DDE & 18% do I have it right?

[patsal]

I always felt the DDE gave me "free tips" and a 20% savings on CS locations. I think it is a great savings when used over time. Over the time I used the DDE I found that only twice (and not on the same trip) was there ever cause not to tip 20%--if I encvounter service like that with the auto grat I will speak to a manager. Between CS locations in AK, any stays where food courts exist, and base savings on TS we average about $50 per day, spread out over 2-3 trips that easily adds up to $1500+ in savings. Having done DDE, DDP and a combo of both (there was a time when DDP was not available to DVC), my favorite is DDE since I can eat where and when I want and usually it qualifies to get the 20% off.

 

[Tricia1972]

Okay, I don't understand the value of the DDE if they are putting on a mandatory 18% gratuity.

The DDE card is $60, right? You get a 20% discount on your meals, but then they tack an 18% gratuity onto your bill. Right?

So, I would actually be paying $60 for a 2% discount since the discretion of tipping has been removed from me, right?

The DDE card is $60 - once you spend $300 the card will pay for itself.

The value in the DDE card is this:

$100 Meal without the DDE

$100 - Meal
$15 - Tip at 15% (which would be the minimum you would tip)
$6.50 - Tax
$121.50 - Total Bill


$100 Meal with the DDE
$100 - Meal
$18 - Tip at 18%
$20 - Discount
$5.20 - Tax
$103.20 - Total Bill

The reasoning of the 15% tip in the top example, when tipping would actually be at your discretion, is that if you're tipping less than 15% in example one, then you'd be talking to a manager to have the 18% tip reduced in example two.

 

[dioxide45]

So, I would actually be paying $60 for a 2% discount since the discretion of tipping has been removed from me, right?

You were not planning to tip at all in this example?

 

[BriarRosie]

The DDE card is $60 - once you spend $300 the card will pay for itself.

The value in the DDE card is this:

$100 Meal without the DDE

$100 - Meal
$15 - Tip at 15% (which would be the minimum you would tip)
$6.50 - Tax
$121.50 - Total Bill


$100 Meal with the DDE
$100 - Meal
$18 - Tip at 18%
$20 - Discount
$5.20 - Tax
$103.20 - Total Bill

The reasoning of the 15% tip in the top example, when tipping would actually be at your discretion, is that if you're tipping less than 15% in example one, then you'd be talking to a manager to have the 18% tip reduced in example two.

That's a great example. I guess those who always want to tip a standard 15% think they are getting a 3% decrease on their usual savings. But many of us who just added back the 20% discount as the tip are considering it a 2% increase of savings.

Either way, they still save money with the DDE card than tipping at their discretion without it. I know I'd rather pay $103.20 vs. $121.50.

 

[TDC Nala]

Okay, I don't understand the value of the DDE if they are putting on a mandatory 18% gratuity.

The DDE card is $60, right? You get a 20% discount on your meals, but then they tack an 18% gratuity onto your bill. Right?

So, I would actually be paying $60 for a 2% discount since the discretion of tipping has been removed from me, right?

Only if you generally do not tip.

If you usually tip 18-20% it's still worth it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Exactly.
And I have a feeling that part of the reason the automatic gratuity was added is the fact that many folks seriously undertipped (or, didn't tip at all ) just to save even MORE $$.

 

[dmslush]

You were not planning to tip at all in this example?

I guess I didn't make myself clear in my original post.. I do tip, and always budget in the tip. BUT, what I don't like is a discount card being marketed as 'saving 20%' but then it FORCES the customer to tip 18%. I tip based on service, and yes, I've walked away before without leaving a tip when the server was horrible, and I've left 20%+ when they went above and beyond. I just I guess I don't get having a forced tip.

 

[Tricia1972]

That's a great example. I guess those who always want to tip a standard 15% think they are getting a 3% decrease on their usual savings. But many of us who just added back the 20% discount as the tip are considering it a 2% increase of savings.

Either way, they still save money with the DDE card than tipping at their discretion without it. I know I'd rather pay $103.20 vs. $121.50.

I couldn't agree more!

 

[BriarRosie]

Exactly.
And I have a feeling that part of the reason the automatic gratuity was added is the fact that many folks seriously undertipped (or, didn't tip at all ) just to save even MORE $$.

I don't think people were stiffing the tip completely, but I do think quite a few people were basing their tip on the discounted amount, making the percentage to the server less than 15%.