Do you have to pay the 18-23 percent gratuity that is mandatory on a dinner party of 6 + or can you refuse?

Question

I was dining at TGIFridays and the gratuity at 18 percent came to over $11.00 ...the service was not that great and the food took forever with lots of mistakes...I live in NJ and felt like I was ripped off when the bill came and the tip was already included. The tip was actually higher than any individual dinner plate we ordered. Can you refuse to pay their set amount and give what you want? Is it legal for the establishment to make you abide by their policy?
We only had a party of 6 people...three were children.
Thanks

children were ages 10, 12 and 12

Answer 1

Refuse to pay it. Call for the manager and tell them that the waitress did not deserve it and you will not pay the said gratuity. I've never had a problem getting it removed in an instance such as what you described. If you have a huge problem and they threaten you in any way, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, ask for the District Managers Phone Number, and or call corporate headquarters,
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll Free: 800-374-3297

Even though your visit has passed, you may receive a coupon or gift certificate to the restaurant if you send a letter to the store or district manager. You should explain, however, why you did not complain about the service while at the restaurant.

My tips for immediately improving bad restaurant service:

Ask for the manager.
Introduce yourself and shake his/her hand.
State that you are either a regular customer and you know this is not typical service, but it is unacceptable and something needs to be done to resolve the problem.

or you hardly ever come to this restaurant and you doubt this is how business is usually done, but its not left you with a good impression and you would like to see your problem resolved.

If the situation is really bad, feel free to state that you don't feel you should have to pay for the meal i.e. "I understand you are busy, but we've missed our movie and can no longer enjoy our evening out, I really don't think we should have to pay for this kind of service". If they don't comp you meal, they may at least send you free desert.

I've noticed a huge difference in response following the above pattern vs. raising your voice or showing your aggitation.

Answer 2

Yes. If the service was particularly bad, you could pay just the cost of the food and the taxes. I see no logical way they could insist of adding a gratuity to a bill for poorly delivered service, since tipping is supposed to be the prerogative of the customer. A gratuity over 20 percent is rather unusual even for the finest culinary establishments for waiters unless special services were provided. You should have questioned that gratuity charge and told the manager about your displeasure with the service you received, even if you paid it. I do not believe any establishment can "MAKE" any customer tip when the service is bad. So, the answer is Yes. You have the right to refuse to tip.

Answer 3

that has annoyed me on every trip to America i was in europe for 9 weeks may June and in every restaurant there was a Tip jar and if i am happy with service always give at least 10% but then every where else around the World the staff are paid a good wage I was In the Imperial war Museum Free entry and dropped a Fiver in the Donation box but at St Paul's Cathedral some Foreigner wanted me to pay $16.00 to pay me respects to the Unknown soldier I am a Veteran with 38 years in Uniform and St Paul's is my State Church Pay Just to remember my Fallen mates Not in a Million I only pay Gratuity if i am Happy or made to By Law and i Talk back with My feet Not happy i tell everyone and don't Go back.

Answer 4

6 even if 3 are children is a pretty big order but still, with a lot of mistakes and waiting I can't help but agree that you got ripped off. Don't go there again. Maybe send the manager a note saying his policy cost him a customer--you, and all your friends too.

Answer 5

I cannot tell if you are more upset about the service, or about the fixed gratuity. But let's flip the scenario: Suppose the service had been absolutely perfect. Then, would you still have complained about the $11 gratuity? (Yes, most likely.)

TGIF's gratuity policy is probably written somewhere on the menu. However, it is standard for most restaurants to include a 18% gratuity on the bill for tables of 6 or more diners (and most 12 year-olds eat adult portions).

Restaurant tips are an industry standard, and they should not be subjected to the whims or limited finances of the diners. Too many diners claim that they are getting "ripped-off". How can that happen when customers know IN ADVANCE how much the meals and beverages cost?; how much tax will be?; and the expected or fixed gratuity? Do the math! Add it up before you order, and if the total is more that what you want to pay or can afford to pay, then order less or eat elsewehere!

The reality is that every diner can always find something to complain about. So, the server's wages are held hostage to the whims of his/her customers. And some customers use it just as an excuse to take a few dollars off the tip-- or leave without tipping at all.

Suppose a percenatge of YOUR wages was dependent on whether or not a stranger "felt" like paying you-- even after you provided perfect service.

I do not work for the restaurant industry, but I am an avid restaurant diner. The few times that I considered the service to be poor, I always said something to the manager. AND I ALWAYS PAY MY BILL & TIP. I think it's disingenuous for customers to complain for the sole purpose of paying less.

In the future, go to restaurants where you pay before you eat or cook at home.

Answer 6

It's a shame the food and service was not that great. I have only been to TGF once and once was enough. People don't realize that when the customers don't tip or tip too little - the waiter/waitress ends up paying because of the way they are taxed.

Answer 7

complain to management, they will lower it but you should have a specific complaint like the food came to the table cold, or they brought the wrong meal. If they "made several mistakes", go ahead and complain.
However if the waitstaff gets fired over it? Will you feel bad??

Answer 8

Yes, you can refuse and not go back again.

Answer 9

Taking children to a retaurant is the worst possible thing anyone can do if they are thinking of not tipping. Most people eat in Restaurants to get away from the children, grow up and pay whats due.

Answer 10

Well, the amount of time it took to get your meal, and the mistakes could have all been the fault of the kitchen, not your server.
And why not tip properly for a meal that you did not shop for, prep, cook or clean up after???
Maybe you should go grocery shopping and make your families meals yourself.
Just a thought.