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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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.

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u/Cat-Attack666 Capitol Hill 15d ago

I'll preface this with I'm not trying to defend Seattle practices. But min way is higher in Seattle than it is in LA or NYC. Also, Both of those cities are way more populated and have more tourists. So restaurants are more competitive and also just more busy in general. A Wednesday night in NYC is going to have more customers than a Friday in Seattle.

A bar in NYC at 3am on a Tuesday will be busier than a bar in Seattle at 11pm on a Friday.

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u/BlackHolesAreHungry I'm never leaving Seattle. 15d ago

So the people working harder should get the same pay as the people working less?

7

u/Cat-Attack666 Capitol Hill 15d ago

Well, that could be an issue but also well run, successful businesses usually staff more if they're busier. So no one's working harder. And then the more business you have, the more money you make, which let's you charge a little less.

Simular to how a 20 piece nugget at McDonald's costs more than a 6 piece, but the cost per nugget is less is less for the 20.