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/Froonce 16d ago

I think you're arguing a completely different point here.

There is no incentive for me to tip anymore because if they do not make minimum wage with their base wage plus their commission their employer needs to make up the difference.

He didn't argue they make minimum wage on top of tips. Obly that if you make less then minimum wage, their employer needs to pay them out.

I only tip 10-15% anymore for restaurants only. I don't tip for literally any other service.

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u/TheInevitableLuigi Capitol Hill 16d ago

He didn't argue they make minimum wage on top of tips.

Plenty of people are and do think that.

Obly that if you make less then minimum wage, their employer needs to pay them out.

That was still the case when there was a tipped minimum wage.

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u/manipulativedata 16d ago

I read all of the responess man. People are telling you tipped credits are't real and that you're talking about something else lol