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 Updated 12:20 PM EST, Thu, Nov 19, 2009 <object id="2672" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" height="394" width="448"><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/syndication?id=70431562&path=%2Fstation%2Fas-seen-on"/><embed src="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/syndication?id=70431562&path=%2Fstation%2Fas-seen-on" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" height="394" width="448"></embed><p style="font-size:small">View more news videos at: <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video">http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video</a>.</p></object> 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. “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. First Published: Nov 18, 2009 9:44 PM EST http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/Time-In-Prison--70426052.html?yhp=1
I just read this...I still find it ridiculous that they can actually be arrested for theft...It's a f'n tip...
That's messed up. A tip/gratuity should never be asked for or demanded... EVER. If it is, then it's not (by definition) a tip or gratuity. To arrest someone for it is absolutely insane.
Moral of the story. Don't eat in a party of 5 or more, because the gratuity is usually mandatory/included.
I would have gotten up and left if my service was that bad, without paying for anything. I hate no service. Really though, where is the motivation when gratuity is automatic?
That was pretty stupid of the bar. Now that word has gotten out that they charge a mandatory gratuity and will have you thrown in jail if you don't pay that's bound to hit their business. There is a reason why businesses say "the customer is always right" even when you know for a fact they are not.
The restaurant management pretty much admitted that they provided the party with really bad service. If they offered to comp their food, why not comp their tips? Did they even have to call the cops on them? They paid their bill. This news will drive some customers away from them. Unless they're the only one in the area.
I've never waited tables so I probably don't understand, but why are you obligated to tip more when food costs more? They take your order, bring out your food, fill your drinks. Granted at fancier restaurants they do a little more...but am I missing something here?
Good point. They could've taken a very miniscule hit ... instead they just got a whole bunch of bad publicity. News whether it be good or bad and word of mouth travels fast when it comes to restaurants/bars/clubs.
I claim BS on the owners...you say you'll comp the food but are willing to call the cops because they don't pay tip? If you comp the food then the tip would be zero anyway. They'll get what they deserve as their business will take a big hit.
