11 replies to this topic

[Hi Five]

I submitted a support ticket for this request and received a quick response from Errol. Thank you. I thought I would post it here as well.

 

I would love the option of having servers be required to add a tip when a ticket is paid for by CC before the ticket is closed out. That way at the end of the night all tips are already entered and I can enjoy my bourbon without having to organize receipts or worry about misplaced/lost receipts.

 

Best,

David Blomster

[RafaelT]

That is an excellent idea!

[David Miles]

Hi Blomster, 

 

Errol did put that request in, and it was sent through the proper channels. But I appreciate you putting on the forums, so other users can vote on it and the team can see the activity it's generating. 

 

David Miles 
Lavu 

[RafaelT]

This feature request has been submitted to development for review.

This is an automatically generated reply.

[mcowell]

Blomster, if you had your servers take CC payments at the table and have guests sign and enter their own tip neither you or your servers would have to manage tips at the end of the night and you could enjoy your bourbon sooner! My clients that do this love that they don't have to manage CC tips at the end of the night. Have you considered doing this?

[Hi Five]

Mcowell, I did that when I was using square because that's the only option. What I don't like about doing it at the table is, waiting for someone to add gratuity feels a bit awkward. I may try it again though. Thanks.

[mcowell]

Table side checkout is a change but what I have said to clients is have the waiter talk to someone at the table or see if a table next to the one you are checking out needs anything. Hovering is obviously not good but being attentive to the guests is what we say to servers doing table side checkout.

[mcowell]

Another tip, when the person is signing ask the other guests at the table how everything was and use it as a time to request and elicit feedback. There are a number of ways to eliminate the awkwardness and besides people sign in front of cashiers, hair dressers, photographers, caterers, etc. it is a part of life now and it is an advantage for you to do this at the table.

[RafaelT]

Mcowell, I did that when I was using square because that's the only option. What I don't like about doing it at the table is, waiting for someone to add gratuity feels a bit awkward. I may try it again though. Thanks.

 

We do this at my restaurant and have not really had any issues. The customers really don't seem to mind. I had to tell the servers to suck it up and ask but once they got used to it, it is no big deal.

 

We have the server ask the customer if they would like to leave a tip and if yes, how much. The customer only touches the iPod if they need to sign and that is only if it is over $25. This speeds things up and improves accuracy quite a bit.

[Castaways]

Would this be an option in the back end? Because sometimes servers are so busy, it is easier for them to just collect their slips and put the tips in when they are not as busy or at the end of their shift. 

[mcowell]

I hear you about this taking a little time however it is actually quicker than taking the card and then walking back to the terminal running the card and then having the guest sign the paper copy.  Not to mention that often times the "Merchant Copy" you are supposed to hand in can be lost.  With the table side checkout there is really no concern with losing the merchant copy and you do not have to manage the cc tips as part of the EOD procedures. 

 

I can tell you from my clients experience that using iPods/iPad Minis for table side checkout has really been a great improvement and it adds to the whole dining experience.  I know it is a change however as Rafael said you are the owner or manager and you dictate what your employees do not the other way around.  Your customers will get used to it and they will appreciate the speed as well.  There is nothing worse than trying to check out and your server still has your card and you waiting to leave.  Table side checkout is a game changer and huge benefit that POS Lavu offers.  

 

I highly encourage (force if I must  ) my clients to at least try this for a few weeks.

[Hi Five]

Last night I returned to running credit cards at the table and I liked it very much. I have a 50's diner up front, a "forgotten" lodge room" in the back, a dive bar attached and we serve Korean/American. Although it sounds odd, I must say it all works together in a very postmodern way. Adding new technology to the mix really throws customers for an additional unexpected loop that perfectly compliments our eclectic concept. Thanks Lavu and Mcowell for reminding me.

Also, for some reason I found the idynamo to work much better on the iphone than on the iPad. odd.

-db