Does a restaurant have the right to charge automatic tip?

[97guns]

I got charged 25% then I added another $20 for a total tip of $45 on a $115 bill for 5 people and I'm not happy. We went on our weekly couples dinner night with another couple and it was our turn to treat. My wife did the ordering and the bill came, $141.03.

They did not give me an itemized receipt and I didn't question it because I didn't want to look like I was scrutinizing the bill in front of the other couple but it bothered me on the way home and the next day. Today I called to the restraint and they said yes we do charge automatic tips on parties of 5 or more, I filed a dispute immediately

I feel it is very poor practice to automatic charge and especially deceiving if they don't disclose it or give an itemized check, am I wrong or right with this train of thought, I feel totally bamboozled

[StormRichards]

Yes they have the right, but I have never encountered a situation where I was not given an itemized check.

I have also never heard of automatic tip of 25%. That is absurd. I know I would never go back to a place like that.

[97guns]

I think it was more like 20%

[rennigade]

They have a right to do whatever they want. I would simply avoid that place like the plague moving forward. Also...ive never heard of a place that didnt disclose the auto tip of x amount in a party. Either you didnt see it or the place is shady.

[Tabs]

I only recall one time where a server let our party know in advance that, for a party our size, they automatically charge a minimum gratuity of 20%, and asked us if that was OK. They emphasized that they only do that with large parties, and it wasn't unreasonable to us.

[rennigade]

I only recall one time where a server let our party know in advance that, for a party our size, they automatically charge a minimum gratuity of 20%, and asked us if that was OK. They emphasized that they only do that with large parties, and it wasn't unreasonable to us.

5 isnt a large party though. There are a lot of families that have 5 people in them. Even parties of 6 are a stretch imo.

I think its ridiculous how they can auto charge you a tip...even if their service sucks. Doesnt make sense. Good reason to avoid places that charge a tip for certain party sizes. No thanks.

[StormRichards]

I only recall one time where a server let our party know in advance that, for a party our size, they automatically charge a minimum gratuity of 20%, and asked us if that was OK. They emphasized that they only do that with large parties, and it wasn't unreasonable to us.

We had a team lunch last month when we were away for a soccer tournament. The waitress let us know immediately that there was an automatic charge for large parties AND she reminded us when she gave us the bill.

[greenskeeper]

most places will list on the menu an automatic gratuity for groups above a certain number. Seems fair since more attention has to be given to your party instead of spreading the work around to more than one table.

[HundredK]

I've always seen it stated on the menu. Sometimes it's in small print, but it's almost always there.

[clatoden99]

Tipping is a social norm created by humans. Though it has a rule, it has no true code of conduct. One may tip $20 for a $20 stay in the restaurant if they wished. One may tip nothing. It's up to where the person is from, meaning if tipping is normal in their culture, how they rate their own tipping, which is usually guided by those around them. Most people will tip more for better service, which is a simple way to equate quality with quantity (x quality service = y quantity of money).

So to answer. Technically, no one has the right and yet everyone has the right to charge automatic tip.

[sv2007]

Lots of restaurants charge automatic tips for a group (and usually the cut off is 5 or 6 people). As for rights, it's their policy, just like there may be a policy for wearing shoes. If you don't like it, you don't go.

Now, because it is tips after all, you can ask to change that amount (increase or decrease) while you're there. Too bad, the restaurant you went to didn't clearly state the automatic tip; I support your line of reasoning -- the restaurant should have made it clear on the bill.

[bjl584]

Yes. I believe that they have the right to do that. And, I have the right to not eat there if I don't like their policy. As long as they are up front about it and don't sneak the charges in on the bill after the fact, I don't have an issue with it.

[disneysteve]

Now, because it is tips after all, you can ask to change that amount (increase or decrease) while you're there.

Absolutely, and I have done just that when the service was awful. I spoke to the manager and decreaAs long as they are up front about it and don't sneak the charges in on the bill after the fact, I don't have an issue with it.[/QUOTE]
Agreed. I have been to restaurants, however, that added the automatic tip but when the bill came, there was still a tip line present. I'm sure a lot of patrons miss that the tip was already added in and they tip more. That shouldn't happen.

[msomnipotent]

I have had a few instances of undisclosed automatic tipping in tourist areas. They think you won't notice or won't do anything even if you do notice. I even caught an automatic tip on our table of three in Fort Lauderdale. I watch the bill like a hawk and would never accept an non-itemized bill. We catch mistakes on 1/4th to 1/3rd of our bills, mostly just being charged for 4 drinks instead of 3 or what not, but sometimes I see whole entrees that were not ordered or math mistakes. I don't see an automatic tip as a mandatory tip, so I adjust the amount accordingly. I don't care if I have to talk to a manager to do it. But usually when I change the amount, it is to add more. My extended family can be a giant PITA.

[97guns]

I've seen many shady restraunts adding a dish to the final bill, I will usually make a list of dishes with a total before going to the restraint but this time I did not for some reason.

I've had Chinese restraunts add extra dishes to the final bill that was no mistake, if it was an honest mistake we would have been charged extra and received the extra dish. When they punch the order into the computer the cook makes the dish and it should come out. But when the scam operation is in place the waiter and cook are both on the same page