Fast Food Cashier Money Scams?

Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (Full Version)

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imit8him -> Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/22/2008 7:58:52 PM)
Hey guys, [sm=chef.gif] I've been noticing a weird trend lately at my local Taco Bell and Burger King. I usually eat at both palces about once a week and more or less get the exact same item(s). ...Recently I've noticed that the prices for my regular items have been fluctuating upa nd down by a few cents (sometimes as much at 10 or 12 cents) on the same items I purchase every week. This was odd at first and I thought that it was either cashier error or just a change in price. ...But when it started happening all the time and the price fluctuations were small amounts, I became suspicious that something was going on. .... Was I being charged extra for items that would then be pocketed by the cashiers? ...Is this possible? I had someone sugggest to me that this was a kind of "scam" some cashiers use. By charging you a few cents more, you most likely won't notice and over the course of an entire shift, those few cents turn into a few dollars. .... I'm wondering if anyone has worked fast food before and whether such a scam can be done? I'm going to confront the Taco Bell person next time I see him. Just this last trip there, there was a whaky overcharge I noticed and was reimbursed for. -Imit [sm=error.gif]

DenimDiva -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/22/2008 8:24:31 PM)
I've worked as a cashier for two different McD's in CA and for a Wendy's in Indiana. There is a difference in how cashiers put your order in. If they put it in as a meal, you'll get a different price than if they did it individually, but it will read the same on your receipt. The cashier does not get to keep the money. Also, in CA there used to be a "dine-in" tax on your receipt. (It might still be there.) If you ordered something to go, you would not have that extra quarter or whatever it is on there.

Miss Giggles -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/22/2008 8:28:04 PM)
I'd just ask the manager. All the restaurants here have machines that count the change and so the cashier doesn't and the drive through screen is supposed to show the price before they tell you to pull up At taco bell there is an electronic sign next to the window with the cashier with the amount that you were charged . It says notify manger if it isn't correct.

iluvatar -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/23/2008 12:21:50 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: imit8him Hey guys, [sm=chef.gif] I've been noticing a weird trend lately at my local Taco Bell and Burger King. I usually eat at both palces about once a week and more or less get the exact same item(s). ...Recently I've noticed that the prices for my regular items have been fluctuating upa nd down by a few cents (sometimes as much at 10 or 12 cents) on the same items I purchase every week. This was odd at first and I thought that it was either cashier error or just a change in price. ...But when it started happening all the time and the price fluctuations were small amounts, I became suspicious that something was going on. .... Was I being charged extra for items that would then be pocketed by the cashiers? ...Is this possible? I had someone sugggest to me that this was a kind of "scam" some cashiers use. By charging you a few cents more, you most likely won't notice and over the course of an entire shift, those few cents turn into a few dollars. .... I'm wondering if anyone has worked fast food before and whether such a scam can be done? I'm going to confront the Taco Bell person next time I see him. Just this last trip there, there was a whaky overcharge I noticed and was reimbursed for. -Imit [sm=error.gif] When you say that the price fluctuates, do you mean that the amount on the receipt fluctuates or just the amount of money you actually pay (i.e. you keep getting the wrong change). If the amount on the receipt matches what you actually pay, I highly doubt that the cashiers are scamming you. There are very few stores anymore that actually allow the cashier to enter in the price of an item. Virtually everything is computerized. -Dan.

yes.lord -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/23/2008 1:13:23 AM)
This is what is going on. When you order your food, they are not punching the food on the computer, why? because they are keeping all the money. This is another form of stealing. They are not keeping a few cents here and there. they try to figure how much it would cost and tell you a price, you pay, the money goes in their pockets not their register. IF they were punching what you want on the computer by the end of the day the computer tells you how much money you SHOULD have. If you don't punch in your oder in the computer but you still give out the food to the customer you keep the money and nowone knows about it.Why? because it's not in the computer. In your case they are off by a few cents here and there, they can't add all the taxes up that quickly. I used to work in fast food.

DenimDiva -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/23/2008 1:28:52 AM)
Hi yes.Lord and welcome to the forums! quote: ORIGINAL: yes.lord This is what is going on. When you order your food, they are not punching the food on the computer, why? because they are keeping all the money. This is another form of stealing. They are not keeping a few cents here and there. they try to figure how much it would cost and tell you a price, you pay, the money goes in their pockets not their register. IF they were punching what you want on the computer by the end of the day the computer tells you how much money you SHOULD have. If you don't punch in your order in the computer but you still give out the food to the customer you keep the money and no one knows about it. Why? because it's not in the computer. In your case they are off by a few cents here and there, they can't add all the taxes up that quickly. I used to work in fast food. I used to work fast food too. There was a camera above the registers. I'm not saying that what you've said can't be done, I'm just saying that I doubt it's done that often. Since someone other than the cashier usually helps put the order in the bag or on the tray, everything has to be right on the receipt or the order will be messed up.

