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Joe’s Italian Ice Accused of Adding 20% Tip Without Consent Near Disneyland

The customer’s post with a receipt image prompted questions about California rules that require clear disclosure of mandatory fees.

Overview

  • On January 13, X user Sam Carter shared a photo showing a $7.79 purchase at Joe’s Italian Ice with a $1.56 automatic gratuity, bringing the total to $9.35.
  • Carter says staff told him the customer-facing tablet used for selecting tips was broken while the attached card reader still processed the charge.
  • Inside the Magic and DisneyFanatic reported the incident on January 14 based on the customer’s account and receipt photo.
  • Commenters questioned whether an undisclosed automatic gratuity complies with California requirements to clearly display mandatory fees on menus or signage.
  • The coverage does not include a response from Joe’s Italian Ice, and no refund or enforcement action has been confirmed.