15% as I understand it is not the new norm. But that's not the topic.

I can see why the gift card is for "merchandise" only. Don't ask me why. But I'm with the folks that say the server wasn't lying.

what kind of sandwich and beer did you have? Did you get a pickle spear?

^^^ Zeke
the server was saying the tip would be 87.5% or nothing.
What would you do??

It was a Friday special...half a BLT and a cup of seafood chowder soup with chips.
The soup is/was great. The beer was a 22 oz mug of Two Hearted Ale.
No pickle

$16 is cheap for that.

I can't see the waitress lying about it, I hope you can talk with a manager and find out what happened.

^^^ That's the reason I go there for Friday lunch..the seafood chowder is addictive. And cheap.

I definitely won't quit going there.

Same as you. But not having any cash sounds strange to me. This has nothing to do with it. But it would have solved the issue. But if they can't take it from the card, then too bad.

^^^ Being a short distance from my home....I left with my drivers license and the $30 gift card.
If it would have been any distance...I would have included a CC.

I could have walked home if needed.

She never mentioned..or asked for a credit card.

Gift cards are great...but maybe they need a notice on them that a gratuity may not be available when using them.

I am not sure I have figured modern tipping out. It really seems to vary from place to place in the US as I travel. I usually figure 20% and round up. Some folks look like they are about to soil themselves if I leave a 20-25% tip. Even chase me down thinking I made a mistake...telling me it is too much as I walk away. Other places, it seems like they would like to soil me (far too low). It is also annoying that many place expect the same percentage tip with a carryout order as when you eat there.

I hate restaurant gift cards and usually give them away to young or old relatives (that may not be quite as far along with their finances), so I don't have to use them. It provides a treat they could not otherwise afford. I typically pay with also reduces risk of card number theft (don't like folks to walk away with my card).

Miller's Ale House doesn't let you tip with a gift card, and Chili's $10 "Bonus" card are a one shot, so if you try to use it for just one drink, the entire $10 will be used, even with a $2 purchase.

The amount of money left over on gift cards I'm sure is staggering.

The whole "overtipping" culture thing is getting out of hand. I would much rather pay more, and have workers paid a better wage, than to have to face all this creative grifting we are seeing these days.

Actually, I prefer for the worker to be paid less AND for society to not feel obligated to tip generously for poor service (the restaurant server getting a participation award).

Once upon a time, people felt morally obligated to tip well when the server worked hard and the lazy servers didn't last long because they got what they deserved. Now, the worst servers are still working because they are going to make good money if they don't do squat for the customer. How is that progress?

My sales commissions are not based on if I showed up but rather if I used my skills and actually sold something.

I've eaten at the Naples location of Miller's Ale House many times...but never had a gift card from them.
I love that place....good food and drinks and always a loud crowd.
Doesn't matter which football team you follow, college or pro, they will have it on one of their tv's.:)

If Taco Bell had $2 gift cards ... I would buy some... and not leave a tip either ;).

All of this is new to me .... but don't understand the "no tip verses all of the remaining card balance tip" logic either ....

Soooo... No tip (soup) for you ... NEXT!

If servers who don’t do squat still have jobs that’s on the manager, not the tipping system.

You and me and about 99% of the population agree on that, yet it’s getting worse not better.

I did a generic search on " can restaurant gift cards be used to tip " and this is the first answer that popped up . Notice the article says yes but there are precautions/advice on how to do it correctly .

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/heres-sure-youre-tipping-correctly-140000714.html#:~:text=In%20most%20cases%2C%20yes% 2C%20you,card%2Dplus%2Dtip%20transaction.

Not saying this is the definitive answer , I suppose individual restaurants may have different policies . SmileWavy

^^^ From your link....
"In most cases, yes, you can tip on a gift card. But a little bit of communication with the establishment may be necessary to help ensure a smooth gift-card-plus-tip transaction."



When she came to the table and asked if I needed anything else...I handed her the card and said "No...I'm fine. I'd like to use this gift card for the meal and the tip" She took it and said "I have to scan it for the amount first"
She returned with a printed receipt for the balance and told me that I would have to use all of it for the tip or none of it.
I decided that $14 for the tip was not going to work.

It sounds like you correctly initiated the transaction , the waitress or establishment failed . Not your fault .