‘I never look at my bill’: New England woman notices a Chili’s charge for gaming on the tablet. But she didn’t play—then she overhears the table behind her
Many chain restaurants have started putting tablets on tables.
On the surface, this seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement. Customers can order what they want with ease. Servers get clear directions for orders and do not need to constantly monitor tables for follow-up requests. Plus, some of these tablets even have games to keep diners entertained while they wait for their food.
However, some diners have reported issues with actually using these machines. Specifically, some have accused these machines of miscalculating tips—leading to customers paying more for their meals.
Now, a user on TikTok alleges that she was almost charged for tablet software she didn’t use. She’s not alone.
Why Was This Woman Charged for a Tablet Game at Chili’s?
In a video with over 60,000 views, TikTok user MJ (@tiktokmomof6) explains why she believes “Chili’s was trying to scam me and my husband when we went out to dinner.”
According to MJ, she and her husband visited Chili’s. When they got the check, they noticed that there was a charge of $2.99 on their bill. The charge was for “some game” on the table’s tablet—which MJ insists they did not play.
“[The server] looks and she goes, ‘Oh, it looks like when you tried to log on for your Chili’s rewards that you must have started playing the game,’” MJ recalls. “I’m like, ‘We didn’t play the game. I [clicked] the home button. It says Chili’s Rewards. That was the only thing I touched, to see any rewards that I have.’”
The Chili’s ‘Scam’ Continues
While this could have been a one-off mistake, MJ says a conversation overheard from a nearby table led her to believe something was amiss.
“The people behind us get their bill and they say, ‘What’s this two dollar thing with the game?’” MJ says. “And [the server] goes, ‘Oh, you must have pressed it. A lot of people do that. Let me check — Oh, it looks like right after you ordered your sodas, that you pressed the button.’”
“The lady behind me says, ‘We never touched that machine,’” MJ continues.
According to MJ, her experience paired with the other table’s led her to question the restaurant chain.
“Chili’s, are you trying to pull a scam on people and think that they’re not gonna check the bill?” she asks.
To close the video, she advises Chili’s Corporate that some locations may be doing this with malicious intent.
Has This Happened Before?
Internet users have long complained about the table game fee. Many have complained that they felt the fees for playing the games were not adequately explained prior to purchase.
Claims that customers were charged for games they did not play are also common and have existed for as long as the tablets have been on tables. For example, a Reddit post from six years ago alleged they were charged for “table entertainment” despite not touching the tablet.
“Server took it off after we complained, but wasn’t at all puzzled that it was there,” the user wrote.
Another internet user, this time on Facebook, made a similar allegation against Chili’s.
“Reviewing the receipt, noticed there’s a $2.99 ‘Ziosk Game Pass’ charge,” wrote the user. “About that time, manager walks up asking if everything is ok. Showed him the charge and he says ‘yeah, sometimes you bump it when picking it up.’”
“I never play games on those things, but I would imagine it would take alittle more that than picking it up to get charged for a game,” the user concluded.
@tiktokmomof6 @Chili’s Grill & Bar ♬ original sound – SomeRandomChic
Commenters Think It’s a Scam
While some users on Reddit have non-scam-related theories about why this could be happening, commenters on TikTok had a firmly held belief that the restaurant was trying to get one over on MJ.
“They’ve been pulling this scam for a long time. i warn people about Chili’s all the time,” said a user.
“Exactly. they don’t think that people will check the bill and or care about a $2.99 charge. corporate greed is absolutely insane,” declared another.
“Think of all the men who just pay the bill without ever looking at all of the charges. they are going to make a fortune,” shared a third,
The Mary Sue reached out to Chili’s via email and MJ via Instagram and TikTok DM.
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