How to Avoid a Mandatory Gratuity for Bad Service
There’s no shame in trying to avoid a mandatory gratuity for poor service, and thankfully, there are ways to do so.
Tipping used to be a way to reward and encourage excellent service. However, with tipping pools, mandatory gratuities, and general tip inflation, this is now the exception. I usually stick to an 18% tip for average service, though I believe it should be 15%.
One of my biggest annoyances is the 18% “mandatory gratuity” that many places add to bills for large parties, regardless of the service quality.
I’m not alone in this frustration. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, two diners were arrested for refusing to pay a mandatory 18% gratuity after enduring poor service from a waitress who spent more time smoking than serving. It took them over an hour to get a simple order of salad and wings. It’s hard to believe they faced criminal theft charges for not leaving a tip, but they did.
As a customer, you have significant leverage, especially in the competitive restaurant industry. Here are some tips to avoid paying a mandatory gratuity for bad service:
1. **Request the Mandatory Gratuity Be Waived**: Before you even sit down, ask if the restaurant will waive the mandatory gratuity. They might agree to avoid losing your business, especially if you have a large party. You can also suggest that your party will tip more than 18% for excellent service.
2. **Break Your Party into Separate Tables**: Splitting your group into smaller tables can lead to better service. Large tables often wait longer because more meals need to be prepared. Smaller tables are served faster, and you can still enjoy your meal without waiting excessively.
3. **Talk to Your Server**: If your server is off to a bad start, let them know tactfully and with a smile. This can often resolve issues before they escalate.
4. **Request a Different Server**: If talking to your server doesn’t help, speak to the manager about the poor service and ask for a different server. While the manager might not grant your request, they will likely ensure the rest of your visit is pleasant. Voicing your concerns might also get you a complimentary appetizer, dessert, or entree, indirectly offsetting the mandatory gratuity.
5. **Dispute the Tip with Your Credit Card Company**: If the manager is unsympathetic, your meals were cold, you didn’t get drink refills, and the server had an attitude, pay the bill, including the mandatory gratuity, with your credit card. Once home, send a polite letter to the restaurant complaining about the poor service and request your tip money back. Then, dispute the mandatory gratuity with your credit card company.
Remember, you have options to avoid rewarding bad service with a mandatory gratuity. Plan ahead and use these strategies to ensure you only pay for the service you receive.