Quote:
Originally Posted by MarchHare
Will they, though? What does an average meal with a few drinks at Earl's cost pre-gratuity? Let's say $50. Is someone who normally tips 10% really going to take their business elsewhere if their final bill goes up by $3 from $55 to $58?
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I guess the only real answer to this is, it could. Historically, people notice higher prices and make a big deal out of it, no matter how small the increase. Only time will tell the difference. Earls is being smart here by introducing it in a new location rather than switching the policy in an existing restaurant, since restaurants like that always have massive, massive sales within the first 3 months. That's what might save them. Be neat to re-visit this topic in a few months to see where it's gotten too.
This whole thing really proves what I (and a few others) have been saying for years. You can't change the tipping system without trying to change an entire part of North American culture. People claim to have wanted the system to go in this direction but now that it is, they hate it.