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Original poster

Tips/service charge

11 replies

latenightpartyrings · 10/01/2023 18:07

Today I've eaten in a restaurant and noticed an 'optional' service charge included on my bill total. What is the etiquette regarding getting this removed? Just say 'I don't want to pay this' and never return?!

It seems to be more and more common to be told you have to order on an app and then still be expected to pay for service that waiting staff don't actually have to do. Am I being totally unfair??

OP posts:
Summerishere123 · 10/01/2023 18:12

I find this frustrating too. I think it should be my choice to tip not theirs.
I usually pay it unless it is alot.

BumBumBumBumBum · 10/01/2023 18:13

It's not a hill I'm prepared to die on, to be honest. I factor it in to the cost.

Plainsailing1 · 07/02/2023 20:20

I just tell them politely that I don’t agree with it so would like it removed
especially if they stick it on without mentioning it in the menu !!
tbh I try to avails places that add the service charge out of principal
I work for min wage and don’t get tips so why should I give money to people who already earn more than me ?

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MysteryShopperHere · 07/02/2023 20:30

When I was given the bill in a restaurant last week I noticed that a service charge had been added. I mentioned it to the server, who said he could remove it. I said there was no need, he had been very helpful.

When I put my card in the machine to pay, the amount including the service charge came up, plus another box asking if I wanted to add a service charge (or tip, I can’t remember the exact wording.)

I clicked on “No.”

I was on my own, mystery shopping. Had I been with a group and distracted I might well not have noticed and paid a service charge twice.

MysteryShopperHere · 07/02/2023 20:36

As I was mystery shopping I had a spending limit and wasn’t expected a service charge - I’d have ordered less had I realised. It wasn’t in the shopper’s brief but I suppose I could have refused it.

I didn’t see it on the menu. I’ve just checked online and no service charge is mentioned on the menu there.

MichelleScarn · 07/02/2023 20:37

I'd feed that back to the company @MysteryShopperHere its annoying!

MysteryShopperHere · 07/02/2023 20:38

Oh, I did!

inky1991 · 07/02/2023 20:38

Plainsailing1 · 07/02/2023 20:20

I just tell them politely that I don’t agree with it so would like it removed
especially if they stick it on without mentioning it in the menu !!
tbh I try to avails places that add the service charge out of principal
I work for min wage and don’t get tips so why should I give money to people who already earn more than me ?

They don't earn more than you, nearly everyone in hospitality (unless managers) earn minimum wage

If you think they earn more than you then why don't you leave your job and start working in a restaurant?

Growlybear83 · 07/02/2023 20:38

I generally ask for it to be removed and then leave 10% in cash as a tip for the waiter/waitress. I'm never convinced that the waiting staff actually get their tips if it's included in the bill.

LittleMrsPerfect · 07/02/2023 20:40

@Growlybear83

Will it get to the cleaners, Chefs etc if you leave cash for the waiters/waitress?

Growlybear83 · 07/02/2023 20:47

Possibly not but I feel at least there's more chance that it will get to someone other than the restaurant/cafe owner.

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