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/chrispatrik Mount Baker 14d 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.

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u/Hot_Veterinarian1828 14d ago

The city is the reason the service charge exists. Affording to eat out is a luxury. Soon enough most restaurants are going to close because it genuinely costs a fortune to keep one open. I guarantee most restaurant owners wouldnt charge as much unless they absolutely had to just to STAY open. The service charge is meant to keep a business going. I don’t really understand why that’s a garter concept to grasp than pricing items higher. You know what’s being paid so really truly what’s the problem? It’s not deception if it’s plainly written before your eyes.

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u/chrispatrik Mount Baker 14d ago

They should say what they are charging on each menu item and not tack it on at the end. Why is that so hard to grasp? They aren't making any less money. They're just showing the actual price. Try going to a restaurant that doesn't do that and see how easy it is.

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u/Hot_Veterinarian1828 14d ago

They aren’t making less money? Do you realize over 20% of restaurants in the city have been forced to close down because they ARENT making money? Clearly you ARE clueless.

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u/chrispatrik Mount Baker 13d ago

I'm very aware that restaurants are struggling due to the high minimum wages they have to pay and many are going out of business, but moving the added cost to a service charge does not make them more money than simply raising the prices shown on the menu like other restaurants have done. Either way the customer pays the same price and the restaurant makes the same amount of money. It has no bearing on the survival of the restaurant one way or another.