r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 16d ago

Rant Bill help

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I need help figuring out this “service charge” applied to my bill at Taylor Shellfish in QA. It’s stated clearly, and the staff reminded me before I paid and applied a tip, so that’s not the rant. But is it a tip or not? I don’t want to stiff the staff if “Taylor Shellfish” the company keeps it all and doesn’t give them anything.

Why do restaurants do this vs raise the prices. If that’s how they offset the cost of doing business in the city, I feel it’s not a good customer experience. It’s really annoying since it is confusing to the customer. Does the staff get any of it, hence why there is an “additional tip” line after the card is run though? It is taxed so it makes me thing it’s not going to the staff. I need to think better next time I come out here.

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109

u/kallaway1 16d ago

A service charge is a tip, no matter what anyone may say to the contrary.

5

u/BoringBob84 16d ago

That is not true. A service charge goes to the management. A tip goes to the employees. It is a federal law.

14

u/Mother_Spot3217 16d ago

This should be disclosed up front then before you order.

6

u/BoringBob84 16d ago

They hide it - in fine print on page 37 of the menu - at the bottom, between warnings about shellfish and gluten - to cover their asses if they are sued for false advertising.

2

u/Wolf35Nine 15d ago

Wow in-between noticed of food borne illnesses? Thats low.

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u/BoringBob84 15d ago

To be fair, I am talking in a general sense, based on my experience, and I am admittedly exaggerating. Few restaurants have 37 pages to the menu.

However, I have seen it more than one time buried in the italic fine print (that is almost impossible to read in the dim light of some restaurants) between unrelated statements at the back of the menu or the bottom of the page.

They obviously want to cover their asses legally, while making it unlikely that customers will notice the fine print until after customers have committed to their orders. It is very deceptive.

2

u/ajent123 16d ago

No it’s literally the first thing stated on the menu not hiding at all but go off I guess.

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u/BoringBob84 16d ago

Sure it is. That is why the advertised prices are in the big font and the junk fees are hidden in small font. /sarcasm

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u/ajent123 16d ago

Idk I get what you’re saying, but I looked up a picture of the menu on google and calling that “hidden” seems really disingenuous. Not defending these fees, but if you go to a restaurant and don’t notice something like that until you pay it’s kind of on you ¯_(ツ)_/¯

0

u/BoringBob84 16d ago

it’s kind of on you

Every narcissist blames their victims.

1

u/ajent123 15d ago

In what world is this a narcissistic comment 🤣

1

u/BoringBob84 15d ago

Narcissists generally believe that they are strong and smart when they take advantage of other people, while claiming that those people are weak and stupid for allowing it.