Hidden service charges

Sunnyskies_2

Took members of my family out for a meal at a local Ameerican dine - small place, independant not a chain.
No bill was offered, just go to the hatch and pay! Seemed a little expensive but the service had been good and the food OK so popped the change and a bit more in the bowl on the side - no recept was given.
Mulled it over yesterday and went back today to check the price - umm it was £4.83 dearer than it should have been.
The service lwas ess welcoming when I asked why. Apparently in the evening they add a 10% service charge - it's in very small print on the front of the menu - not the bit you actually order your food from. So not only did they get the service chargw they had added but also a tip that a chose to give as well - I suggested they move the bowl of an evening as I feel they were being very crafty leaving it there.
OK I'll put it down to experience and report it to Consumer Direct but it's a very sharp practise.

bod1467

Sharp practice? Perhaps.

Worth reporting to Consumer Direct? Probably not, as they did notify you on the menu. And adding a service charge is not that unusual. You still have the right to deduct from what you pay though (AFAIK).

I'm surprised by no itemised invoice though. Every restaurant I've ever been to has provided such an invoice - even if only hand-written.

cardinalbiggles

You only have to pay the price marked on the menu against the food you bought, you can remove any service charges.

To be honest its a scum bag move by restaurants that do it, just add it to the cost of the food!

mo786uk

If the charges were hidden to the extent that you ended up in a situation where you paid them without realising or felt pressured into paying them without knowing about the charges at the start then it IS worth reporting to consumer direct.

priced ahve to be legible and unambigious so if it is hidden in small text that doesnt mean it is easy to see.

At the end of the day if you are the only complainer then I imagine nothing will be done - if on the other hand 10 others have complained then something might be done.

Googlies_2

cardinalbiggles wrote: »

You only have to pay the price marked on the menu against the food you bought, you can remove any service charges.

No, service is a legitimate charge.

halibut2209

Directgov isn't particularly clear or helpful

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/Yourconsumerrightswhenbuyinggoodsandservices/DG_183295

Flyboy152

Googlies wrote: »

No, service is a legitimate charge.

Is it heck. It is an optional charge.

PZH

halibut2209 wrote: »

Directgov isn't particularly clear or helpful

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Consumerrights/Yourconsumerrightswhenbuyinggoodsandservices/DG_183295

Why is that not clear ?

Service charge
The service charge is an amount added by a business to a bill. It is based on a percentage of that bill. If it is 'discretionary' or 'suggested' it is up to you as to whether you pay it.

If it does not state that the service charge is 'discretionary' or 'suggested' - then it will form part of the bill for eating there.

If it does, then either simply pay it or deduct it from the bill - your choice.


However, I do agree that restuarants that hide this in the small print are very sneaky to say the least. If they want to add a service charge then at least be upfront about it.

HappyMJ

I don't see why they can't just make the food items just that bit more expensive. As an employee eating out on employer paid expenses I am compelled to remove "optional" charges from the bill. If the price of the meal was higher in the first place they could have got the extra "service charge".

Googlies_2

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Is it heck. It is an optional charge.

Wrong, its only an optional charge if it says its an optional charge, otherwise its payable.


(side note; the reason that restaurants etc. add the word optional to the service charge is that the service charge is then exempt from vat.)