Would you accept a service charge from a pub?

I'm another that feels you should only tip when the service has been good. There are so many places now that the service is below par so i'm always happy to tip well when served by a friendly helpful person. I hate the assumed service charge on a bill.

DSmiffy wrote: »

They are not waiting on at your table, bringing your food to your table, asking if everything is ok with your food, taking extra drinks orders at the table, pouring your wine for you, coming round and asking if you would like desserts, bringing coffees etc. These are self service restaurnats. That's why people do not tip. You don't tip and then serve yourself. That is not service in my book and does not warrant a service charge, not do I feel obligated to leave a tip.

What about retail, not everyone earns commission and if they do it's only on sales, not every customer is a sale. What about the ladies that work in the little make up counters who trial with you 50 different shades of god knows what, or someone in a sports shop talking you through which are the best shoes for running instead of biking. I worked in a mobile phone shop for quite a few years. I was paid an hourly wage plus commission for sales but not every customer was a sale, there were lots of queries, hand holding, showing people how to use things, set up email, transfer everything to a new phone, sometimes spending hours with one customer where I could have been making sales. I didn't want to be tipped for this, it was my job and I was paid a wage to do it and keep customers happy - if a waitress is tipped over and above their wage for service so then so should every other service

reehsetin wrote: »

What about retail, not everyone earns commission and if they do it's only on sales, not every customer is a sale. What about the ladies that work in the little make up counters who trial with you 50 different shades of god knows what, or someone in a sports shop talking you through which are the best shoes for running instead of biking. I worked in a mobile phone shop for quite a few years. I was paid an hourly wage plus commission for sales but not every customer was a sale, there were lots of queries, hand holding, showing people how to use things, set up email, transfer everything to a new phone, sometimes spending hours with one customer where I could have been making sales. I didn't want to be tipped for this, it was my job and I was paid a wage to do it and keep customers happy - if a waitress is tipped over and above their wage for service so then so should every other service

I think what you are confusing here is Customer Service with Service.... The fact that you help customers to select the right product and provide an after sales service is surely part of your company policy,. It's what makes you stand out from all the other mobile phone shops. When good customer service results in a sale you are rewarded with commission. If it's exceptional customer service you will be rewarded with a repeat visit and repeat purchase from that customer, hence more commission. I am sure the wage for working in the phone shop and commission on goods is still more than a waiter earns, it is a notoriously low paid job, hence the tips.

I'd have said something or given the pub feedback after if it would have caused hassle.

I think the entire concept of tipping to top up wages is appalling. No other industry does this and, legally, employers should be paying their staff the minimum wage at least not using tips to make up the difference. The onus is on employers to pay a fair, legal wage to the staff they employ. If you can't afford it then your business is a failure and you shouldn't be trading. But, I suspect, it's more about lining their own pockets than not making ends meet.