CheckPlease for iPhone or When ExpertMode Means Being a Tightwad

With the launch of the AppStore came the not-so-funny proliferation of tip calculators.

Of course, not one to be picked last for the kickball team, I chose mine early (”Check Please”) and I’ve been a loyal apologist (is that being redundant?) ever since.

Last night, I fired up by iPhone to learn that there was an update for CheckPlease. What, praytell, could they be doing to improve on that little piece of magic that tells you what to tip. Thankfully, they told me before had to decide whether I was tight-rolling my jeans, or leaving them cuffed….

Oh, golly jee - Expert Mode! Whatever could that be? Now, I had chosen CheckPlease specifically because of simplicity. So, I’m wasn’t sure I wanted to venture into Expert land with too much bounce in my step. I mean, look at this -

What else could I possible need? And, to boot, I own a Bank of America Visa card shown at the top. (How did they KNOW?). But, valiantly, I figured I’d fire up Expert Mode to see what all the fuss was about. I mean, I’m not above learning something new…

Lo and behold…Expert Mode….

Yup, you got it. Expert mode is deducting the sales tax before you calculate the tip. In essence, leaving less money than if you just calculated the percentage tip off of the check total. Now, I’m not going to lay this at CheckPlease’s doormat. I’ll assume that they were kowtowing the pressures of consumers demanding an “expert mode.” But, you - consumer? - if you’re using Expert Mode, you’re a tightwad. I won’t argue about this.