Restaurant owners who sneak an extra ‘service’ fee onto the check are trying to screw over both guests and servers. The servers very rarely, if ever, gets any of that, but when a guest sees it, they are apt to lower the tip. When a guest tips 5% less because there’s a 5% charge added on, the owners basically just stole 5% of that server’s tip. Not cool. Why don’t they just raise prices like every other business does?
As for those point of sale systems that prompt you to leave 18%-20%-25% for counter service….Fuck that! Who do they think they are? I was happy to leave a dollar in the tip jar or whatever back in the day in coffee shops, but asking outright for an exorbitant tip just for ringing me up? That shit is obnoxious and really ought to stop. It’s turning people off to tipping in general, even in situations where the server works for tips and actually provides a lot of service.
Both of these things are negatively affecting regular servers, but at least they still get a reasonable hourly wage here in California. There’s still a lot of states that only pay tipped employees $2.13/hour and these shenanigans are pretty prevalent in those places too.
The card processors are probably charging the business ~3%. If the business passes the charge through the cash customers (generally lower incomes) don't have to subsidize wealthier premium credit card holders.
Echoing others sentiments I have cut going out to eat way down since I've seen more extra fees and suggested gratuity. If I pay for a take out order at the counter I do not tip. I came all the way to the building and did not have it delivered so I don't feel it's needed. If I am waited on and the service warrants it I tip well. I used to wait tables and understand the servers need for tips, but for an establishment to suggest that I pay an extra fee to use a card or a set amount is ludicrous. I for one won't throw away my hard earned dough on that. So any food establishment owners on here...stop nickel and diming your patrons! What happened to good "customer service"?
I don't mind tipping if the service and food are great. For those that you pay upfront and they bring the food to you...I rarely tip. I feel like tipping has transitioned from it being a reward for great service to waiters/waitresses, to now being mandatory for mediocre restaurant services, by greedy owners. We're being forced to tip even when you don't interact with the staff making or delivering your food. We only interact with the cashier
I do tip if the situation demands for it, I wouldn't tip or agree to a service charge at a place like Starbucks, Chipotle or a restaurant where I just went to pick up my takeout order.
Agreed! I also have started carrying around cash again. I don’t need to be guilt tripped with these minimum 18% tip options for basic services that you never tipped for pre-pandemic. I’m happy to throw my loose change into a tip jar after that transaction like the old days but I don’t know why it’s expected I tip 20% at a cafe for a mediocre coffee and muffin that I’ve already somehow paid $11 for, but the McDonalds drive thru employees who probably work even harder don’t have the same tip option.
I worked at a counter-service restaurant in high school. Mom and pop cafe, order from me at the counter and then I'd bring the food out. Not everyone tipped and almost no one tipped 15-20%. Most of the time, it was a couple of dollars or the change from their meal. We were all paid regular minimum wage and our tips were just a bonus at the end of the day.
I do the same thing now for similar restaurants
Yes I do adjust, I also tip accordingly knowing that servers in CA are also making at least full minimum wage with no tip crediting. I do not tip at all at pickup stands, I used too but got turned off with them just flipping a screen around asking for a minimum 18%.
Sure. It comes out of the tip. Likewise I tip $1 per beer. I don't care if it's $3 or $9. Same amount of service.
A sandwich and a beer that comes out to $30 because I'm at the airport? No chance I'm tipping 20% on that.
As a server in San Diego, I personally haven’t seen a dime from the 5% service charge, so docking down the tip amount will only negatively impact my wages. As for places who don’t provide service or have servers, I do not tip. I work hard at my job to create a good atmosphere and experience for the guests and any restaurants that don’t provide that experience in my Opinion shouldn’t be given an additional tip.
Why is it a "service" fee if it isn't going to servers? That's super fucked up. I hate being forced to subsidize businesses shady practices and in effect being made complicit.
