Buffet Tip????

[allonte]

We have a big group (14) eating at Boma next month. For parties that large they automatically add gratuity (18%). Normally I wouldn't have a problem with this because we usually end up tipping about 18% anyway but I always thought that at a buffet the normal tip is $1 per person because you serve yourself and the waiter only really brings the drinks or in some cases, you get that yourself too. What do you think about tipping at buffets and do you think that 18% is a little much considering?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

$1 is what you'd give someone at Golden Corral where you get all your plates from the register and they just pile up on your table until you leave.

They do more than this at Boma. They actually clear your plate when you're done with it. They also bring drinks and stuff. . We usually start off at 10% for semi service, 15% for full. 18% would seem high, but that's their going rate. They get 18% on meal plan diners as well.

 

[allonte]

$1 is what you'd give someone at Golden Corral where you get all your plates from the register and they just pile up on your table until you leave.

True, however, I still think 18% is a little much. But then again, I have never been there and don't know really anything other than it's a buffet. I was thinking more about 10% we always (unless service was horrible) leave about 18-20% at a full TS restaurant.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

This is a hot topic...many differing opinions. I am a 20% tipper across the board, as I used to wait tables, including a sunday brunch buffet. The only thing I did not do as a buffet server was actually bring the plate of food to the table. BUT, a good buffet server needs to clear away dirty plates each time, and with regular meal service there may only be a few, but at a buffet there are usually tons of dirty plates at the table. I would also fetch condiments for people, get beverages and refill beverages. I was also in charge of certain items on the buffet line...notifying the chef when things got low, swapping out empty trays for full ones from the kitchen, etc. I was also making the same $2.13 an hour that I was making for regular table service. So...I feel strongly that the buffet servers should be tipped same as table service.

You will get many differing opinions on this, though.

 

[shellybaxter]

Wow - only a dollar per person for buffets?? That's not even close to the 10% some suggest. I've never been a server but I agree with wildernesslodgelover, I tip buffets the same as I tip anywhere else, usually 20%. I think that serving at a buffet is just as hard as serving at a regular sitdown. We went to a buffet in Las Vegas where the waiter put napkins in our laps, helped us choose a wine, and was very attentive to our empty plates and water glasses. He got a 25% tip. I can't even imagine just leaving him two dollars for dh and I.

 

[bicker]

That's really it: $1 is appropriate for places where all they do is clear your tables. Once your drink order is taken by a server, the appropriate tip for good service is 10%, and for excellent service 15%. However, the Dining Plan gives everyone 18%. If that's unacceptable to a guest, the guest shouldn't purchase the Dining Plan.

 

[Barbers2005]

How much I tip at a buffet depends a lot on how much the server did while I was there. An attentive server who brings drinks and clears away dirty plates promptly would get closer to 15% of the bill. At some places (Old Country Buffet, for example) I get everything myself, including drinks, napkins and silverware. When I eat there I leave $2 for a server who clears up plates and $1 for a server who doesn't. So, about 10% for someone who comes around while we're eating and 5% for someone who lets the plates pile up into a plate-alanch.

 

[Lewisc]

Most tipping guides say 10-15% is an appropriate tip for a buffet.

Adding a mandatory tip for a large group makes sense, in your case the server would almost be getting stiffed with a tip of $1 / person.

I think a 15% automatic tip for a buffet would be more reasonable but I'm not going to get upset over a difference of under $1 / person. There may be a good reason, either computer issue or union issue, for having the same automatic tip for buffet restaurants.

Bicker--you have it backwards, MYW Dining guests don't care about the tip for buffets, it's the large groups who are paying cash that are affected.

We have a big group (14) eating at Boma next month. For parties that large they automatically add gratuity (18%). Normally I wouldn't have a problem with this because we usually end up tipping about 18% anyway but I always thought that at a buffet the normal tip is $1 per person because you serve yourself and the waiter only really brings the drinks or in some cases, you get that yourself too. What do you think about tipping at buffets and do you think that 18% is a little much considering?

 

[digskat]

That's really it: $1 is appropriate for places where all they do is clear your tables. Once your drink order is taken by a server, the appropriate tip for good service is 10%, and for excellent service 15%. However, the Dining Plan gives everyone 18%. If that's unacceptable to a guest, the guest shouldn't purchase the Dining Plan.

So Bicker, are we to leave a tip when we are on the dining plan or is it already included? I just don't want to be jipping anyone. Thanks Kathy

 

[CamColt]

I'm with wildernesslodgelover, 20% for any type meal.

Being one of those people who doesnt mix their food, I use quite a few plates at buffets and they are usually cleared promptly. Plus we usually get at least 2 refills on our drinks.

