Restaurant Cover Charges
Discussion
Seriously, wtf for?
We were in the Wolseley in Piccadilly, London with friends. It’s a fun place with great decor and atmosphere, the food is ok. I expect it to be expensive bearing in mind where it’s located but then to add a cover charge seems wrong to me. They said they charge dinners in the main restaurant but I didn’t see anything about it when I booked online or on the menus.
We were in the Wolseley in Piccadilly, London with friends. It’s a fun place with great decor and atmosphere, the food is ok. I expect it to be expensive bearing in mind where it’s located but then to add a cover charge seems wrong to me. They said they charge dinners in the main restaurant but I didn’t see anything about it when I booked online or on the menus.
Edited by bad company on Thursday 24th January 14:48
bad company said:
I didn’t see anything about it when I booked online or on the menus.
You didn't look very closely .....https://www.thewolseley.com//app/uploads/2017/10/W...
last line ....
sgrimshaw said:
bad company said:
I didn’t see anything about it when I booked online or on the menus.
You didn't look very closely .....https://www.thewolseley.com//app/uploads/2017/10/W...
last line ....
I noticed this when I was in London this weekend. EVERYWHERE added a 12.5% service charge (since when did we tip 12.5% anyway - thought it was 10%?!). I even had two cups of coffee, sit down, 6 quid or so, and got charged a 12.5% service charge! The service wasn't bad and it was only 80p so I didn't complain, but it still annoyed me. It is discretionary but the intention is to make it more difficult not to leave a tip - you can have it taken off, but if the service has been fine you'd feel like a cheapskate for asking for it to be removed or reduced.
Chap at work said he went for some drinks recently in a fancy bar and ordered 6 glasses of Prosecco at the bar - and got charged a service charge. He didn't even receive any service!
Chap at work said he went for some drinks recently in a fancy bar and ordered 6 glasses of Prosecco at the bar - and got charged a service charge. He didn't even receive any service!
Better off asking the serving staff what happens to the charge , if it's shared out amongst employees then fair enough if the food and service is good then fair enough , although I do think 12.5% is taking the piss .
If it goes in the till then get it taken off and tip staff personally .
If it goes in the till then get it taken off and tip staff personally .
bad company said:
Sorry guys, bit of a balls up there.
I wasn’t grumbling about the service charge, I’m ok with that. I was grumbling about the cover charge. Only £2 per person but I don’t see why it’s there at all.
It's there to squeeze every last drop out of you or, if you're feeling generous, it's there to cover the complimentary bread and olives. I wasn’t grumbling about the service charge, I’m ok with that. I was grumbling about the cover charge. Only £2 per person but I don’t see why it’s there at all.
bad company said:
Sorry guys, bit of a balls up there.
I wasn’t grumbling about the service charge, I’m ok with that. I was grumbling about the cover charge. Only £2 per person but I don’t see why it’s there at all.
Take off the 12.5% discretionary and add your own tip, less the total of the cover charges.I wasn’t grumbling about the service charge, I’m ok with that. I was grumbling about the cover charge. Only £2 per person but I don’t see why it’s there at all.
Done.
bad company said:
Seriously, wtf for?
....It’s a fun place with great decor and atmosphere...
Right or wrong that's what its for. You are benefiting from a building/atmosphere/environment that its significantly more "enjoyable" than others. So instead of incorporating the additional costs into drinks and food its a separate charge for those using the "facilities".....It’s a fun place with great decor and atmosphere...
That's one way in which an old fashioned "couvert" works.
21TonyK said:
Right or wrong that's what its for. You are benefiting from a building/atmosphere/environment that its significantly more "enjoyable" than others. So instead of incorporating the additional costs into drinks and food its a separate charge for those using the "facilities".
That's one way in which an old fashioned "couvert" works.
It's stupid though. Put your prices up. Don't hide the charges. It isn't like you can buy their food and not eat in the restaurant. That's one way in which an old fashioned "couvert" works.
Integroo said:
It's stupid though. Put your prices up. Don't hide the charges. It isn't like you can buy their food and not eat in the restaurant.
Its styled in the theme of a classical restaurant where a "couvert" would be the norm. its just how they choose to operate.You could say the same of a night club charging entry, should they just put their bar prices up?
21TonyK said:
Its styled in the theme of a classical restaurant where a "couvert" would be the norm. its just how they choose to operate.
You could say the same of a night club charging entry, should they just put their bar prices up?
I’m not aware of any other restaurant making a cover charge. No doubt some of you guys will now come back with examples of those that still do.You could say the same of a night club charging entry, should they just put their bar prices up?
21TonyK said:
Its styled in the theme of a classical restaurant where a "couvert" would be the norm. its just how they choose to operate.
You could say the same of a night club charging entry, should they just put their bar prices up?
You can go to a nightclub and not drink. You cannot go to a restaurant and not eat. You could say the same of a night club charging entry, should they just put their bar prices up?
I’ve had this before. I told them to take it off. I will then tip appropriately for the service I received. On one occasion the waiter was giving me the evils when I asked for it to be taken off.
I then politel pointed out that I would rather leave a cash tip (no tax man involved and the staff not the place are getting the tip), due to his evils and underbreath muttering I also told him I wouldn’t be leaving a tip because of his attitude.
My first wife was Canadian, when over there her sister was telling me that she couldn’t afford to live off her wages alone and relied on tips. Amazing how good the service is when the staff appreciate there tips.
I then politel pointed out that I would rather leave a cash tip (no tax man involved and the staff not the place are getting the tip), due to his evils and underbreath muttering I also told him I wouldn’t be leaving a tip because of his attitude.
My first wife was Canadian, when over there her sister was telling me that she couldn’t afford to live off her wages alone and relied on tips. Amazing how good the service is when the staff appreciate there tips.
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