Couple Arrested for Refusing to Pay Tip

[SAMSON123]

Ummm... Gratuity is optional..I guess except in america

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

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.

[OzmO]

The 18% gratuity is understood beforehand on group events in many restaurants.  It's that way practically everywhere.  Like the article said, it won't hold up in court most likely anyway. 

However, if it was a normal situation 2-4 people eating.  Tipping would be optional.

Once again, spin gone stupid on your part moonbot.

[SAMSON123]

The 18% gratuity is understood beforehand on group events in many restaurants.  It's that way practically everywhere.  Like the article said, it won't hold up in court most likely anyway. 

However, if it was a normal situation 2-4 people eating.  Tipping would be optional.

Once again, spin gone stupid on your part moonbot.

Oh the IRONY IDIOT...

They did not refuse the gratuity because of it being 18 percent and the article did not say how many people are required before the "gratuity" is FORCED...The couple refused to pay because of the POOR SERVICE. Try reading and comprehending sometimes..It makes a world of difference in the outcome.

[Skip8282]

For $13.14 the restaraunt lost 6 customers.  If it had been handled properly, those 6 people could have been repeat customers in the future.  Not to mention that people watching this circus act may choose not to return.

I don't believe the manager either.  They were going to comp them $73.00, but had them arrested for $13.14?  Yea, right.

[grab an umbrella]

Obviously this story is a little off the deep end, but its surprising how many people don't tip well.

[24KT]

Ummm... Gratuity is optional..I guess except in america

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

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.

This doesn't make any sense to me. If the writer of this article is accurate, it is inconceivable to me that the managers would offer to comp a $73 meal, then call police over a $13^.14 tip. Does that make any sense.
Based on what I see presented, I'm finding more credibility with the couple than I am with the restaurant or it's mgmt. That restaurant is gonna have a PR nightmare on their hands. 

[OzmO]

Oh the IRONY IDIOT...

They did not refuse the gratuity because of it being 18 percent and the article did not say how many people are required before the "gratuity" is FORCED...The couple refused to pay because of the POOR SERVICE. Try reading and comprehending sometimes..It makes a world of difference in the outcome.

Moonbot,

Obviously you don't get out much and or never went to dinner with a large group pf people.  Is there some CT in eating out too?  Perhaps you are real comfortable living in your Mom's basement observing the forces behind the scenes controlling the world with their lies and evil plans.  

I know why they refused to pay, but it doesn't matter as the "mandatory" gratuity for groups should have been told to them beforehand.  So in essence they were refusing to pay "the bill."  However, it really doesn't matter as the case will likely be thrown out.

So once again, another failed stupid spin job from the resident moonbot who blabbered:  Gratuity is optional....I guess except in America.