Tell your server before or after

[kaybird]

Wow. Guess I hit some sort of nerve. We have eaten many times on the DDP, and yes we have taken trips and paid OOP. We treat the waitstaff with courtesy and respect, and have been treated likewise. We have certainly had servers better than others, but again, my point was that I don't believe we were ever treated sub-standard because of the DDP.

And yes, BTW; my life is rather rosy, because that is how I choose to live it.

 

[Lzylitnin]

why are some people always on the attack???

I think you could state your opinion without being rude.

 

[bicker]

Server having a bad day... ok, I can buy that at an Applebee’s or someplace local. But a resort entertainment complex... nope, should not be tolerated.

These folks are human beings, not machines.

For many, WDW is a once in a life time trip. ya save for years, ya get to WDW and the server is having a bad day?

Yes, it happens. Folks should be prepared for the possibility.

 

[estherhead]

I've never done the DDP before but will have free DDP in Sept. I'm planning on telling them right up front & that it is our first time so they can tell me any details I don't already have. Having been a server myself (at Applebee's none-the-less) I can't imagine doing a worse job for a guaraunteed 18% than I would do for no guarauntee.

Some people are terrible tippers no matter how hard you work & you don't know that until they are gone & you worked your *** off for them. My policy was to do my very best for every customer & get the best tips I could get from every customer. Sometimes I'd get an extra 5-10% on top of the 18% & sometimes I'd get ONLY 5% without the 18%. So the tables that had automatic gratuity in no way got lesser service.

There were servers there that were terrible servers. It is like any other business, you interview people, hire them, & train them. Sometimes they work out great & sometimes they are terrible at their job. Unfortunately a few customers suffer do to the learning pangs on realizing you just hired a bummer server. I assure you those servers get fired, but not before they ruin a few people's meals. If you get terrible service, talk to a manager, fill out service cards, and have the 18% removed. The less money they are making, the sooner they will quit a job they are not good at. Just make sure it really was a bad server, not a bad kitchen staff as previously stated. It isn't the server's fault if your steak isn't perfect. It is their fault if they give you back talk when you ask to get a new one.

Bad service is my dh's #1 pet peeve. Thank goodness he married me to calm him down!

 

[PeachesDoesHair]

We were there last Sept for 7 days. Out of that we had one less than wonderful server. I don't think the DDP had anything to do with it...I just don't think he liked his job. Three out of our six meals had outstanding servers. They all knew we were on the DDP from the beginning.

 

[webshark3]

Refill my water, and you've earned 18%+. That's my only hard requirement.

Only twice in my life have i refused to tip:

At a Giadono's where I BEGGED the waitress 5 times for a glass of water (NOT even a refill: the first). She kept insisting it was someone elses job to bring it. I think I dropped a dime for a tip.

At a Olive Garden in NY, where the waiter brought out the wrong dishes, and never corrected it. I think I left a penny.

Oh yes, no matter how bad the service, always leave a coin. Never leave the service person room for doubt that "maybe" you forgot to tip them. A coin says, "yes I remembered."

Like I said, anything else, and there's too many variables out of the servers control. I always givethe benefit of the doubt. Plus, I don't think I've EVER had bad service in Disneyworld. (Knock on Wood).

 

[housemouse]

When we paid OOP we received much better service then when on DDP.

Was it the same restaurant AND the same server on both the DDP and OOP?
If not, then I'm not really sure how the DDP is responsible for the poor service. It simply could be a lackluster employee in general. But it is an apples and oranges scenario to contrast 2 different servers at 2 different establishments with the meals paid for 2 different ways. Too many variables to be entirely sure it was the DDP.

 

[Merilyn]

Most of the time we were asked by the server before we ordered. I can tell you that at one of the places, they had different menus. One in our party got the wrong one and was quickly changed to the right one. Just thought I would let you know!

 

[nikky]

What restaraunt? I will steer clear of that one.lol

 

[twinspluscade]

"I have traveled throughout Europe, most Americans go toward the end of summer when Europe is on vacation and get lousy service and think that is how things are done. Go in the off season. Where do you get good servers from? Well to start with you do not reward bad service, you reward good service... ask your local economist, you get more of that which you subsidize."


Wildeoscar, I'm pretty sure the OP is from the UK. Thus, I'm sure he/she knows what they're talking about, and doesn't need to got to Europe "during the off season".

OP, on our trip this past September we were always asked ahead of time if we were on the DDP. Service was very good--with the exception of one meal at the Hollywood and Vine. Server never re-filled our drinks, and took forever to bring them the first time. However this was not due to us being in DDP: we had a very nice retired couple sitting at the next table over, they were not on the DDP and were also largely ignored (we complained about it together). The restaurant was crowded that day and they didn't appear to have much wait staff--I think our server was just very overwhelmed that particular day.

