Service

[MANTIS01]

Surely if the restaurant wanted to charge an additional 12.5% on top of the price of the food and drinks, the simplest solution is to increase all their prices by....12.5%?

The service charge is split between the waiting/kitchen staff, it doesn't go to the restaurant.

[kinboshi]

Surely if the restaurant wanted to charge an additional 12.5% on top of the price of the food and drinks, the simplest solution is to increase all their prices by....12.5%?

The service charge is split between the waiting/kitchen staff, it doesn't go to the restaurant.

They could do that from the money taken from the food anyway.  If it costs £100 and they take out £12.50, does it matter if they call it a 12.5% service charge or if it's just £12.50 taken from the price for the food (and the total price goes towards the service, the utility bills, ingredients, rent, etc.).

[MANTIS01]

I would say it matters because if you add 12.5% to the menu price that restaurant will look expensive compared to everyone else and the business will suffer. It's a seperate charge because it's unrelated to the restaurant and their overheads, it's a gratuity from you directly to the staff. And as such you don't have to pay it if you don't want to. If it was quoted as the price on the menu you would be obligated to pay it.

[kinboshi]

I would say it matters because if you add 12.5% to the menu price that restaurant will look expensive compared to everyone else and the business will suffer. It's a seperate charge because it's unrelated to the restaurant and their overheads, it's a gratuity from you directly to the staff. And as such you don't have to pay it if you don't want to. If it was quoted as the price on the menu you would be obligated to pay it.

So the difference is just the obligation side, and the perception in terms of comparative costs to customers? 

I'm not sure how many people would pick one restaurant over another because a steak in one costs £20 and £25 in the other, and in the £25 one there isn't an additional service charge.  Would people do that?

[MANTIS01]

I wouldn't eat in a restaurant that forced me to tip staff by including it in the price of the food.

I think there are a lot of people who would pick choice over no choice.

If people don't think the service charge reflects the level of service they received simply ask for it to be taken off the bill.

[Cf]

If I spot a service charge on my bill then I will refuse to pay it. I will also not tip the staff. And the last thing I do is make a point of telling them this.

If I think the service is good then I will happily tip, but do not dare presume to include it in the bill yourself.

And the other thing is it's a good way to con a double tip. I've done it before where I've just glanced at the total and mentally added on the 10%. And then someone else has spotted the service charge added on. GTFO.

[the sicilian]

R u telling me you don't have to pay it ?   Lol fmel all these years I've paid it and didn't realise sigh....

[celtic]

R u telling me you don't have to pay it ?   Lol fmel all these years I've paid it and didn't realise sigh....

They have service charge at harvester?

[Ironside]

Surely if the restaurant wanted to charge an additional 12.5% on top of the price of the food and drinks, the simplest solution is to increase all their prices by....12.5%?

as I said earlier it will turn people away if they are more expensive than next door. I know people who refuse to goto certain pubd as the drinks are 20p more expensive

[the sicilian]

R u telling me you don't have to pay it ?   Lol fmel all these years I've paid it and didn't realise sigh....

They have service charge at harvester?

Some of us have frequented eating establishments where the height of cullinary excelllance doesnt stop at Piri piri sauce...

[DungBeetle]

Service charge is entirely optional and you can take it off and set your own.

I normally top up the 12.5% by an extra £30 at the places I go to in London regularly though.   It's a relatively small amount on the bill and makes a huge difference to being able to get tables when they are fully booked, get the best tables location wise and get amazing service. 

[AndrewT]

[DungBeetle]

Who are those guys?

[George2Loose]

Who are those guys?

Level?

[tikay]

Who are those guys?

I was about to ask the same thing.

Some obscure TV actors, one assumes?