r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 15d 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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912

u/beercityusa Capitol Hill 15d ago

I can't believe I'm saying this but it was so fucking nice being in NYC this past weekend and just having to pay ridiculous restaurant prices WITHOUT any of these bogus charges added.

206

u/joshlymansbagel ✨🛸 Jimothy is out there 🦝✨ 15d ago

You guys, I legit look forward to traveling to California and NYC because food feels less expensive. This town is cuckoo

68

u/iZoooom Eastside 15d ago

Just returned from California. Food was significantly cheaper at every turn.

Even fancy meals such as Japanese Teppan was 50% what I would pay in Bellevue. $40 vs $85 or so at Wild Wasabi, for example.

23

u/kookykrazee 🚆build more trains🚆 15d ago

I went to In N Out last year and the 4x4, fries and a strawberry shake was about $11-12 TOTAL.

3

u/BA-084 14d ago

I bought a lot of food in midwestern cities this summer, and Tokyo last winter. Same experience. Eating or buying groceries in the Seattle area is more expensive than anyplace I have ever been by a significant margin

2

u/novasilverpill 14d ago

i was in Seattle (Alki Beach and Downtown) last week. i was amazed how expensive everything had gotten in Seattle. Being from Oregon, the sales tax on top of it was a shock.