Restaurant Fees Fees Fees--The real reason

[Ray Newman]

Unless I would have been clearly informed of this "service fee" on the menu, sign by door, etc., I would refuse to pay it. Around there is a eatery now adding a tip for the cooks on to the check You are not informed of this until you get the bill. I know several who have refused to pay it. I guess many do pay it as it is still being done.

Like XP 100, I don't tip on the tax.

The very few times I put the bill on a credit card, I leave a cash tip. I've heard of too many stories from the waitstaff about managers taking a part of the tip as their "fee" for processing the credit card.

Something else I noticed, a number of the eateries around here, put a "suggested" tip on the bill. Seems to me that the cash register program has a problem doing percentages and very often rounds up the tip to the next dollar -- if the register calculated tip would have been say US $9.05, the tab will show a $10.00 suggested tip.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I have seen restaurants and bars with signs saying that if a credit or debit card is used there will be a 3% ( or something like that) charge to cover their fee. Thing is, I am under the understanding that credit card companies like Visa and MC ( both of which also handle debit cards) don't allow it and will dump the venue if they find out. I am still researching this so I can't guarantee the truth of this yet.

 

[eveled]

I'm surprised they don't charge you for the table, by the minute. Or institute a time limit. Some people order a meal then sit at the table for a couple hours talking and getting water refills. While people are waiting for a table.

We never eat out anymore. Its just too expensive for a family. We do order takeout more often than we should. But do that less and less.

Even buying food at the market is getting more expensive, so I understand that restaurants have to charge more or serve less.

 

[jyo]

Well, I'm a pretty decent cook, so we don't have to eat out much, but the random hours of my wife's work sometimes makes it handy to eat out or sometimes we just enjoy eating out... Some of our favorite places have nearly doubled their prices and then want to add additional fees on top of that! We simply find other places to eat at and I notice that several places that were quite popular in the recent past are now noticeably less well attended, while the places that have held things down are far better attended...
I've also noticed that some places have cut down potion sizes and even removed salt shakers and the little packets of sweeteners---you have to ask for them now! Another formerly popular breakfast joint even now only serves one piece of toast when they used to previously served two (and smaller potions!)---we don't eat there anymore...

 

[canshooter]

I have seen restaurants and bars with signs saying that if a credit or debit card is used there will be a 3% ( or something like that) charge to cover their fee. Thing is, I am under the understanding that credit card companies like Visa and MC ( both of which also handle debit cards) don't allow it and will dump the venue if they find out. I am still researching this so I can't guarantee the truth of this yet.

They changed that policy a couple years ago. Merchants are now allowed by Visa/MC to charge customers a fee, up to 4.0 percent. They are supposed to notify customers before the transaction.

Both the notification and maximum seem to be ignored by some restaurants, unfortunately.

 

[KIR]

I went into Scheels the other day to get a walk around as it was hot outside, look at some firearms as always and to get some ice cream in a cup. I was surprised that when I told the server, to keep the change, she refused and said she was not allowed to. I don't know if this is a trend that companies are not allowing their employees to accept tips because of the raises they got from new minimum wage laws or because the price of many things have skyrocketed?

 

[Teflon97116]

Not the same thing, but similar, there are businesses that will tack on an automatic "gratuity." Most often for larger parties (of 6-8 or more) so the tip is already built in when they present the bill. And it's usually a high-ish percentage like 18.5% - perhaps more than one might be inclined to tip voluntarily, especially if the service was ho-hum.

Along that same line, something else that chaps my hide is paying for drinks/meals at a POS (point of sale) station were the gargoyle spins an electronic screen around to face the patron. The transaction cannot be completed without selecting one of these options:
How was my service?
Okay - 18%
Good - 20%
Excellent - 23%
Custom amount...

Really? You just set a ($6-8) beer on the bar that somebody else took 5 seconds to pour!

Vent complete. Now back to the discussion about mercenary fees.

 

[WAYNO]

Very recently, we received a restaurant bill, and yes, there was a "service charge" tacked onto the total. Then directly below, was the "suggested tip" of your choice, 18%, 20%, 22%.

I am a good tipper when deserved, but I'm not okay with the service charge tacked onto the overall bill. If the restaurant can't make it, then increase menu prices. If I don't like the new prices, I can walk out. But don't surprise me with a service charge without my previous consent or choice.

There's a local restaurant, Heliman and I often eat at on range day.
The place is appropriately named, the Greasy Spoon. Their food is terrific.
It's tacky, but on the door is a hand-written sign saying "add $4 to menu entree prices". Even then, I have a choice to walk away before I go in and order.







.

 

[fiasconva]

They take 5% off the total bill when you present the check to the cashier. They usually thank you for paying in cash too.

 

[Swampbilly_2]

Who else is getting sick of fees? Fee this, fee that.

I just read this article and something Denise Mickelsen said made me "Say what?" out loud. So who is Mickelsen?

"Any non-discretionary charge added to a restaurant or bar customer's bill, regardless of what it's called, is a service charge," explained Denise Mickelsen, communication director with the Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation."

The following statement defies all reason. I have to wonder if she (?) was roomies with Alissa Heinerscheid.