Beck34 -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/23/2008 2:36:06 AM)
I work at Burger King, and I can tell you that most of our items have gone up about ten cents. I would never intentionally steal from a customer, and I have been know to give the wrong change if we are busy. What I would suggest to you is that you look at your reciet and count your change. If it is wrong, ask for a manager. They will fix it for you.

zoebob -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/23/2008 8:09:31 AM)
At Taco Bell everything is made to order so you can't give out food unless it is rung up first. I did have a boss that I thought might be doing something like this in drive thru before they put up those signs that tell you what your total should be. He would ring up an order and then when the customer got to the window he would take off an item. We would ask if he still needed it and the answer was always yes. He would also never let anyone else count out his drawer. I couldn't prove anything though.

BlueAdept -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/24/2008 12:35:21 PM)
A few years ago, a cashier might have gotten away with not ringing items and pocketing the cash. Today they would have to be REALLY slick. At McDonald's you would have a harder time than at Burger King or Taco Bell. Both those places generally the same person taking the cash is bagging the order. They could in theory be pocketing the cash and stealing the food, however they could not then give you a receipt with your food purchase, and if there was a problem with the order, you would come back and talk to the manager. They would be looking for the receipt, and the gig would be up pretty quick. Plus they would need to have enough change in their pockets to make change for the order. I think about the 2nd time they did that, they would be nailed. I do think that most of the fast food places are changing prices, going up and down to see what the price points are. Are you willing to pay 1.29 for a taco supream? How about 1.34? So it will depend on the store. I doubt very much that most of the cashiers are going to try to steal 3-5 bucks from the store, when they are making a lot more. Sure they might THINK they can get away with it, but the fast food joints are even better at catching them. Since they have many more to catch.

Miss Giggles -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/24/2008 12:37:32 PM)
All the fast food places here are required to give you a receipt, even if you pay cash.

dawgFan_42 -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/24/2008 12:48:09 PM)
I usually look at whose doing my order. And it does seem kinda far fetched. That a person could perform that many functions. w-o anyone noticing.. Kinda like back in 1993 when people believed that a syringe could be inserted into a can of pop with automated machinery...

FunBetty -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/25/2008 1:05:58 AM)
another thing to consider is that if you have two different taco bells locally, they can have two seperate prices. I had this happen a few years ago when Wendy's was doing an airtran promotion--- the cost of soda varied about $.40 between several stores in the area....

kernsfamily -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/25/2008 9:08:46 AM)
It's simple....insist on a register receipt EACH and EVERY time you go there. The total on the receipt should MATCH the price you paid. If not, see a manager. That's why at alot of places, there is the sign that says, "Your meal is FREE if we do not immediately give you a receipt"... That happens at "sit down" restaurants as well.... Let's say you get your "bill" delivered to your table. It's $50. Then, you decide you want to add on dessert. Instead of ringing up that $7/$10, the server simply figures out how much it should be....then, handwrites on the bill the "correct" total amount for you to pay. Most people, would simply overlook it, and pay....but, the server did NOT put that $7/$10 onto the bill, and into the restaurant's system.....so, it will be regarded as "Tip" (money that is "over and above" what food/drinks actually rung up in the system over the course of an evening.) As someone who has worked with "loss prevention" in different areas (restaurant/retail)....I see the BIGGEST "opportunity" to be with those "self service" checkout lanes......I look at those and see all sorts of ways to cheat the system (to be good at loss prevention...one must "think like a criminal".....kind of like CaddyShack, Bill Murray said when trying to catch the groundhog....".....My enemy, my foe, is an animal. In order to conquer the animal, I have to learn to think like an animal.")

violinist_for_jesus -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/30/2008 11:18:09 PM)
At McD's here, we just raised our prices a few cents.

