Restaurant Complaint Letter

[Panthro]

I thought it was just me who got the crap food and noticed the sh!tty service....until I got home.

[Kettle]

catsup is for kids

[MadHatter]

It's illegal to force you to tip. You can always request that they remove the gratuity. Not very many people know this.

Actually, that is not true.

A restaurant can add a "gratuity" to any bill (regardless of the number of persons at the table).

Establishments that automatically charge gratuity are required to hang a sign in their entrance that state the charge of gratuity....or clearly state this policy on the menu. Since the sign and/or menu is in public view, the diner basically agrees to the terms when they come inside and eat there. If you refuse to pay the tip, it is the same as refusing to pay the bill....and that is illegal.

[MadHatter]

Is this ok to send? I'm more irritated that they added gratuity onto my bill....

I've enjoyed eating at ___________ for close to 10 years now. Tonight however it was not the case.

I'm not one to usually write or comment on food service as there are many elements that come into play but tonight's overall experience warranted this email.

The server wasn't knowledgeable about the menu, was not attentive, forgot the ketchup on multiple trips, and for some weird reason charged gratuity on our bill for a 4-top. I tip 20% for bad service and that’s what she would have ended up with tonight but I left the amount she added on. I thought she might have been new. Is this something that _________does now? I cannot get over how weird the experience was tonight….only because it’s not typical.

Our food was also poorly done. The lettuce on the quesadilla was brown and wilted, the sweet potato fries were cold, and the breading on the chicken fingers (which might be one of my favorite items on any menu) was soggy.

No one complained though. We are pretty low maintenance. It wasn’t till I got home and talked to my fiancé and mentioned the poor dining experience that she spoke up. We both thought that it was pretty uncharacteristic of your past and wanted to bring it to your attention.

You should definitely send the letter. You were very professional and non-confrontational in the note. You were informing an establishment that you often frequent of a bad situation. The owner/manager of the establishment should and likely would welcome this feedback. Without it, they often have no idea that there is an issue. I

[Floppin]

Actually, that is not true.

A restaurant can add a "gratuity" to any bill (regardless of the number of persons at the table).

Establishments that automatically charge gratuity are required to hang a sign in their entrance that state the charge of gratuity....or clearly state this policy on the menu. Since the sign and/or menu is in public view, the diner basically agrees to the terms when they come inside and eat there. If you refuse to pay the tip, it is the same as refusing to pay the bill....and that is illegal.

It actually depends. It's been put into court a few times believe it or not. The restaurant has only ever won one case that I've seen. Every other time it's been upheld that a restaurant can't force gratuity.

[Panthro]

The manager just called... great guy. I didn't want anything in return and he insisted on comping my meal and sending me something in the mail. I didn't want an apology I just wanted to give them a heads up. I told him if this was a new place we'd just never go back and tell our friends....but we knew it was uncharacteristic.

[Bronn]

shut up, ptarmigan

[Hotsauce]

Just call the restaurant police....ass!

[Mrs Pantherfan]

damnit!!! I really wanna know where this was!!!

[Hawk]

was she at least hot?

all waitresses lose some of my very good tipping if they aren't hot

[MadHatter]

It actually depends. It's been put into court a few times believe it or not. The restaurant has only ever won one case that I've seen. Every other time it's been upheld that a restaurant can't force gratuity.

I asked two attorneys in our office. They said that if the restaurant clearly stated that a gratuity is added, it is TOTALLY legal.

Just like they can charge a set-up fee for sharing a meal....charge for drink re-fills....etc.

By clearly stating the policy on the menu or when you enter the restaurant, the gratuity become more of a "fee" rather than an optional "tip".....and by ordering and eating, the customer accepts the policy.

[Floppin]

I asked two attorneys in our office. They said that if the restaurant clearly stated that a gratuity is added, it is TOTALLY legal.

Just like they can charge a set-up fee for sharing a meal....charge for drink re-fills....etc.

By clearly stating the policy on the menu or when you enter the restaurant, the gratuity become more of a "fee" rather than an optional "tip".....and by ordering and eating, the customer accepts the policy.

It's totally legal for them to put it in the bill. It's also totally legal for you to refuse to pay it, and they can't "make" you pay it. That was my point. Not that it's illegal to actually charge you to begin with.

[SteveSmithOwns]

I've stopped seeing girls in the past because they were rude to servers.... so I am anything but that. i may be too nice

its like she knew she sucked and added a tip on there.

Putting gratuity on a 4 top is ridiclous. Speaking as a server who is still in college, if I know I gave bad service, which isn't often, and mostly when I'm ridiclously busy, I honestly don't expect a tip. I usually am pretty aware on if I did good or bad. I see nothing wrong with what you wrote in.

[Chaos]

Which Hardees was this again??