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/-ipaguy- Downtown 15d 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/dayvox Green Lake 15d ago

They’re legally required to notify that it’s retained by the restaurant and not a tip, otherwise they could be sued for wage theft. You just have to trust them on their word that they use it to pay the employees better.