debit card company added 15% to Pizza Hut bill on its own

[Ottakee]

Last night I took 20ds with his date to Pizza Hut. He bought Pizza for the girls and I and he and his date--all on one ticket. His date left the tip in cash.

Tonight I was balancing his bank book online (he has special needs so I manage his money) and the total was different than the amount I signed for on his debit card last night--by 15%. I called Pizza Hut and the manager said that this happens a lot but that the card company will readjust it automatically in a few days to the amount I did sign for.

Has anyone heard of this? This is a new one for me (along with taking special needs ds and his special needs date out which is a whole nuther story)

[Happy]

Huh?

I've never heard of this. Mr. Manager would have to put that in writing. Actually, no, I'd be ready to dispute this bill right away. Sounds mighty suspicious to me. Somebody (Mr. Manager???) has an extra 15% in his pocket.

[nutmeg]

It's totally on the level. They run your card through at the higher amount, so that it will be approved for enough in case you add the tip.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080323200159AABBgB9

[clwcain]

I'm calling shenanegins on the manager. Call your cc company and get this cleared up. Sounds like a little "after the fact" adjustment by the restaurant.

Now, some restaurants do levy a 15% gratuity for large parties, but doing so is clearly stated in the menu and on the receipt. It also requires, depending on the restaurant, 6 or more diners. They'll do this whether you leave a cash tip or not.

But from your description, it sounds like that isn't the case. Dispute the charge with the cc company, and if necessary call PH corporate.

[Sarah in FL]

This has happened to us before and yes, it always is right in the end. It's kind of like the restaurant checks to see if that amount would be authorized, just in case you put the tip on the card, too.

I was a little alarmed the first time I saw that on my account, too.

[clwcain]

It's totally on the level. They run your card through at the higher amount, so that it will be approved for enough in case you add the tip.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080323200159AABBgB9

If, as the OP intimated, the transaction has posted and cleared, this isn't a hold to cover the anticipated charge. This is an after the fact overage.

Still, you might be right. She should contact the cc company and clear it up.

It could also be error by the cashier at the PH.

Now that I take a deep breath, there are lots of possibilities that don't involve Snidely Whiplash, Pizza Hut Manager. :D

[Mrs Mungo]

If, as the OP intimated, the transaction has posted and cleared, this isn't a hold to cover the anticipated charge. This is an after the fact overage.

I have charges at the gas pump show up immediately online as $1, but it takes a day or two for the correct amount to show up. I imagine this is similar although I haven't had it happen, myself.

[Ottakee]

I got a little more clarification. This is a PENDING charge. Our credit union shows these but it has not officially been charged yet.

I talked to my brother who has dealing with this stuff and he said it was common and the ACTUAL charge should be the correct amount.

I will be watching this closely in the next few days to make sure.

I am one though that catches the scanning errors at the store as well---came back with $7.52 last night from Walmart after my bag of dog food rang up wrong. That paid for the girls and I to have Subway (we each get 1/3 of a foot long) and a pop tonight.

[swellmomma]

I use a secured card, and I know for all gas station purchases it puts $75 of my money or the total of the fill which ever is more aside, until settled with the station for the actual amount. For restaurants it always adds 15% but then gets settled for the proper amount and the difference is put back into my available funds. It's a PITA because I only put as much as I need on it, but that's the way it goes.

[Karenciavo]

I had a similar situation last week, I took my MIL to lunch at Applebee's and put the tip on my debit card. When it posted to my account it was the total *without* tip, but I had left the tip on my card. A few days later it was adjusted.

[elegantlion]

They are preauthorizations. Normally they will fall off within 2-3 days, but you are not able to use that amount on the card until it falls off.

We learned about these the hard way years ago. Hotels and gas stations use these. It's a soapbox issue for me, so I'll shut my mouth now.