Gratuity Question...

[TnKrBeLlA012]

I just a have a question. We just got back from our trip on the 21st and we went to Cape Mays. The first time we went we had a really big problem with our waitress so we called and complained and they said to come back and they would give us 2 free meals. So we go back and there was 4 of us, when we got the bill the waitress had added in 18% gratuity I didn't think much of it but then later that day I thought about it, she did not have any right to go ahead and add the tip in. Yes, either way I was going to tip her but not 18% for a buffet when she really didn't do anything.We had to ask for more pop when it should have been out and she barley even cleared the dishes from the table. So do you think I am right or did she do the right thing? Should I call Cape May and just tell them that I think it was wrong and they had no right to do that.Or should I just leave it alone.

 

[Lewisc]

Should I call Cape May and just tell them that that was wrong and they had no rite to do that or should I just leave it alone.

How do you know it was wrong? My guess is 18% is the amount of tip that gets added on a comped meal. You eat for free and your annoyed the server got tipped?

 

[lagunaseca]

We were at WDW recently and our gratuity was automatically charged and was 18 % but I thought it was because we were a party of 9.

 

[Densgirl]

If I'm reading this correctly she actually had a party of 4, was comped for 2 of the meals and then paid for 2 of the meals. I was unaware Disney automatically charged gratuity to parties less than 8. I've never had that happen.

 

[Lewisc]

If I'm reading this correctly she actually had a party of 4, was comped for 2 of the meals and then paid for 2 of the meals. I was unaware Disney automatically charged gratuity to parties less than 8. I've never had that happen.

You're right I misread the OP. Not in Disney but many restaurants tack on an automatic gratuity for larger parties or when some of the meals are free such as with an entertainment card. The concern is you wouldn't think to tip on the comped meal.

Was the tip added on to just the part you paid or did you pay the 18% on the entire meal? If Disney comped half the tip you really shouldn't have complained. If you paid 18% on the entire bill you might have said in your opinion the service only warranted a 15% tip (not sure lower) and had it reduced.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

How do you know it was wrong? My guess is 18% is the amount of tip that gets added on a comped meal. You eat for free and your annoyed the server got tipped?

Ya, but isnt it the customers choice what they want to tip? In my my mind you dont have to tip you just do. Either way I would have tipped her enough for 4 people but I was just thinking what nerve she had to actually do that. I could understand if there was a big party but there was 4 of us.

 

[webray]

18 percent sounds fair to me for a free meal. We tip that at a buffet otherwise. You did have a party of 4 and only two of the meals were free, so of course a tip would be added to the bill.

 

[notnothin]

Ya, but isnt it the customers choice what they want to tip? In my my mind you dont have to tip you just do. Either way I would have tipped her enough for 4 people but I was just thinking what nerve she had to actually do that. I could understand if there was a big party but there was 4 of us.

I doubt it was 'what nerve she had' but rather something more like 'policy' to include gratuity. Talk about petty!

 

[Christine]

I don't think they should have automatically added the gratuity. I also just got back on the 20th and we were a party of 7. We did TONS of dining, to include the Cape May (we had wonderful service there, BTW) and not once did I ever have the gratuity added. Seems strange to me.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

They probably have gotten burned by people not tipping on comped meals. So now they include them, or maybe at their discretion...not every time.

You could call and complain, but you already called and complained once...you are gonna get a reputation! LOL!

BTW...I always tip 20% at sit down AND buffets. I know not everyone does, I am not telling you what to do, but it just doesn't seem like that much more to me.

I used to waitress at RFC (not in Orlando) and for awhile we had a coupon running for a free app, no strings attached. I SWEAR...I would have people come in, have 2 glasses of water, share a free app, ask for extra sour cream, more napkins, etc...and then LEAVE NOTHING!

 

[kirbsam]

to answer the original question: drop it.

 

[Christine]

They probably have gotten burned by people not tipping on comped meals. So now they include them, or maybe at their discretion...not every time.

You could call and complain, but you already called and complained once...you are gonna get a reputation! LOL!

BTW...I always tip 20% at sit down AND buffets. I know not everyone does, I am not telling you what to do, but it just doesn't seem like that much more to me.

I used to waitress at RFC (not in Orlando) and for awhile we had a coupon running for a free app, no strings attached. I SWEAR...I would have people come in, have 2 glasses of water, share a free app, ask for extra sour cream, more napkins, etc...and then LEAVE NOTHING!

We also tip this much at the buffets. My friend/co-worker thinks I'm nuts. He gives a $5 tip at buffets because he feels that the server doesn't do anything but bring drinks and pick up his plate.

I feel the opposite. I usually go to WDW with 6 or more people. I have been very fortunate that I have had wonderful servers. Last week, both at Cape May and Boma, the servers were "hopping". I never had to ask for a fresh drink, and I never had plates piling up on the table (which can be a problem at buffets, especially when you have kids that put two things on there plate and then keep going back).

