'No added gratuity': Waiter demands to be compensated after getting stiffed on a $3,600 event, then quits when owner refuses

Author image for Eleonora Bader
Eleonora Bader
Jul 30, 2023 8:00 PM EDT

"I used to be a server like you, and I've gotten stiffed by tables before. It just happens and you need to get used to it" were a restaurant owner's words when one of the waiters approached him after being stiffed on a $3,600 event. Talk about a good manager, huh? OP took to r/Serverlife after a frustrating incident at work happened, where he was forced to wait on a large party with a reservation booking in the restaurant's event room. Per usual, the restaurant was ridiculously understaffed, and OP's boss told him that he would have to wait on the party alone.

OP protested, but alas, it was to no avail. The owner promised OP that he would get the entire tip pool without any tip-share for the party since he would be acting as their host, bartender, and server. Not that OP had much choice anyway, but being the sole recipient for a 21-person table didn't sound so bad. Knowing that the table was ordering the most expensive things, OP really did his best to be the perfect server. He was even told by the host that he was doing a superb job.

The smile on OP's face quickly evaporated when he found out that the party hadn't left a dime in terms of tips. He stomped up to his manager to negotiate, as he refused to accept that he'd basically worked for free. Scroll down to read what happened next. For more, here is another waiter who went through a difficult experience at work, as customers contacted corporate to get him fired.

Advertisement
  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/Pilkie_ 3 days ago Got Stiffed on a Huge Table 2 I used to work at a chain seafood restaurant as the bartender, I'd been there for 4 years before I quit . For context, we were wildly understaffed because our boss fires servers for small infractions.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 02
    Font - We had a large party with a reservation booking our event room. It was just me and one other server in the restaurant which isn't appropriate for the size, but we are constantly understaffed. When the party came in, the owner let me know that I'd be taking the party since the other server wasn't experienced. He forced me to give up the 5 tables I already had, 4 of which were already served their food and one that was waiting for their desert.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 03
    Font - I protested but the owner said that I would be taking the entire tip pool without any tipshare for the party since I would be acting as their host, bartender and server. This was a group of 21 people, so I figured the tip would be well worth it since they already prebooked their meal since everyone was having lobster save for 2-3 people that were having steak.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 04
    Font - I busted my as to prep all the salads and drinks for the table, made almost 40 margarita and was literally sprinting when outside the event room to keep up. The 'gentleman' who was hosting the event asked me if I was the only server and event complimented my effort.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 05
    Font - 21 salads, mains and deserts later plus the sodas and margaritas and I'm exhausted. The owner hands the host of the event the folder with the bill and room expenses and extra drink expenses. Well here's the kicker: NO. ADDED. GRATUITY.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 06
    Font - They were out the door when I finally got a look at the bill. They had spent $3000 for the event plus another $600 on bottles of wine and margheritas. But when I looked at the tip, nothing but a line drawn through it.They stiffed me, no tip at all. I looked over it 2-3 times and nothing. I asked the owner where my tip was, hoping it was included in the price or something, but no.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 07
    Font - I lost my cool and demanded to know why there was no added gratuity, owner said that it was a corporate decision, and that the franchises cannot use added gratuity, even though we were a rare franchise that had a special event room for large groups. I had totally lost my composure at this point and demanded that I be compensated for
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 08
    Font - the tables I gave up and paid a higher wage for the 4 hours I worked the event. Owner just said, "I used to be a server like you, I've gotten stiffed by tables before. It just happens and you need to get used to it." That hurt, I'd been pulling doubles 4 days a week and worked Christmas Eve and new
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 09
    Font - years as the lone bartender and countless shifts as an insanely overwhelmed server, I'd covered everybody's shifts for years when he needed me; and the dk couldn't even empathize with me. After like 30s of standing there in silence while trying not to flip out, I quit.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 10
    Font - Owner's called me 12 times in the past 3 days. First he demanded apologies for the way I spoke to him, and yeah I was an a le, but he won't get an apology from me. The he started asking me what shifts I could cover. I've blocked him now. That was the angriest I've ever been at the world, I've genuinely not felt that level of unadulterated rage before or since.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 11
    Font - TL;DR I got Stiffed on a $3600 event as the lone person working it, got really mad and quit. Edit: I should mention this whole incident happened many months ago, this text has been sitting on a sticky note on my laptop since the morning after I got fired. I added to it as things went on. I just wanted to wait till I was settled in with a new job before I started bad mouthing my old place of work.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 12
    Font - I now work at a very nice family-owned tavern style restaurant. I'm treated very well by the owners, two very sweet grandparents who have been in the business for a very long time.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 13
    Font - Edit 2: I didn't expect this to blow up so much, so I did a little digging and called my old coworkers; this owner was removed from their ownership position of the franchise about 2 months after this happened and was replaced with a new owner.
    via u/Pilkie_
  • 14
    Font - BullRoarer McGee 3 days ago The fact that this wasn't auto grat is just mind blowing. Your bosses are not interested in your well being. What a sh y situation. Edit. Your ex bosses. Good on you 316 Reply Share
    via u/BullRoarerMcGee
  • 15
    Font - Range Money2012. 3 days ago Move on, the too many bar workers jobs to work for an idiot Reply Share 396 Pilkie OP 3 days ago I've since been working at other bars, this happened almost a year ago. Doing great now, I really like my new gig. 197 Reply Share
    via u/RangeMoney2012, u/Pilkie_
  • 16
    Font - Selkie ButFeline. 3 days ago Oh my gosh I just saw red. Stiffed on 3600 check? A big event like that? I bet the guy gave your manager the cash tip and he pocketed it. 97 Reply Share
    via u/SelkieButFeline
  • 17
    Font - Sal793 days ago This was my first thought. 36 Reply Share MarceltheKnight. 3 days ago Same thought here. There's no way that sort of party would be hosted and no gratuity ask for or given. 19 Reply Share
    via u/Sal79, u/MarceltheKnight
  • 18
    Font - Defiant-Ad-3764 - 3 days ago 21 person group and no auto- gratuity? That's absurd. Assuming 20%, you were stiffed $720. Reply Share 150
    via u/Defiant-Ad-3764
  • 19
    Font - ashpashy 3 days ago If I was the owner, I would have eaten the cost and compensated you. You should have your staff's back especially when you see them put in that much effort. Fu<that guy! 37 Reply Share
    via u/ashpashy

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

management tips seafood-restaurant server-stories manager owner waiter customers gratuity waiting tables quit restaurant compensation servers-life bill no tip quitting
Scroll Down For The Next Article