Gratuity Added to Bill

[Fern Modena]

I've noticed a new trend the last year or so. When we go to a place and use a Restaurant.com certificate or another form of discount, they generally add the gratuity to the bill now. I don't mind, although you have to look for it, because it is a line item before the total. If they sub-totaled and then added it, it would be easier to see. But that is neither here or there.

My question? If you go to a restaurant/dinner house and they add an 18-20% gratuity, do you add more, or call it enough?

Thanks for your answers.

Fern

 

[Passepartout]

And another tipping situation that may have been covered in another thread.... If the person providing the service (ie. nailtech, hairdresser, barber) is the proprietor of the shop and presumably can set prices at whatever level they wish, do you tip additionally above the posted price of service?

Jim Ricks

 

[Rose Pink]

My question? If you go to a restaurant/dinner house and they add an 18-20% gratuity, do you add more, or call it enough?


Fern

Call it enough. They add the tip into the bill because some people would only tip on the discounted amount rather than the full value of the meal--thus stiffing the meal delivery specialist.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

watch that tip....

I've noticed a new trend the last year or so. When we go to a place and use a Restaurant.com certificate or another form of discount, they generally add the gratuity to the bill now. I don't mind, although you have to look for it, because it is a line item before the total. If they sub-totaled and then added it, it would be easier to see. But that is neither here or there.

My question? If you go to a restaurant/dinner house and they add an 18-20% gratuity, do you add more, or call it enough?
Thanks for your answers.
Fern

In some/many cases, the GCs from restaurant.com tell you that 18% will be added. I have little issue with them doing that because you agree to that up front.

The issue that really ticks me off that I have encountered -- more often than not -- is that ONLY the Credit Card slip is presented to me, after they take off the discount. This receipt only shows the total and a line to add a TIP. They keep the receipt that shows the discount AND the 18% tip that is ALREADY added. Habit (or a few drinks) come in to play here, so be careful not to tip again!

To the other question: Why add more than the 18% tip -- if you usually do not tip more than 18% ?????

 

[Rose Pink]

And another tipping situation that may have been covered in another thread.... If the person providing the service (ie. nailtech, hairdresser, barber) is the proprietor of the shop and presumably can set prices at whatever level they wish, do you tip additionally above the posted price of service?

Jim Ricks

I've read where tipping the owner is not necessary so I asked one once. I wasn't sure if she expected a tip or if it would be considered an insult since she was the owner. She said she appreciated the tips.

 

[TUGBrian]

the way I look at it, is that if they have taken the time to tell me what I should tip by adding it to my bill on my behalf...thats what they are getting.

 

[grest]

I call it good.
Connie

 

[Wonka]

It a tip is added to a bill, I don't add more either. I don't like the assumption that a tip is deserved, even though I rarely don't tip less than 20%, unless the service was really bad or I was ignored.

 

[Karen G]

I would call it enough and not add more unless the server went to extraordinary lengths to please us.

On the issue of tipping the owner of a salon--I do tip the guy who does my nails, even though he's the owner of the shop. I'm very impressed by this family-run business as all the employees are relatives of the owner and they all work so hard. Plus, he does a great job.

 

[dougp26364]

I've always looked at it in this manner. If they leave it up to me, I'll tip appropriatly between 15% to just over 20%. If they call the number, then they've decided that amount is enough and I leave it at that. I figure that's what the server has agreeded to work for at that particular restaurant.

I guess restaurants have felt the need to do this with people who use discounts or coupons. I know far to many myself who would tip only on the total bill after the discount. I'm sure that situations like this hurt the servers. Especially if the restaurant is trying to build business and has a lot of coupons out there. I suspect some people don't understand that the tip should be calculated before the discount is taken.

 

[JeffW]

I'd say it's enough.

 

[jlr10]

We were just in Las Vegas and used Tix for Dinner (Thanks for the tip about them Fern!) We were given the bill as it would have been issued without the discount, and then the discounted bill. It was presented as their confirmation that they actually applied the discount, however we knew the reason was so we would tip appropriately-which we actually appreciated. Neither included the tip which we added. However, if it has included a charge we would not have tipped over and above that amount.

 

[Cathyb]

Fern: I ran into a slightly different 'tip' situation -- I noticed the tax was higher than it should have been and questioned it. The reply was 'oh, look at the bottom of the sales slip -- 5% tip has been incorporated into the 'tax' amount. Can you believe that!

 

[Mel7706]

Has anyone asked the server

if they actually get the full pre-discount 18% tip?
I would like to think so but would not put it past
some businesses to discount the server's portion and pocket part of the tip. I know of a country club that adds a tip to each check and will tell you it is divided among all staff.
However, we were later told by a server that they received
none of the tip collected by the club. They were told that their salary reflects what they would earn with tips.

 

[KCI]

The thing I don't like about them adding the tip in is that sometimes they include the whole bill including the tax and then tell say you owe 18 to 20% on that number. The tip should not be on the tax part of the bill.
KCI's Wingman

 

[dougp26364]

Fern: I ran into a slightly different 'tip' situation -- I noticed the tax was higher than it should have been and questioned it. The reply was 'oh, look at the bottom of the sales slip -- 5% tip has been incorporated into the 'tax' amount. Can you believe that!

I think I'd be challenging that fee. I can't think of any situation where the tip was consider taxable as a sales tax.

