If you went out to eat, with a big group of people and a 15% tip or more was automatically added..............

Question

would you say something if the service was not good.
Has this happened to anyone?

Answer 1

walk out and run to your car

Answer 2

Usually the restaurant will boldly show that if you have a party of 8 and sometimes even as little as 6 people, you might be subject to an automatic 15% surcharge, tip, or whatever the restaurant chooses to call it. Bottom line, just check before eating. If you don't like the service, this is ALWAYS negotiable with the management staff on duty and may be printed (usually) right on the menu- just express your thoughts soon in the meal if you see a problem to rectify the 15% tip issue. If you do receive poor service, the Manager should know about that. Remember, 6,8 or 10 people spreading the word about poor service is definitely NOT worth the 15% they would receive in tips - NOT EVER!

One way to gauge the service versus the 15% you might pay is whether or not you are GETTING good service for what a party of 6,8, 10, 12 or more requires.

If you have a lot of people to serve as a waiter, then you just might need another server to assist...that alone would justify the 15%. Plus, the amount of time the server(s) might spend at your table (with 6-10 people chatting away) would normally equate to 2-3 other tables (a turn and burn) mentality is what it is all about.

Answer 3

In most restaurants the policy is really that though they add it automatically but it is only "a suggestion". This is because in most places this is not a legally enforcable charge.

While the 15% is often necessary because when people see this on a bill it seems like too much, not relative to the percentage. Or if everybody is chipping in there is always someone who cheaps out.

For one when the bad service is happening the main person should go find a manager and express your concerns in a nice way. Complaining in front of 20 people will seem ungracious and you will not appear to be a good host. 90% of the time the problem is that someone did not alert the manager but instead go home and think about it instead of having it corrected then.

You absolutly have the right to complain regardless. If you are at the restaurant tell the manager that you don't feel the 15% is warrented. Few managers will want to alienate a large group. Some servers see this as an automatic tip. But bear in mind service could have been bad because of the kitchen, how busy it was or they didn't assign enough servers. When booking you want at the MINIMUM 3 servers for say 20 people. Too many restaurants just put on a couple and let the rest just take care of their own tables.

Again by all means as the host stay aware of what is going on and complain accordingly. Best thing to ensure service is to show up early and introduce yourself to the manager. Let him show you where you will sit. This will establish that you are serious. Servers always wonder what the tone of a group will be. Ask who your server is going to be and when you meet them say bring the check to you and if there are any problems direct them to you. This is all a proactive thing.

But of course if the service was really bad.... complain no holds barred. If you thought about complaining after going home as the timing didn't seem right call and complain. "You just wanted to let someone know". They will usually offer you something like free lunch or something.

Answer 4

Yes I had this happen to me when I was paying. The service was very slow, orders were wrong and the server was rude to some of the guests. I suggest waiting until the bill arrives and everyone is done with their meal. Asking to speak with the manager away from the table and explain the situation. If there is something that occurs that needs immediate attention you should ask for the manager at that time. Let the manager know that you will leave an appropriate tip, but not 15 or more percent. In some cases there may be more than one server if there is a really large group and you would only want to express displeasure with the person(s) that gave bad service.

Answer 5

Servers lead a hard life yet when a tips is added to an already large bill it would get under ones skin to have poor service. Just depends on the situation i'd say. On a small basis I've had terrible food yet still tipped the server good so I'd say it might be up to you mostly.

Answer 6

It all depends what you mean the service was not good. If it took a long time to get your food, that was the kitchens fault. The kitchen could have been swamped. Servers are usually waiting in the kitchen for their food to come up. Obviously, it takes more time to prepare food for a larger group. On the other hand, if the server was rude and lazy, I would have asked to speak to the manager. Consider this; larger groups tends to stay longer and tie up the servers tables, thus preventing tips from other groups. When tipping, you also need to consider how long you used the table.

Answer 7

If the service was not good I would definitely say something and have the tip adjusted appropriately. If the service was exceptionally good I always give 20% so in that case I would give more.

Answer 8

Yes, it is good to complain about bad service. Bad service is unnaceptable, period, but especially if you are being forced to tip for it. If you were warned about the added tip, you may not get anything back but it's still important to try to do something about it.

Answer 9

If the service was less than fair - or rude - say something. If it was about food temperature, taste or other parts of the restaurant experience not directly tied to your serve it is unfair to get mad at them. if it was just mediocre, then that's worth the baseline 15% tip.

Answer 10

If it was the service itself (rude, very slow, etc.) I would complain. There are many variables to consider; the kitchen, the time you arrived, the number of servers on, etc.

If it was the food then complain but assure the person that you complain to that it had nothing to do with the service.

Answer 11

I would ask to speak to a manager and have them adjust the tip off my portion of the bill. Everyone eating would need to do the same thing.