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SoWal Restaurants Adding Fees to Bill - Replaces Tipping?

Tyler TBeach Lover
4,911 views
I guess if you feel 20% is a proper tip amount then leave it alone... ? Not sure ... seems shady.

Many restaurants have started added charges, in some cases as much as 20% of the total bill.

“We’ve added a 20% service fee or commission to checks and orders, and our servers retain the vast majority of that,” Shades Bar and Grill Partner and Director of Operations Steven Sapp said.

17% of that service fee at Shades Bar and Grill in Walton County goes to servers, and the remaining amount goes to the hosts and bussers.

When Shades customers sit down, they are made aware of this with a card placed on the table.

“I believe, and the industry believes, this is going to be a trend in Florida and other states with the rising costs that are occurring,” Sapp said. “We know of some other restaurant groups in the local area in Destin that are also implementing a very similar format.”

“This is ultimately guaranteeing that our staff and employees are taken care of in the future,” Sapp said.

If a business is charging an extra fee, they usually post it somewhere in the restaurant. If you don’t see it posted, ask staff members.

It is also a good idea to look over your check carefully before paying the bill.

Replies

18
kenjordan avatar
kenjordanBeach Comber
#2
I was told when they brought the check not before ,plus was shown how to tip more
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#3
So this affects shitty tippers? Not my problem.
bob bob avatar
bob bobBeach Fanatic
#4
So this affects shitty tippers? Not my problem.
Probably will cause a real problem with people who don't know about the charge but tip also. Which was happening at some places already that add a surcharge for parties of 6 or more.

The whole thing smells of a way for restaurants to make more profit. Like VRBO adding fees, cleaning fees, booking fees, taxes, etc. Next thing you know restaurants will have reservation fees, seating fees, cleanig fees, bus fees, freshness fees .... on and on.

Ad wait staff will get stiffed as usual except at the high end places.
30A Skunkape avatar
30A SkunkapeSkunky
#5
If nothing else, this is one way to keep Canadian snowbirds out of your restaurant :rotfl:
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#6
I have no problem with this at all. It is time for servers to be fairly paid. I don't see how this system would increase profits for restaurants. But it should work for staff or at least it's a start.

Cheers!
S-dubOgBeach Lover
#7
This is how most of the rest of the world operates. "Tipping", or leaving service industry employess wages up to the whims or moods of customers, is an odd practice in general. Hopefully this catches on here in the states. The people that complain are the same people who throw a fit over dining rooms being sat at half capacity, or a restaurant not offering to-go orders because they cant keep staff due to low wages. If you don't like it, don't go. I suspect they will not miss your business.
S-dubOgBeach Lover
#8
Also, for those who are offended by this practice, do not fret. There is a snazzy little local establishment right here on 30a where will you never have to worry about it. It's called the Real Time Cafe, located in beautiful downtown Seagrove Beach, in the northeast corner of the Tom Thumb.
joho avatar
johoBeach Fanatic
#9
Leave a cash tip and comment in the tip line “cash”.
Cash “is” King
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#10
Leave a cash tip and comment in the tip line “cash”.
Cash “is” King

Don't do that. The manager will force them to report it.
joho avatar
johoBeach Fanatic
#11
I doubt it….if you leave it blank the manager might think the service was terrible. lol
blindrid avatar
blindridBeach Lover
#12
Don't do that. The manager will force them to report it.
Which they should!
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#13
Which they should!

Why is that boomer?
blindrid avatar
blindridBeach Lover
#14
Hey name caller, Uh…its called income. If anyone is underpaid like some suggest, they will pay minimal (if any) taxes anyway.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#15
Hey name caller, Uh…its called income. If anyone is underpaid like some suggest, they will pay minimal (if any) taxes anyway.
That's an assumption not a fact.
beachmaxBeach Comber
#16
Do not forget that every purchase in the Seaside commeercial area is subject to a poorly disclosed 2% charge that goes to the developers slush fund to be used for Arts and Entertainment with zero accountability or disclosure. Now that is aggressive.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#17
Do not forget that every purchase in the Seaside commeercial area is subject to a poorly disclosed 2% charge that goes to the developers slush fund to be used for Arts and Entertainment with zero accountability or disclosure. Now that is aggressive.

You must be new here.

I'm sure you've never attended a festival, concert or play in Seaside. You also avert your eyes from the Christmas decor every year?

You can politely ask to have it removed, but don't be a hypocrite and continue to patronize Seaside.
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#18
Do not forget that every purchase in the Seaside commeercial area is subject to a poorly disclosed 2% charge that goes to the developers slush fund to be used for Arts and Entertainment with zero accountability or disclosure. Now that is aggressive.
And Rosemary Beach, Baytowne at Sandestin, anyone else?
The customer can opt out, but the business still has to pay it, as it is calculated not by actual collected, but as percentage of sales. And what's more, that fee is subject to Florida Sales Tax.
bob bob avatar
bob bobBeach Fanatic
#19
lol. Someone has RPP (Rich People Problems).

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