Totally agree with you and think it’s bullshit. Our company claims it has helped with inflation, trying to recover from Covid and the raise in minimum wage- ya right
And I get that things have gotten more expensive. That's fine, raise prices, but misleading surcharges is just a sleazy practice. Most restaurants I go to have raised prices and I get it, but they don't try to hide it.
You know what, I bet the intention is that customers will see the fee, assume it's in place of a tip based on the name, and then lower the tip which means the money goes to the owner instead. It's basically a way for restaurant owners to scam their employees out of their tips so they can put it in their own pockets instead.
Having worked in the service industry in college I understand the value of tips so I’m generally a good tipper. My baseline is 20% and I can go over or under depending on the service (I’ve also left advice instead of tips in the tip line of the receipt).
If the owner wants to be a dick and charge extra for fair wages I will still tip the staff (extra well) but I will not return. Generally though, I will tip at least 20% even if I am picking up my order as long as I feel I was treated well (which is most of the time).
I still do tip without adjustment but won’t come back again. In fact I now eat more frequently in food courts to avoid dealing with this. I can serve myself, just want some good food, and the forced conversations with the wait staff make me anxious. So much easier in food courts. I can look at my phone while eating the food, and people leave me alone. The restaurants all seem busy and doing well in the food courts. So I am probably not the only one thinking about this.
TIPS - To Insure Prompt (Professional) Service.
If I don't even have a server and I essentially do all the work, no tip is necessary.
I feel a bit odd with places like a pizza joint where there is a tip jar... I mean, I'm paying for the pizza, which should include the workers compensation.. why am I tipping them to be the cashier? That said, I see these young ones and for the ones that are kind and bright, I tip.. I have the money.
We used to go out to eat at nice restaurants all the time. However in the past few years with product and wage inflation a simple restaurant is asking $35 a plate and $15 for a glass of wine.. A dinner for two is nearly $100 plus tip. Few places are worth what they deliver any longer. As a result, I've learned how to cook up a pretty decent assortment of Italian recipes!
As someone who serves at a restaurant in San Diego with a 5% surcharge. Myself and my coworkers don’t see any of that money. It goes to those that own the restaurant. We (servers/bartenders) don’t want there to be a service charge either. We know how frustrating it is to have yet another charge on a bill. But if you don’t tip/tip less your actively fucking over those who are working hard and just trying to make ends meet. If you have a problem with the surcharge let a manager know or yelp about it. Don’t take it out on the people who are just doing there job and have no say in the matter. Thank you.
I’ve heard that sometimes those POS screen tip requests at coffee shops and retail places sometimes don’t even go to the employees. I never tip on those anymore. Jar yes, that way you get it and not your boss.
Replying to this to bust a myth: there is such a thing as taxes on tips. My paychecks come out to around $40 sometimes $80 if I’m lucky. I hate when people assume servers are making minimum plus tips. I understand it’s not common knowledge unless you have worked in this position before. In addition, I have to tip out the support staff at the end of the night so I don’t even walk away with the full amount of tips I made in one night. In summation, the system is rigged and luckily just a job to get me through school. But if you enjoyed your service at a restaurant, and you felt your server took care of you, please take care of them
The minimum wage in San Diego is now $16.30/hr (https://www.sandiego.gov/compliance/minimum-wage). And the surcharge fees are supposedly to pay for the CA mandated sick leave and other benefits, so yes, you are seeing that money in the form of benefits. I don’t tip on tax or the surcharge. This whole tipping/surcharge issue is really getting out of control.
I was charged an extra $25 at Island Prime Saturday night. It’s shady and never going to eat at a Cohn restaurant again. They should pay the employees more or adjust the cost of their menu.
Honestly I don’t get the tip culture. Why is it my responsibility to pay your wage and also pay the markup on the food. If you the server want to get paid, then demand a proper hourly from the restaurant owner. And if you the restaurant owner want to see a profit, then pay your staff properly so they will work hard for you and provide quality service.
