So, I'm doing a fine dining shop tonight and the waiter could probably see we were slowing down. He came over and said, "How about some dessert? It's on me." I let him know that it wasn't necessary but he insisted.

When the check came it said b-day comp next to the dessert. I freaked out because I really did not want an expensive shop to go sideways and have to pay out of pocket for the meal. I have had things comped in the past and never had an issue but I also have not ever had anything marked as a birthday or special occasion, etc.

In the end, I asked the server to remove the birthday comp from the receipt thinking it might be more trouble in the long run. What would you have done in this situation?

I'll just add in that I have also shopped this chain for this MSC before and never had an issue in the past. One other note - there had been no discussion about birthdays, etc. No one at the table mentioned a bday and the manager even asked if we were celebrating anything and we were sure to say no.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2023 03:40AM by olympia tennenbaum.

After giving it some thought as I looked at the receipt at the table, I probably would have let the chips fall where they may. Reported it as it happened.

@Mert wrote:

After giving it some thought as I looked at the receipt at the table, I probably would have let the chips fall where they may. Reported it as it happened.

With almost $300 on the line I didn’t feel like I could risk it. For a less expensive shop I wouldn’t have been sweating it as much.

I would have declined desserts (unless required) to avoid complications.

Understood. Some of my decision would have come down to my trust and comfort level of the MSC.

@BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz wrote:

I would have declined desserts (unless required) to avoid complications.

Dessert was required. So I didn’t have an option to not order. I did tell the server it wasn’t necessary but he insisted. He also basically begged for a good review online at the end too so it could have been to position me to be in a good mood for a good review.

In the end, it was fairly awkward. I’ve never had an issue with a comp before but I’ve also never had one say birthday either.

If I had had the options not to order that would have been ideal, I agree.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2023 04:31AM by olympia tennenbaum.

@Mert wrote:

Understood. Some of my decision would have come down to my trust and comfort level of the MSC.

That makes sense. I’ve never had an issue with them. I also haven’t done a ton of shops for them. I’ve probably shopped this chain 6-8 times but they don’t have a ton of other shops in my area.

I’ve never had a report questioned but I did ask to move a shop once and it seemed clear the scheduler did not want to make any changes.

I would have left it on the bill since it was required and stated the waiter insusted it was on him.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2023 02:20PM by pegleg2000.

That is a tough call. I would have been nervous with $300 on the line as well. I would not have sweated a smaller amount either. However, there are a few companies out there with whom everything is peachy, until there is an anomalous situation with a shop. Then things have a tendency to go sideways fast, and $300 is $300. I would have likely said something like, "Sorry, but thank you so much. I have to report my expenses for work. It's not my birthday, and they know it." Ample gushing alongside the thanks will generally get you what you want and need on such.

I had a similar situation once. My server ignored our table during the entire dinner service and spent most of the time laughing it up with the larger group at the next table. She did deliver our orders but I had to continually flag her down for all else including the bill. When she finally brought the bill she had put my $20+ entree as an add on side to the other entree at a discounted price of $8. She dropped it at the table and mentioned, while displaying her pregnancy, that she would be off work for a while as this was her last day before maternity leave. I needed two entrees for that job. I reported the misbilling of my entree, and felt terrible.
My job was accepted. Probably not the same msc but I think most would be okay with this. I believe this sort of thing is pretty rampant with restaurants and they would want to know.
This job was at least 10 years ago so prices now doubled or more.
Added to add about another visit to the same place I was at the bar not on a shop and the bartender was pouring second drinks for all the regulars and not charging. I overheard him telling them it was on him. When I got my bill I only got charged for one drink althou I had two. The bartender was busy so the mgr stepped in to take my payment, I told him the bartender must have forgotten I had ordered two drinks so he corrected the bill. I am usually honest like that. In any case it was my favorite Chart House and it closed down at that location a year or so later. I always wondered if they were losing money there with all the freebies the staff were giving out.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/06/2023 07:21PM by sandyf.

@GinnyLynn wrote:

That is a tough call. I would have been nervous with $300 on the line as well. I would not have sweated a smaller amount either. However, there are a few companies out there with whom everything is peachy, until there is an anomalous situation with a shop. Then things have a tendency to go sideways fast, and $300 is $300. I would have likely said something like, "Sorry, but thank you so much. I have to report my expenses for work. It's not my birthday, and they know it." Ample gushing alongside the thanks will generally get you what you want and need on such.

This is essentially how it went down. The same thing too about having to report expenses and work knowing it wasn’t my birthday.

I’ll report back when I get my grade. Lol.

I think the restaurant company might want to know about this. After telling the server it wasn't necessary, and him insisting and asking for a good online review, I would have gone ahead and reported all these details. It smacks of desperation; who knows why. It was kinda like a bribe for a good review, and it puts pressure on customers who might prefer to not be manipulated like this. And if he or others at this restaurant do this often, it screws up online restaurant reviews.

@Susan L. wrote:

I think the restaurant company might want to know about this. After telling the server it wasn't necessary, and him insisting and asking for a good online review, I would have gone ahead and reported all these details. It smacks of desperation; who knows why. It was kinda like a bribe for a good review, and it puts pressure on customers who might prefer to not be manipulated like this. And if he or others at this restaurant do this often, it screws up online restaurant reviews.

Yeah, he mentioned that there was contest going on. When I'm not shopping I'm happy enough to be sweetened up. This was just a little too much for a shop.

So if dessert was required, did you wind up ordering one and was charged for it? Or did he adjust it and charge you for the comp? Either way, awkward indeed.

I would have reported it exactly as it happened. When I see reservation questions on the survey asking if I were celebrating a special occasion, I would think it would be OK to have a dessert compensated if one responded yes. However, I always answer no as I think responding yes would make me memorable. Easier to report as well. Most fine dining restaurant guests will notice when someone is served a birthday dessert. Staff will remember too. I hope you had a great dinner!

quote="olympia tennenbaum"]

@BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz wrote:

I would have declined desserts (unless required) to avoid complications.

Dessert was required. So I didn’t have an option to not order. I did tell the server it wasn’t necessary but he insisted. He also basically begged for a good review online at the end too so it could have been to position me to be in a good mood for a good review.

In the end, it was fairly awkward. I’ve never had an issue with a comp before but I’ve also never had one say birthday either.

If I had had the options not to order that would have been ideal, I agree.[/quote]

I recently-ish took a shop and it was specified to not order dessert. I’m not sure why, but the server brought out a comped dessert and on the check it stayed “comp $0.” I just reported it (took photos as I was supposed to, etc). The shop was reported fine and I had 0 questions about it. Obviously each editor may be different, but I like to think they’d be understanding of something outside our control.

@Jennycolada wrote:

I recently-ish took a shop and it was specified to not order dessert. I’m not sure why, but the server brought out a comped dessert and on the check it stayed “comp $0.” I just reported it (took photos as I was supposed to, etc). The shop was reported fine and I had 0 questions about it. Obviously each editor may be different, but I like to think they’d be understanding of something outside our control.

I think I focus on trying to do everything perfectly but with MSing there is SO much outside of your control. The good companies seem to understand that.

And an update for anyone following along - my report was accepted. Phew.

Glad to hear.

Any additional rules might have stopped you from actually ordering another dessert by either pretend to like or not like the comped dessert? Anyways if given the same situation I would have reported as is.