Smart tipping POS systems

[Ironwood]

I recently had this experience, being handed a hand held POS terminal with three preprogrammed default tip selections for what would have added 30 to 60% tip to a coffee and muffin tab under $10...and it was cafeteria style...no table service. Last fall I had a server at a pizza eatery present the POS terminal to me with the screen advanced to "20% tip" confirm yes or no! The pizza was good, but her indifferent service didn't warrant much if anything. I backed up the screen and left about 12%. And of course they hover over you to up the pressure to leave more than you ordinarily might. I am a reasonable tipper, and even with lousy service and/or food have always left at least 10%. But this is becoming too controlling. While it's a small tab, if I drop in for a $6 coffee and muffin which I get from the counter, I don't expect to have to drop $10 and leave.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/b...-of-coffee-gratuities-grow-automatically.html

 

[Fern Modena]

I just read a story about taxi drivers in NYC using a POS Terminal with preset tip choices of 25% and up. I thought, "Only in New York," but obviously not.

I'd be highly incensed if I saw this, and even more so if someone was standing over me, waiting to see my choice.

In the case of a coffee and muffin I waited in line to purchase, and picked up myself, I wouldn't tip.

Fern

 

[geekette]

Yikes. Seriously pushy, tho I have no problem with receipts pre-printing the various tip amounts. It's moderately useful to those who can't do math in their heads but my old-fashionedness says this is tacky, there should be no presumption of A Gratuity! But to further have the app make the selection for you? I feel that's in bad taste tho I'm sure the argument is "people are going to tip anyway, this saves time for them!" as if the favor is to the customer.

 

[artringwald]

Two weeks ago when I went to Jersey Mike's for a sub I got a screen with suggested tips. I resented the suggestion, with the guy watching me, especially since I had just put a tip in the tip jar. Fortunately, when I went this week, the suggested tips didn't come up. People must have complained, which I think I will start doing when I see it.