Restaurant service charge automatically added to bill

thebigstillmeister

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

Actually I like it when they do it, saves me faffing for extra money for a tip or trying to work out if the card machine allows me to add a tip.

Well I like my tip to be reflective of the service I feel I received, and being added automatically to me is them assuming I think it was great, they may as well forget the automatic tip and just increase all their prices by 10 %

unholyangel

thebigstillmeister wrote: »

Well I like my tip to be reflective of the service I feel I received, and being added automatically to me is them assuming I think it was great, they may as well forget the automatic tip and just increase all their prices by 10 %

Which is exactly what they should be doing if its unavoidable.

If its a service charge applied only to groups over a certain size, thats fine. But they can't have a discretionary charge that is added by default due to the rules on additional payments under a contract. Nor should they have a blanket 10% surcharge added to everyone due to rules on being told total price inclusive of any fees or taxes and also that its likely to mislead customers.


I mean if you can't avoid paying it, then it should be included in the base price.

stuartJo1989

I always ask them to remove the service charge, then tip as normal (if applicable).

Greta_Sharbo

Matt_Jones wrote: »

That's what they're banking on.

Sadly that doesn't stop everyone from being an insistent about it and playing a game of who blinks first with you.

Hand them payment totalling what it should be and invite them to pursue you for the balance

It's never happened to me - if its been added no-one has ever refused to remove it - but I can't wait for the day it does. That'll be fun. :rotfl:

sharpe106

Personally I dislike a service charge and do not tip unless they have gone above and beyond what is expected, i.e more then bringing me my meal which I have paid for. I am paying a service charge in the price I am paying for the meal. I do not tip the server at Tesco or the newsagent. When I order online I do not tip the picker at amazon so why tip a restaurant server who is doing the job they are being paid for.

Unfortunately though if the menu clearly said you had to pay it then there is nothing you can really do about, except not go back, which I would be doing.

photome

DoaM wrote: »

There's no "might" about it ... if there was no mention of it prior to ordering (pre-contract agreement) then they cannot add it to the bill after the meal is complete (post-contract). The consumer is only legally liable for what was agreed pre-contract.

It does say on the menu that all prices are subject to a 10% service charge

taken from bottom of yo sushi selfridges birmingham menu

[FONT=&quot]yosushi.com/nutrition[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]for full allergen and nutritional info, or ask a YO! Team member.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Please note that our recipes can change occasionally so it’s always best to check with your server.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]All prices subject to 10% service charge.[/FONT]

prowla

I generally give a 10% tip if I am happy with the service, but I ask who it goes to; if it is to the restaurant then I don't give it/ask for it to be removed.