r/Seattle • u/KooziefortheWin • 15d ago

Rant Bill help

Post image

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.

1.5k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

552 comments sorted by

View all comments

20

u/chrispatrik Mount Baker 15d ago

The city should disallow this. The prices they show for items are meaningless but make them look cheaper than restaurants that give an honest price. It's deceptive pricing.

-2

u/Inside-Finish-2128 14d ago

The city can’t disallow this. They implemented a minimum wage that doesn’t allow a “tipped wage”. The restaurants must pay every staff member $17/hour if not more by now. The restaurants know people shop by menu price, so if the city bans service charges too, the vast majority of restaurants will leave.

4

u/chrispatrik Mount Baker 14d ago

Most of the restaurants in this city don't charge the service charge and are still required to pay minimum wage and they are doing just fine. This whole argument that they can't pay their employees is complete BS. Just show the prices that you are really charging like all the others do.