Customers Locked Inside Restaurant for Refusing to Pay Tip

Jasmine Marks and several friends ate at La Fisherman in Houston last week. She says the service was poor, the wait staff was rude, drinks never got refilled and they only received part of the order placed.

When she received the bill, she was shocked to see a 17% gratuity added. She asked to see a manager who stated the policy and said there was nothing she could do.  There were more than five people in her group so the gratuity was automatic.

Jasmine refused to pay the gratuity and she and her friends were locked inside the restaurant until police arrived.



Houston locals commenting on message boards say the restaurant is known for its rude service.

Dan Parsons, President of the Houston Better Business Bureau,  now says the BBB is looking into the incident.  He says what concerns the Bureau is that there was a disagreement over a tip and that the police were called.

Jasmine's position is understandable; however, when the 17% gratuity is posted on the menu and on the door, she is responsible and she did pay the gratuity.

A tip should be earned; not demanded. The on duty manager did admit to the reporter that this has happened before.  Apparently, they haven't made any changes in the way they do business.

A simple fix would be requiring the servers to inform the customers of  the gratuity when they ask for the order of a party of six or more.  Unless they count on people not reading the sign/menu and being forced to pay the gratuity.

Tip for Jasmine:  Read the menu; if there are more than four people in your group, ask about the gratuity.

Tip to La Fisherman:  It is just not good business sense to be rude or call the police on customers over a tip.

Peace

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