Trueblue23's avatar

Trueblue23

BASEDgod

7,463 posts
Jan 19, 2013 11:54 PM
I would've told them to fuck off, make a scene, get the cops involved. 99% of bars have cameras, they wouldn't have you on tape buying 4 beers.
Jan 19, 2013 11:54pm
ts1227's avatar

ts1227

Senior Member

12,319 posts
Jan 20, 2013 12:31 AM
Who puts 2 beers on a tab?
Jan 20, 2013 12:31am
F

friendfromlowry

Senior Member

6,239 posts
Jan 20, 2013 12:53 AM
sleeper;1369988 wrote:How do you handle bar tab disputes? I went to the bar last night and opened up a tab. I had 2 beers in the space of 2 hours and went back to the bar to close my tab. I get the tab and the bill is $24. I ask the bartender how much a bud light cost and he said "$6 each bro". I then told him my bill is wrong, I only had 2 beers(keep in mind, I'm stone sober at this point). He says "No bro, you had 4 beers I promise". I then ask to speak to the manager of the bar and the manager told me that I had 4 beers and to pay the tab.

I wrote on the receipt "no tip" in the tip spot and in the signature spot wrote "Not signed". What is my recourse? Do I have any other than to not to go to the bar ever again? Has this happened to anyone else?

I ain't sweating the $12; its not about the money it's about fraud and I hate fraud.
Nerd
Jan 20, 2013 12:53am
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 20, 2013 2:00 AM
ts1227;1370154 wrote:Who puts 2 beers on a tab?
People who didn't make it to an ATM
Jan 20, 2013 2:00am
B

BoatShoes

Senior Member

5,703 posts
Jan 20, 2013 2:36 AM
gut;1370171 wrote:People who didn't make it to an ATM
If you're a financially secure business professional like Sleeper's internet persona you should always have enough cash on you that would accommodate two bud lights IMNSHO.
Jan 20, 2013 2:36am
O-Trap's avatar

O-Trap

Chief Shenanigans Officer

14,994 posts
Jan 20, 2013 2:39 AM
Only had this happen once, and it was only one drink difference.

I told them that if they insist on charging me for a drink I didn't have, I'll simply hold any tips I would have paid otherwise until I make up the difference of the drink. I did exactly that.

I still go back there a lot, but I never allow that tender to run a tab for me. If he's working the bar, I do cash or buy a bottle. When others are working, I make sure to tip them well, especially if he's around to see it.

Nothing that can't be handled.
Jan 20, 2013 2:39am
O-Trap's avatar

O-Trap

Chief Shenanigans Officer

14,994 posts
Jan 20, 2013 2:40 AM
gut;1370171 wrote:People who didn't make it to an ATM
Eh, you can pay with a card without starting a tab. If it's going to be two waters, might as well buy separately.
Jan 20, 2013 2:40am
G

gut

Senior Member

15,058 posts
Jan 20, 2013 3:40 AM
BoatShoes;1370172 wrote:If you're a financially secure business professional like Sleeper's internet persona you should always have enough cash on you that would accommodate two bud lights IMNSHO.
10 bucks, sure, but I've been to bars plenty of times where I didn't hit the ATM and didn't have the $10...cash has become a nuisance.

And like I said, I usually net out better with a tab vs. cash.
Jan 20, 2013 3:40am
M

Manhattan Buckeye

Senior Member

7,566 posts
Jan 20, 2013 4:58 AM
I'm a professional and no joke, I think I've gone months without having more than a $20 bill in my wallet cash-wise.
Jan 20, 2013 4:58am
S

slingshot4ever

Senior Member

4,085 posts
Jan 20, 2013 6:37 AM
Stop going to pretentious bars that charge 6 for a bud light.
Jan 20, 2013 6:37am