Posted on 10/28/2016 5:39:33 AM PDT by wbill
I waited tables and tended bar years ago. While I had better nights than others, I always made more than $15 an hour. It depends on where you work (menu prices, customer base, etc) but I routinely would have an average of 3 tables per hour and getting $6-$7 per table in tips was pretty reliable. The jobs weren’t a career but they were ways to pay bills and have some extra money when needed.
This model will cost her her best servers and customers. She also going to cut off revenue for herself. Without tips there is no incentive to up sell anything on the menu...no desserts, no coffees, no special side dishes, nada.
That 18% surcharge is more than tips. Many places automatically add onto the bill when there are 6+ at a table. That’s dishonest, imo. Add in the filty germy hands of the employees and that’s why I rarely eat out. I made sirloin steaks last night at home with baked potatoes and salad. Total cost per serving less than $2.50 which Mr. b said was better than a steakhouse. Saved a boatload of $$$, didn’t have to get dressed, waste gas, waste 2 hours, and didn’t have to tip a tattooed and pierced server who didn’t do her/his/its job.
I refuse to go to Sam’s Club. Membership or surcharge. It’s the same thing. Why should I have to pay them for the privilege of taking my money? Sam’s could add a penny to each item and more than make up for membership costs while bringing in more customers.
He is now 10 weeks from becoming a United States Marine, and is in basic at Parris Island as we speak.
How could a restaurant owner allow this? Does she WANT to go out of business?
Pretty clear it goes in her pocket. All the waitresses are getting now is the $15 and hour. Simple formula. Less money to the staff, same cost to the customers. The extra has to go in someone’s pocket.
Only way employees would benefit is if there were a lot of Black customers. Since they (generally) don’t tip, they would pay more and the staff would be a little better as to them.
Q. What does the Bao Bao Dumpling House have in common with the FBI?
A. They’ve both lost servers.
Have always disliked tipping and only moved further away from it after having been to Japan for years where it was considered an insult. Then there are the ones who chase you into the parking lot to ask why your tip was so small (yes, i’ve had more than one) attempting to shame you when their service was crap.
My wife, who is Japanese, has basically told me that she would rather eat in or just get fast food/pizza rather than tip, since most service we get doesn’t deserve the standard 15%. It’s cheaper anyway.
That being said when I’m by myself or on business and I get very good service, I have been known to tip 50-100% out of my own pocket and not on expense.
Just pay them the way other industries do at minimum wage or more based on ability and experience, then if the customers feel a tip is needed let them decided. Why does there need to be a special category for them?
“In some cases a server is making more than..........even me.”
I think that is the telling statement. But more power to her to try. The market place will decide........
She lives in communal mecca west coast and believes the bull.
I agree with you. Put the 18% in the menu prices, and then see if any customers even come in.
Personally, I think the service staff would do better with the low hourly, and plenty of tips, even if the income is variable. With tips, a person can get away with not paying much, if any, in income taxes on tips received in cash.
My mom was a waitress. She worked her butt off.
My hats off to you, and I agree. Take away your tips, and there’s no reason to stay.
Not everyone out here is that stupid! it gets stupider the more northern you go.
In Silicon Valley it’s not communal at all. People just want the opportunity to get rich working hard. It’s Every Man For Himself in a good way.
Yeah, likely not in Southern Maine. :-)
My guess is that this place caters to the tourists, not the locals. But that's just a guess. It's been a long time since I lived up there.
My heart goes out to those stuck in commie central.
From the customer's point of view tips are the only leverage we have. If a server is going to make the same money whether he or she provides good service or behaves like a surly slug what's the incentive beyond self respect and pride in a job well done? Some people have neither and a dangling carrot of a decent tip is the only motivation. And who wants to be required to pay an automatic 18% surcharge for a rude waitress and unpleasant dining experience?
I suspect this restaurant owner will find that it's the best servers who are leaving and that the business will eventually suffer as word gets around that the service in the place sucks. Besides, the whole idea reeks of "Participation Awards" and non-scoring of athletic contests ... "Everybody Wins!". And that reek resembles the aroma of a fresh steamy bovine deposit.
First thing that struck me. I'll bet you$100 this owner is an immigrant from China (I would guess the South of China). That's exactly how they do things there - waiters are hourly employees. Service charges go right into the owners pockets.
As a server you should claim at least 8% of your sales a tipped income. Anything less and you are looking at an IRS audit.
Tips are not tax free as most are on cards.
My kids waited in the recent past, so I know their cases there was withholding/taxes paid on much more that $3 an hour.
A lot of people refuse to go to Sam’s Club.
Their CEO is a racist She upset a lot of people when she said she she wanted minority workers and suppliers and would discriminate against whites in running the company.
Yes she is an overweight female minority.
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