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Dave & Buster's Tipping 'Scam' Accusations Surface
2 Mar
Summary
- Customers claim suggested tips on receipts don't match percentages.
- Digital payment screens showed higher tip amounts than paper receipts.
- Discrepancies arise from tips calculated on pre-tax versus post-tax amounts.

Dave & Buster's, an international restaurant chain, is currently facing scrutiny over its tipping practices. Customers have accused the popular arcade and sports bar brand of running a tipping 'scam,' with recent incidents highlighting confusing gratuity suggestions.
Reports indicate that suggested tip percentages on digital payment screens appear higher than those on paper receipts, even when the bill total remains the same. This discrepancy has led patrons to question the calculation methods, with some suggesting the system intentionally inflates recommended tips.
Customers have clarified that the confusion arises from tip suggestions being calculated on the post-tax amount on digital screens, whereas paper receipts often show pre-tax tip calculations. This practice, while common, has been called 'sneaky' by some patrons who feel it's designed to catch them off guard.
This is not the first time Dave & Buster's has been implicated in such issues. A viral TikTok video previously highlighted a significant difference in a suggested tip amount at a New York location. Etiquette experts advise basing tips on food and beverage costs, not taxes or added fees, urging diners to review their bills carefully.