When we go out for dinner, we're looking for a time-out from the regular grind. Sure we may be going out because we want to check out that new restaurant or we're hankering for a burrito, but also because dining out means someone else is doing the cooking, serving, and cleaning up. And we pay a pretty penny for that. Apparently, Chipotle customers in some areas have been -- perhaps unknowingly -- paying extra pennies for it.
The story actually broke in New Jersey, where customers at several locations were noticing Chipotle "cheated" on their bills. Check totals were being rounded to the nearest nickel ... So, say your burrito bowl plus guac adds up to $8.99. They'd be rounding up a penny so they could charge an even $9. Sketchy, right?
The restaurant claims they've been doing it in high-traffic areas, because it makes check-outs and, in turn, the lines moving faster. I appreciate that, but truly, what are they saving by scrapping pennies? Seconds? Seems like a silly, strange way to save time.
I have to admit, as someone who relies on Chipotle (in Jersey!) for a quick, healthy, easy weeknight dinner from time to time, it has probably happened to me multiple times. But I've never thought twice about it. Now that it's been brought to my -- and many other customers' -- attention, though, I am totally going to take note.
Sure, they're just measly little pennies, but pennies add up. Rounding any amount seems like a slippery slope ... (What's next, rounding to the nearest dime?) Plus, this rounding nonsense really makes a person feel gypped or forced to pay extra (even if it is 1 cent or 4 cents more) for nothing.
The good news is that Chipotle says that from now on, they'll simply round down instead of up -- giving customers a teeny-weeny discount -- and note the difference on a "rounding line" on receipts. Nice. But ultimately, I'm thinkin' most people would rather just pay the price of their meal plus tax. No more, no less, regardless of playin' around with pennies.
Check out this video for more on the Chipotle fiasco ...
What do you think about this rounding up/down business? Would it make you feel gypped?
Image via Social Mediarts/Flickr
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Comments 27
One second you say you're not sure why Chipotle is doing that because you're unsure what they're "saving by scraping pennies", but then you say later that you notice because "pennies definitely add up". They can't both be true. I actually think that charging even amounts for stuff, including tax, is a good idea. Personally, I hate change. It slows down interactions and makes my wallet heavy. But if Chipotle wants to charge $9 when something is really $8.99, then they should save themselves a stupid controversy and just put $9 on the menu or something.
BTW, "gypped" is totally racist. might want to change that to cheated or something.
who cares - if those pennies acutally matter to you then you can't afford to go out to eat
i agree with a pp wh said to round up the amount so they dont "cheat out " their customers . because while " peinnies dont seem like nothing like the poster mentioned , anyonw who is smart would know that pennies DO ADD UP !
AS I HAVE ALWAYS SAID " IF A CENT DIDNT COUNT , IT WOULDNT MAKE A DOLLAR " !
TRY PAYING A BILL , LETS SAY , $ 38.01 AND JUST PAY THE $38 , AND IM SURE YOULL BE PAYING THE LATE FEE FOR NOT PAYING THE AMOUNT DUE IN FULL LOL
So I'm glad Chipotle is rounding down now. If they must round,that's the only acceptable way. They have no right to decide for the customer that they're better off going through the line quicker and not getting their change. How hard is it to take out a couple pennies?
Rhondaveggie, how on earth is "gypped" racist? I never heard of it having that connotation, and I'm guessing Maressa never did either.
I also never heard of 6.25% sales tax! I've never heard of it not being a whole number!
pennies add up! i just took $65 worth of change to the bank. at least $15 of that was in pennies. not like it took up that much space either...