Kelly

 

[momto2inKC]

We have always been asked by our server right off the bat if we're on the dining plan. Some places even asked when we checked in at the podium.

 

[n2mm]

I've used the DDP 5 times over the 2 years and on our last trips this year (Feb 07 - 7 days) and (April 07 13 days), you will not have the option of not telling your server. First when you check in the CM greeter will ask you, then when you are seated the server will ask you. After 30 TS meals this year, not a single server has failed to inquire our dining status BEFORE the order is taken. It is standard practice, so unless someone plans to lie to the server prior, not telling them you're a DDP user is not an option. As for the bad/good service. Whether we are using a TS using DDP or using our DDE card, there has never been any difference. We have gotten good servers and we've gotten outstanding servers. The not so good servers stand out for us, since it's rare for us to ever get bad service. I guess since we've been using the DDP over the last two years, we have had more than 100 TS meals (wow...burp) and we have gotten average and super, but never horrible, so the standard tip has always been given, but the outstanding servers have been rewarded very well after our meals. After our most recent trip late April to mid-May, the best servers we had were at the Coral Reef and Narcoosees.

 

[wilma-bride]

"I have traveled throughout Europe, most Americans go toward the end of summer when Europe is on vacation and get lousy service and think that is how things are done. Go in the off season. Where do you get good servers from? Well to start with you do not reward bad service, you reward good service... ask your local economist, you get more of that which you subsidize."

Wildeoscar, I'm pretty sure the OP is from the UK. Thus, I'm sure he/she knows what they're talking about, and doesn't need to got to Europe "during the off season".

You are correct I am from the UK and certainly know what I'm talking about with respect to the (lack of) service here in Europe - and, for those who care, it's nearly always off-season over here

OP, on our trip this past September we were always asked ahead of time if we were on the DDP. Service was very good--with the exception of one meal at the Hollywood and Vine. Server never re-filled our drinks, and took forever to bring them the first time. However this was not due to us being in DDP: we had a very nice retired couple sitting at the next table over, they were not on the DDP and were also largely ignored (we complained about it together). The restaurant was crowded that day and they didn't appear to have much wait staff--I think our server was just very overwhelmed that particular day.

Thank you - I think you are probably one of very few on this thread who actually bothered to answer MY question

Kelly[/QUOTE]

 

[kaytieeldr]

I advocate, try not telling them vs. telling them you are DDP. See if there is a difference in service when the 18% is not guarantee. Further, if you get bad service, have the 18% removed.

Interesting concept. How would one determine if there was a difference in service without dining twice at the same restaurant under identical circumstances?
There is no mechanism in place to "remove" a tip that the diner is not paying. The Guest orders and eats a meal menu priced at at total of, say, $43.97. That, plus only the tax, is on the slip the DDP Guest is presented and signs. No gratuity; that's payroll and payroll issues are neither the responsibility nor the concern of the Guest. Now, that same Guest certainly can have the tip reduced or removed from any part of a check for which they are paying out of pocket.

Server having a bad day... ok, I can buy that at an Applebee’s or someplace local. But a resort entertainment complex... nope, should not be tolerated.

Because...? The servers at a resort entertainment complex are what, not human? They're audioanimatrons with no lives outside the resort complex?

If you went to see Lion King on Broadway, and the performers were just going though the motions, would ya think ya got your monies worth... maybe they are having a bad day?

Interesting - if this were to occur, the patron should request a refund of some of the ticket price. "I paid $75 for my $100 ticket for this show, but the performers only put in a 75% effort. I want $25 back even though I didn't pay it in the first place. I know you pay the performers a regular salary, they're not entitled to that $25.

I put servers in the category of folks that do a thankless job that you reward for good service with a tip. If they do not provide good service I do not want to be forced to tip them 18% when they did not EARN it.

A Guest paying out of pocket is not forced to tip a certain (or any) percentage - except in large parties. A Guest using DDP credits is not paying the tip, period, and has no claim or authority to reduce or negate that money.

I must admit, wildeoscar, to wondering if you've ever eaten in the UK - then you would certainly know what bad service is all about

I have traveled throughout Europe, most Americans go toward the end of summer when Europe is on vacation and get lousy service and think that is how things are done. Go in the off season.

The poster to whom this specific response is likely directed LIVES in Europe. Not a matter of going out to eat in the off-, on-, peak-, etc "season".

When we paid OOP we received much better service then when on DDP.

Was it the same restaurant AND the same server on both the DDP and OOP?

And the same day, and the same time of day, and the same order, and the same kitchen staff, and were all the other diners the same, and did the server's day (prior to each experience) go exactly the same both times...?