Service charge at restaurant?

[McKelly]

So, we just returned from a buffet at a local resort restaurant where there was a 20% service charge added to our bill. Although there were only four of us, I assumed this was an automatic gratuity added so the servers didn't get stiffed on the holiday. But now I am wondering if the service charge is the same as a gratuity and I feel guilty that I DID indeed stiff the server, because there was a place to leave a gratuity as well! I have googled service charge vs. gratuity but it comes back with mixed results, yes it is the gratuity and no it's not?

I added additional money, in cash, because it was a holiday, but now I am starting to feel guilty because I didn't leave the server enough, because I didn't leave an additional 20% in cash, just another 10%.

Any servers/restaurant managers out there? What exactly IS a service charge? I haven't encountered this before...(don't get out much, what can I say?).

 

[Allison]

Call the restaurant and ask.

 

[lovesmurfs]

So, we just returned from a buffet at a local resort restaurant where there was a 20% service charge added to our bill. Although there were only four of us, I assumed this was an automatic gratuity added so the servers didn't get stiffed on the holiday. But now I am wondering if the service charge is the same as a gratuity and I feel guilty that I DID indeed stiff the server, because there was a place to leave a gratuity as well! I have googled service charge vs. gratuity but it comes back with mixed results, yes it is the gratuity and no it's not?

I added additional money, in cash, because it was a holiday, but now I am starting to feel guilty because I didn't leave the server enough, because I didn't leave an additional 20% in cash, just another 10%.

Any servers/restaurant managers out there? What exactly IS a service charge? I haven't encountered this before...(don't get out much, what can I say?).

Used to work for hotels -- the service charge was a gratuity which was split between everyone who worked -- the servers, the bus help, the cook, etc.

I would have assumed it's the gratuity. For room service, they automatically charge gratuity/service charge and leave a line for additional tip if you want.

I think you're fine, particularly since it was a buffet.

 

[luvflorida]

What exactly IS a service charge? I haven't encountered this before...(don't get out much, what can I say?).

Well, we DO get out a lot, but only recently have we encountered a service charge! My husband and I stayed overnight at a hotel last weekend and had breakfast the next morning at the hotel's restaurant. Since the concierge hospitality room was closed, we had the choice of receiving extra points on our hotel rewards or two free breakfast buffet passes. We chose the passes, and at the end of our meal our waitress dropped off our bill and said it was all taken care of. My husband noticed that a 15% service charge was added to the total. Like you, we were a bit uncertain as to whether or not the service charge was gratuity or something else.

Uncertain whether to add a full tip or not, and wanting to make sure the waitress was compensated properly, we asked our waitress exactly what the service charge was for. She said it was indeed a tip. So, my husband added a little more on the tip line, but not as much as he would normally leave if the service charge had not been there.

I think you were fine, and did not stiff the waiter! Nothing to feel guilty about!

 

[Skywalker]

If get charged a 20% service charge, that's the tip whether they like it or not. I will not pay a 20% service charge then a 20% tip. 40% on the meal? I don't think so.

 

[Kies99]

If get charged a 20% service charge, that's the tip whether they like it or not. I will not pay a 20% service charge then a 20% tip. 40% on the meal? I don't think so.

ITA!!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I would have assumed it was the tip.

If restaurants are expecting us to pay 20% service fee and then leave a tip on top of that then they better start paying their employees more. I'm not paying 40% on top of my meal just so the restaurant doesn't have to pay their staff minimum wage.