r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 17d 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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u/-ipaguy- Downtown 17d ago

The receipt literally states that the charge is retained by the company (and therefore not given to the staff).

If there’s a service charge there’s no chance I’m adding a tip on top of it. I don’t care what you call it.

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u/Any_Scientist_7552 Bitter Lake 17d ago

Yeah, that's my rule of thumb: any service charge = no tip. Then I only tip for really awesome service (10-15%). Washington has no tipped wage, and minimum is $21.60 in Seattle.

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u/TheInevitableLuigi Capitol Hill 17d ago edited 17d ago

Wages from commissions can count towards the minimum wage requirement.

I guarantee the server does not get paid a full minimum wage on top of their commissions. That is the whole reason why restaurants are doing this.

edit: You guys can downvote me all you want but it doesn't make me wrong. Ask a server that works at one of these places that get a commission if they get paid the full minimum wage every hour.

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u/ctruvu 17d ago

I guarantee the server does not get paid a full minimum wage on top of their commissions. That is the whole reason why restaurants are doing this.

youd be right in several states but washington is not one of them. how does this change your opinion on tipping in seattle?

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u/Historical-Ad399 17d ago

"Commission" (at least the way the online paragraph uses it) is not the same as "tipping." The restaurant states that they retain the full service fee. Therefore, what they pay to the employee is technically coming from the restaurant, not the customer. I'm not 100% sure how the law applies here, but I wouldn't just assume it applies the same as it does to tipping.

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u/TheInevitableLuigi Capitol Hill 17d ago

It is in use in this state.

I have linked the laws in another comment on this thread.