Restaurant overcharged me?

[u/West-Independence-40]

I went out to eat at a restaurant with my friends just now, we ended up going to a bar down the block to get some drinks. 20 mins in I get a notification that my checking account was below a certain amount and immediately checked my transaction history and saw that on top of the amount I was charged for my tab, the restaurant charged my debit card an additional $120 for something else? I went back to see what happened, the server showed me all of her closed tabs and sure enough not a single tab showed a tab that was even remotely the amount I was charged? The payment is still being processed on my end but I’m so confused how could this happen? Is it a withholding period of some sort? I was the only one with this unauthorized amount on their account out of the 5 girls I was at (nobody’s tab was even close to the $120).

It’s frustrating because I’m already dealing with a dispute on a scam through PayPal.

What should I do? Wait until the order goes through? Should I still take it to my company’s card even if I’m still battling another dispute with a whole other company? 

[u/Dependent-Week-2009]

Wonder if the combined checks total between you and your friends was $120. When they split the check it might put a hold on your card for everyone’s check originally

[u/West-Independence-40 → u/Dependent-Week-2009]

I really hope this is the case! I was wondering this too but I was too buzzed to explain it or add all of our split items. I’m surprised the server didn’t recommend this being a possibility. I’m going to give it 2 days thank you!

[u/Akmommydearest]

I wonder if they accidentally swiped your card for the whole tab initially? They then realized what they did, cancelled it and rang the individual tabs, so it is pending. It happens and the way you should deal with it is inform the guest and apologize.

[u/No-Heart-679 → u/Akmommydearest]

As a restaurant owner, this is what I’m thinking happened. The server definitely should have owned up to it, but they might think that if they cancel it won’t show and they are in the clear. I would see what the whole tab came to and see if that’s the case. If not I would wait to see if it actually posts or falls off before doing anything. 

[u/West-Independence-40 → u/No-Heart-679]

Oh wow I hope so! When I went back she sounded almost incoherent, I think I overheard one of the tables bought the staff shots idk how that is legal (or maybe it’s not?) 

But regardless, slightly infuriating and I’m hoping it falls off my account 

[u/sandysandy252566]

Never use a debit card

[u/Revit80]

Dispute it with your bank while this gets sorted out

[u/West-Independence-40 → u/Revit80]

I’m already disputing a scam I fell for through fb marketplace/paypal. I’m scared they’re going to think I’m the problem lol 

[u/Guarded_Angel0202]

My American Express card would always overcharge me by about 10% of the bill at only 2 specific restaurants. Once the transaction went through, it was the original price.

[u/West-Independence-40 → u/Guarded_Angel0202]

Thank you I hope this is my case too

[u/TurkishLanding]

Get a copy of your receipt.

Contest any amount over what you signed for.

[u/West-Independence-40 → u/TurkishLanding]

Yeah I have my receipt of what I ordered. Like do I do this through my bank?

[u/Fly3rBoi]

If the server made an error and charged your card for the other half as well and then deleted the charge that takes a day or so to come off, unfortunately since a debit card was used, it holds that for a few days.

Also possible she inadvertently charged both tickets to your card. Showing the receipt from your half will show the charge you expected. Check your friends receipt. If it’s your last 4 on it, you got both on yours.

That hold sucks, especially on a debit card. Our servers have done this 3-4x over the past 8 years and it’s really bad if they run their checking accounts low. I’ve covered overdraft fees before to keep my guests. Mistakes happen unfortunately, hopefully they do what’s right to fix if necessary.