GregandJenny -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (4/30/2008 11:55:58 PM)
I have actually had this happen before in my store. I am the store manager. 1. If their was a recent price change sometimes they didn't change all the buttons. In other words say yesterday you got a coke and today you got a pibb, the coke rings up at 1.09 and then the pibb (same size) rings up at 1.19. That will change it by a few cents (and add some tax) 2. As someone said the way you ring it up has a lot to do with it. In my store I have the computer set to where if you buy a drink a fry and a sandwich it will automatically give the discounted price. Also i don't think it's that easy to actually take the money from the customer because you have to ring up the order for the kitchen to make it. Like someone said it would be wise to sepak with the mgr and keep all reciepts. G

dianetavegia -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/1/2008 1:18:22 PM)
We were robbed at Burger King's drive-thru when the cashier swiped our debit card on a teeny hand-held device that transmits your info to a crook who uses old hotel room keys to make credit cards. I caught the transactions when I saw numerous charges to places in New York and we live in Georgia. This has been a real problem in our tiny rural town. The police said teens are given $25.00 for each card they 'steal'.

imit8him -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/7/2008 12:03:40 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kernsfamily It's simple....insist on a register receipt EACH and EVERY time you go there. The total on the receipt should MATCH the price you paid. If not, see a manager. That's why at alot of places, there is the sign that says, "Your meal is FREE if we do not immediately give you a receipt"... GOOD POINT! Always get receipt and match what I pay with what it says on receipt. In my case, I believe the drive-thru cashier guy was hoping I'd overlook a few cents discrepancy between the receipt price and his verbal price. For example...the "Super Duper Wonder Burger" (made up name, lol) costs $275 (tax included) menu price....then the cashier verbally says, "That comes to $278 please." ....Well, at places without those electronic screens stating the price and total for each order, the customer in a hurry or who is not paying attention may just overlook the three cents or think he/she heard wrong the first time and just pay $278. So unless you make it a point to check your receipt against what you pay, it's tough notice these small differentials that add up for the sneaking cashier.......And then, of course, if you do catch the "mistake," the cashier can deny it and say he just made a small mistake. Who's going to argue over three cents with the cashier guy/gal? (Unless you catch him doing it all the time, as with my case...then it's suspicious!) It just so happens in my case, I noticed that my sandwich price was always changing and caught on to it! Some days it's $278....$269....$294...etc. Same location! [8\|]

earthless -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/7/2008 8:21:20 PM)
10.... 12 cents? Um, I don't think someone would be concerned with stealing that. For that to even accumulate to anything substantial would take hundreds of transactions and a lot of pocket room. If you had said a dollar or several, then yeah.

imit8him -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/8/2008 12:19:26 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: earthless 10.... 12 cents? Um, I don't think someone would be concerned with stealing that. For that to even accumulate to anything substantial would take hundreds of transactions and a lot of pocket room. If you had said a dollar or several, then yeah. I disagree on this point. I think 10-12 cents is nothing, but done multiple times over the course of a day ....well, then, a cashier can stealthfully get away with $3-4 dollars per day..... I know, I know..it's only maybe $20 a week, but when you're working at fast food wages that could be significant to someone. Actually $20 a week is pretty big to anyone these days with gas so expensive. (Just think...that's $80 a month and $960/year, which is a lot.) The best part (for the thief) is that he or she would likely never get caught, since no one (but ME!) is going to notice this. And as I said in my previous post, the cashier has a plausible excuse that this was a small error and not an attempt to steal. That's the genius behind that trick. Steal a few cents from every customer so no one notices. [:'(]

DenimDiva -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/8/2008 12:23:08 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: imit8him Some days it's $278....$269....$294...etc. Same location! [8\|] I couldn't afford to eat out if it cost that much! LOL! I'm hoping there were some decimal points in there. [;)]

imit8him -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/8/2008 12:25:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva quote: ORIGINAL: imit8him Some days it's $278....$269....$294...etc. Same location! [8\|] I couldn't afford to eat out if it cost that much! LOL! I'm hoping there were some decimal points in there. [;)] hhahaha. Yes, definitely $2.00, etc... [;)]

DenimDiva -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/8/2008 12:28:33 PM)
[sm=angelhalo.gif]

ladioffaith -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/15/2008 9:58:54 AM)
Most fast food cashiers are very, very, very busy. They do not have time to calculate an order so it is 12 cents more than normal. They cannot be bothered, even if they are dishonest, which many are not. The easiest way to confuse them is to say, "3.77? Can I give you 2 cents?" You may understand that this gives you a quarter in change, but often they do not. In addition, most have a system that transmits orders to a screen for the cooks to see. I've seen this in every fast-food place. It would be easier for them to short-change you and take an extra quarter, dollar or $10. I agree ... the problem is either different prices in different locations (most are independently owned) some discount or charge that is not being applied consistently, or a recent price change.

DenimDiva -> RE: Fast Food Cashier Money Scams? (5/15/2008 11:24:27 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ladioffaith The easiest way to confuse them is to say, "3.77? Can I give you 2 cents?" You may understand that this gives you a quarter in change, but often they do not. Yes, that does get confusing if the cashier is already getting the change out of the drawer.

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