Couple Busted for Refusing to Pay Tip

Topspin

Verified User
Couple Busted for Refusing to Pay Tip
Patrons claim service was so bad, they had to get napkins and silverware for themselves
By DAVID CHANG



If you’re frustrated by poor service at a restaurant, think twice before you decide to not tip. You may be in for a bit more than just a dirty look from the waiter.

"Nobody, nobody wants to be forced to pay a tip or be arrested for terrible service," Leslie Pope said when her happy hour ended in handcuffs.

Pope and John Wagner were hauled away by police and charged with theft for not paying the mandatory 18 percent gratuity totaling $16 after eating at the Lehigh Pub in Bethlehem, Pa. with six friends.

Pope claimed that they had to wait nearly an hour for their order and that she had to get napkins and silverware for the table herself.

Weird News Photos
LOOK Weird News Photos
Weirdest Creatures of the World
LOOK Weirdest Creatures of the World
Cutest Kids in Hollywood
LOOK Cutest Kids in Hollywood
“At this point I became very annoyed because I had already gone up to the bar myself to have my soda refilled because the waitress never came back,” Pope said.

After the $73 bill came, the group paid for food, drinks, and tax but refused to pay the tip. After explaining the bad service to the bartender in charge, Pope claimed he took their money and called police. The couple was handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car.

“I understand that, you know, we didn’t pay the gratuity, but it was a gratuity, it wasn’t something that was required,” said Wagner.

The owner admitted that the group waited unusually long for their food, but said the pub was extremely busy that night. He said managers offered to comp the food, a claim the couple denies ever happened.

“Obviously we would have liked for the patron and the establishment to have worked this out without getting the police involved,” said Deputy Police Commissioner Stuart Bedics.

Police charged them with theft since the gratuity was part of the actual bill. However, it is doubtful that the charges will hold up in front of a judge. The couple is scheduled to appear in court next month.
 
Yeah, I wouldn't give in for that one... You don't get my money, especially under threat of arrest.
 
wow the police state mentality now days

20 yrs ago nobody would have thought about bothering the police over a tab.

The bartender should be shot.
 
I had a guy call 911 on me for trespassing, as I was talking to him in his front yard, in broad daylight. The cop was like: WTF?
 
Mandatory gratuity???

WTF? That is insane.

"gra⋅tu⋅i⋅ty  /grəˈtuɪti, -ˈtyu-/ [gruh-too-i-tee, -tyoo-]
–noun, plural -ties.
1. a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip.
2. something given without claim or demand."
 
The couple was wrong, they were with a group and lots of joints add auto tip with 6 or more.
That, said every bartender/waiter in the world gets stiffed weekly. Calling the cops is way past over reacting.
 
Mandatory gratuity???

WTF? That is insane.

"gra⋅tu⋅i⋅ty  /grəˈtuɪti, -ˈtyu-/ [gruh-too-i-tee, -tyoo-]
–noun, plural -ties.
1. a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip.
2. something given without claim or demand."

LIberal new-speak.
 
If it's part of the bill it's part of the bill, no matter if that part of the bill is usually voluntary. I see no problem with the practice of mandatory tipping as long as it's stated clearly to all customers that they don't have a choice in the matter.
 
what watermark said ^

this is common practice for large parties. It's part of the cost of the meal, and usually says so on the menu. The group was refusing to pay for something that was already stipulated. They are thieves.
 
I mean, if they tried to be sneaky with it and only warned the customers about it at the end of the meal, then it's not a good business practice. I'd really only support it if it was made clear and obvious, otherwise it's exploitive of the consumer, because no one expects it to be mandatory.
 
Back
Top