Will wait staff be getting "inflated" tips?

[FDV]

The way I understand the DDP, Disney pays the restaurants a "flat" rate for the meal, regardless of what is ordered. So when WDW paid the tip, I assume the wait person got an 18% tip on just the negotiated amount. Generally, the customer never gets to see the amount, it was all zeros. I assumed that Disney did this so we couldn't see how much they actually paid for the meal, which I would guess was substantially less than menu price in most cases.

So now, with the customer paying the tip, they are going to print receipts with the menu prices. So in some cases, the staff will get a much larger tip than 18% on what the meal is actually costing.

If this is true, it just seems fundamentally wrong. It would be like tipping full menu price at a restaurant when they are having a special.

If the adult plan is $39/ day, $5 is for snack, $10 is for CS, which leaves $24 for the TS. So should we tip 18% of the $24 that Disney is paying for the meal, or should we tip 18% of the $35 menu price. (Hypothetical numbers).

 

[Colleen27]

At Disney owned restaurants, the servers get 18% on menu prices. At some of the non-Disney owned restaurants, they get stiffed by their employers and only get a tip based on the reimbursement amount.

At Disney or elsewhere, it is always appropriate to tip based on menu prices before any coupons or other discounts (aside from daily specials and such, which are reflected on the menu) are applied. So the dining plan cost shouldn't even enter into your tip calculations - you should tip based on the pre-tax value of the meal.

In the past and present, you can see the prices on the reciept you sign and return to the server, but the copy that you keep is all zeros. Presumably for 2008, you'd just look at the server copy to base your tip on, unless they stop zeroing out the customer copy or include the suggested tip calculations that some have speculated might be printed on/along with the receipt.

 

[Lewisc]

Many guests won't be ordering an appetizer for everyone at the table. Some (many?) guests will tip less then 18%. I'd be surprised if enough guests will tip more then 18% to compensate for guests that tip less.

I'd be surprised if the wait staff doesn't take a hit, particularly with bounce-back free dining guests September 2008. Those guests might not be aware of the change until they check in.

Guests who use a promotions such as the Entertainment Book BOGO are expected to tip on the undiscounted check.

 

[Booyakasha]

The way I understand the DDP, Disney pays the restaurants a "flat" rate for the meal, regardless of what is ordered. So when WDW paid the tip, I assume the wait person got an 18% tip on just the negotiated amount. Generally, the customer never gets to see the amount, it was all zeros. I assumed that Disney did this so we couldn't see how much they actually paid for the meal, which I would guess was substantially less than menu price in most cases.

So now, with the customer paying the tip, they are going to print receipts with the menu prices. So in some cases, the staff will get a much larger tip than 18% on what the meal is actually costing.

If this is true, it just seems fundamentally wrong. It would be like tipping full menu price at a restaurant when they are having a special.

If the adult plan is $39/ day, $5 is for snack, $10 is for CS, which leaves $24 for the TS. So should we tip 18% of the $24 that Disney is paying for the meal, or should we tip 18% of the $35 menu price. (Hypothetical numbers).

Tipping should be done on the menu price. This would also include anything that is not covered by the plan i.e. alcohol.

B.

 

[ransom]

Not from me!

 

[Hootch]

tip on menu price whether at Disney or not.

The US has a screwy way (my opinion) of compensating restaurant workers. Servers are generally paid well below minimum wage but are guaranteed that tips will allow them to achieve that level or more. My grocery store ads came in the mail today. If I choose to take advantage of the sale on chicken quarters, the cashier is paid no less. It is the company that chooses to have the sale that receives less revenue for that particular item, usually in hope that will recieve additional profits from additional traffic.. Why should servers suffer due to their employers business decisions when most other employee groups are not impacted that way?

(The one obvious exceptions is in commissioned sales but the compensation package is outlined in advance and is used as an incentive.)

 

[bicker]

Yes, the standard is to base restaurant server gratuities on the non-discounted prices.

 

[Dorisk3]

Hypothetically then in any restaurant you should tip on what the food cost the restaurant owner? That really has nothing to do with the wait staff. I'm bummed too that we have to tip now- but it really isn't fair to the servers if they are tipped on what Disney negotiates with their restaurants.

 

[Allison]

No, they aren't getting an inflated tip because they should be tipped on the menu price anyway. The amount Disney has negotiated to reimburse the restaurants for the meal is irrelevant. As far as I know, the server has never been paid on any flat negotiated amount for the meal.

 

[bicker]

Hypothetically then in any restaurant you should tip on what the food cost the restaurant owner?

Plus the cost of labor (including the cooks, accountant, etc.), the cost of customer acquisition, the cost of facilities, and the cost of utilities.... making your gratuity proportional to that amount would roughly be the same as making your gratuity proportional to the undiscounted menu prices.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Here is a example, last night we went to Ruby Tuesdays. While were were there another very nice couple at another table gave us a 5.00 coupon. So the bill was 36.00 but with the coupon it was 31.00. I tipped her on the bill without the coupon as you are supposed to, so I left her a 8.00 tip. I left a Little bit more but I just rounded it up to the next dollar.

