Tipping over service charge?

[LollyBear]

My location is charging me an 18% "service fee" which comes to a good bit of money. Am I expected to give a tip on top of that?!? I will definitely give tips to the Florist, DJ & Photographers (who didn't include it in their costs) but it will be nowhere near 18% (they may deserve it but with paying for my own wedding, funds are just too tight). Unless the service charge isn't being distributed to the servers, I don't think it makes sense to give the location an extra tip. Am I being stingy?

 

[MelissaSue]

I wondered the same thing. Because the way the word it does not make it clear that it is Gratuity.. but.. I discussed it with my father who has managed restaurants since he was 19 years old and he said that the service charge=gratuity. With a wedding type of function.. I don''t think anyone expects you to tip more than that. I don''t know.. I have sort of mixed feelings about it. Because as a server, I think people are sort of rude when they don''t add on to the included gratutity.. because in a restaurant.. usually if you are adding on gratuity it is because its a large table that took a lot of your time/effort so you couldn''t wait on other tables.. but in a banquet situation (which I''ve never worked in)thats the NORM...so I don''t know what they expect. I''d talk to the banquet manager if you are really concerned. Likely they will tell you not to tip more unless you really feel the servers deserved it.

 

[kaschmir]

hi lollybear,

unfortunately, i cannot contribute much here... the "rules" concerning service charges and tips are different in germany. at our location, the service is included. we just have to pay the waiters in case the reception continues through 2 p.m.. and of course, tips will be welcome. hope others will be more helpful...

regards,
kaschmir

 

[Morticia]

Tipping etiquette.

http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=content&id=channel185945&catid=cat311&navLevel=3&site=weddings

 

[flopkins]

lollybear-
At most places, the service charge IS the gratuity, so don''t feel stingy... I wouldn''t tip any more than the 18% they''re charging you, unless they do a superb job. Oftentimes, ''service charges'' can be taxed, while ''gratuity'' cannot (this is the case in CA); that is the only difference I can tell. So they screw you both ways - by taxing you on the tip! don''t you love wedding planning?!

Of course, the easiest way to check is just to ask, just in case. My caterer, for ex. lists ''tastings, consultation fees, etc...'' for the service charge. but he was explicit about that, most places it''s just a cover-all fee for tips and everything else.

 

[flutterby]

I''m not sure what the case is where you are. However, as someone who worked it catering for years, the 18% is considered the tip, but it is NOT distributed to the staff. Servers, bussers etc. are paid the $10-11 an hour and usually expect to make a little more. It is definately a good idea to discuss it with the event manager.

 

[flopkins]

Date: 8/13/2005 7:07:32 PM
Author: msflutter
I''m not sure what the case is where you are. However, as someone who worked it catering for years, the 18% is considered the tip, but it is NOT distributed to the staff. Servers, bussers etc. are paid the $10-11 an hour and usually expect to make a little more. It is definately a good idea to discuss it with the event manager.

see, that makes me even MORE upset ... first they charge you the 18%, which you can''t get out of, then they don''t even pass that along to the staff - so what incentive do they have to provide better service if they know they won''t (most likely) be tipped?!! grrrr.....

Although around my parts (SF/Bay Area) the servers are typically paid $20-30/hr... so they can easily make $150-200/night.

Still, I think it''s a load of s***.

I will step off my soap box now.

 

[MelissaSue]

Flopkins.. What she is saying.. is that the service charge DOES go to the servers.., just not directly. As a server in a regualar restaurant.. I make $3.86 an hour plus tips.. last night I had a bad night.. I worked about 7 hours.. and only made $85 in tips.. so I guess thats like $11 an hour above and beyond the $3.86.. on a BAD night (thursday was a GOOD night.. I worked 5 hours and made $100, so that was $20 an hour!).. I never bother to figure it out though.. I Just know I never make enough!

. so.. I guess $11 an hour is pretty bad... I don''t think I''d want to work banquet!

I wanna work in this place where servers make $30 an hour.

 

[flopkins]

MS- Hm... well, I hope you''re right, and something gets passed on to the servers.

I feel like the service industry has some of the hardest jobs and the pay is the crappiest.

I have to say, the $25-30/hr is the general range the caterers I''ve talked to tell me the servers are paid... although it''s anybody''s guess how much they *actually* get paid! And that''s really only for catering staff. I think regular restaurant service staff get paid much less, probably about half that, or not much more than minimum wage, I''m guessing...
but keep in mind, cost of living here is pretty ridiculous!

(though, not as bad as NY, as many of the PS members might know...)

 

[treysar]

I don''t mean to be a thread hijacker, but you mentioned that you are tipping florist, DJ etc - how did you determine how much? I have NO IDEA. Getting marreid Saturday and I should probably know by now, huh...

 

[LollyBear]

Flopkins, I'm in CA too and I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know that they can tax the service charge. I'm going to check my contract when I get home and calculate whether or not it was in my case.
I will definitely have to ask the event coordinator about the service charge and how that breaks down at my site.

MS, I'm really surprised to hear how little they pay servers per hour in your state (NY?). I always assumed that servers made minimum wage ($10.75 here I think) and tips were just a bonus. Are they able to get away with paying you less because of tips? I think it's absurd that they can get away with that.

Treysar, I have 2 DJs & 2 Photogs and I thought I'd give them about $50 each depending on how things go. I figure I'll give the same to the head florist and I'll bring some extra envelopes with$20 in each for any extra staff he brings for set-up. I wish I could offer more, but like I said, FI and I are paying for it ourselves and our budget won't allow for anything more.

Why does it seem that once you mention the word "wedding," prices skyrocket?

I found an old thread on tipping ettiquette and a videographer chimed in that he didn't expect a tip nor would he accept one unless the couple was adamant about him accepting it. I'm going to hope this is true for MY vendors and that they will be happy with what I am offering.

I will give the servers something if they aren't getting a portion of the "service charge," just hoping they are since it's a hefty sum.

 

[lmurden]

Stingy, no way!
The vendors are making their money. I say only tip if you know you are getting a deal.
Also if you can''t afford the extra then don''t do it!