Couple Arrested for Refusing to Pay Tip

[scuba]

As the OP stated and as most menus state there is an automatic 18% charge for parties of six or more.
If you don't want to pay it then get up and walk away.
As soon as you order you have agreed to that contract.

ford family

I agree with this, every time i've been out with a large group it gernerally is assumed that a gratuity is added, i've never been to a place where they add in 18% but..........You know there are alot of ways to encourage good service. Why would anyone go to a restuarant and just sit around complaining about the service without letting servers know you need water, or a refill, or your food isn't right. There are plenty of was to KINDLY ask for silverware, and condiments, and napkins without having to be concerned with SOMETHING alittle extra in your food......

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

If it that busy then leave, you don't complain about slow servvice when you see how busy they are

I can just imagine seeing THAT sign on a restaurant wall. "If it's busy tonight, just leave. Don't complain about slow service; you can see how busy we are."

 

[happygirl]

Yes, so is waiting an hour for food and having to get your own silverware and napkins. It was more than one drink refill that they are talking about here. If I lived in the area, I would not patronize this place after reading about this incident.

Yes it the server fault that it took a hour for the food to come out, You do realize that could be the kitchen fault esp since they are the ones that cook it. The silverware most hostess do the silverware. The servers are the first to get blamed for everything that happens

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You don't get it. Legally it is NOT part of the bill. It doesn't matter that the restaurant puts it on the bill. This has NO SHOT of standing up in court for the restaurant.

I think their just fighting on principle. Since they've failed to produce a single statute the the customers have violated or that permits the restaurant to enforce a mandated gratuity.

I mean, the article even states that the judge will dismiss this. So the restaurant effectively loses. And likely, in small claims court--it would be uncollectable. Since gratuities, by defnition are OPTIONAL.

Funny how the servers who protest the most always have the kitchen or the busyness as an excuse if they happen to provide lazy service. Are there snowflake servers?

 

[happygirl]

I can just imagine seeing THAT sign on a restaurant wall. "If it's busy tonight, just leave. Don't complain about slow service; you can see how busy we are."

Why would you got into a restaurant that is busy and then gripe that they are busy, then complain that it takes a while to get your food

 

[ford family]

You don't get it. Legally it is NOT part of the bill. It doesn't matter that the restaurant puts it on the bill. This has NO SHOT of standing up in court for the restaurant.

What about if the menu refers to an 18% service charge for parties of six or more?

ford family

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes it the server fault that it took a hour for the food to come out, You do realize that could be the kitchen fault esp since they are the ones that cook it. The silverware most hostess do the silverware. The servers are the first to get blamed for everything that happens

I had a server once oink at me b/c I consumed my food *rather fast*. I'm an efficient eater, but I didn't inhale my food. But he thought a piggy noise was appropriate.

Was this the fault of the kitchen or the busyness of the restaurant when we docked his tip?



(hint--the restaurant was empty. Maybe he was bored? Not possibly his fault of course since had too much time on his hands.)

 

[Papa Deuce]

BTW, something is not right, anyway... 18% on $73 is $13.14...

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

Why would you got into a restaurant that is busy and then gripe that they are busy, then complain that it takes a while to get your food

Speaking as a former server myself, a restaurant should be equipped to handle a busy night. Period. As a current retail employee, you bet that if our checkout lines ran to the back of the store, people would be complaining. Why? Because it is OUR responsibility to be equipped to handle a rush. Not the customer's. Yes, a little understanding and empathy goes a long way. Yes, sometimes we are short-staffed, through no fault of our own. But it's still OUR job to maintain efficiency.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What about if the menu refers to an 18% service charge for parties of six or more?

ford family

Still awaiting the statute from the state that says that the restaurant can legally require this.

And why it is only for larger groups? I'm sure other patrons didn't leave an 18% tip, and noone got arrested.

Sounds like discrimination.

 

[scuba]

This whole story stinks, I'm certain we are not getting it all. I have plenty of times gotten my own silverware, I would never have just waitied an hour to get my food without at least asking to see someone and NICELY ask them where my food was. I certainly would also see that folks are running around with there heads cut off trying to see to everyone....now if all the servers are just standing around and i'm the only one there, Then there would be a problem. The whole party has also burned bridges there, I have been with plenty of groups where a few in the group have felt that the service was poor, however i felt the service under the circumstances was just fine, I usually secretly leave more tip....(another thread) I go out to eat at a restuarant, not be helpless

 

[Papa Deuce]

What about if the menu refers to an 18% service charge for parties of six or more?

ford family

Have you ever read where the bill says "For YOUR CONVENIENCE" the bill reflects an 18% gratuity charge"?

BTW, I have been in MANY a restaurant, where they list a gratuity charge but also inform you that you are not obligated to pay it if you are unhappy with the service. They state it right on the bill, and request that you speak to a manager in this instance.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why would you got into a restaurant that is busy and then gripe that they are busy, then complain that it takes a while to get your food

Ummm....b/c I want to eat there.

And if the server ignores us "b/c it's busy", then the server is going to have a problem with their tip.