My friend was also highly "incensed" that WDW put a "tip reminder" card in with his check urging people to tip 15-20%. I told him to lighten up--I think that was put there because Disney gets so many foreigners who are not accustomed to U.S. tipping customs.

 

[InnerStrength]

I find it surprising that a gratuity was added to a bill for a party of 4, however maybe it is a policy at WDW that gratuities are added to a bill if a meal is comped on it. I still find it odd. We are a party of 4 and have never had a tip added to our bill anywhere - usually it is a party of 8 or more that has the gratuity added. I personally do not think it is right to add a gratuity to a party less than 8 - what if the service really wasn't up to par, and due to "policy", the waitstaff was still given a certain percent tip anyway? To me, an automatic added gratuity would give a less than enthusiastic employee a good reason to slack off.


At this point I would let it go. It would have been more affective to inquire as to why the gratuity was added immediately after it was added, not once you are long gone from the establishment.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

I doubt it was 'what nerve she had' but rather something more like 'policy' to include gratuity. Talk about petty!

WOW! All I asked for were comments and if it was the policy she should have explained it to us.

But anyways thanks for all of the feedback.

 

[janets]

and we were on the dining plan (2 adults, 1 child) for 4 nights.

We ate our first night at O'Hana's, using 2 TS credits for us and paying for our son, banking his credit for a later meal.

After looking at the receipt, I noticed that his meal, along with our younger son's meal (which were paid in cash) had an 18% gratuity added to it. No other receipt the entire trip had that happen, just there.

I simply pointed it out to my husband and told him to pay the check and not leave any additional tip. We usually tip at least 20% at most restaurants, unless we feel that service was really lacking. I didn't necessarily think that adding an 18% gratuity to an $11 check was required, but as long as I saw it in advance, I was fine.

I didn't notice that happen at any other restaurant we patronized the rest of our trip, and we paid cash for at least 1 kid's meal at every sit down restaurant.

I'm also sure that it wasn't something the server did on her own and to be angry at her for "having the nerve" to do it is unwarranted.

 

[robinb]

We ate our first night at O'Hana's, using 2 TS credits for us and paying for our son, banking his credit for a later meal.

After looking at the receipt, I noticed that his meal, along with our younger son's meal (which were paid in cash) had an 18% gratuity added to it. No other receipt the entire trip had that happen, just there.

Thanks for the heads-up. We will be paying for some kids meals while using credits for our meals and it's good to know that the servers sometimes add a gratuity to the cash portion. I personally don't have a problem with automatic gratuities as long as I know it and don't double tip.

To the OP: I do have a question that doesn't seem to be covered. Did she charge you 18% on 2 meals or all 4? Since there is a difference in opinion here, why don't you call Cape May and ask if there is a policy to charge an automatic gratuity when some of the meals are free. You'll have your answer (please follow up here so we all know for sure) and if it's not the policy you can complain.

 

[dsnyfrek]

I believe it is Disney policy to add in the tip, and their rate is 18%. Now, realize that all of that doesn't go to the waitress/waiter. They have others who bus the tables, and are behind the scenes. This covers so that everyone gets a fair price. I know that I have been to Disney the last five years and everytime, we had the gratuity right on the bill. I think it makes it a lot easier for me.

 

[InnerStrength]

I believe it is Disney policy to add in the tip, and their rate is 18%. Now, realize that all of that doesn't go to the waitress/waiter. They have others who bus the tables, and are behind the scenes. This covers so that everyone gets a fair price. I know that I have been to Disney the last five years and everytime, we had the gratuity right on the bill. I think it makes it a lot easier for me.

I wholeheartedly agree that it is easier when the tip is added to the bill and have no issue paying 18-20% for good service, however what would one do in a situation where the service was not good and a tip was automatically added? I have been dining out since childhood and although most service has always been good to great, there have been times when it just plain stunk. I recall 2 instances where it was so bad (just DH and I, pre-children, at nice restaurants (not at WDW) that I was unsure if I should have left a nickel or nothing at all. I wondered if I left nothing or the nickel - would the waitress just think we were cheap? I mean the service those 2 times was horrid. Other than the obvious - complaining to the manager - what if anything do you all do when the service is not good and either the tip is added (giving no choice but to complain or pay it) or do you still feel obliged to tip for inferior service. Just curious.

 

[Christine]

I wholeheartedly agree that it is easier when the tip is added to the bill and have no issue paying 18-20% for good service, however what would one do in a situation where the service was not good and a tip was automatically added?

You ALWAYS have the right to go to the manager and complain about inferior service. Any decent restaurant manager will adjust the gratuity for you should you have a valid complain with your service.

 

[ducklite]

What I find interesting is that the OP did the same thing at Ohanas and went back the next night for a free meal there as well. I'm suspicious of someone who posts about being nickel and dimed on food and has bad meals but goes back for a comp the next night.

Anne