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Re: Tipping protocol
[Re: LSG500]
#279145
03/30/2022 06:31 PM
03/30/2022 06:31 PM
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 160 Pittsboro, NC, USA
CarolinaSailor
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 160
Pittsboro, NC, USA
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I am interested to hear how local restaurants are positioning the surcharge and if they state that they have an expectation of another 20% on top? Has anyone had this conversation? Do they try to collect the tip before you see the bill detail? Is the 20% disclosed and is it explained on the menu?
Last edited by CarolinaSailor; 03/30/2022 06:32 PM.
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Re: Tipping protocol
[Re: LSG500]
#279146
03/30/2022 06:34 PM
03/30/2022 06:34 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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You were fleeced, and I wouldn't go back there. If they need 35% in addition to their prices, they need to re-evaluate. Had that happen at Omar's, Soper's. My brother paid the tab, plus 20%. They didn't point out they had added a 15% service fee.
We add 5% if there's a service charge; 20% if there isn't. Unfortunately there are some unscrupulous operators. Let them survive on cruise shippers who won't be coming back.
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Re: Tipping protocol
[Re: tradewinds]
#279151
03/30/2022 08:29 PM
03/30/2022 08:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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Omar's does list the service charge, which I knew from prior visits, but no one told my brother, "Sir, you've already paid 15% service." That, in my view, would have been correct if the person paying the bill is not familiar with BVI ways. That is the problem: some restaurants include it, some don't.
Cleobeach, are you willing to name the chef? I have been thinking of using one, but would steer clear of that one.
There are some terrific business owners in the BVI, and I've reached a point where we'll stick to them.
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Re: Tipping protocol
[Re: LSG500]
#279155
03/30/2022 09:27 PM
03/30/2022 09:27 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
Cleobeach
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
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It was https://www.bvichefs.com/chef-tuckerFull disclosure - when I booked the services, I was given a per person cost for each meal with the statement “plus service fee.” We tipped cash each drop off and each meal cooked at the villa. When I was sent the invoice, I was surprised by the service fee because I assumed we already paid it via the cash tips, which is why I asked about it.
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Re: Tipping protocol
[Re: LSG500]
#279160
03/30/2022 10:28 PM
03/30/2022 10:28 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
Cleobeach
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
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I tipped each visit, the bill for the food was emailed to me the day after the last service.
The menus were set prior to our arrive and I asked for the bill up front but was told no, the bill would be provided after our last meal.
Had I been give the bill prior to the services, that would have been appropriate time to ask. However, I tipped prior to getting the bill.
Last edited by Cleobeach; 03/30/2022 10:31 PM.
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Re: Tipping protocol
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#279388
04/02/2022 02:00 PM
04/02/2022 02:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 131 Brookline, Massachusetts and M...
Fitzhughlaw
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 131
Brookline, Massachusetts and M...
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There was a good discussion of this entire issue in a prior thread ( http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubb...-service-charges-tipping.html#Post253445) and RatmansWife and GettinBye (and of course, Jason) had some great insights. As others have intimated, it's the lack of transparency that is most disturbing. To me, the BVI needs a "TIPS Statute" similar the one we have in Massachusetts and some other states that are properly quite strict about regulating these "service charges," and prohibiting the kinds of practices we have discussed here (putting a "service charge" on the patron's bill, but then NOT remitting it to the server staff). For example, in MA, a violation of this section of Chapter 157A results in the restaurant or other service establishment being liable for treble damages and attorneys' fees: "(e) Any service charge or tip remitted by a patron or person to an employer shall be paid to the wait staff employee, service employee, or service bartender by the end of the same business day, and in no case later than the time set forth for timely payment of wages under section 148." Our courts have interpreted the statute very broadly in response to some defendants that argued that there extra charge to a patron wasn't a "tip" or "service charge," but those proffers have (rightfully) been unavailing. The deception, and abusive practices, that establishments used to practice, to the detriment of serving staff and patrons, have largely disappeared.
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