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Highlands Today

Locked-In Tip

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Terry Gilding

Published: February 10, 2008

On Jan. 26, a group of us, 48 people from Avon Park, took a bus trip to the Hardrock Casino in Tampa for a day of fun. At the gambling tables we had fun. Some won, most lost or broke even, but it was a good time.

At 3 p.m. a group of 10 gathered for a late lunch at the Harvest Green Buffet. We were five couples. As we entered we inquired as to the price of the buffet and were advised as follows: $29 each before 4 p.m., less $5 coupon, less $5 players club card, total $10 plus tax (the receptionist failed to advise us we could also use points from our players club card, and they did not allow it in the bill as they said it was too late.)

The bill arrived, the cost of the food was okay, the tip was a shocker! Keeping in mind this was a buffet, with minimal service, where by I consider 15 percent is acceptable. In this case the tip was locked in at a whopping 36 percent.

We called the waiter over to object about the locking of the tip that was on our bill, without consulting us. the amount of the tip being 36 percent. The waiter refused to adjust the tip to a reasonable amount, so we asked to see the manager. After considerable discussion, the manager stated that at a table of 10, it was company policy to include the tip on the bill, at a fixed rate. We had five bills, and we could have sat at separate tables.

He agreed the policy was not posted anywhere, the receptionist reported she had no knowledge of this policy.

While the manager agreed that they were in the wrong, he could not adjust the bill because it was already in the computer and could not be changed.

Readers be aware, the casino can be fun but be advised, the Harvest Green Buffet can be tricky.

Terry Gilding
Avon Park

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