Brother Marcus Restauarnt Scam?

la531983

The Borough Market branch getting an awful lot of 5 star reviews on Google Maps since the tax thing was pointed out. Almost as if they are attempting to bury it with fake ones….

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002831#Comment_82002831

….almost entirely from "reviewers" with 1-5 total Google reviews…..

oldernonethewiser

I like the fact that accoding to their menu the service charge is both discretionary and optional.

Must really want you not to pay it 😉

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003453#Comment_82003453

Same wording found on many menus - declaration means that they don't have to pay VAT on any service charge monies received.

oldernonethewiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003492#Comment_82003492

Usually seen it as one or the other. I do know it is for tax purposes when it isn't mandatory.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003501#Comment_82003501

An optional service charge, aka tip, has to be given to the staff in it entirety and is outside the scope of VAT. A mandatory service charge is part of the basic running of the business and therefore VAT applies at the standard rate. Its why all the firms make it clear its optional even if defaulted as included so your £10 service charge goes to the staff rather than it being a £12 service charge with £10 going to staff and £2 going to HMRC.

Probably would be helpful if the OP had posted a copy of the receipt, there are photos of a receipts from this branch in 2024 & 2023 and it has no tax presented as a percentage on it

rbn

Pretty sure the point @oldernonethewiser was making is that it’s redundant to describe it both as optional and discretionary (the menu says ‘discretionary optional service charge’), rather than making a comment about it being optional.

Ergates

it’s redundant to describe it both as optional and discretionary (the menu says ‘discretionary optional service charge’)

Yes, it's a tautology - but in the grand scheme of "wrongness" going on here, it's minor

oldernonethewiser

I do hope there is a follow up to this thread to explain what might have happened.

sheslookinhot

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002147#Comment_82002147

I never said it was the issue, I was highlighting a comment, that for general interest, can be challenged as not right.