A restaurant is taking a customer to court after they tried to claim back a huge tip they deliberately left on their bill.
Mariana Lambert, a waitress at Alfredo's Cafe in Scranton, Pennsylvania, was left stunned on her shift three months ago when she received the $3,000 (€3,049) gratuity payment on a meal costing just $13 (€13.21).
Eric Smith told her he had left her the large sum after being inspired by an online movement named 'Tips for Jesus', with initially sceptical colleagues confirming to Mariana shortly afterwards that the credit card payment had gone through successfully.
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Speaking of her appreciation for the apparent random act of kindness at the time, she told local media: "It really meant a lot to me because everyone's going through stuff. It really touched my heart. I still can't believe it. I'm still in shock."
But a legal battle has now ensued after the diner changed his mind, leaving staff wishing that he had never bothered at all.
Problems began last month when the café received a letter in the post confirming Mr Smith had disputed the payment to claim the money back.
This was despite the business having already processed the payment and had given it to Mariana, meaning they were left €3,049 out of pocket.
After having exchanged messages with Mr Smith on Facebook in an attempt to reach a resolution, the café is now taking him to court in an attempt to recoup the costs, and has stopped replying to him.
Alfredo's Café manager Zachary Jacobson has spoken his disappointment over how the affair has turned out, saying: "We thought somebody was actually trying to do a good thing. And then now we are, what, three months later? Not even, and there's nothing. There's nothing to show for it at this point."
He added that the café has filed charges at the magistrates court as they were "just out of this money at this point", and would likely end up suing him after Eric himself suggested they do so.
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