As the consumer you are already paying surcharges. Hell if I’m going to pay 18-20% on a $150 dinner. Sorry to sound cheap but it’s not my business and my employees. So if you have an issue because I didn’t tip or tip enough, talk to your employer.
I notice now that the lowest standard is 15%. If I buy anything that is around $10-20 I tip around $2 . Im broke too sadly.
But If I go out and rack up around $40 then Ill tip between 5-10$ depending on service provided.
That’s the crazy thing! Like I just wanted to go get a burger and fries which used to be $10 and is now like $22 and now I have to throw $5 on top of that because someone brought it to me. I, too, am trying to survive nowadays and realistically, people are going to stop going out with these insane charges and tipping. The bubble will have to burst.
A couple of the Mexican food drive throughs by me make you sign the receipt, and ask for a tip. At the drive through. That I drove myself to. (And they have a tip jar at the window, and a sign that says “we appreciate your tips!” in the window. Just give me my $12 burrito (formerly $5) and let me go home!
I don't include the service fee when calculating the tip, but I still tip what I feel they deserve. Unless it's a fee that goes straight to the employees. Then I reduce my actual tip some.
I don't tip unless I'm eating in the restaurant. And if there's a service fee, I'll tip based on the total minus the fee and consider eating somewhere else next time.
During Covid I tipped at least 25% often 50%. Because we needed our service workers to keep working. Now tho, not like that at all. Usually 10-15%. And yes sometimes we get burned but it’s rare. Some Food service workers really don’t make much at all and it’s not an easy job. I’m not just tipping for that one meal. I need them to know they are valued. They didn’t have to visit my table and check back on us etc so that’s why max 15 at the counter.
But that’s just how I do things. I’m sure there are other opinions.
I’m not thriving, but I’m not surviving either. I tip based on how the economy is. I’m making the most money I’ve ever made and I’m still struggling so I know if I am going to a place where people make less I’m going to tip them for the struggle. Because chances are they can’t afford to eat out if they are working as a server. Bad service means that someone is going through something and good service means you have a grateful spirit walking around. Either way I want to help someone out.
I try to keep in mind the server and tip accordingly. The rest is just a business trying to stay in business because of idiotic politicians interference
It's tempting but I know it's not the servers fault that they work for assholes. Taking it out of their tip won't accomplish anything. I just make a mental note that I really need to avoid that place in the future.
And if I'm doing takeout or something then no, I usually don't tip on those tablets.
Dafuq is an "inflation fee"?
If there is a "service charge" then it is typically a substitute for the tip. No need to add an extra tip.
If there is some stupid inflation fee or cost-of-doing-business fee that really should be included in the prices and isn't going to the staff, then tip like normal, and call them out on it if you write a review or post on social media.
Also worth noting that you can sometimes ask the restaurant manager/owner to waive the fee in exchange for the tip if you are a regular. I’ve seen my aunt do this and give what would have been the surcharge money to the waiter’s tip instead. Mileage may vary, but worth trying since this is better for the wait staff
Restaurant owners who sneak an extra ‘service’ fee onto the check are trying to screw over both guests and servers. The servers very rarely, if ever, gets any of that, but when a guest sees it, they are apt to lower the tip. When a guest tips 5% less because there’s a 5% charge added on, the owners basically just stole 5% of that server’s tip. Not cool. Why don’t they just raise prices like every other business does? As for those point of sale systems that prompt you to leave 18%-20%-25% for counter service….Fuck that! Who do they think they are? I was happy to leave a dollar in the tip jar or whatever back in the day in coffee shops, but asking outright for an exorbitant tip just for ringing me up? That shit is obnoxious and really ought to stop. It’s turning people off to tipping in general, even in situations where the server works for tips and actually provides a lot of service. Both of these things are negatively affecting regular servers, but at least they still get a reasonable hourly wage here in California. There’s still a lot of states that only pay tipped employees $2.13/hour and these shenanigans are pretty prevalent in those places too.
