scoobynutta555

What's the situation where if you were not happy with the service but were dining at a place where "gratuity included" was on the menu? Can you get the tip removed from the final bill?

We've just been discussing this, no-one seems to know though. I for one seeing this on a menu would be enough for me not to eat there. A tip as far as I'm concerned should be offered as a bonus and not a part of the fixed costs.

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

Gratuit means Free

but could be free of

or just refuse to pay all the bill

SJ_Skyline

Yes you can. We went out a couple of years ago with friends, about 5 couples in total and the food was all over the place with dishes turning up out of synch, some lukewarm. The bill had at the bottom "For your convenience, a 10% gratuity has been added" We underpaid by 10% and added a note to the bill "For your convenience we've removed the 10% gratuity".

And never went back.

Freak

Think how many people dont notice that, and then leave a tip on top of that as well!

I dont tip in the uk unless the service REALLY warrants it (unlike the US where it is the cultural norm) , so would probably remove such a % that had been added on

boxst

I have noticed that quite a lot of places add the 10% (or 15% sometimes) and then ask if you wish to add a tip.

I have refused to pay the service charge when things have been terribly wrong.

Steve

TopBanana

Yes. What's to stop you?

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

I don't pay it at all.

Basically a way for the restaurant to make money. If you use the card reader to add on a tip the restuarant takes about 15%

If it is "a discretionary gratuity for parties of six or more" and you pay by card they take up to 40% of it.

Basically if you want to reward good service by the staff leave cash. That way they actually get it.

5t.

TopBanana

15%... 40%... where do these figures come from? Surely it depends on the policy of the restaurant.

I prefer to tip cash too if I can, especially if I've had very good service. Quite often the staff say 'no' to the add gratuity question for you... can't blame them.

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Hence why i said up to, it will depend on policy but since you aren't told the policy best to play safe and leave cash.

We have a few students who come in on work experience. The last two have had weekend jobs as waitresses and said the same thing about the different places they work.

5t.

TopBanana

How can you be sure no restaurant takes over 15 or 40%?

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

Apologies i can't. They could take it all if they wanted. Just commenting on what i do know.

Clearly my use of 'up to' has pushed some pedant button but to be honest i thought it was scandalous enough and couldn't see anyone taking anymore than that.

5t.

cster

I believe the legal situation is that you don't even have to pay for the food, let alone the service if you are not happy with it.

stevem2k

I left only a token gratuity at a fairly expensive restaurant in NY. After the Maitre 'd came rushing out to explain to us that we'd 'forgotten' to leave a tip , I explained to him in front of all those waiting at the bar all the 'service' that they'd forgotten during our meal.

Goes both ways....

ChefDude

you get used to it in London varies from 12.5% to 15%, but they pretty much all say "Optional service charge ..."

The worst offenders are chinese restaurants! They give you some half ar$ed bit of order ticket stub with 10 chinese characters printed on it. It's stapled to another piece of paper with £42.95 written on it. you know there's a gratuity added, but who reads chinese!?!

Chef 'Singaporean but doesn't speak or read chinese' Dude

Freak

Done the same when have had lousy service in NY (which thankfully is rare).
As long as you actually state thats the reason, they dont have an issue with it, and will usually aplogise profusely, and in one case even gave me a full refund on the bill.

bigvern

iTrader: (1)

Don't forget that the restaurant takes a percentage of the tip -which is used to make the staff's wages up to minimum wage. The tip you have given does not go only to the staff-Pizza Express take 8% of tips. Ask next time you'll be suprised. And its legal... .

Tidgy

i never pay it, if they add it i take it off and complain.

you don't pay a bus driver extra for getting you there on time do you?

sunnybono

I get it removed if i am not happy.

Luan Pra bang

2 things. Restaurants take a percentage of credit card tips not cash. If you had to tax and dish out tips to stroppy waitreses who all think they are owed £100's you would want a cut.

2nd thing pizza express is a posh mcdonalds for pizza not a restaurant.

bigvern

iTrader: (1)

However paying staff below minimum wage and making it up with tips isn't good...

Leslie

Surely they can't force you to pay a gratuity or a tip by law.

Les

Luan Pra bang

If the food is so bad you do not wish to pay the full amount you are legally obliged to pay 1/3 of the cost and leave your name and address so the restaurant can decide wether or not to take you to court. Failure to do this means under the eyes of the law you have entered a restaurant with no intention to pay and that is a crime.

Luan Pra bang

They cannot force you to pay a tip but if it states on the menu that there is a 10% service charge to pay then that charge is considered part of the cost of the meal and you are obliged to pay it.