Went for japanese food, they add 15% gratatude fee onto bill. Anyone have same experience? Is this legal?

Question

Went for japanese food, they add 15% gratatude fee onto bill. Anyone have same experience? Is this legal?

Answer 1

I think while it may be legal, it is outrageous for them to do that. They should leave it up to you as to what you want to tip. I sure would never go back there again.

Answer 2

It's legal, and is usually done with large groups.  Usually 6 or more.  It kind of protects the server, in that if they have to wait on a large group, they can't take care of as many tables.  On the other hand, I usually tip a min of 20%, and more if the service warrants it.  

Most people don't realize that the wait staff is required to pay taxes on a percentage of what you buy, because the government assumes a minimum tip.  So if you don't tip the server, in essence the server has to pay to serve you.

Answer 3

Where I work a 12% gratuity is added to the bill, but I don;t really see that, they just pay me more (but when you do the math it dones work out)

What the real problem is, is that when people see that they figure they dont have to tip, and when you work your *** off so people have an enjoyable experience it hurts.

Answer 4

I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT TIPPING IS A REWARD FOR GOOD SERVICE, THAT IS THE WAY I WAS TAUGHT.

I GOT  ''STUNG '' WITH THIS KIND OF TIPPING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, (MY WIFE AND I WENT TO A RESTAURANT, HAD DINNER AND RECEIVED OUR BILL IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROX $32.00+)

WE LEFT THE TABLE LEAVING ABOUT $7.50 IN CHANGE ON THE TABLE FOR A TIP. AFTER WE GOT HOME WIFE ASKED HOW MUCH WAS THE BILL AT RESTAURANT ?

TOLD HER $32.00+ SHE SAYS THAT'S NOT RIGHT. I SHOWED HER THE BILL. IT WAS AN ALL U CAN EAT BUFFET FOR $9.99 PER PERSON, UNLIMITED COFFEE....$1.50 PER PERSON PLUS GST / PST. WHICH COME OUT TO $26.43. THAT'S WHEN I SAW THIS ''GRATITUDE FEE'' OF $6.00. KINDA TICKED ME OFF !

  I WENT BACK AND COMPLAINED TO THEM AND THEY SAID IT WAS A TIP TO THE WAITER, I TOLD THIS GUY I TIPPED THE WAITER AT THE TABLE AND ALL HE COULD DO WAS SHRUG HIS SHOULDERS AT ME AS IF TO SAY TOO BAD.

  WELL, TOO BAD FOR THEM , I QUIT EATING THERE.

LEGAL OR NOT, ITS NOT RIGHT AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE A MINIMUM OF 10 % TIP TO HELP COVER THEM WITH THEIR INCOME TAX BUT I ALWAYS PAID BETTER IF THE SERVICE IS GOOD.

Answer 5

wow, 15% gratuity isnt very much. 20% is the norm these days. and, yes its legal, thankfully because people are cheap and dont want to tip servers appropriately.

Answer 6

This is common in a lot  of eat out places.  Your best bet is to cook your own food in your own home with some candles and fancy place settings.  At least you know what goes into your food and it is about half the price of eating out.

Answer 7

It is legal to charge gratuity if the restaurant has this information listed somewhere or if the server tells you in advance.  It is usually listed on the menu card or board.  Most resturants will charge gratuity for large parties becuase to ensure good service, the wait staff will likely be unable to carry as many tables, therefore reducing their wage considerably.

If you have concerns about charges like these, please make a point of asking your server if they charge gratuity in the future.

That said, no matter what they charge, it does not quarantee good service.  If you are being charged a gratuity, and do not feel you are getting adequate service, please ask to speak to the manager or owner, they want to be sure you are going to come back!  Having studied Culinary Management, I can tell you that there are any number of things that can go wrong to prevent you from getting good service, and the server should let you know if the kitchen is backed up, or if there is a problem asap.

I always note gratuity so that I know whether to tip a minimum of 15% for adequate service, or to add on to the gratuity charge if the service was excellent.  Gratuity charges prevent the wait staff from being 'stiffed' by a large party, but also can limit their income by suggesting that they alone are adequate tips.  Always tack on a little more for great service to be fair.

Happy dining in the future....

Answer 8

Yes it is legal to add gratuity for parties 6 of more. I am sure the menu also indicate that there will be a gratuity charge that you didn't pay attention to. 15% is very minimum....I owned a restaurant and actually add gratuity on the tickets for those that usually don't tip when they dine in (this is after a few times they have eaten at the restaurant). I know my wait staff did their part to provide great service. Just some people don't believe in tipping. It sad but true.

Answer 9

That is common with parties of 6 or more at many restaurants.

Answer 10

If you wanna be an absolute jerk, you could dispute it. Cheap-***. What would you have tipped?

Answer 11

I find it funny that people don't believe in tipping. I posted a question about a week ago about tipping and most people who didn't believe in it replied that the employer should include it in the bill if it's so important to their servers. Yet when it is included those same people are outraged! Please do go back and be happy that you get to enjoy the experience of dining out, having some one wait on you and not having to clean up afterwards...oh and yes it's legal.

Answer 12

Legal.  and 15% isn't that much by today's standards.  I usually tip between 15-20 for ok service.  

I've been charged gratuity before but I guess they're just looking out for themselves.  Sometimes people just don't tip.

Answer 13

Your waiter or waitress gets minimum pay per hour. Not minimum wage! Don't be so cheap! Would you do the same job! These people work for tips, give them the respect they deserve.

15-20%  is for good service. If you can't afford the tip, go to Burger King!