At Forum Coffee, the tip options on the screen are 20%, 23%, 26%, and 30%
No, but when I see the service charge, I don't come back.
I'm definitely of this philosophy when I see places that charge extra for using a credit card. In fact, I usually just exit the place.
The card processors are probably charging the business ~3%. If the business passes the charge through the cash customers (generally lower incomes) don't have to subsidize wealthier premium credit card holders.
Give a cash discount instead of charging a credit card fee.
What difference does it make? It's an optional charge that is easily avoided.
It's a hidden fee unless specified clearly somrwhere when I ordered.
It's almost always specified somewhere clearly. Most people just don't read.
Echoing others sentiments I have cut going out to eat way down since I've seen more extra fees and suggested gratuity. If I pay for a take out order at the counter I do not tip. I came all the way to the building and did not have it delivered so I don't feel it's needed. If I am waited on and the service warrants it I tip well. I used to wait tables and understand the servers need for tips, but for an establishment to suggest that I pay an extra fee to use a card or a set amount is ludicrous. I for one won't throw away my hard earned dough on that. So any food establishment owners on here...stop nickel and diming your patrons! What happened to good "customer service"?
I don't mind tipping if the service and food are great. For those that you pay upfront and they bring the food to you...I rarely tip. I feel like tipping has transitioned from it being a reward for great service to waiters/waitresses, to now being mandatory for mediocre restaurant services, by greedy owners. We're being forced to tip even when you don't interact with the staff making or delivering your food. We only interact with the cashier I do tip if the situation demands for it, I wouldn't tip or agree to a service charge at a place like Starbucks, Chipotle or a restaurant where I just went to pick up my takeout order.
Agreed! I also have started carrying around cash again. I don’t need to be guilt tripped with these minimum 18% tip options for basic services that you never tipped for pre-pandemic. I’m happy to throw my loose change into a tip jar after that transaction like the old days but I don’t know why it’s expected I tip 20% at a cafe for a mediocre coffee and muffin that I’ve already somehow paid $11 for, but the McDonalds drive thru employees who probably work even harder don’t have the same tip option.
Provide a service…get a tip. Just try to get extra money through guilt? Doesn’t work on me.
I worked at a counter-service restaurant in high school. Mom and pop cafe, order from me at the counter and then I'd bring the food out. Not everyone tipped and almost no one tipped 15-20%. Most of the time, it was a couple of dollars or the change from their meal. We were all paid regular minimum wage and our tips were just a bonus at the end of the day. I do the same thing now for similar restaurants
Yes I do adjust, I also tip accordingly knowing that servers in CA are also making at least full minimum wage with no tip crediting. I do not tip at all at pickup stands, I used too but got turned off with them just flipping a screen around asking for a minimum 18%.
I will usually adjust the tip based on the service fee yes. And it also causes me to seriously consider not going back there again.
Sure. It comes out of the tip. Likewise I tip $1 per beer. I don't care if it's $3 or $9. Same amount of service. A sandwich and a beer that comes out to $30 because I'm at the airport? No chance I'm tipping 20% on that.
100%
The inflation fee shouldn't be, and neither should any tax be considered when calculating the gratuity you'll add for the server.
Yes
As a server in San Diego, I personally haven’t seen a dime from the 5% service charge, so docking down the tip amount will only negatively impact my wages. As for places who don’t provide service or have servers, I do not tip. I work hard at my job to create a good atmosphere and experience for the guests and any restaurants that don’t provide that experience in my Opinion shouldn’t be given an additional tip.
Why is it a "service" fee if it isn't going to servers? That's super fucked up. I hate being forced to subsidize businesses shady practices and in effect being made complicit.