But if a server comes and checks on us every now and again, apologizes for the delay--brings us more rolls or whatever. No harm no foul. Server is providing good service.

You're simply making excuses.

Heck--i worked in a grocery store for several years. I don't get to blame busyness for a decline in my service. I make the best of it and do my best to serve my customers.

Neglecting a table b/c you know you will get a guaranteed tip--is just wrong. And it does happen, so please stop pretending that it doesn't.

If a servers best is neglecting a table--well, they aren't serving and haven't really earned their tip.

I will say that if the wait is an hour or more, I will usually find some place else. But that is b/c I don't wish to wait that time while hungry.

 

[RitaZ.]

Why would you got into a restaurant that is busy and then gripe that they are busy, then complain that it takes a while to get your food

Why would you complain about not receiving a tip when you are providing lousy service?

 

[KandD]

This goes right into the "frivolous-use-of-public-resources" file. They seriously wasted the police department's valuable time with this nonsense? The officer actually arrested them...for what??? Theft? Gratuities may be automatically added, but nowhere does it say you must pay that amount.

And the manager really wanted all the bad publicity?? I foresee a very dismal holiday season at that pub.

I was thinking the same thing...I hope no real crimes were being commited when the police were out making arrests for not tipping.
I really hope that there is more to the story because whether or not you think the couple should have paid the gratuity, the restaurant calling the police is absolutely ludicrous. If it was SOO busy the manager should have stepped in sooner (I don't believe for a second that they offered to comp some of the meal).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

BTW, something is not right, anyway... 18% on $73 is $13.14...

I wonder if they tipped on the tax.

I dont' know your sales tax, so I cannot calculate it.

At 6%, that would get you close to the base price.

Tipping on taxes--a big no no.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I wonder if they tipped on the tax.

I dont' know your sales tax, so I cannot calculate it.

At 6%, that would get you close to the base price.

Tipping on taxes--a big no no.

We are 6% as well, except inside Philadelphia, which is 7%.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

Ummm....b/c I want to eat there.

And if the server ignores us "b/c it's busy", then the server is going to have a problem with their tip.

But if a server comes and checks on us every now and again, apologizes for the delay--brings us more rolls or whatever. No harm no foul. Server is providing good service.
You're simply making excuses.

Heck--i worked in a grocery store for several years. I don't get to blame busyness for a decline in my service. I make the best of it and do my best to serve my customers.

Neglecting a table b/c you know you will get a guaranteed tip--is just wrong. And it does happen, so please stop pretending that it doesn't.

If a servers best is neglecting a table--well, they aren't serving and haven't really earned their tip.

I will say that if the wait is an hour or more, I will usually find some place else. But that is b/c I don't wish to wait that time while hungry.

Exactly. My expectations really aren't that high. I don't expect witty banter and table conversation. I don't expect to be the apple of my server's eye while I'm in the restaurant. On a busy night, I do expect at minimum a refilled drink and an occasional check-in.

 

[ford family]

Still awaiting the statute from the state that says that the restaurant can legally require this.

And why it is only for larger groups? I'm sure other patrons didn't leave an 18% tip, and noone got arrested.

Sounds like discrimination.

I have never been in a restaurant where eight people can get dinner with drinks for $73 but I have also never been in a restaurant that doesn't tell you up front that there is a mandatory service charge for larger parties.
It is obvious why this minimum charge would only apply to larger parties, because of the extra work involved.
It is not discrimination if it applies to all parties of six or more and I would guess many of the smaller parties left a larger tip anyway.
I don't know if the restaurateur or the police over reacted because I wasn't there but I disagree strongly with people who agree to do one thing and then don't live up to their end of the bargain.

ford family

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why would you complain about not receiving a tip when you are providing lousy service?

B/c like snowflake children, any bad service is only the fault of everyone else and not the server. The server can do no wrong.

Sorry--but I am sensing HEAVY ENTITLEMENT issues here and it peeves me off that a server behaves as if they can make no error and if they ever did, it was someone elses fault and their tip should not be compromised.

I am leniant with most any ATTENTIVE server.

It's when I'm forgotten (while other table seem to get visited quite often), where I will then penalize the server.

If something is delayed, it takes all of 2 seconds to let your customer know that.

I mean, Cracker Barrel, Texas Roadhouse, Charthouse, and the most divine restaurant I have ever eaten at that I cannot remember the name but oh so yummy and formal....

Different restaurants, different expectations as to the type of service you will received, but I pretty much get stellar service (commensurate with the type of establishment) at all of them.

And this extends to whether the food was wrong, they put onions in my DH's food or whatever.

Do not use the kitchen or the crowds as an excuse for falling short on your serving.



As to the story--it really doens't matter why the couple did not tip.

It isn't legally enforceable, they didn't enjoy their experience and did not want to tip. They could be persnickety old fools who thought they should get 5 star service and their expectations were to high. IT doens't matter.

They got arrested for not tipping!

I'm sure that didn't happen to any parties of 5 or less that evening.

Disturbing on so many levels.

Gotta go now to eat at Friendly's.

Will let you know about the service and whether the server earns their tip or not and what percent we leave.