I'll bet you didn't know this little pearl of wisdom. And they think we're that stupid! SMDH

BREAKING NEWS OUT OF COLORADO

"Restaurants are not money-makers and the people who run them are doing so because they love to serve and care about hospitality," said Mickelsen. "When guests see a service charge on their bill, they should know that the cost of doing business right now is higher than ever before and those service charges are a means of staying in business."

Oh my aching head...

Service charge vs. tip: What’s the difference?

It might be labeled a “living wage fee,” which helps the restaurant better pay staff that don’t traditionally receive tips. Some businesses have added a health care surcharge to h…

thehill.com

I used to get pizza delivery now and then, but then the prices on Pizza got so high, I cut way down on that. I might have a Pizza delivered no more than 2 or 3 times a year, at the most. The other day, after not having a delivered Pizza for more than 6 months, I ordered from a place I normally do business with. That's when I noticed on the call, when telling me my total, there was an additional $2.00 "Delivery Fee." I asked the worker on the phone if any part of that Delivery Fee went to the drivers. He confirmed that it did NOT.
So...now the restaurant charges a delivery fee, that they keep, and then you're expected to still tip the driver.
Well...I have not ordered a Pizza since...

I have identified two brands of frozen Pizza that are actually good...I buy those and add extra ingredients I buy and chop myself. Or, even better, I bought a Pizza Stone...buy the Pizza crust already made and make custom pizzas at home.

If restaurants depended on me dining out, they would all be in trouble and on their way to closing.

 

[Swampbilly_2]

I can't remember the last time I ate in a restaurant, it has been years. When we vacation, we get a room or rented house with a kitchen and cook our own meals.

I hear you, I am the same...the only potential issue with that is many times the wife may complain that she "is not getting a vacation," because she is still having to cook and clean a kitchen. So, in that example it's good for the husband or boyfriend to step in and do the cooking.

 

[Iguanason]

I used to get pizza delivery now and then, but then the prices on Pizza got so high, I cut way down on that. I might have a Pizza delivered no more than 2 or 3 times a year, at the most. The other day, after not having a delivered Pizza for more than 6 months, I ordered from a place I normally do business with. That's when I noticed on the call, when telling me my total, there was an additional $2.00 "Delivery Fee." I asked the worker on the phone if any part of that Delivery Fee went to the drivers. He confirmed that it did NOT.
So...now the restaurant charges a delivery fee, that they keep, and then you're expected to still tip the driver.
Well...I have not ordered a Pizza since...

I have identified two brands of frozen Pizza that are actually good...I buy those and add extra ingredients I buy and chop myself. Or, even better, I bought a Pizza Stone...buy the Pizza crust already made and make custom pizzas at home.

If restaurants depended on me dining out, they would all be in trouble and on their way to closing.

They sell a pizza dough yeast that requires no rising time. Just mix or knead the dough and roll it out. I use bread flour. I like to make pizzas in the Weber gas bbq on a stone.

 

[larry8]

Hay, don't be so cheap. After all, most of us live in a home that is valued around $3-600,000. Tip the delivery driver 25% and in a restaurant 30%. They will appreciate it and you won't even notice the difference.

 

[Topfueler1]

When we go out to a restaurant which is not all that often I only pay with cash. I've never used a credit card for a restaurant and never will. I tip 20% to the waiter or waitress. If I had to use a credit card then I should not be going out to dinner!

 

[Teflon97116]

That's a broad assumption that using a "credit" cards means someone is borrowing to get something they could not otherwise afford - even just a meal out.

Don't get me wrong, I know that too many people live that way and heap up mountains of rapacious interest-laden debt.

Strictly a cash man for over 60 years, I started using plastic when the plague simply made that the (much) easier option. I have not used credit in any form yet this century - nor will I.

 

[moparclan]

My old time favorite Mexican restaurant started charging 4% for using a debit card and showing what the tip should be! Our newest steakhouse gives a 5% discount for Vets and 10% off for cash! Great food there.

 

[Jeepnik]

What gets me is the sliding scale the use for fees. A place I used to order delivery from charges a flat fee for delivery. It doesn't matter if it's next door or across town. Note past tense.
Another I dealt with had a sliding scale fee based on the amount of the order. Note, it didn't go down with a larger but went up. Also note past tense.

Both places advertised "free" delivery. But when called on it they blame it on gas prices. If you can't price your merchandise to cover your overhead plus a reasonable profit you need to find another line of work.

 

[Kevin]

This summer I've been taking my daughter to lunch for entertainment. It's just something fun to do. I haven't seen any extra fees on any bills. Higher prices, yes, and they probably have an extra fee they haven't fully disclosed; which wouldn't be a surprise.

I do use a credit card to get sky miles, each lunch is around $30 to $35 dollars. Cheaper than going to the movies!

 

[Cholo]

Cheaper than going to the movies!

Especially if you don't buy the $499 tub of popcorn and two $25 cokes LOL

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Fees are madening! Just add it to the price up front and be honest about it. Then I can decide if it's worth it. Same thing with cars/motorcycles. You added an extra thousand because?!?!?