Service Change - is it compulsory - in UK

aviii

I have noticed that some restaurant are now adding a service charge to their bill
can I refuse to pay this?


As I would expect the running cost of the business to have already be added in the meal.


I have email a few restaurants but got no reply.


I am not being cheap or tight - but i think this is unreasonable, it like an added tax especially when the staff still expect a tip..?

dlusman

aviii wrote: »

I have noticed that some restaurant are now adding a service charge to their bill
can I refuse to pay this?


As I would expect the running cost of the business to have already be added in the meal.


I have email a few restaurants but got no reply.


I am not being cheap or tight - but i think this is unreasonable, it like an added tax especially when the staff still expect a tip..?

It depends entirely on if the service charge is described as "compulsory"or not
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/do-i-have-to-pay-a-service-charge-if-the-service-is-poor-

jon81uk

Generally it will say on the menu and/or receipt if it is optional. But in most cases it is.

As a general rule staff shouldn't expect a further tip as well as a service charge. If you want to have it removed you may need a manager though.

Susie_Richards

Discussion about it on the MSE Praise, Vent & Warnings board: NAME AND SHAME. Restaurant service charges (1 2 3 ... Last Page)

Esmondo

I was under the impression that the service charge is the same as a tip, so if there is a service charge I just don't leave an additional tip.....

dippy3103

Esmondo wrote: »

I was under the impression that the service charge is the same as a tip, so if there is a service charge I just don't leave an additional tip.....

Me too..

I also thought a tip was something you left for good service, not just as a matter of course.

Compulsory service charges are wrong- they should just put the menu prices up and be done with it.

Mr_Singleton

Esmondo wrote: »

I was under the impression that the service charge is the same as a tip.

Not if you're the Tax man it isn't.

An optional service charge doesn't attract VAT but a compulsory one does. Restaurants work on the assumption that people would be too embarrassed to not pay it so my can pocket the extra 20% VAT on the service charge.

Same goes for places like McDonalds & Costa Coffee. If you eat/drink out then they pocket the 20% VAT. Eat in and the VAT goes to the Govt. Regardless you pay the same.

jon81uk

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Same goes for places like McDonalds & Costa Coffee. If you eat/drink out then they pocket the 20% VAT. Eat in and the VAT goes to the Govt. Regardless you pay the same.

Hot food and hot drinks always attract VAT so the price is the same at McDonalds no matter whether you eat in or takeaway. Even with the salads and wraps as the chicken is hot so it is classed as hot food.

Cold food such as cold sandwiches are zero-VAT on takeaway and 20% VAT on Eat-in, so at Costa they charge two different prices for cold food. But hot drink prices are the same no matter if you eat in or take out.

britgal

I'm fairly sure it is optional. Certainly if ever there is bad service, I would disagree with being charged even if it is printed on the receipt (luckily not had to do that for ages, phew!),