Payment methods in the US

Pwolf · Post by **Pwolf** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:35 pm

Cash is probably the best bet but bring your atm card just in case. You can bring large bills to keep the wallet light and then go to a back and break them into smaller ones when you get to the states. I've seen a lot of atms of that'll take Cirrus. I think they run off the mastercard network so anyplace that takes mastercard should work:

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/e ... index.html

Pwolf

Niotex · Post by **Niotex** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:39 pm

Dont get Dollar bills back here the rates are much higher then doing it over there.

Pwolf · Post by **Pwolf** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:42 pm

to reply again...

In the store, when you go to pay for it, they will give you the full with tax included so no need to add that in yourself or whatever... For tip, most places will automatically add it if the group is larger then 8 ppl, otherwise I usually just tip double the tax and add some more if it was good service/food. I've never seen anyone tip at a fastfood place but I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

Pwolf

Fall_Child42 · Post by **Fall_Child42** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:00 pm

Douggie wrote:Okay, here's another question - somewhat related: I heard that in the US, prizes in stores are never the final price. There's always 8% tax (or something like that, depends on which state you live in) that is thrown above it. And for restaurants there's the tip, which is something between 10-20%, right? Do you still have to add tax in restaurants also, or is it included? And are tips to be given in restaurants only, or also other places where you can get food, like the McDonalds or your local hot dog stand?

Also, when using certain payment methods, like credit cards, do they add extra fee?

The tax always fluctuates depending on what state you are in, but you are right the tax is not included in the price printed on the product. There are a few exceptions.
Basic necessities like unprocessed food or water, may not be taxed at all depending on the state. Also at cons, some dealers may forgo taxes.

As for tipping, there are many different times in which you should tip. Bartenders should get a dollar or so extra, when they serve your drink. You should tip Taxi drivers (just round the fare up) and at sit down restaurants where your food is served to you by a waiter/waitress, usually it's around 10-15% unless its shitty service or exceptional service and then you give more or less respectively.
Fast food does not require tips.

There are no extra charges for using your credit card from the restaurants themselves, but your bank may add service fees.

guy07 · Post by **guy07** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:38 pm

Well personally, I almost always use my Visa card. It's accepted almost everywhere and if ur wallet gets lost/stolen, you can cancel it as soon as you loose it. Just in case. Where as if you loose money ... well, then it's gone. Plus, with a credit card there's no charges for using it, only a monthly interest IF the balance is under 0 at the end of the month. if you use it to buy something that costs 500 bucks then pay it off a few days later, tada, no charges. No stupid banking fees

I'd say it AS common to use a credit/debit card as it is cash in Canada.

Mithroch · Post by **Mithroch** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:45 pm

Doktor F.C. Mad Genius wrote:at sit down restaurants where your food is served to you by a waiter/waitress, usually it's around 10-15% unless its shitty service or exceptional service and then you give more or less respectively.

10%??? Man you are cheap. 15% is the usual practice and 20% is becoming more common place. This percentage is on the meal cost before tax (restaurant tax may be different from sales tax depending on the state)... and again tax is figured after the list price.

guy07 · Post by **guy07** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:36 pm

I only trip if the service is really good. Or if i'm in a good financial situation. Which i rarely am. Plus it's not like it's mandatory. They are already getting paid to do their job, why the hell should i pay what i'm already paying for? Seriously.

Nessephanie · Post by **Nessephanie** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:52 pm

Guy, it's a bit different in Canada then in the states, in alot of places our minimum wage is higher then down there. Our waitresses make more base amount, so they don't have to rely on tips as much. (I say as much, because they still very much rely on them)
In the states, most of their pay comes from tips.

And yes, giving a tip is completely voluntary but it's become commonplace to at least leave something. And I agree, Todd is cheap, I'd say it's more 15-20% as well. I'm not above it though, if I get bad service, I won't leave a tip.

Koopiskeva · Post by **Koopiskeva** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:52 pm

guy07 wrote:I only trip if the service is really good. Or if i'm in a good financial situation. Which i rarely am. Plus it's not like it's mandatory. They are already getting paid to do their job, why the hell should i pay what i'm already paying for? Seriously.

You have obviously never been a server. Usually, they get paid like crap (hourly) and made to work for tips. That's aside from the job being pretty damn stressful. I hated people like you. Seriously.

Koopiskeva · Post by **Koopiskeva** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:54 pm

Koopiskeva wrote:
guy07 wrote:I only trip if the service is really good. Or if i'm in a good financial situation. Which i rarely am. Plus it's not like it's mandatory. They are already getting paid to do their job, why the hell should i pay what i'm already paying for? Seriously.
You have obviously never been a server. Usually, they get paid like crap (hourly) and made to work for tips. That's aside from the job being pretty damn stressful. I hated people like you. Seriously.

Oh, you're canadian.. never knew that. |: Still. *spreads hate all the way to Madagascar*