House charge at Roxxy Beach

Last nite went to Roxxy Beach. When bill came a line item called house charge 5% caught my attention. I asked several employees about it and the mumbled something about the government. Do any other places charge this? Its was a first for me .

I suspect it is turnover tax. That is not supposed to be charged to the consumer, but some restaurants do it.

How was Roxxy otherwise? Are they still doing the 3 course prix fixe meal?

I would be remiss to not review my impression of the place. The food was excellent. Service was adequate and ambiance excellent.

I did not see a reference to a prim fixe meal but I was not looking that hard nor did I ask.

OK, thanks for the replies.

It is illegal to charge the customer for turnover tax. Shame on them.

But they are not the only ones to do it. Jimbos used to do it, for sure.

Did they add on an additional 15% service charge as well? What Carol and Elaine said on the turnover tax/house charge, it is NOT supposed to be done and if they added on 15%, they got you for 20%. If they did not add on 15% service charge, I would have factored in the 5% already charge on any gratuity and/or questioned it and I would likely not return.

I do not see the $29 fixed price menu offered any longer on their facebook page. I sent a message asking about it. It does look like they have some weekend specials listed in the $21-$31 range.

Yes, some do.

Below is the response I just received from Roxxy Beach.

House charge is basically the same as a cover charge. But you should be made aware of it at the time of sitting down. We were at a bar in NYC, wanted to go further back and were told we had to pay a 10.00 cover per person. Decided to stay up front as we were just staying for another drink. House charge is common, but they should tell you.

Wow. Now THAT takes some gonads to charge a cover charge in SXM!! And then when questioned, the server claims it's a tax.. Wow..

That policy is enough to not make me want to patronize the place. I wrote Jimbo's off years ago because of his TOT add on too.

I have no issues with charging a house/cover charge. But I should be told at the door that before I buy a drink or meal.

Who knows who is telling the truth. I wonder if it is charged every day or just days with entertainment since they indicated entertainment was "3 or 4 days/nights a week".

I would assume it's an every day charge to pay towards those days with entertainment if that is really what that charge is for. Kind of suspect when the TOT is also 5%.

Yep.
If in fact it is to cover entertainment, I am with kim, it needs to be known upfront in some fashion.

Just ridiculous, all the way around. A cover charge is never based on a percentage, is it?? Ridiculous. Can you imagine any other restaurant on SXM charging a cover charge for entertainment?? Ridiculous. I guess we won't be going to Roxxy on our next trip.

Correct. To base it as a percentage of tap is so wrong in many ways. A high bill pays more for entertainment that someone that bought one drink and stays all night. Crazy. If anything should be reversed. It's just a recoup of the TOT.

I was surprised with the answer.

Kim--It needs to be stated up front, for sure, but based on a percentage??? Bull...

Yeah I didn’t zone in on the % part. That’s complete BS!!! Just a money grab! Should be flat rate.

They did not add a tip. That was pointed out on the bill

There was no entertainment other than recorded music. It was 7pm

I sent Roxxy Beach a link to this discussion in case they wanted to see what people were saying or perhaps address it themselves. So far, they have not responded back to me.

Maybe it's just me but why would I pay a cover charge when there is no live music when I am there? I would bet it's a made up name for the turnover tax since they probably can't itemize that on a bill

The original poster was told by the server that it was something to do with government, which I assume means a tax. So, either the server was lying or the management is. Either way, this is a policy which needs to stop. Let us know, JD, if they respond back to you.

Will do. If I do not get a response by Monday, I may message Roxxy Beach again.

Looking forward to their response.

I hope they do respond but since they read the message over 12 hours ago and have not responded, my hopes are not high. They responded to the initial message within 1 hour.

They might not check it often and you lucked out on your first message.

I said they read it over 12 hours ago. You can tell on facebook when a message is sent and then read.

I suppose some would view this as "creative" marketing. I see it the same as the mysterious add on charges some rental car companies apply or the 15% added to a restaurant bill that's "not a tip".
Unethical tactics only cease when the consumer stops using the business that chooses to build profit that way. Just my opinion.

Correct. I sent them another facebook message this morning, indicating people were questioning the 5% and if it only applied on days/nights with entertainment. I will update with any response.

Roxxy Beach responded within 1 hour (20 minutes actually) to my first message. They viewed my second message within minutes of me sending it and as of now (24 hours later) they have not responded. I find that somewhat telling but still hope for some kind of clarification.

And here is their response, make up your own mind. Initially I was told entertainment was "3 to 4 days a week", the response today indicated otherwise. I questioned multiple times about the discrepancy of entertainment being daily or just 3 to 4 days a week and never really got clarification. While the exchange was cordial, I sensed they did not appreciate being questioned. I appreciate them responding.


Hello. Our manager answered to you about the 5% charge. Are you expecting us to answer individually on the chat ?

