I’ve wondered if putting tips on every transaction screen and tip jars next to every cashier is the companies’ way of counting everyone in the restaurant a tipped employee subject to the $2.13 federal minimum wage instead of the normal $7.25.
These new app driven POS (point of sale) systems are sold to customers (business owners) as ‘solving problems’ and increasing tips to employees, thereby reducing salary pressure on the owners.
The effect of a screen presented to me upon payment means only one thing:
NEVER will I click a button for a default tip and neither will I patronize an establishment with either compulsory gratuity or guilting into tipping.
If I receive good service, 20% is the norm.
If I do not receive good service, $2 or 2-5% is what it is.
And ALWAYS cash regardless, and NEVER will I write in a tip on a receipt to be manually entered by staff after I leave.
These new pressures on tipping are having the opposite effect, all to deaf ears with proprietors.
3 different restaurants in the past 2 weeks, no refills on drinks/coffee. Pathetic.
In my industry, tips were very common when we started out. But we soon realized the tip structure actually damaged profitability. Unfortunately, all the reservation software automatically puts a tip box on the invoices.
With what we are charging clients in order to get excellent and steady staff wages, I have added to the invoice email and footer that tips are not required or expected. If you want to tip, it is appreciated.
Our staff is paid well. Tips are not always a good thing.