As you all know, I am on the server’s side 99.9% of the time. I want what’s best for those slingers of the hash, those wearers of the apron, my people. I believe in tipping 20% for a job well done and when I say 20%, I mean of the total, not the total before tax. That being said, I do not approve of a restaurant inflating the suggested gratuity totals that so often show up at the bottom of the receipt.
I’m talking to you, Chili’s.
A customer named Lacy went to Chili’s last week and posted a photo of her receipt on the Chili’s Facebook page questioning the charges. Her bill was $35.18 and Chili’s suggested a 20% tip of $10.97. No, Chili’s. Twenty percent of $35.18 is $7.04.
In fact, all of the totals are way off. They are suggesting that a 22% tip on $35.18 would be $12.06 when in fact that would be a 34% tip. Don’t get me wrong, we would all love a 34% tip, but don’t fucking lie about it.
Please get this shit fixed, Chili’s. We servers don’t need any more reasons for customers to question whether or not they are going to leave us a tip and if you are going to inflate the suggested gratuities, that is not going to help us. Maybe you are under the assumption that your customers are stupid and won’t pay attention to complicated issues like math, but I would venture a guess that at least one third of your customers aren’t idiots and might notice your sneaky ways. Lacy did.
Maybe this particular location thought they were doing their servers a favor by saying 15% when they meant 23% and saying 18% when it’s really 28%, but that’s not cool. Personally, I want to earn my 23% tip and not get it dishonestly. Maybe some servers will disagree with me here, but I think most will feel the same I do.
Chili’s, please look into this. Most of your servers are doing the best possible job they know how to do and if you are going to ruin their intentions by trying to be all sneaky sneaky on their behalf, it’s not doing you anyone any favors. Your customers won’t trust you (rightfully so) and your servers won’t trust you because if you are willing to cheat your customers, why would they think you wouldn’t cheat them too?
Perhaps there was some type of coupon involved, but Lacy doesn’t mention that in her post. And Chili’s even responded to her comment admitting it does not look right. What is going on??
Get your shit together. Here, I fixed it for you:
Jacky
This place needs a class action. I just ate there with 3people and the bill came to $89 and some change, my tip of 16% was calculated to $17 and some change. Total was $114. We had dessert too and they added silverware (folks) in the bill and run the bill 2x yes the $114 twice. I called the manager said the 2nd charge will probably drop off another day. I’ve used this restaurant before but never experienced this. Never eating there again.
Susan
The reponses make no sense at all. When I go food shopping and I purchase sale items should I pay the tax on the regular price. NO You may for what you get based on service as well as food.
ASHLEY
Yes she probably ordered regular items and then complain it said she wanted the t3 for 10 deal but they still had to ring in the stuff and then comp it off and that’s why the tip is still larger than what the bill is on her receipt.
Don
Walk this one back BW. There was a discount OP chose not to show on the receipt.
Kira
Gotta agree with the other commenters. I just ate at a Chili’s last week and their suggested gratuity was right on point for my check, so this woman’s bill had to have been split off from a larger total.
Current manager
Bitchy Waiter, are you really basing this entire rant on a half visible receipt??? It’s definitely a split check. Way to stick it to those servers busting their butt for a measly $1 (not 20 %) on a 3 for 10 that just ran them to the death of the rest of their tables. I thought you were on our side??
An ex manager
They need to show you the whole bill not just the bottom portion. Because chilis does it the right way they base the tip off the total bill. Not the bill after discounts. If they show the whole bill I assure you that there is a discount on there somewhere. Whether it is a free chips and salsa or guacamole app. Why cheat the server out of a tip when they get something for free. Do your research before blasting a company that is doing it right.
HH
At one of my previous places of employment, our system had a glitch where the suggested gratuities were for the bill total before splitting. So, if you split the bill all of the separate tabs had the same suggested gratuity based on the original total of the combined bill. It was at a large, national chain restaurant. Once we found out about it we did tell our guests to disregard the suggested tip amounts.
Ariel Riley
Because that is a receipt for a 2-fer and Chilis is rightfully basing the tip on if you bought the items at regular price. As a waiter, you should appreciate that they are trying to do what the customer should be doing on their own: tipping on the regular, not the sale price.