Originally Posted by kindra68 (Post 9888345)

What about the waitresses that bust their ass and it’s not all about just turning tables?
I work Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm. Monday & Tuesday I’m the only server. Wednesday I get a bartender that refuses to do anything but stay “in his warm spot” and play on his phone. Thursday I get a bartender and she gets the bar half of the restaurant (3 booths and 3 hightops) and Friday I get a bartender (same tables) and a waitress that splits the other half of the restaurant with me. Monday- Wednesday I run my ass off. I run sales over $500.00 each day. Thursday and Friday the business falls off. So much so last Thursday my sales were $181.00 and Friday $69.00. I have several people that only come in Mondays and Tuesdays. They know I’m the only one there and it might take me a second to get to them but when I do, I walk up with a smile and treat them like they are the most important people there. Heck I have a couple of people that only show up “after the rush” because they know I’m the only one there. As in I greet them at the door, seat them, get their drinks, get the food order, put the order in the pos, then wash my hands and go make the order (it’s an open kitchen). When the order is done I take it out of the oven and serve it to them. And if they are drinking anything from the bar it’s usually at this time they are close to empty, and so I run back to the bar and l make another round of drinks. And yes I do all this for $2.13 an hour. But on the flip side, would I do it for $10-$12 an hour and NO tips? Awe hell no!
((I’m not even going to get into the whole “tipout” bs))

Originally Posted by alnorth (Post 9888613)

I'm fine with a policy of a mandatory tip for extremely large parties, but if its just two of us and they stick me with the mandatory 18% gratuity, I probably will not return.

I typically tip a lot more than 18%, but I don't want to be forced to pay for service regardless of the quality.

Originally Posted by Tits McGee (Post 9888711)

http://thelinkery.com/blog/
Closed.

Originally Posted by Fish (Post 9888783)

18% on a small two person party isn't that much. For a $25 two person dinner, 18% tip comes out to $4.50. Are you really saying that's too much too expect, when you typically pay that much anyway and you know that the waiter is depending on your tip?

As you say, you typically tip more than that. The studies on tipping have shown that people generally pay the same despite the service quality. So in the restaurant's favor, it makes perfect sense. It's more likely than not that most people will tip routinely regardless of service quality. If the majority of people choose not to return, then the business will obviously fail. But I really question how many people would be turning down a meal in which they'd typically be paying the same meal price + tip regardless, on the ground that the tip is now expected. The only difference is the expectation factor of the measly 18%.

Originally Posted by Gravedigger (Post 9888836)

.... it's still the best business model you can have dammit!!!!! #noquitters

Originally Posted by alnorth (Post 9888857)

I don't care what other people typically do. I want the option to tip anywhere between 5 cents to over 35% or anything in between. If a restaurant forces an 18% gratuity, I will probably not return. The restaurant in the OP is dumb.

Originally Posted by 2bikemike (Post 9888869)

I have eaten at the Linkery. IMHO the food was way overpriced and not all that great. Portions were on the small side for me, but ok for my wife who hardly eats anything. And to tell you the truth I have had better service at many of the named chain restaurants.

Originally Posted by alnorth (Post 9888857)

I don't care what other people typically do. I want the option to tip anywhere between 5 cents to over 35% or anything in between. If a restaurant forces an 18% gratuity, I will probably not return. The restaurant in the OP is dumb.

Originally Posted by Guru (Post 9888974)

This reminds me of another peeve of mine. Don't put tip lines on receipts when your place does nothing requiring a tip. It confuses customers. We have a couple pizza places that are carryout only and they put a tip line on there and it drives me nuts. You didn't do anything tip worthy.

Originally Posted by Guru (Post 9888974)

This reminds me of another peeve of mine. Don't put tip lines on receipts when your place does nothing requiring a tip. It confuses customers. We have a couple pizza places that are carryout only and they put a tip line on there and it drives me nuts. You didn't do anything tip worthy.

Originally Posted by J Diddy (Post 9889014)

It's standard on credit card receipts. It's funny that you mention that though. They do a hell of a lot more for your pizza than the drivers. They take your order, make it, cook it, and box it. Driver drives it to your house making the same amount as them an hour, plus gas and tips.

Originally Posted by Bugeater (Post 9888979)

Agreed, my favorite BBQ joint does that shit, and while I usually pay cash I do sometimes use my debit card and it annoys me. Then on top of that they also have a tip jar on the counter which is equally annoying.