Family walks out on $80 bill

[mickeyfan2]

..are just morally bankrupt aren't they??

So true.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

There is always a bad apple that ruins the bunch. If I was closer to this area I would go an pay the bill myself.

 

[Mickey527]

We went out to dinner on Thursday to Red Lobster and the people next to us did almost the same thing.
Their waiter was wonderful. He was at their table so often, asking if they needed anything, wrapping their food etc... He even gave them a dozen muffins for their leftover food for the next day. They each had two of those big margarita drinks and there were 4 of them.
Then those creaps bragged that they were going to leave $1.50 tip because their meal was $78.50 and they had expected to pay $80 all together.
Our waitress was terrible, she came over only once, when we were done to give us the bill. We usually leave 20-25% tip but she got 15% because she was not attentive at all. We gave the other 10% to the boy who got stiffed.
I can't imagine how people can live with themselves when they do something like this to someone. I guess they never worked a service job evert because they don't appreciate anyone who gives them service. I did a long time ago and always make sure to tip everyone. Peggie

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Plan and simple they just don't care. Don't worry some place, some where they will get theres.

 

[ChristmasElf]

I can tell you that The Olive Garden does charge the server for the meal if the customer skips out. This is a Darden policy.

 

[Alice's Mom]

In CA waitstaff receives no less than minimum wage/hour plus their tips, which I think right now is $6.75. I don't understand why this isn't the case everywhere

I think its a serious problem when a server is responsible for a skipped bill.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Last time I checked taking something you don't pay for is considered theft.

 

[MoniqueU]

Do you think it could of been an accident on the diners part? I mean I have never done that but I almost did after getting back from an all inclusive vacation where I didnt have to pay for meal or drinks. It was like ooops gotta pay the check.
I am just trying to come up with some reason why someone would be such a dirtbag.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

MoniqueU,

I really doubt it. They figured it was worth a try and if they got caught then they could always say, oh I'm so sorry I thought so and so took care of that, here you go.

 

[momsully]

I saw this happen at the Crystal Palace in April. A family of three sat down, ate, then got up one at a time like they were going to the bathroom or for more food and left. The server indicated that this happens on a regular basis. She took the check and was going to try to track them down by the name on the dining reservation. I know they track the resort you stay at with an ADR so maybe they can somehow charge it to the room.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

The last restaurant I worked for was Outback----While they didn't charge us for diners who left without paying we paid for it in other ways--Normally you would run a 3 table section but if you screwed up in any way they would bust you down to a 2 or 1 table section----Now to go with that if you had a customer leave without paying OR stiff you on a tip when you went to do your checkout for the night they would total up all your food sales for the night then base your tips on that amount(15%) and your taxes also----So say you had $1000 in food sales(including any dine and dashers) so automatically they say you have earned $150 in tips(even if you didn't) and this amount gets put into the computer for you to have to pay taxes off of.

Twice while I worked there I OWED the restaurant money at the end of my shift!

 

[jtnsami]

I can tell you that The Olive Garden does charge the server for the meal if the customer skips out. This is a Darden policy.

Red Lobster, also owned by Darden, doesn't make a server pay for a walk-out. Police are called and a description of the persons involved are given. Luckily when it happened to me, it was the friend of a fellow employee. Amazing how inconsiderate some individuals can be. I know when I worked there, we were paid $2.13 per hour. That's pure craziness for anyone trying to support themselves and dependents. And there are people there that have done it for YEARS!

 

[Pugdog007]

From an employer's point of view, if there are no ramifications to the server would it not encourage or allow them to give free dinners to friends/family? I know most are ethical, but I could imagine some younger college kids wanting to give free food to buddies that come in.

 

[jtnsami]

From an employer's point of view, if there are no ramifications to the server would it not encourage or allow them to give free dinners to friends/family? I know most are ethical, but I could imagine some younger college kids wanting to give free food to buddies that come in.

If someone were doing this where I worked, it would have resulted in termination for that individual, and not ramifications for the rest of the honest ones. And I have seen it done.

 

[CJRN]

That's terrible.

 

[zurgswife]

Went out to dinner last night. There was a family of three sitting behind us, including a boy of about 12 (who had a large prime rib). This family walked out without paying, leaving the waitress near tears. She'd worked a double shift and even packed up their uneaten food for them to take with them. I couldn't believe it.

Just as bad are the restaurant managers that try to make employees pay the bill themselves.....It is a business loss...managers should not try to hold employees accountable for something beyond there control..

 

[poohandwendy]

Red Lobster, also owned by Darden, doesn't make a server pay for a walk-out. Police are called and a description of the persons involved are given.

Yeah, I worked for the Olive Garden for years and that was not the policy. (it isn't now either, in my area) They do have specific protocol for walk-outs and a certain amount expected.

Legally, Darden cannot make this a 'policy'...although, I am sure some less-than-scrupulous managers try to pull it off because their stores bottom line (loss is included in that) directly affects their bonuses and job security.

As to the OP, some people are just thieves. Although I am sure they don't see themselves as criminals.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Do you think it could of been an accident on the diners part?

I'd like to think so, but no, I don't. I think it was deliberate.

If nothing else, it was a learning experience for my kids. They saw how bad behavior impacts others. She was so upset she sat with us for a few minutes, close to tears. They were sad for her. They helped her search the table in case the people had somehow dropped the money. It prompted a discussion on the way home which I think probably had a positive impact on them. We tried to buy her flowers but the store nextdoor was closed. Next time I go in I'll bring her some anyway.

I have never worked as a server or in a restaurant so I don't know how it works with this type of thing. All I could think of is "what goes around comes around". Hope they slept well last night.

 

[Kimberly]

There are laws in New Jersey protecting waiters and waitresses against this. I remember when my father used to own a restaurant, he used to tell all of his employees. Just call the police, they will not be responsible for the unpaid bill. I believe walking out after receiving the bill is actually considered theft, although I am not entirely sure.

I cannot stand people like this... really does set a poor example for their kids as well.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

tackyyyyyyyyyyy