Please don't shoot me....I'm trying to decide what to do w/dining...

[Esmerelda]

Last year my hubby and I did the DDP and it worked out well....obviously, it didn't work well for Disney because of the 08 changes.

There would be 4 of us on it this year for 6 days so at least $900....wow...that's alot of money to me for food. Plus the fact we now have to add the tip on! (and its a dessert, not an appetizer) :(

Then there is the DDE card. I'm trying to figure out if you have poor service, do you still have to tip that amount? I just think that is wrong. Please don't misunderstand...we always tip well...but I am very uncomfortable with 'having' to tip that much if its not warranted.

I need experiences from folks that have been there and utilized these programs. Did you feel comfortable with how its now set up?

I know its an old topic....I just have no clue what to do here.

please...don't beat me up....just looking for recent vistors thoughts..

:)

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, first, you would be purchasing the DDE with the full knowledge that you will be automatically assessed an 18% service charge.

Now, if you legitimately have bad service making the 18% unreasonable, you need to address it with a restaurant manager. The best time to do this is while you have having the problem, not when you get the check.

No manager can resolve a problem she/he does not know exists. Waiting until the check comes to dispute the service seems, well, I'll stop here.

[Esmerelda]

Thank you for your kind response. I'm certainly not saying we do not tip because that is certainly not the case. My concern is if there is poor service. I guess if I had a large party, I could see them deciding exactly what my tip would be....oh well...thanks for your help. I guess I will just have to decide if its worth the discount...since its really only a 2% if you look at the whole picture...plus we are only going to use the DDE card one time.

The whole thing still makes me wad my britches...lol


:)

[SondraC]

But, it would only be a 2% discount if you didn't plan on tipping at all...nada...zilch!

[kaytieeldr]

SondraC is correct. It seems like "only" a 2% discount because now the service charge is mandatory (where in the past, the tip was at the discretion of the DDE diner).

Using the simple $100 check...
- Old way, with tip:
. . . Deduct 20% = $80
. . . Add 20% tip calculated on original check (aka the discounted amount) = $18)
. . . Total paid $100
- Old way, diner leaves no tip:
. . . Deduct 20% = $80
. . . Total paid $80
- New/current way
. . . Deduct 20% = $80 (the SAME saving as before - 20%)
. . . Add mandatory 18% "tip" calculated on original check = $18
. . . Total paid $98

This is not a savings of "only" 2% over the old way. It's a savings of an ADDITIONAL 2%.

Of course, DDE members who didn't tip before will find NO savings.

[septbaby]

Of course, DDE members who didn't tip before will find NO savings.

:lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: :eek:

[TDC Nala]

Take the same $100 check and tip 15%. Your total without DDE is $115.

Your total with DDE and the automatic 18% tip would be $98.

Even if you are tipping 18% with DDE, you pay $17 less than you would if you were NOT using DDE and tipping 15%.

If you are only planning to use the card one time - it still may not be worth it for you. It would depend on how much you intend to spend on that one meal. If you don't at least recoup the price you paid for the signup fee, then there's no sense in getting the card at all.