 

[wezee]

If you are soooo concerned about tipping the appropriate amount to the well deserving TS servers at WDW.......why don't you just eat all CS, where no tip is required. Or you could work as a server for a few weeks and maybe realize just how much work is required to be a good waiter or waitress.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Many guests won't be ordering an appetizer for everyone at the table. Some (many?) guests will tip less then 18%. I'd be surprised if enough guests will tip more then 18% to compensate for guests that tip less.

I'd be surprised if the wait staff doesn't take a hit, particularly with bounce-back free dining guests September 2008. Those guests might not be aware of the change until they check in.

Guests who use a promotions such as the Entertainment Book BOGO are expected to tip on the undiscounted check.

I'm a good tip. I'll leave at least 18% unless the service is horrible, but I won't tip extra just because other people may leave less.

 

[Thats_for_Shore]

Wow...if all DDP'ers tipped on the discounted price, I would imagine that the servers would be fighting over who had to wait on the DDP'ers.

I've been a waitress, as well as most people nowadays, and lemme tell ya, sometimes you make good $, and sometimes you run your rump off for not a whole lot.

For example, customers came in, they were friends of the owner. The owner asked me specifically to wait on them and make sure they got great service. They were wonderful people, and I did a super job of serving them. The owner ends up sitting with them and chatting and telling them that there's no bill, it's on her. The customers, thinking everything was taken care of, left no tip for me.

So just because you get something for free, or at a discount, doesn't mean you shouldn't tip your server nicely.

 

[just another guy]

Wow...if all DDP'ers tipped on the discounted price, I would imagine that the servers would be fighting over who had to wait on the DDP'ers.

So just because you get something for free, or at a discount, doesn't mean you shouldn't tip your server nicely.

Agreed. This is partially the reason 18% will be added to the check for DDE users in 08. Many would tip on the discounted price. $100 bill, save 20%, thus $20, and the bill is $80. 18% of the original price is $18, yet 18% of the discounted amount is $14.40.

 

[Nancyg56]

I've been a waitress, as well as most people nowadays, and lemme tell ya, sometimes you make good $, and sometimes you run your rump off for not a whole lot.

For example, customers came in, they were friends of the owner. The owner asked me specifically to wait on them and make sure they got great service. They were wonderful people, and I did a super job of serving them. The owner ends up sitting with them and chatting and telling them that there's no bill, it's on her. The customers, thinking everything was taken care of, left no tip for me.

I waited tables too so I know that there are some who refuse to tip. We had dinner at a steakhouse and there was a large table next to us. 4 adults and some kids, one baby. The adults were drinking and the kids were messy. The server was attentive. We watched as they cashed out and they left the server two bucks on the table We left her more than we normally would. She was gracious and we never would have know that they basically stiffed her had we not been so close to the other table that we could hear their discussion before they left.

 

[chrismb22]

For example, customers came in, they were friends of the owner. The owner asked me specifically to wait on them and make sure they got great service. They were wonderful people, and I did a super job of serving them. The owner ends up sitting with them and chatting and telling them that there's no bill, it's on her. The customers, thinking everything was taken care of, left no tip for me.

I did that once by accident. We were at a friend's restaurant and while we had a bill, it was GREATLY reduced (we didn't pay for appetizers, desserts, wine etc.) We paid the bill (and left a tip) and didn't think about it as we were with a bunch of people and our mind was on other things. As we were driving home, we realized we completely under tipped the server. I was sooo upset. I immediately called the restaurant and asked them to put so much more on my credit card to even it out. Thank God for cell phones LOL!

I have a question for the servers out there, what do you prefer -- or does it make a difference? Would you rather get tipped in cash or do you mind getting it via cc? I was planning on just charging tips to my room (on the DDP for 2008) but if it means the server will get less or whatever I'll carry cash on hand for tips.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I did that once by accident. We were at a friend's restaurant and while we had a bill, it was GREATLY reduced (we didn't pay for appetizers, desserts, wine etc.) We paid the bill (and left a tip) and didn't think about it as we were with a bunch of people and our mind was on other things. As we were driving home, we realized we completely under tipped the server. I was sooo upset. I immediately called the restaurant and asked them to put so much more on my credit card to even it out. Thank God for cell phones LOL!

I have a question for the servers out there, what do you prefer -- or does it make a difference? Would you rather get tipped in cash or do you mind getting it via cc? I was planning on just charging tips to my room (on the DDP for 2008) but if it means the server will get less or whatever I'll carry cash on hand for tips.

Where I work it does not matter at all. We get a itemized sheet at the end of our shift. It tells you how much you sold, plus tons of stuff drinks percents, discounts everything. Then it shows how much credit card tips you had, the computer automatically deducts that from what we have to pay the store at the end of our shift. So either way we get it..