20% tips added to the bill automatically?

Question

We went to Black Angus Steakhouse last night and found that the total on the Bill included 20% tip.
I do not go out to big name resturants much, but do they all expect you to tip 20% or are they just forcing you to do so.
Anybody know of a good Steakhouse that does not do that? Thanks

There were only TWO for dinner.

Thanks everybody for their comments. I took my son out for a special dinner (honor roll), and he wanted to figure out the 20%.
Sometimes you want to teach your kids to be nice about tipping. I didn't really know how to explain the added on graduity.

Answer 1

Ok, added Grat for two is crazy. I work at a very upscale restaurant and we do add 20% for 6 or more. Tipping is a choice I often tip in excess of 20% if the service was great. Just so that people understand, mainly the guy that tips 10-15% or nothing...
10% shows that you feel the service was HORRIBLE
15% Shows that the service was adequate
20% Shows Service was Great.
A restaurant should never automatically add a gratuity to a party of 2 but you have the choice to never go back. (And yes if the server gives you good service the do expect 20%...Its part of eating in a restaurant(and not getting spit in it the next time you come back...)

Answer 2

I consider most of the solutions you purchased. In eating places I tip 15% for universal service and 20% for solid service -- it really is formerly tax is extra. As others have reported some places upload the end to the bill even for a celebration of two, so look heavily. Tip a bell boy $2 in step with bag. Tip the cab motive force 10-15% plus $a million in step with bag. Tip the concierge 20%. go away a tip for the cleansing woman on your very last day in holding with how solid a job she did -- in a good number of cases $3-$5 an afternoon. there's no favor to tip in any respect even as figuring out to purchase in shops. Welcome to the States and luxuriate on your stay.

Answer 3

When you see something like that on the bill, stop your server and talk to them about it, or ask to speak to a manager about it.

I have found that in some places, they automatically add a gratituity because they deal with a lot of people from out of the US that don't leave tips. In Miami this happens everywhere, sometimes even if you are just buying drinks!

If the restaurant is going to do that, it needs to either be in very clear print on the menu or they should tell you up front. It is not fair to penalize the waitress over it, as it is probably out of their control.

And to the irate waitress....the person asking the question didn't say they couldn't AFFORD the automatic 20%, they are just asking if this is a regular practice. Maybe they are tried of over-tipping waitresses with bad attitudes....

Answer 4

The only time I've seen a resturant automatically add a tip to the bill is if the party is over a certain size (typically 8 people). Most places don't do that, and I avoid the places that do. A tip is a means to express your opinion on your service and meal. Bad service does not mean you get a 20% tip.

Answer 5

They should not have called it a tip if it is automatic, that is a cover charge. Use the link below to fill out their guest survey and tell them how unappreciated this automatic 'overcharge' on your bill is.

The only time a restaurant will expect a certain size tip is when you have a large party (6 or more people). Many restaurants will add extra servers to ensure a large party is taken care of without hurting the service of the rest of their customers, or dedicate 1 server to the large party.

Answer 6

This irritates me like mad - the arguments put forward about people not being paid enough do NOT count. If you are not happy with your pay, get seomthing you ARE happy with.

I expect to pay the price I see - IF the service is exceptional then I will quite possibly add on a tip - usually 10-15%.

If a tip of 20% was added, then I would remove it, tip nothing and never return.

If the restaurant is going to "add on" automatically because they need the money, why not just raise the food prices and be honest about it.

Simple - just avoid these places - and if ever you encounter the "automatic tip", just "automatically remove it".

Answer 7

How big was your party? That is usually only imposed for parties of 8-10 or more. If that's the case and you're eating with a big group, you'll always get the standard gratuity built in. Bigger parties take up more room and are more stress on the kitchen to have dishes served at the same time.

Answer 8

If service was just regular, give 0%, if they did a decent but not great job give at least 10%, if they did an amazing job and completely prompt give 20%. As for the waitress who said she only makes 2.25 an hour, that's her problem not mine, her attitude is probably why people stopped tipping.

Answer 9

Most of the time if you have a party of more than 6 they will add tip. I like Outback Steakhouse, but they will add gratuity for large parties.

Answer 10

this is a good question cause it is hard to say. Not all places do this. Alot of places have it programed that you can leave a tip while paying with your bank card. I know that in Quebec Canada alot of the places are like y ou described but not everyone does this