I did a shop last week that required that I pay cash. I had to run a tab at the bar, and pay cash at the end of the evening.

To begin the tab, the bartender needed a hotel room number or credit card; I gave her my credit card.

I noted this in my report.

The evaluator sent me an email yesterday stating because this shop was supposed to be CASH ONLY, that I was supposed to run a tab and pay cash, the report wasn't being accepted because I didn't follow guidelines.

I replied, asking for clarification, and the evaluator quoted where I had said I used a credit card to begin the tab.

Later in the report, I state clearly that I paid cash, and the receipt also notes that I paid cash, so I replied back to the evaluator pointing that out. I also explained I didn't want to give a room number, because I was concerned the room number wouldn't be valid, or would be a duplicate of someone else's room number that was already being used to run a tab.

I haven't heard back from the evaluator. My shop log still doesn't have a rating, and it shows the first email she sent to me, stating they can't accept the report.

Should I email her again, asking to follow up? Do I leave it until a shop rating appears? I assumed she was checking with the client, is that possible?

It seems like it's the evaluator's error - she read only that I used a credit card, and didn't comprehend it was to start a tab (even though I did say that in my report).

I'd hate to be out the money I spent that night, plus the fee, which was generous. Do I just write this off? How would you handle this?

Thanks!

I did a shop almost exactly to what you describe it was a integrity check. I did exactly what you said I used mjy card but then paid cash for the tab when I completed the shpop. I never had a problem with the shop or report and got paid and reimbursed also. I won't mention the MSC but it is almost NUDE isn't it.

After 24 hours from the last communication and call the company. I would explain the situation just as you explained it here and give the evaluator credit for having misunderstood. I would point out that the receipt shows I did pay in cash and that I also clearly stated that in the report, I thought, though the evaluator may have missed that or 'perhaps I was not clear enough'. Give them room to save face but make sure your report gets honored.

I definately wouldn't write it off. It sounds like the evaluator is confused. I think you did everything correctly. Give it a couple more days and if you still haven't had a response, write again.

I wouldn't wait 'a couple more days' because shops need to be to the client promptly and if it lingers too long they won't be able to present it.

Flash Wrote:
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> I wouldn't wait 'a couple more days' because shops
> need to be to the client promptly and if it
> lingers too long they won't be able to present it.


I suggested waiting a couple more days because she just emailed the evaluator yesterday. I would give the evaluator a couple days to hear back from the client.

They are specific for these bar audits that you use cash...you can only use CC for the end meal, hotel or anything else. First time at the bar must be cash, they will not use report if CC is shown in the beginning. The Bartender should not have needed your room# if you were paying cash, you should have said, "this will be cash and not given room #. They are checking loss prevention and correct change.

plbell627 Wrote:
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> I won't mention the MSC but it
> is almost NUDE isn't it.

Indeed it is.




Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> They are specific for these bar audits that you
> use cash...you can only use CC for the end meal,
> hotel or anything else. First time at the bar
> must be cash, they will not use report if CC is
> shown in the beginning. The Bartender should not
> have needed your room# if you were paying cash,
> you should have said, "this will be cash and not
> given room #. They are checking loss prevention
> and correct change.


But she needed either a credit card or room number to run a tab. It specifically said in the guidelines to not pay as we go, but run a tab. Having bartended before, I've asked for the same thing. If someone says they're paying cash, they still need to hold the tab somehow - it's to prevent people from walking out without paying.

NCMama -- I agree that you didn't have a choice and probably wouldn't have been able to run a tab if you hadn't given your CC. I'm wondering if the editor read any further after she saw you used a CC to hold the tab. I've sometimes wondered how closely some of these editors read the reports.

avitoots Wrote:
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> NCMama -- I agree that you didn't have a choice
> and probably wouldn't have been able to run a tab
> if you hadn't given your CC. I'm wondering if the
> editor read any further after she saw you used a
> CC to hold the tab. I've sometimes wondered how
> closely some of these editors read the reports.


Sometimes they don't, or they're not as trained in the shop as the shopper. I've had this happen several times, and I've yet to encounter a situation where the problem wasn't resolved in my favor. That said, all resolutions and adjustments have been handled directly by the MSC.

NCMama, you definitely did the right thing. If you don't hear back within a few days, I'd contact the company directly.

I would have and have paid for the first drink with cash, and upon ordering second, asked to run tab, both parts would have been covered, this way cash part wasn't covered.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> I would have and have paid for the first drink
> with cash, and upon ordering second, asked to run
> tab, both parts would have been covered, this way
> cash part wasn't covered.


Many places will not run a tab without asking for a credit card, regardless of how payment is ultimately made.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> I would have and have paid for the first drink
> with cash, and upon ordering second, asked to run
> tab, both parts would have been covered, this way
> cash part wasn't covered.

The guidelines were VERY clear to run a tab, and not pay for each round. They were actually changed from the initial guidelines on the shop, in which you were supposed to pay for each round. The scheduler sent an email with the revised guidelines. In bold! LOL

I'll probably send an email later today. I don't know why I'm nervous, thinking about that!

Hmmm. It may work to your advantage to email your scheduler as a reply to his/her email and explain what has happened and that you have not heard back from the editor. It is in the scheduler's best interest to have you a happy camper and willing shopper so perhaps he/she can go to bat for you.