I know I’ve heard about various other restaurants in Taipei having a 10% service charge, but as to whether or not that 10% actually goes to the waiting staff it’s been inconclusive. Well I was at New York Bagel last night and asked our waiter about the 10% service fee we paid - indeed she doesn’t see a cent of it. So it’s basically a bogus fee tacked on to the listed menu prices to extract another 50-100NT out of each customer. And it should be illegal as far as I’m concerned as the customer is mislead to believe this is a tip. Surely if everyone knew this was the case it would put a dent in their bottom line.
I’m willing to start taking real action against this BS in any restaurants that do it. What other restaurants have this policy? Any suggestions as to what could be done besides just getting the word out and complaining directly to the corporate offices of these restaurants?
Finally, is it possible these companies could argue the service fee is in fact paid to the service staff in the form of higher hourly wages?
Common practice in restaurants here. I’m told it’s a ploy that makes the prices appear lower. While I don’t like it-- and appreciate businesses that don’t follow this practice-- I don’t feel it’s right to single out a single establishment for this behaviour when everyone’s doing it.
Is it therefore right to make the assumption that everyone’s doing it, when not everyone does and therefore smear those that don’t along with those that do? There is nothing inherently wrong in mentioning an establishment that does just as there is nothing wrong in mentioning somewhere that doesn’t.
This has been on discussion for years now on Forumosa … go where they take good care of the staff and pay honest wages and service charge … that cuts out most of the international chains already, no need to go there …
Carnegie’s doesn’t have service charge, which is one of the reasons I go there. Of course, there used to be that fat beardy bastard who used to jump out of the bushes and waylay you, but even that was worth it, in a strange, twisted kind of way.
Can’t stand fat beardy bastards. How on earth did that one get anywhere near the hospitality business? Unkempt, discourteous and a complete slob. I’m glad he’s gone.
[quote=“citizen k”][quote=“Chewycorns”]
The casting couch?[/quote]
You mean that sticky one that smells funny way in the back?[/quote]
You too, eh? One thing’s for sure. He SURE was far from picky. You didn’t happen to find Lord Lucan’s wallet when you were … er … examining the upholstery?
Is it therefore right to make the assumption that everyone’s doing it, when not everyone does and therefore smear those that don’t along with those that do? There is nothing inherently wrong in mentioning an establishment that does just as there is nothing wrong in mentioning somewhere that doesn’t.
BroonAddon[/quote]
What an ironic response. I was defending businesses, not “smearing” them. While I will concede that not “everyone” is partaking in this practice (don’t take me so literally), I assert that many–perhaps most–finer establishments are. Do you dispute that many businesses do in fact levy these charges?
My point was that this practice is widespread and competitive forces compel many other businesses to follow suit, or else their prices may appear higher than their immediate competition’s. I don’t see the point in calling out individual businesses for following this standard practice-- that seems closer to the definition of “smear” to me-- hence my comment.
Perhaps it would be more constructive to list off restaurants/ bars who do not levy this surcharge or, perhaps better still, list businesses who do charge it, but actually hand 100% of the monies to the staff.
Is it therefore right to make the assumption that everyone’s doing it, when not everyone does and therefore smear those that don’t along with those that do? There is nothing inherently wrong in mentioning an establishment that does just as there is nothing wrong in mentioning somewhere that doesn’t.
BroonAddon[/quote]
What an ironic response. I was defending businesses, not “smearing” them. While I will concede that not “everyone” is partaking in this practice (don’t take me so literally), I assert that many–perhaps most–finer establishments are. Do you dispute that many businesses do in fact levy these charges?
[/quote]
It was pretty clear that you asserted that “everyone’s doing it” before you added your qualification/concession/clarification. That many do levy these charges is not in dispute but that is not what I was contesting.
I am not going to get into a pissing match with you about this when your initial statement is there for all to see and anyway, it might be that I know considerably more about this subject than you realise, sunshine; perhaps even more than your own not inconsiderable level of expert opinion.
I remember several years back I was in Sushi Express. For those who don’t know about it, it’s one of those conveyor belt sushi places where you walk in, seat yourself, and take the stuff you want from the converyor belt turning around the center of the restaurant.
I was there with a good friend of mine and we had finished eating and went to pay the bill.
