Outback Steakhouse - so long coming in under reimbursement!

I just learned we're no longer allowed to use any rewards, freebies, coupons, or discounts - including the 10% AARP - on an Outback shop. Hell, that was how I tried to offset that mandatory 20% tip.

Hard to believe they'll allow a free dessert on the birthday scenario.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

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why are they mandatoring tips?

The service I received at the last 3 I've done did not warrant a 20% tip.

I'm doing a Lunch shop tomorrow? I guess I should check my calendar before I go to bed, might be Monday. No big deal, I'll get it done. Anyway, I don't usually have much trouble coming in under reimbursement. The lunch menu only has 9 things on it total, but you can get 2 of the median priced lunches, drinks, and an appetizer or alcoholic beverage and include the tip and still come under reimbursement. The least expensive appetizer is the bloomin onion, and usually the LTO gimmick beverage are about the same price, and the beverage usually has a toy I get to bring home with me. I have an alligator and a shark!!

I'd rather do dinner, but the only restaurant I'm eligible for this round only had a lunch available.

I really don't understand why everyone is so weird about leaving a tip. These folks work hard, and everybody has bad days, I know I do. And a nice tip might make them feel valued and change their attitude, even if it's just a little bit. Why can't you just be nice?

@Morledzep wrote:

The least expensive appetizer is the bloomin onion

Also, you can get it as petals, for a cheaper and smaller portion size with it already detached. One of the servers told me that early on. And interestingly added that TXRH's cactus blossom is based on it.

I only do the shop because my mother likes eating there for some reason. I'm not a fan of the food.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

Tipping based on a percentage of the bill just doesn't make sense. The server does the same amount of work whether customers order a free water or a paid beverage. They do the same amount of work whether the customer orders a $10 burger or a $40 lobster dinner. Many restaurants that list the suggested tip amounts even include the tip on the tax.

The price of the food goes up, so it does not make sense that the expected percentages have also been raised. Many restaurants list outrageous suggested percentages. Tipping used to be 10% long ago, then was 15% for decades, and now people are expecting 20%.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2024 03:17PM by mjt9598.

Outback shops do not pay a shop fee in my area. Their food is not good enough for me to just go there for the food. It is always a mediocre dining experience. Boo Outback

Oh man, for these shops, they should increase the reimbursement amount, not just to cover the least expensive items.

Not related to this topic, but found the other tipping thread in general interesting. Didn't really think about some the other stuff people mentioned. Personally, I just don't overly stiff on the tip and carry extra change in cash.

I have only done one Outback shop and never again! We did the birthday scenerio and thank goodness we were acting. If that had been a real birthday meal, that would have been a disaster. This one goes on my 10 foot pole list and I am always up for a meal that I don't have to cook.

So many restaurants have raised their prices and the reimbursements no longer cover the costs, I am not going to those any longer. It should not cost me money. Also, they keep adding items that are required to be purchased.
Examples of those restaurants are: Shooters, Hard Rock Cafe, Outback
and on the other hand many of the ones that are contracted to A Closer Look do give you enough to cover the costs.
Also did a Benihanas Hibachi and they gave you more than enough to cover the cost of the meal.
If you go to Texas Roadhouse early, you can get the early bird and stay under the $50 reimbursement. The restaurants that the Jack Network in my area also give you enough to cover the cost and give you a $10 fee and that can sometimes cover the overage.
So basically, it is a game to see f you can have a nice meal and stay within the budget.

I don't mind going over the reimbusement some if the food is good and something that my spouse and I actually enjoy. I have been to some of these chain restaurants and the appetizers are quite literally disgusting. I understand the company wants pictures and timing, but we do not enjoy the food. Another unnecessary cost, in my opinion, is the soda requirement. The server should refill beverages regardless of if they are refilling water or a soda.

@Insight wrote:

So many restaurants have raised their prices and the reimbursements no longer cover the costs, I am not going to those any longer. It should not cost me money. Also, they keep adding items that are required to be purchased.
Examples of those restaurants are: Shooters, Hard Rock Cafe, Outback
and on the other hand many of the ones that are contracted to A Closer Look do give you enough to cover the costs.
Also did a Benihanas Hibachi and they gave you more than enough to cover the cost of the meal.
If you go to Texas Roadhouse early, you can get the early bird and stay under the $50 reimbursement. The restaurants that the Jack Network in my area also give you enough to cover the cost and give you a $10 fee and that can sometimes cover the overage.
So basically, it is a game to see f you can have a nice meal and stay within the budget.

I made reimbursement by 39 cents today!! For Lunch even!

Thas how you paly the game!!

deleted

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@mjt9598 wrote:

Tipping based on a percentage of the bill just doesn't make sense.

Agreed, but for better or worse, it has become custom.

Got an alternative approach?

Flat fee per number of items delivered + visits to the table is the most logical, but I prefer not having to maintain a spreadsheet while dining out.

Better yet, let's follow the lead of our European neighbors who are currently thoroughly kicking our ass in all international metrics that matter and have it going on while we, sadly, do not: ditch the tipping culture entirely, and restructure menu pricing accordingly, either via a set service charge per table or guest, and/or adjusting individual item prices.

A 15% service charge plus an increase of 3% per menu item yields the same end result as an 18% tip on the bill.

The argument that tips serve as an incentive falls flat with me. If I don't get good service, I'm not coming back, no matter how fabulous the food may be. Restaurants are in the business of building repeat customers, so the incentive for good service is in the business model.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

The Outback near my home is HORRIBLE. We went there not on a shop recently and the service was so bad that it was laughable. Waited 20 minutes to be greeted. Then server came and asked if we wanted bread. We said yes. She brought plates and no bread- another 10 minutes came to take orders. Soda was delivered NEVER offered refills! I ordered a steak, baked potato and salad. 15 minutes later a burger next to a baked potato was delivered. I told the runner that I did not order that and they ARGUED with me that I did. Burger taken away and the potato remained getting cold. Steak was as tough as nails- think it was from the cow's hoof not belly! . Server then came and said she wanted to give us dessert for the mistake, Asked if we wanted 1 or 2 cheesecake pieces. I said 2 as we both wee disappointed. She brought one. As we were leaving another serve came to our table and put 2 glass of water in front of us. It was a JOKE! We laughed all the way home. We were sing comp cards sent to us for a visit we had also not a shop a few months before. We later read on Yelp that the place was closed by the Bd of health a few months earlier. Not going back there! Certainly no worth doing on a shop with all the pictures and reporting.

Man this shop has got me 3 times now lol. My first shop the pay was $30 and reimbursement was $70. I was excited. I missed a minor thing on that report and got rejected. can't remember why I got rejected for the second. But this last time the service took too long. Our food got served to us an hour and a half later. I was so hungry I forgot to take a before picture and remembered after taking the first bite. Of course another denied. Don't think I would do any more food shops outside the faux chinese restaurants.

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Outback Steakhouse - so long coming in under reimbursement!

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