Non-motoring > Discretionary service charges Miscellaneous
Thread Author: legacylad Replies: 16
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 07:17 
 Discretionary service charges - legacylad
Came upon this for the first time recently…breakfast in Leeds whilst awaiting the airport bus. I always calculate what the cost will be in supermarkets and told them I thought it was wrong without checking the bill they gave me.
I politely asked them to remove it and discreetly gave the server some cash when I left. Is it commonplace these days…the last time I ate out in the uk was probably more than 6 months ago, apart from a Toby carvery £6 special lunch in January.

A new place for eating has recently opened locally, and friends told me last night that they add a discretionary 12% service charge. Even on beers. The female half of a couple I know asked them to remove it, as was then quizzed as to why by management. She explained that tipping was always at her discretion..she always does unless something is wrong, and left some cash. But not 12%.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 08:58 
 Discretionary service charges - smokie
If it's discretionary what's the real problem? I thought there was legislation recently to ensure staff got the tips rather than the establishment. it always seemed a bit odd to me to tip the person who carried the food to the table rather than the one who prepared it.

We tend to tip in most places but , God forbid, I were ever to set foot in a MaccyDs (except to use the loo LOL) I can't imagine they'd expect a tip. I don't tip when we go for lunch in 'Spoons either. Just never crosses my mind to do it.

In the US it is absolutely expected to tip and often more than 10 or 12%. I've heard waiting staff (including a bartender just serving a couple of beers at a walk-up bar - not table service) be quite rude to people who don't.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 09:12 
 Discretionary service charges - zippy
>>USA tips...

I've heard of wait staff telling customers that their expected tip rate is 25% and even chasing customers who didn't tip to berate them.

Just pay them a decent wage.

I tend not to do a percentage any more but for a large meal I leave £10 is it's decent.

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New Tue 1 Apr 25 14:30 
 Discretionary service charges - martin aston
I tip in restaurants, usually 10%. It’s not an easy job but 10% of the gross takings for no risks must stick in the craw of some struggling restaurant owners. I am not surprised some haven’t passed them on in the past.

Of course most waiting staff now come armed with a card reader which calculates the tip automatically. Some don’t and I recently had a bill for £90-odd quid and said “please add 10%”. They couldn’t work it out and thought I was some sort of Stephen Hawking when I told them not only what to add but what the new total was.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 15:14 
 Discretionary service charges - Rudedog
I think restaurants are adding on the Discretionary service charges because of the very fact that tips are now supposed to be shared with the staff and they aren't receiving them in their till - bit sneaky and trying to catch people out.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 20:19 
 Discretionary service charges - CGNorwich
'but , God forbid, I were ever to set foot in a MaccyDs'

I used to subscribe to that view but since I have owned an EV I have tried quite a few. They often have Instavolt charging staions and are conveniently located for a quick charge en route. I have to say that I was wrong in my opinion.

They aren't gourmet establishments by any means but for a quick cup of coffee and a bite to eat they represent really good value for money. I particularly like the wraps. Do try visiting one. You you might be surprised.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 22:34 
 Discretionary service charges - bathtub tom
>> 'but , God forbid, I were ever to set foot in a MaccyDs'
>>
>> I used to subscribe to that view but since I have owned an EV I
>> have tried quite a few. They often have Instavolt charging staions and are conveniently located
>> for a quick charge en route. I have to say that I was wrong in
>> my opinion.

We're going to a wedding of vegans soon and have to pass a MaccyDs about a mile before the venue. The meal's vegan. Told SWMBO I'll be stopping for something. She told sister, who informed bride, who responded "you'll probably find much of my family there".

Why do they try to force their beliefs on to us, I suspect there'll be a lot of food wasted at the reception?
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 22:45 
 Discretionary service charges - Zero
>> Why do they try to force their beliefs on to us, I suspect there'll be
>> a lot of food wasted at the reception?

TBF vegan food done well, can be very tasty. Trouble is, it rarely is. I get annoyed by a "vegan sausage". There is no such thing.
Last edited by: Zero on Tue 1 Apr 25 at 22:46
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 22:54 
 Discretionary service charges - zippy
McDs...

Before satnav, we used to put written directions to clients in the file and it was often "after the third McDs take the first right." etc.

They were also good places to meet up for breakfast when meeting up with colleagues before going to a client.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 22:58 
 Discretionary service charges - Fullchat
When touring in Germany on the motorbike and munching miles on the main road infrastructure McDs were a stop of choice, more Mcafe really. Generally just off the main drag on an intersection. Good parking and where you could sit outside and keep an eye on the loaded bike. Marked up on the Sat Nav.
Last edited by: Fullchat on Tue 1 Apr 25 at 22:59
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New Wed 2 Apr 25 09:44 
 Discretionary service charges - Bobby
We had this exact scenario a few years ago. Niece’s wedding down in Bishop Stortford. Was a veggie wedding and her husband is French.
We all stayed over night at the Premier Inn/ Travel Lodge and went en masse to Micky ds for breakfast before the wedding to get our meat levels up.

The wedding meal was one of the best, tastiest meals I have ever had. Wasn’t just a case of veggie equivalents of meat, it was dam tasty food.

Also helped by the French contingent having brought over all the cheese and wine for the tables mind you!
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New Wed 2 Apr 25 11:13 
 Discretionary service charges - Zero

>> The wedding meal was one of the best, tastiest meals I have ever had. Wasn’t
>> just a case of veggie equivalents of meat, it was dam tasty food.

This is what annoys me. Vegan food is fine, why oh why ruin its look, texture and taste by trying to recreate "meat" equivalents. Surely its morally rediculous as well?
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 15:15 
 Discretionary service charges - Manatee
There is a local pub chain that adds 12.5% service charge there and then as you order food at the bar. When this happened to me a few months ago I knew it was wrong and queried it, and my attention was drawn to the menu card which says "12.5% discretionary service charge will be added to all orders".

Discretionary or not, if it's going to be added without discussion it should be included in the price IMO.

Having it sneaked in spoiled the experience TBH and I haven't been back. I usually add or leave about 10% anyway if the waiting staff are merely civil, but it's not civility to add it without mentioning it.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 16:48 
 Discretionary service charges - zippy
One thing to be aware of is that many restaurants, including independents, buy order taking tablets from a third party. Your order is entered and sent to the kitchen automatically.

The tablets also work out the bill and manage the credit card transaction, even if a card reader is used.

The manufacturers of these devices use the razorblade model. The tablets etc. are provided either free of charge or at a subsidised cost.

The manufacturer charges a percentage of all takings, including the TIP.
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New Tue 1 Apr 25 22:43 
 Discretionary service charges - Fullchat
There's always an angle. :(
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New Wed 2 Apr 25 16:48 
 Discretionary service charges - CGNorwich
If this is correct then it is the company that pays it since by law all the service charges must be passed to the employees
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New Thu 3 Apr 25 07:57 
 Discretionary service charges - Falkirk Bairn
Tom Kitchin & wife, Edinburgh restaurant owners / celebrity Chef, were accused of taking around £700/month from the staff tipping pot in 2001.

This made the headlines round about the same time as bullying staff and failing hygiene tests in more than 1 outlet

Tips are for staff not employers

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