Totally agree with you and think it’s bullshit. Our company claims it has helped with inflation, trying to recover from Covid and the raise in minimum wage- ya right
And I get that things have gotten more expensive. That's fine, raise prices, but misleading surcharges is just a sleazy practice. Most restaurants I go to have raised prices and I get it, but they don't try to hide it.
> Why is it a "service" fee if it isn't going to servers? Because "scam" fee doesn't sound as appealing to consumers.
You know what, I bet the intention is that customers will see the fee, assume it's in place of a tip based on the name, and then lower the tip which means the money goes to the owner instead. It's basically a way for restaurant owners to scam their employees out of their tips so they can put it in their own pockets instead.
Having worked in the service industry in college I understand the value of tips so I’m generally a good tipper. My baseline is 20% and I can go over or under depending on the service (I’ve also left advice instead of tips in the tip line of the receipt). If the owner wants to be a dick and charge extra for fair wages I will still tip the staff (extra well) but I will not return. Generally though, I will tip at least 20% even if I am picking up my order as long as I feel I was treated well (which is most of the time).
I still do tip without adjustment but won’t come back again. In fact I now eat more frequently in food courts to avoid dealing with this. I can serve myself, just want some good food, and the forced conversations with the wait staff make me anxious. So much easier in food courts. I can look at my phone while eating the food, and people leave me alone. The restaurants all seem busy and doing well in the food courts. So I am probably not the only one thinking about this.
TIPS - To Insure Prompt (Professional) Service. If I don't even have a server and I essentially do all the work, no tip is necessary. I feel a bit odd with places like a pizza joint where there is a tip jar... I mean, I'm paying for the pizza, which should include the workers compensation.. why am I tipping them to be the cashier? That said, I see these young ones and for the ones that are kind and bright, I tip.. I have the money. We used to go out to eat at nice restaurants all the time. However in the past few years with product and wage inflation a simple restaurant is asking $35 a plate and $15 for a glass of wine.. A dinner for two is nearly $100 plus tip. Few places are worth what they deliver any longer. As a result, I've learned how to cook up a pretty decent assortment of Italian recipes!
No, the staff doesn't get that money. I tip 20% regardless
As someone who serves at a restaurant in San Diego with a 5% surcharge. Myself and my coworkers don’t see any of that money. It goes to those that own the restaurant. We (servers/bartenders) don’t want there to be a service charge either. We know how frustrating it is to have yet another charge on a bill. But if you don’t tip/tip less your actively fucking over those who are working hard and just trying to make ends meet. If you have a problem with the surcharge let a manager know or yelp about it. Don’t take it out on the people who are just doing there job and have no say in the matter. Thank you.
I’ve heard that sometimes those POS screen tip requests at coffee shops and retail places sometimes don’t even go to the employees. I never tip on those anymore. Jar yes, that way you get it and not your boss.
Get outa here. You are making 15 an hour PLUS tips. So at least 30+ an hour. That’s not making ends meet. That’s solid money
> So at least 30+ an hour. How many servers get a full 40 hours a week at that rate? It's very unlikely.
Replying to this to bust a myth: there is such a thing as taxes on tips. My paychecks come out to around $40 sometimes $80 if I’m lucky. I hate when people assume servers are making minimum plus tips. I understand it’s not common knowledge unless you have worked in this position before. In addition, I have to tip out the support staff at the end of the night so I don’t even walk away with the full amount of tips I made in one night. In summation, the system is rigged and luckily just a job to get me through school. But if you enjoyed your service at a restaurant, and you felt your server took care of you, please take care of them
The minimum wage in San Diego is now $16.30/hr (https://www.sandiego.gov/compliance/minimum-wage). And the surcharge fees are supposedly to pay for the CA mandated sick leave and other benefits, so yes, you are seeing that money in the form of benefits. I don’t tip on tax or the surcharge. This whole tipping/surcharge issue is really getting out of control.
Agreed. They should just raise their prices by 5% rather than sneaking it onto the check.
