Pamela M.
Yelp
I'm very disappointed that Dazzle is one of the establishments who have decided to automatically add gratuity onto customer's bills and makes no mention of the added charge. It's egregious to me when someone doesn't know they've been charged and think they need to tip again, it's taking money from unassuming people.
It was just 2 of us at the bar. We each had a drink and shared an app. That's it! There'd be NO expectation given that simple scenario (not a group or anything or big table) there'd be a 20% grat charge.
Here's the multitude of problems I see with choosing to do this:
- People are often out with others, they're busy, talking, trying to have a good time. It's a very distracting situation to notice a small line item on the bill. It should be verbally stated by staff that gratuity is being added. They know what they're doing by not saying anything and it is angering if anyone is trying to sneak a 40% double tip from unknowing customers. Do the right thing -- this ain't it.
- Ever notice how faint the ink is on most of these laser-printed checks that most places now use? I swear it's by design. Half the time I can't even read what's on the lightly printed but also the small font choice. The ink isn't even black, it's grey on a white background. That's not easy to read. So, it's easy to not notice.
- Additionally, bills with small, light writing on top of it are given in very dimly lit bars. Stacking the odds... you can't always see what's even listed on the bill to notice the extra charge was added.
- Gratuity is NOT required. It never has been required. It's the choice of the customer to provide gratuity based on their choice and their perceived quality of service. Even if it's added it is still not required by any law.
As server, I NEVER added gratuity to my customer's bills and NOT tell them it's there!! I knew it was wrong to do so, so I did not do it. I'd feel guilty and not want to bamboozle them with double the gratuity unbeknownst to them. And I only made $3.00 per hour!!!! It's still that amount in my home state, it has not even gone up for servers (in particular not bartenders) in all the years since. They make a TON more here in Denver per hour. I believe it is around $17-$19 per hour on top of the tip entitlement they feel, even for mediocre service.
I know some people only think about the short game. How much can I get from people asap, right now.
But, think of the long game. As restaurants and owners continue add all kinds of different fees whether it be cost of living or historical charges or whatever you want to call it -- on top of that the baseline for gratuity expectations continues to go up from what once was 15% ... to 18% to 20% to 25% I am seeing at times. The people dining out are also trying to make a living. If establishments continue to make going out cost-prohibitive, what do they think this does to the long game? It makes going out unaffordable and something people will do less and less.
I see lots of empty seats sometimes.
And for Pete's sake, let people decide how much they want to add for gratuity. Add a "suggested" line, but don't auto-add it for every single check.
"Suggested" precalcuated gratuity line items should be BEFORE tax/fees, technically there shouldn't be a tip added on top of gov't tax. Which I notice is done incorrectly a lot, as well. Calculate it yourself! Can't trust establishments to do it right anymore.
This is wrong, and people know it.