I think if it were me, I'd keep a copy of that receipt and then contact the powers that are resonsible for collecting the sales tax from a business. I'd like to find out if that money, which was collected as a tax, was actually being turned into the municipality responsible for collecting that tax. If not I wonder if there is any recourse for that sort of business practice or if it's one of those things that falls between the cracks and just turns out to be a revenue source for that business.

 

[dougp26364]

The thing I don't like about them adding the tip in is that sometimes they include the whole bill including the tax and then tell say you owe 18 to 20% on that number. The tip should not be on the tax part of the bill.
KCI's Wingman

I agree and tend to avoid those places. IMHO, the tip should be on the purchae price, not the tax charge by the state and/or city.

 

[pjrose]

double-tipping

Ages ago at a nice restaurant in Austria we had splurged on a really nice meal and got great service. We couldn't understand the menu or waiter, and he couldn't speak English, so basically we threw up our hands in despair and somehow conveyed that we wanted him to bring whatever he recommended. When he brought the bill, we didn't realize the gratuity was included, so we added a generous tip. (We were probably also a bit tipsy.) This was a restaurant with a small band and strolling violinists. It was late and the band was packing up.

We saw the waiter excitedly show the check with the double-tip to the band master and the maitre d' - the band unpacked and started playing again, and as we left, everyone - waiter, cook, maitre d' - lined up and kept bowing and repeating "danke-schoen, auf weidersehen" as we left.

I don't think we figured out why till the next day. This really happened - one of our favorite memories!

 

[Zac495]

Ages ago at a nice restaurant in Austria we had splurged on a really nice meal and got great service. We couldn't understand the menu or waiter, and he couldn't speak English, so basically we threw up our hands in despair and somehow conveyed that we wanted him to bring whatever he recommended. When he brought the bill, we didn't realize the gratuity was included, so we added a generous tip. (We were probably also a bit tipsy.) This was a restaurant with a small band and strolling violinists. It was late and the band was packing up.

We saw the waiter excitedly show the check with the double-tip to the band master and the maitre d' - the band unpacked and started playing again, and as we left, everyone - waiter, cook, maitre d' - lined up and kept bowing and repeating "danke-schoen, auf weidersehen" as we left.

I don't think we figured out why till the next day. This really happened - one of our favorite memories!

I absolutely love this story. You made his day - what a great memory.

I think 18 - 20% is enough. I think it's appropriate to always tip on the full price of the meal, so I'm fine with that.

My husband doesn't think you should tip 18 - 20 % on the wine because the price is inflated. So he will calculate 20% for the meal and 10% for the wine. If it's not enough, I just fix things because I'm the boss.

 

[rapmarks]

I always tip mys tylist who owns his own shop. I hate to think what i might look loke if I didn't tip him.

At our club, everyone is given a mandatory 18k% tip and expect4ed to leave extra after that.

We went to an entertainment book restaurant, each ordered a $15 entree, no drinks, and had a $10 tip added to the bill and also taxed on the tip. We went over it and over it with the waitress and the manager, who finally conceeded that gee their cash register must be figuring the tip incorrectly.

 

[ctscribe]

Tips and bad service

A Tip is to be earned with good or excellent service, and when you don't get good service why should we pay 18-20 percent on a bill. Yes, I know if the food’s bad that not the servers fault, if the food colds that is the servers fault.

The server gives you attitude, tips are earned, and they are not entitlements. Even with discount coupons if the service is sub par so should be the tips.

I always scan the bill before paying, as mistakes happen whether intentional or not. I also make it clear when hostess/host seat us that pre-ordained will not be honored by me. If that is not acceptable, we will be glad to leave.

We do not very often have a problem with servers or restaurants, but if you want to be in charge of your money you have to make it clear that you expect excellent service for prix affix tips. If you do not get it don't be afraid to speak to the manager about your problem with the service.

 

[djs]

Although I don't mind a suggested tip being calculated for me, if I'm charging the meal I'd prefer it not be added to the actual bill. I prefer to tip in cash as in an ideal world the tip would go into the server's pocket immediately.

 

[pjrose]

Although I don't mind a suggested tip being calculated for me, if I'm charging the meal I'd prefer it not be added to the actual bill. I prefer to tip in cash as in an ideal world the tip would go into the server's pocket immediately.

But isn't the tip generally shared with the bussers and other staff?

 

[MuranoJo]

I have many times 'tested' the waiter/waitress, boat person, housecleaning, guide tour, etc. about how much and if they actually get the tips that are pre-established. In all cases, I have been told, no, they don't get them. I find this hard to believe.

I have always been a generous tipper, having paid all my personal expenses through high school and middle school as a waitress. I know the work is very hard and well worth the tip, but back in those days, a pre-established tip wasn't added to the bill.

 

[Zac495]

The establishment can't add a tip and not give it to the server.
After reading this thread, I will be sure to ask a server if that is going to him/her. If s/he says no, I will ask the manager what it's for. Is it to cover the gift certificate? Makes NO sense.

When I was a server (moons ago) we did give a percentage to the bus people and hostess. It didn't matter if we were given cash or credit card. We gave a percentage of our total sold. So for example, had I sold 300 dollars worth of food, one would expect I earned 60 dollars that night if I were paid 20%. I had to claim I earned 9% to the government (so you win there). I gave 2 % (or something like that) to the bus/host. It worked out fine.

But if I didn't receive a tip, I'd still owe that percentage. So the owner can't add a tip and not make sure it goes to the server. Even if the server doesn't have to tip out the bus people, the server still pays taxes (wonder if it's still 9%) on the food sold.