Why do you never get a receipt in a pub anymore

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merid

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Had the good fortune of being in a few pubs around the country recently.
One thing I noticed that I found mildly frustrating is that when I ordered drinks I never once got or was offered a till receipt or Credit card reciept.

In practically all cases I was never told how much the round was, I just got a credit card machine pointed in my general direction where I can't see the display without having to ask to see it.

I really shouldn't have to ask every time what is the charge. Its the only environment that I can think of that this happens.
 
Well, to be fair, you only get a receipt after you've paid the money. And, after you've paid with your credit card on a machine, you can see what the charge was via your banking app. So handing you an annoying bit of paper that will end up as rubbish somewhere doesn't seem to add much value.

If your issue is that you want to know how much you're being charged before you pay, getting a receipt won't solve that issue. But it's easy to find out how much you're being charged; you just ask "How much is that?" before producing your card or wallet.
 
Most people don't ask for receipts, so it's a waste of time for the staff to give them or to ask people if they want them.

I would know roughly how much the drinks cost. If they are way outside that, then I would ask for a receipt.
 
My point is that I am never told how much I am being charged. I think its just so rude. I go into tesco and the cashier doesn't just shove a terminal in my general direction without at least telling me how much the total is. At least have the courtesy to say what the charge is. Not a big ask for a retailer
 
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Sorry I bothered opening the thread as I'm the only one that seems to think that its courtesy to be at least be told what the charge is...I thought it was a given in a retail environment to be told to told how much you have to pay before tapping card. I wasn't looking for a detailed breakdown or anything. Something along the lines of "that will be €8.70 please" would suffice in my case. Maybe its just lack of training but in most cases it was the owners who served me or people who looked like they had worked there for years.
 
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@merid I'm with you on this. Only a few months ago, I experienced the usual terminal in the face, no interaction, no smile,complete disinterest. Pointedly I asked for the amount and in a surly manner was given it.

Took note of her name and sent a message to the owner, needless to say he was quite annoyed as this is a family owned business, his attention to detail is obvious in every other aspect of the business.

He rang me back fairly quickly, apologised and assured me this wouldn't happen again.
It didn't either. Any subsequent time I visited, the order was recounted to buyer and amt due and done so in a pleasant manner.

Sadly we have become so immune at sloppy or non existent customer service that we no longer bother complaining.If I find an establishment like this I just don't bother returning.
 
Being close to full employment and increasingly rude behaviour to service staff are factors here. Staff with better interpersonal skills don't tend to want to work these low paid jobs where they regularly have to deal with snarly and rude customers.
 
TomEdison said:
If your issue is that you want to know how much you're being charged before you pay, getting a receipt won't solve that issue. But it's easy to find out how much you're being charged; you just ask "How much is that?" before producing your card or wallet.
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Very condescending response.. Not as easy as you make out, greatly depending on how busy the place is..

1. Can be difficult to hear anyone in a busy pub at the best of times.
2. Most bar staff are too busy, busy getting an order off someone else while they have the card machine in front of you while you pay, or talking to colleagues etc etc..
JoeRoberts said:
The machines are badly designed, should show the amount at the tap side.
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This is more to the point.
 
merid said:
Sorry I bothered opening the thread as I'm the only one that seems to think that its courtesy to be at least be told what the charge is...I thought it was a given in a retail environment to be told to told how much you have to pay before tapping card. I wasn't looking for a detailed breakdown or anything. Something along the lines of "that will be €8.70 please" would suffice in my case. Maybe its just lack of training but in most cases it was the owners who served me or people who looked like they had worked there for years.
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With you as well, more pertinent IMO for bars / restaurants nowadays as they have become extremely expensive.
TBH this might be a ploy as they dont want to actually say out loud how extortionate prices are :)
 
Brendan Burgess said:
Most people don't ask for receipts, so it's a waste of time for the staff to give them or to ask people if they want them.

I would know roughly how much the drinks cost. If they are way outside that, then I would ask for a receipt.
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Supermarkets ask nowadays if you want receipt, why dont pubs?

So if asked how much a pint is in any given pub in Ireland you would know the answer? I doubt it, remember the OP was in pubs around Ireland, not the local!!
Plus if you were getting a round, and someone asked for drink you dont normally get, you would still know the price?
 
Ignoring food, I've been given a receipt in a pub a handful of times at most. Without the need to wait for change these days, of say they don't get many customers waiting for a receipt.

As for the terminals being hard to read, learning to read upsidedown is a particularly useful skill not just in pub/club situations.
 
Keohoes in south Ann st give receipts, credit to them, generally pleasant and professional barstaff. Though they to have the habit of waving the terminal in front of you.

I looked at a receipt recently and it had a barcode to which you can also tip on top of the €7.50 for a pint of Guinness.

Cannot ever remember tipping for pints before and doubt I'll start now.
 
Persia said:
I looked at a receipt recently and it had a barcode to which you can also tip on top of the €7.50 for a pint of Guinness.
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In this recent case reported in the IT it was noted that the company providing the tip machine got a quarter of the tips. Since then i'm cash only where practical.

www.irishtimes.com

Witnesses in cafe tips row unable to explain mystery card machine which pulled in €5,000 in 18 months

Former manager of Esquires Coffee Limerick and the proprietor deny responsibility for installation of the electronic tip machine, WRC hears
www.irishtimes.com www.irishtimes.com
 
Back in the day when barmen were real you would be left waiting for a pint the second time if you held up the barman asking how much or counting out cash from your purse. Unfortunately if you like prompt service you can't hold the barman up every time he goes to get the money.
Actually, more often than not they would tell you the price though.
 
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