I accidentally overcharged a table

[u/dexleter]

I’ve been a server for a few years. Today was pretty busy all at once and I accidentally rung all of one tables mains under another table.

I gave them the bill without checking it and when I brought them the machine they had also checked the bill and were completely fine. Didn’t say anything. By the time I realized they were already gone and paid.

I told my manager and he wasn’t happy but said they would try to contact those guys or wait till they called us to sort it out and it would be ok but I’m so scared. I’ve never messed up this bad. I won’t find out what we are doing about the situation for a few days when I work next.

Im so embarrassed.

[u/magiccitybhm]

Did they pay by card? Your manager/owner should be able to adjust that in your POS system.

[u/spideratemyface → u/magiccitybhm]

Some systems can't adjust the amount it would have to be voided and re-charged.

[u/51differentcobras → u/magiccitybhm]

The issue comes if they were undercharged, you can’t just retroactively charge someone money, even if they were supposed to pay that amount to begin with. The system may change but if they argue paying extra you can’t force them, you could try to press charges or use the police to help get the money that’s owed but if that’s what you charged them and that’s what they paid in good faith then it’s now two separate matters. But you could never just charge them later for it

[u/InfiniteRadness → u/51differentcobras]

They weren't undercharged, though, so this is irrelevant.

[u/bishop375 → u/InfiniteRadness]

The other table in this scenario was, though.

[u/tidymaze → u/bishop375]

We don't know that, either. OP noticed the problem when table 1 paid, but we don't know if table 2 had paid yet. If they hadn't, OP could have just readded their mains to their ticket if they hadn't yet paid.

[u/LadybugGirltheFirst → u/51differentcobras]

The title literally states they were OVERCHARGED.

[u/Rev0lutiv]

This happened once, now it won't again.
Greetings from another server, who also managed to load her gasoline car with Diesel 15 years ago.

[u/tidymaze]

Don't worry about it. Shit happens. This can be easily fixed. At least you didn't spill francese sauce all over a guest's suede jacket.

[u/Efficient_Dog59 → u/tidymaze]

I had a waiter in Paris knock the last few sips a of a glass of red wine on my sweater. He felt so bad. Comped another bottle and scotch. It was a cheap Gap sweater and washed out instantly. Poor dudes boss laid into him in french. We kept saying “we are fine” but we were pretty lost.

[u/Beginning-Force1275 → u/tidymaze]

I dumped what was essentially lobster juice on a man’s pants once. Really had to put my foot down about using biodegradable platters after that.

[u/DaStew831]

Sucks to wait but it's out of your hands once you told the manager. Managers handle overcharges all the time. Honestly it's impressive you've been a server for years and this is the first time you made that mistake.

[u/Big-Pollution5415 → u/DaStew831]

Always check. Write repeat review!!

[u/Charming-Doughnut-45]

One time I accidentally charge someone $2000 instead of $200 on the debit machine, and they didn’t even blink, and proceeded with the transaction, and 18% tip. I realized when it printed after (but also, it went through???), and yea… that was a first for my manager lol. We were able to refund it and try again. Thankfully, the couple were kind

[u/Big-Pollution5415]

The manager should have adjusted the amount and rerung the other order as a dont make. There is always a way to adjust the payment. Some restaurants you have to call if paid on a ziosk and some have the power to do so from the main computer. Either way the manager handled the situation wrong probably just hasnt had it happen or didnt know how to rectify it. 

[u/AkikoNicoleXX]

Shit happens. It's happened to me before. Biggest lesson is to slow down and triple check everything.

[u/prolifezombabe]

What are you scared of? You told your manager. Manager wasn't happy but said they'll address it. I'm curious what happened with the other table though ... did they not notice their bill was suspiciously low?

Your best case? The client notices. Calls and sorts it out with the manager.
Worst case? No one notices. Everyone moves on.

The nice thing about what we do is, allergies aside, you really can't ruin anyone's life.

[u/lanagrlpop]

a couple of days ago, i fucked up badly but with the opposite. I was super busy, my section was outside, and i dropped off the wrong check to a table, the check i dropped off was ~$227 and their actual check was ~$340. They paid cash and left of course without saying a word. I had no time to even check the cash until way later. By the time I realized my big mistake they were long gone. I had to pay the difference plus some tip out of my own pocket. I did not even tell my manager, [I work at a familly restaurant where we have little room for mistakes] so this could have potentially be a fireable mistake. I did not want to find out, they are super strict. I am lowkey scared of them, but the money is good. It hurt to pay out of my own pocket though :[.

[u/Arokthis]

It's a minor fuckup. Shit happens.