USA Gratuity And/Or Tip?

[bad company]

Slightly different take at Fords Garage Bar, they’re calling it a ‘Service Fee’. Though to be fair they do say that they don’t expect additional gratuities. We just had drinks now sat down for food. Bet they’ll expect a tip on top.

[Truckosaurus]

At least they are open about how they work the scheme.

That example does show the comedy of eating/drinking stateside - the beers are listed at $7.25 each which seems reasonable enough, but then the bill comes with all the fees and taxes added, and you think 'might as well just leave them a $20 bill rather than wait ten minutes for my dollar and some shrapnel in change', making them a tenner each.

[bakerstreet]

Muzzer79 said:

Getting more common now

The American way to resolve low wages and increased cost of living is to pressure the customer into tipping more…..

I saw on social media that there’s now a promotion to ‘thank’ your delivery driver (FedEx/Amazon/etc)……..with a $5 tip.
The Americans were all over it, thinking it’s a great idea. They’ll not learn.

If there is any truth in that, its ridiculous. I thought there was a recent union deal where UPS drivers were getting north of $80k. I don't know if thats the case for Amazon/FedEx.

We are off to Florida on the 25th and I am mentally preparing my self for tipping

[Panamax]

Does USA slam on 20% VAT? No
Does USA add a 12.5% - 15% service charge to almost every bill? No

Is it generally cheaper to eat & drink in USA than UK, after tipping? Yes

[paulguitar]

Panamax said:

Does USA slam on 20% VAT? No
Does USA add a 12.5% - 15% service charge to almost every bill? No

Is it generally cheaper to eat & drink in USA than UK, after tipping? Yes

They have a sales tax which varies from state to state.

Is it generally cheaper to eat and drink in the USA than the il, after tipping? Absolutely not.

[markiii]

Panamax said:

Does USA add a 12.5% - 15% service charge to almost every bill? No

do I pay it, no

[Panamax]

I think we've already covered that point.

Panamax said:

The only reason they've got that basic gratuity on there is to get something out of the absolute tight-wads who would otherwise pay nothing for service.

[C5_Steve]

bakerstreet said:

If there is any truth in that, its ridiculous. I thought there was a recent union deal where UPS drivers were getting north of $80k. I don't know if thats the case for Amazon/FedEx.

We are off to Florida on the 25th and I am mentally preparing my self for tipping

I believe that UPS headline was misleading as that was the value of their TOTAL compensation package so included health insurance, other benefits, time off/sick pay etc etc etc. Can't remember the ins and outs but they weren't taking home the $80k cash a year.

It was a much-improved deal though for them from what they had but like a lot of service roles in the US they were starting from a pretty low base in terms of what the job offered.

[markiii]

Panamax said:

I think we've already covered that point.

Panamax said:

The only reason they've got that basic gratuity on there is to get something out of the absolute tight-wads who would otherwise pay nothing for service.

i meant in the UK

[vikingaero]

Tipping is creeping everywhere. Took my car for a MOT and when paying the machine asked if I wanted to leave a £5 tip.

Went to a Chinese Restaurant where the waitresses were really quick and helpful. I paid by card and left another £5 on top. They tried to return the fiver because service was included.

[QJumper]

Off topic, but it reminds of during covid, where places would only take card payment because they didn't want to handle cash. No one seemed to have a problem with cash tips though.

[djc206]

Panamax said:

Is it generally cheaper to eat & drink in USA than UK, after tipping? Yes

Once upon a time maybe. It’s insanely expensive now, way more than the U.K.

[Vasco]

Panamax said:

Does USA slam on 20% VAT? No
Does USA add a 12.5% - 15% service charge to almost every bill? No

Is it generally cheaper to eat & drink in USA than UK, after tipping? Yes

You sure about that ?

I won't tip anybody, anywhere, unless I receive unexpectedly excellent service. It just degrades the whole idea of tipping. Let USA employers pay proper rates, not expect others to do it for them.

[paulguitar]

Vasco said:

You sure about that ?

I won't tip anybody, anywhere, unless I receive unexpectedly excellent service. It just degrades the whole idea of tipping. Let USA employers pay proper rates, not expect others to do it for them.

Yeah, good luck trying that somewhere like New York or Chicago!

[snuffy]

paulguitar said:

Vasco said:

You sure about that ?

I won't tip anybody, anywhere, unless I receive unexpectedly excellent service. It just degrades the whole idea of tipping. Let USA employers pay proper rates, not expect others to do it for them.

Yeah, good luck trying that somewhere like New York or Chicago!

Indeed - prepare yourself to be chased down the road with a meat clever !

[bad company]

djc206 said:

Panamax said:

Is it generally cheaper to eat & drink in USA than UK, after tipping? Yes

Once upon a time maybe. It’s insanely expensive now, way more than the U.K.

I disagree. After I posted yesterday’s receipt Mrs BC & I had another pint of beer each + burgers & chips. Total $60.71 including the service charge. Didn’t think that was too bad.

[paulguitar]

bad company said:

I disagree. After I posted yesterday’s receipt Mrs BC & I had another pint of beer each + burgers & chips. Total $60.71 including the service charge. Didn’t think that was too bad.

Rather a small sample size.

[WindyCommon]

In parts of the US, tips are now being requested at some self-serve pumps in fuel stations, and some self-checkout tills in supermarkets…

[markiii]

That's farcical just a cash grab by management from the stupid

[DavePanda]

C5_Steve said:

bakerstreet said:

If there is any truth in that, its ridiculous. I thought there was a recent union deal where UPS drivers were getting north of $80k. I don't know if thats the case for Amazon/FedEx.

We are off to Florida on the 25th and I am mentally preparing my self for tipping

I believe that UPS headline was misleading as that was the value of their TOTAL compensation package so included health insurance, other benefits, time off/sick pay etc etc etc. Can't remember the ins and outs but they weren't taking home the $80k cash a year.

It was a much-improved deal though for them from what they had but like a lot of service roles in the US they were starting from a pretty low base in terms of what the job offered.

Partly true, the total compensation at the end of the 5 year deal was estimated to be close to $170k a year. While a big amount of that is healthcare etc, drivers with seniority are earning well over $100k a year. The higher rate of pay at the end of the deal was around $49 an hour and drivers typical work 50ish hour a week although during peak period that can be as high as 70 hours