Compulsory service charges in restaurants.....

[Smiffy]

Do you tip as well????

 

[KenL]

Nope. Also, they can't make you pay the extra if you are not happy.

 

[Smiffy]

Nope. Also, they can't make you pay the extra if you are not happy.

Appreciate that Ken. But just wondering what others do.....

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I'm open and honest with waiters if I think the service or food has been poor, but I wont tip aswell as pay a service charge,one or the other.

 

[Smiffy]

I normally tip, (quite generously if I'm honest), but don't normally frequent restaurants that have a "service charge".
One we went to last night in Brighton charged 10%. It was very good, service was very attentive and the food was scrummy.
Just didn't feel that I should tip as well as pay the 10% charge.
Was I being mean???

 

[Hobbit]

If there’s a service charge, and the service is poor I ask them to remove it from the bill. If I feel the service charge is too high I’ll ask them to remove it. If I feel the service has been very good they’ll get a good tip, occasionally above what the service charge is.

I don’t like service charges. It’s up to me to determine if I’m happy with the service, not some back office person/manager to assume the service deserves a tip.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I would avoid any restaurant that has an automatic service charge, can't think of any in my area that do so no problem.
I only tip if I get friendly attentive service, so probably about 50% of the time.

 

[USER1999]

I always wonder if the service charge ever gets divvied up to the staff, or if it goes on the bottom line.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

A service charge is a tip. If you tip on top then you are tipping twice.

I am hugely against service charges. They are arrogant charges. It is up to us, the customer, to decide if the service has been good, not the restaurant.

 

[Tashyboy]

Last meal I had I paid a £3 tip on a £30 meal, obviously 10%. It said on the receipt over 8 people a 10% service charge added.Why?
If the service is good I will tip, if not, No tip. Never left a tip on a card machine. Always cash tips.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I am not sure there is such a thing as a 'compulsory' service charge - maybe there is - in any case you can ask to have to removed from a bill. We often do this as we prefer to give a tip - if we are going to do that - direct to those who have provided us with the service - then up to that individual(s) to choose what to do with it. We almost always give a tip - 10%-15%. 15% if exceptional service. We never pay a set Service Charge and also give a tip.

 

[backwoodsman]

To me, service charges are disingenuous. The menu prices should cover all costs & overheads - which includes the cost of waiting staff's wages. If one is included, I'll ask the waiter if it will come to them as a tip. If not, I ask for it to be removed, and say I'll leave something on the table. Doesn't always happen though.

 

[ScienceBoy]

My wife was a waitress for 10 years, she is the first to not tip if she recognised poor service.

I would tip on top of service charge for out of the way good service but not generally.

I probably tip more than she does...

 

[Neilds]

To me, service charges are disingenuous. The menu prices should cover all costs & overheads - which includes the cost of waiting staff's wages. If one is included, I'll ask the waiter if it will come to them as a tip. If not, I ask for it to be removed, and say I'll leave something on the table. Doesn't always happen though.

Totally agree with this, the cost should cover everything involved with getting the food to your table. What other industry charges you for a service and then goes, sorry we haven’t charged you for everything, could you please pay another 10%? They would never survive

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

My wife was a waitress for 10 years, she is the first to not tip if she recognised poor service.

I would tip on top of service charge for out of the way good service but not generally.

I probably tip more than she does...

I'm thinking we might do this also if the Service Charge cannot be removed. Give the waiter/waitress a small tip on top of the SC and tell them to keep it.

 

[rulefan]

If the bill shows a service charge I always ask the staff if they get it. If they are not sure or prevaricate I take it off the bill and give them cash. If the charge is over 12.5% I don't pay the extra. I understand the staff used to pay tax on tips. An estimate was made by HMRC and their tax code was adjusted. But I'm not sure it still happens.

 

[williamalex1]

No tip if there's a service charge, normally leave 10% of the total bill when the service is good.
Only leave 10% of food bill [ not drinks ] if service is below average, no tip if service is bad.
IMO , you should actually get a discount for 6 people or more people

 

[Robster59]

We tend to tip but as cash rather than as part of the bill. As above, I'm against the service charge as it is down to me if I think the service deserves it. In most instances to be honest the service I receive has been good. We also check as to who gets the money, which is why we prefer to pay the tip in cash.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Always tip near to 10%

If it's a note and say the tips £9 I won't bother bother

If the tip was £5 and bill was £47 I'd just leave them £50 and so on

These days always carry notes to restaurants just for tips as I pay by card

If service charge I will still leave change unless paying by card

 

[3offTheTee]

Wait until Ye old Bonner from across the pond wakes up. Sure he will have an opinion along with Slab.

Been refused a drink in Canada the second time when standing at a bar I did not tip the first time!