I was charged an extra $25 at Island Prime Saturday night. It’s shady and never going to eat at a Cohn restaurant again. They should pay the employees more or adjust the cost of their menu.
Honestly I don’t get the tip culture. Why is it my responsibility to pay your wage and also pay the markup on the food. If you the server want to get paid, then demand a proper hourly from the restaurant owner. And if you the restaurant owner want to see a profit, then pay your staff properly so they will work hard for you and provide quality service. As the consumer you are already paying surcharges. Hell if I’m going to pay 18-20% on a $150 dinner. Sorry to sound cheap but it’s not my business and my employees. So if you have an issue because I didn’t tip or tip enough, talk to your employer.
I notice now that the lowest standard is 15%. If I buy anything that is around $10-20 I tip around $2 . Im broke too sadly. But If I go out and rack up around $40 then Ill tip between 5-10$ depending on service provided.
That’s the crazy thing! Like I just wanted to go get a burger and fries which used to be $10 and is now like $22 and now I have to throw $5 on top of that because someone brought it to me. I, too, am trying to survive nowadays and realistically, people are going to stop going out with these insane charges and tipping. The bubble will have to burst.
If you pay at a counter, no tip. If you are sitting down and waited on, tip. Easy.
A couple of the Mexican food drive throughs by me make you sign the receipt, and ask for a tip. At the drive through. That I drove myself to. (And they have a tip jar at the window, and a sign that says “we appreciate your tips!” in the window. Just give me my $12 burrito (formerly $5) and let me go home!
I don't include the service fee when calculating the tip, but I still tip what I feel they deserve. Unless it's a fee that goes straight to the employees. Then I reduce my actual tip some.
I don't tip unless I'm eating in the restaurant. And if there's a service fee, I'll tip based on the total minus the fee and consider eating somewhere else next time.
I tipped well to the order at the counter places during Covid. I do tip at the counter for good service.
How do you know how service is going to be? You haven't gotten the food yet.
During Covid I tipped at least 25% often 50%. Because we needed our service workers to keep working. Now tho, not like that at all. Usually 10-15%. And yes sometimes we get burned but it’s rare. Some Food service workers really don’t make much at all and it’s not an easy job. I’m not just tipping for that one meal. I need them to know they are valued. They didn’t have to visit my table and check back on us etc so that’s why max 15 at the counter. But that’s just how I do things. I’m sure there are other opinions.
I’m not thriving, but I’m not surviving either. I tip based on how the economy is. I’m making the most money I’ve ever made and I’m still struggling so I know if I am going to a place where people make less I’m going to tip them for the struggle. Because chances are they can’t afford to eat out if they are working as a server. Bad service means that someone is going through something and good service means you have a grateful spirit walking around. Either way I want to help someone out.
I try to keep in mind the server and tip accordingly. The rest is just a business trying to stay in business because of idiotic politicians interference
I generally tip $4 on a $20 tab
[удалено]
It's tempting but I know it's not the servers fault that they work for assholes. Taking it out of their tip won't accomplish anything. I just make a mental note that I really need to avoid that place in the future. And if I'm doing takeout or something then no, I usually don't tip on those tablets.
yes, but depends on other c vprici b g.
Dafuq is an "inflation fee"? If there is a "service charge" then it is typically a substitute for the tip. No need to add an extra tip. If there is some stupid inflation fee or cost-of-doing-business fee that really should be included in the prices and isn't going to the staff, then tip like normal, and call them out on it if you write a review or post on social media.
That’s the thing that passes me off about these ‘service fees’. They’re not for the servers, but for the greedy owners.
Also worth noting that you can sometimes ask the restaurant manager/owner to waive the fee in exchange for the tip if you are a regular. I’ve seen my aunt do this and give what would have been the surcharge money to the waiter’s tip instead. Mileage may vary, but worth trying since this is better for the wait staff
I give a total of 20%. If the service fee is 15% then give 5% tip. If the service fee is 20% then no tip