I took my husband to dinner last night. We went to a really nice restaurant, but I had a coupon that was going to make it pretty reasonable. Last night was not reasonable. I spent way more than I budgeted. They charged me for WATER! And my water was more expensive than my soda. And if I knew they were going to charge me for water, I definitely wouldn't have gotten both. $3.50 for WATER! And the parking garage that we parked in (Which I have parked in before) was $20.00!!!! For 1.5 hours!!! Last time I parked there it was $7.00. And they automatically charged us 18% gratuity...for a a table of 2? So, I am going to have to trim some things. Puts me futher behind. Yuck!
They charged me for water!
October 10th, 2014 at 08:31 pm
October 10th, 2014 at 09:22 pm 1412972553
October 10th, 2014 at 09:46 pm 1412973967
October 11th, 2014 at 03:11 pm 1413036661
October 11th, 2014 at 03:50 pm 1413039002
I've never heard of an automatic gratuity being added except for large groups, and that is always with plenty of warning. The definition of gratuity implies that it is voluntary. It sounds like what you received was a surcharge. If they used the word "gratuity" and there was nothing on the coupon or menu or signage to let you know it would be added, I'd consider disputing it.
October 13th, 2014 at 03:22 pm 1413210152
Frugal - I received both. Sometimes they filled from a bottle. But sometimes they filled it from a pitcher.
scfr - Yes. US. And I have never had automatic gratuity for 2 people. We decided we just wouldn't go back. There is another place similar that we go to for special events that is just as good, cheaper, and we know they don't charge for automatic gratuity AND we don't have to pay to park.
October 14th, 2014 at 10:31 pm 1413322265
Our DSs both worked as waiters at fairly up scale restaurants while university students so we fully understand the desire for generous gratuities, manager's grab, and tip out but we also have had a full view of what goes on in the kitchen and back-of-house prep .