Pizza Express charged me hidden "optional service charge"...

dangeroussports

ever since the september the 11th twin tower attacks and soaring petrol prices credit crunch housing gas prices i tend not to leave a tip above 10%. events in the middle east israel / palestine conflict is gearing up again and that will cause a ripple in the region causing oil prices to spike

luridhue

I never leave a tip unless the service has been impeccable. I have worked many jobs on minimum wage (or a few pence above) and work hard giving good customer service yet because they're not in the catering industry I have never received a tip. I can't find the justification of it, also, 10% is a very high amount considering how much that is and how many tables a waiter could be waiting. Why do waiters deserve top-ups but low earners in other industries (tourism, retail etc) don't?

I can understand this practice in america as many you tip do not get paid, they have to live on the tips (bell-boys, waitresses etc.), I can't understand why this practice needs to be over here. ...my two cents.

uktim29

luridhue wrote: »

I can't understand why this practice needs to be over here. ...my two cents.

If you're talking about over here shouldn't it be my two pence?

........My two pence.

05hughest

last night i went for a meal at pizza express with a group of close friends, in total there were 15 of us , to save a lot of money we each downloaded and used a 3 course meal voucher for £12.50, we collected the money and the waiter took it , only to return a few minutes later claiming we were £30 short , so we added the cash.

we then wondered why it was so much, since we all gave between 15 and 20 quid there should have me quite a bit of change , we then looked at the reciept and found a £45 or 20% service charge which to be frank is riduclous for an hour and a halfs service. although we managed to pursuade the manager to remburse us aftyer much pursuasion we found this to be absurd. we were not told about a service charge and the conditions on the vouchers said nothing about 1 so was this trying to rip us off?

Jakg

The menu does say for parties over 10 people (I think) you get an optional 10% charge on the bill.

You can ask for it to be removed if you want...

marleyboy

I ALWAYS get them removed, I think it is wrong to assume I am prepared to tip. I tip a good service in the traditional way, only when I think it is deserved. If I find it automatically included, I have it removed, as well as my notion of giving any tip.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

As you paid by card did it not come up as an option before you entered your pin? I know it did last time i went to PE and Zizzis

Jakg

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

As you paid by card did it not come up as an option before you entered your pin? I know it did last time i went to PE and Zizzis

That comes up in addition to the tip thats already added.

Makeandsave

Can a place make you pay the 10% charge? I like to tip a min of 10% if like the rest i have had good service but was out one night with a group and had bad service but still paid the 10% has we were in a group and i did not want to look bad.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Jakg wrote: »

That comes up in addition to the tip thats already added.

does it? i guess i dont go there often with big groups in fact never so wouldnt know.. though as folk have said the menu does state it.