10% Service charge....

[Jemisa]

A big crowd of us are going out for Boxing day Lunch to a nice restaurant in towm.
Its all booked and deposit paid.
They gave us a copy of the menu we'll be choosing from. However I did notice in small print at the bottom that a 10% service charge will be added to the final bill.

Does this mean NO tip is required? We've calculated that the bill will be coming to approx £500 with drinks. So on that basis the 10% will be £50 give or take.

Surely they don't expect to be tipped too. - What would you do??

Jem

[hc4361]

I don't tip where they add a service charge. If I get bad service I deduct the service charge, but that's only if I feel very strongly about it.

[squarebear]

Just pay and don't tip. Most restaurants add on the tip if it's a large group.

[SizzleSquid]

by law you dont have to pay the service charge-its discretionary and they have no right to demand it. If i dont like the service-i dont pay it. Simple.
In fact there have been times ive been out with a group and we have refused the service charge because we were served by about 4 different waitresses who couldnt care less wether we enjoyed our food or not. So why are we paying the service charge? For what service? unless i am waited on hand and foot i never pay it and i usually go up to the actual waitor/waitress and tip them personally- never leave it on the table where it usually gets put back in the till.
In fact-even if you didnt want to pay the service charge or leave a tip thats up to also. All you are required to pay for is the actual food and drinks charged on the menu-nothing else.

[anneasquith]

jem. what have you decided to have for lunch ?

[jd_here]

I'd ask them to remove the service charge and leave a tip as you see appropriate. Enjoy

[askyourgran]

I wouldn't tip where a service charge is added. I always think it's a rip-off.

[Count-A-Strong]

I never ever ever EVER pay the service charge and I only tip if the service has been good.

[WhiteBears]

dont tip!! that 10% service charge is their tip

[Jemisa]

Well being as there's a few of us I think I'll go for the easy option BUT perhaps I'll wait and see what the majority are doing.
Anne - - -
Because Christmas day we won't be having the full works I think I'll go for Starters the prawns in garlic butter with green salad wholemeal crunch bread.Then the full Turkey Roast + + + and if I've got room Individual choc/pudding with chopped nuts & brandy sauce (not keen on xmas pud.

(and about 8 extra units of insulin)

[anneasquith]

have a great time jem................watch that blood sugar!

[Jemisa]

Yes Anne, I'll watch the blood sugar, I get fed up watching my blood sugar, I've been watching it for 30 years. I'd like a rest from it. I'm fed up pricking every day.fed up looking at every label. fed up with people saying "can you have that?" Fed up injecting.
Sorry, Just felt like a Rant. Going to bed now (After I've done my blood sugar)

jem

[Invictas]

If there is a service charge I never tip.
However,if you want to make sure tha the staff get the tip leave in in cash(or give it to the waiter/waitress in person)If you allow it to be added to a credit card bill the waiting staff may not get the tip,they should do by law,but often do not.
By the way a service charge is not enforceable under law,you have every right to refuse it.

[trt]

Jemisa,
Tell the restaurant manager when you arrive that you wont pay the service charge if the service is crap, but will tip the staff if its good. The word will get around and you should get great service, especially over the Xmas period.

[237SJ]

As Invictas says, you should deduct the tip from the bill and pay it in cash. If you put it on the card the credit card company gets a percentage. There is no guarantee that the restaurant company doesn`t get a cut of the bill either. My favourite local restaurant mentions on the bill that all tips go to the staff but not all establishments are so honest

[oranger]

If you are against the service charge dont pay it,but certainly tip a member of staff who really looks after you.