 

[DaisyD]

I've never heard of only giving $1 for anything! A waiter working a buffet works just as hard and sometimes harder then a standard waiter. I always tip 20% as long as service is good.

 

[bicker]

Ah, thanks. I didn't catch that. It does seem a bit strange to require 18% instead of 15%. Still, the same advice applies if it is unacceptable.

 

[allonte]

I was also making the same $2.13 an hour that I was making for regular table service. QUOTE]

you know I never knew that! For some reason (I have no idea why) but I always thought that they made more than that.

 

[schoen]

I have worked as a server at both buffets and TS places. The buffet work is actually a lot harder. You do a lot more actual work with a buffet, and a lot more running around because you are clearing plates and filling drinks at such a rapid rate. I did quit that job though, because sadly some people felt that because they were at a buffet their server did not deserve an appropriate tip. It is actually ridiculous. I truely believe that everyone who goes out to eat should have to wait tables for a few months. It is hard work!

 

[NurseGodwin]

Our family tips 20% for adequate just-the-basics service, 25% for good service, or 30% for exceptional above-and-beyond service, whether it is a buffet or not. In some restaurants, servers must pay a percentage of their overall sales to the bartender and other personnel such as busboys, hostesses, etc. I don't know if this is done at WDW. I wonder if they tipshare with the characters at Character Meals? Anyway, the service is such an integral part of the experience - no matter how delicious the food is, one cannot enjoy the meal if the service is poor. If we receive subpar service, we leave exactly 15% and speak with a manager (nicely) about the issue.

 

[kimberh]

The service at Boma's has always been good when we have been there. On the dining plan if our server was good we left more on the tip. I believe the tip is earned. If you set there all night with a empty glass then I think the tip needs adjusted just as we adjust it up for good service. A dollar is a insult. What is the price of gas now? People have to live. If you can't afford the tip then eat counter service.

 

[traviesojmt]

I think it really depends on the type of buffet. I have been to buffets where you get your own drink, silverware and food. Where we lived, one was called the Royal Fork. The waitress usually didn't even clear dishes until we were finished eating. I can't imagine leaving 20% and comparing that service to a TS where the waitress is doing everything for us. Now, a buffet at Disneyworld is usually completely different. The server is much more attentive at a Disneyworld buffet.

 

[traviesojmt]

The service at Boma's has always been good when we have been there. On the dining plan if our server was good we left more on the tip. I believe the tip is earned. If you set there all night with a empty glass then I think the tip needs adjusted just as we adjust it up for good service. A dollar is a insult. What is the price of gas now? People have to live. If you can't afford the tip then eat counter service.

I think that this is unnecessarily harsh. There are buffets where everything is self-serve. You might not even see a server while you are eating. The original question came from someone who hasn't been to Boma. If they are basing their question on their own experience with buffets, then there is no reason to flame them. I have been to plenty of buffets where I didn't even have a person to tip at a buffet. I understand the OP being confused by an 18% tip if they are use to going to buffets that were completely self-serve. We have a buffet in my home-town where you stand in line to place your order. You pay when you order the buffet and a server does not wait on you. The servers are for those who do not order buffet but chose to order a meal. Sorry for the rant, I just don't want this thread to turn into another tipping bash.

 

[mlwear]

I haven't yet been to Boma's but reading so many reviews, it seems that it is not the sort of place that is going to let you just have piles of dirty dishes at your table and a server who just comes out once or twice with clean plates.

I really don't like buffets myself, but went to Golden Corral for the first time in five years about a month ago. Our server worked his rear off. He had a lot of table to take care of and as I thought about it, the only thing a typical server does that this guy isn't doing is write down the order and carry it out from the kitchen. This man didn't have to get our food, but he had to take away dishes and bring more. He had refill our drinks. He brought me coffee. I looked at the probably 15 tables this guy was working (he was moving the whole time, non stop) and thought that he isn't going to make hardly anything in tips because it is a "buffet". I left him a nice tip and certainly would do the same for any other buffet server that worked like that.

I could be wrong, but I suspect that is what Boma's buffet treatment is like. 18% or more is acceptable IMO, if that is the case. (Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong about Boma's service).

Now, if a buffet server did nothing but hand me clean plates, letting the dirty pile up and I had to get my own refills, etc. I think ten percent is fair.

 

[offwegotoneverland]

I would agree that the servers at Boma's are above the bussing table thing you may see at a self serve buffet pancake house/ponderosa thing.

Ours even brought samples for the wines we were considering with our meal, ensured we had the concept of the pods discussed the items we would find in addition to serving waters, drinks smothee's for DS and pressed pot coffee's.

Way above just clearing the odd plate she was a great server!