We have entertainment all the time, we charge all the time the 5% . Hope this clarifies.
Thank you.

My response: Thank you but in the first response it was indicated entertainment was "3 or 4 days/nights a week".

Exactly true.We have an entertainment budget who is cover by this 5 procent.
Some people are payed monthly other only in weekend

We always advertise our entertainment schedule. And like I said before, the days of entertainment are NOT contacted with the days of 5% charge. We charge every day and we have every day happy customers not bother about this topic.

Sorry, Roxxy. Live entertainment is a cost of doing business. I wonder, how many other restaurants on SXM are charging a 5% FEE on your check for live entertainment, which you pay, regardless of whether you get live entertainment or not?? I would say that the answer is ZERO. That is because it makes no sense and will only serve to tick off your best customers, the ones who spend the most money. It is like a cover charge that goes up, the more money you spend. How backwards is THAT? People have not questioned this so far, because they frankly probably have not paid attention. Either that, or this is a new charge. Either way, I personally will not EVER go to your establishment so long as this policy is in place. Not that a lot of people care what I personally think, but this is a matter of principle for me. And whenever someone asks a general question about your place, this will be brought up by someone, I guarantee. The internet is a great place. It can make you and it can break you. There are too many great restaurants on SXM, many of which have live entertainment for which you do not have to pay any fee, for you to do this.

We always advertise our entertainment schedule. And like I said before, the days of entertainment are NOT contacted with the days of 5% charge. We charge every day and we have every day happy customers not bother about this topic.

SMH, I have read this line about 20 times and i am still not sure what they are trying to say? are they defending or deflecting? I think something might be getting lost in translation.

" the days of entertainment are NOT contacted with the days of 5% charge" ....maybe = "the days we don't have entertainment, we don't charge the 5%" ? --- but they do!..... Yeah, Nope, still doesn't make sense to me.

Connected not contacted

Tim--I think the person's first language may be French and there lies part of the problem.

I never could get a clear answer but it sounds like there may or may not be entertainment every day/night and regardless, there is a 5% charge added to every bill, every day that supposedly goes towards paying the entertainment one may or may not get to experience. Make any sense?

I cut and pasted their exact words so any mistakes are on the person from Roxxy who responded to me.

You can go see a fantastic sax player at Juliette's Bistro for no charge on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Lots of people tipping the musician directly, but no pressure to do so.

Frankly, it's because of the pounding loud techno music coming from Roxxy that we are considering selling our eight weeks of timeshare at Simpson Bay Villas. Last Sunday night it went on until 3 am. I'm starting to agree with the resident that said they call the police every half hour. I say if you want that floor shaking bass for 10 hours at a time, please point your speakers at your restaurant, not straight across Simpson Bay so that people sitting on their own veranda cannot hold a conversation.

Okay, rant over.

Don't blame you. I would call the police also.

In December we went there for a drink during the day and enjoyed it. We then went there for drinks in the evening and again enjoyed the place and also ended up going there for dinner and enjoyed the place. The music was never too loud or anything but pleasant when we were there, and we spend one of our weeks at Atrium with a clear path to Roxxy and did not have any issues with the noise. I do seem to remember something about 5% but it was made clear at least at the time and we had no issue with it. The simple solution when they don't try to hide that amount which they did not is to adjust your tip accordingly. I have been to places that have done their best to hide the extra amounts including sometimes on the French side making their case to the American based tourist which has been discussed over and over.

If the establishment has a policy of splitting their tips between the staff, splitting it up with management, or giving all the tips to the server is not my personal issue. The server and staff choose to work there and that is their issue, they can leave if is not to their liking. Easy

We as a group of 55 plus year olds felt very welcome and had some pretty memorable moments, including getting them to play a techno version of a Barry Manilow song. I am not sure if you all know but Lola, she was a showgirl.........

Cheers!

Thanks for a different perspective.
Sometimes there are those on this forum who tend to have a vendetta when a certain establishment does not meet their expectations.

Not sure who this is directed at but I was just attempting to clarify the situation for the original poster and thought by going directly to the establishment and relaying their EXACT words, it may help others.

Todd--not sure what all of this has to do with tips. To me, the issue is a charge that they should not be charging to the consumer.

Ditto. My exact same feelings.

Thanks RC for the cut and pasted response. Tells me they don't give a s**t.

Wow. Got to write this down!

This thread has certainly been interesting. The statement that the internet can make or break a business is very powerful. I am sure that the "house charge" will make its way to other SXM web sites that will assure that the message will reach many SXM visitors.
The response from Roxy, grammar or translation aside, seemed to me to be overconfident. Likely the type of response when you tried something shaky and got caught.
T.

It's happened before and maybe will again.

Carol, simply that many places on island list charges and they could be TOT, service or any other item but if there is an amount added to the bill then I consider that and think others should as well as part of the service or tip. Pretty simple way to look at it, I like things simple.

I am a fairly educated traveler, many on this forum are, and regardless of if I am on island in SXM or other places I look for the extra lines on an invoice for items like this. Sometimes they try to hide them into it and sometimes they don't and when they try to hide them that does bother me. I know it was not an issue to us at Roxxy, six seasoned travelers. Nice that it is reported and others are aware going in but in my opinion way too much is being made about this amount when at so many places they hide the extra charges. Just like tipping on the French side, it is how you personally handle it.

For all you that are not going to go there because of this 5% or are throwing them under the bus with out having gone and having first hand knowledge, sad to hear. We almost did not go because of the banter, glad we went because we had a great time and we will be back.

I also just wanted to point out that Lola had yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there! Now try to get that tune out of your head! LOL

Cheers,
Todd

It's all about your personal comfort level and what an individual deems as acceptable regarding extra add on charges.

Todd--it's not a matter of the amount of money involved, it is what I call bad business practice and deceptive practices. I know how it is on island, you get a bill and there's a bunch of stuff listed there and you just look at the total and figure it's not outrageous and you just pay it. Don't forget that the server told the original poster that the charge had something to do with the 'government'. Are you saying that you questioned it and they told you it was a house charge? And again, a cover charge that is known to you up front is one thing, but if this is in fact a cover charge, do they have anything on the menu or anywhere else to state there is a cover charge? Somehow I really doubt it, although perhaps it may appear now!

I'm glad you enjoyed your time there and I was actually planning on checking it out next time on island, but doubt I will. I don't need to experience it personally to know that there are too many great restaurants to choose from on SXM, that I simply choose not to patronize this restaurant. I still think it is way too convenient that the charge is 5% of the total bill and it doesn't matter whether there is entertainment or not.

Todd, very balanced answer. If someone charges me 1.20 Euro rate and I am paying in cash, I now point out to them what the actual rate is. We normally come to a compromise. If they have an additional unwarranted charge(as far as I am concerned) but the meal was fantastic I tip accordingly but that would not stop me from coming back just a quiet word with Management for the next time and that also usually works.
It also depends on how they describe their charges. If it’s obviously ripping people off, it’s up to you depending on if it’s a life changing meal or entertainment to return or not as it’s their place, their terms and it’s up to you to act accordingly. They are providing a service, their way and if you don’t like it, complain, stay, leave or don’t return.
Use to be a food critic many moons ago and if I feel deception is found on a bill, I suddenly have come out of retirement. That’s also deception, but when dealing with ethics and principles, you use some ammunition.
Regardless, I also never heard noise, received great service and actually understand what they are trying to do and that is build up a following for those that appreciate it. Not all will as even witnessed here, but we have choices as with everything in life. Don’t like it for whatever reason, just walk on by.

bran--I will be making my choice and voting with my feet on this place.

I can't believe you just did that.....

Oh, Georgia........

Knowing Todd I have no problem believing he did that!!

"Are you saying that you questioned it and they told you it was a house charge? "

Carol to answer that question as I can not remember the conversation but possibly one of the other partners in crime can comment. I am 95% sure (want to leave out the 5% part) that they actually pointed out that amount to us. I very well could be wrong and there is a good chance I might have had a cocktail, or three as I have been known to partake.

Possibly I could talk to Tony, he is always there tending bar, I think from 8 til 4. The only problem we had if I remember is Rico went too far.

I know the place is not for everyone, but I think that people might be pleasantly surprised on how enjoyable the place is. Cocktails are expensive, but they are premium large cocktails and in line with what I would expect to pay in the US. Served in better glass wear than most places on SXM. We will certainly be back, all six of us that went there.

Please somebody ask another question because I have more song lyrics that might help everyone sing along!

Cheers,
Todd

Todd--OK

I am parcel to the singer Blind Mellon Chitlan

Wendell

OK, now you have me truly cracking up even more Todd. You had to be there....

I don't recall them pointing out the 5% house charge; I do recall our seeing it and wondering what it was, but since I always let you and David work out the check, I didn't give it a second thought. And yes, the cocktails are worth every penny, the bartenders are very entertaining, and the DJ is quite accommodating.

I was also there and I don't remember the 5% being mentioned either but in my defense I probably had a few more than Todd. If we had been told I assume it would have been when we were escorted to our chairs which is when I saw Lola standing there. Perhaps they charged the 5% when they used to have a show but that was a few months ago, now it's a disco but not for Lola. I don't think the drinks were expensive just not cheap, there is a difference. And the atmosphere, food and hospitality were exceptional. It started to rain when we were there and they immediately came and lowered blinds and adjusted umbrellas to protect patrons from the rain. Very classy place and a deal for your dollar I think. I will definitely return but be more aware of the 5% and adjust my tip accordingly.

My thought exactly on "getting caught".