Service Fee

[Pillpusher]

The difference in tipping customs is due to what they are paid. For instance, in most of Europe, waiting tables is actually considered a career. A SALARIED career. Whereas in the US (if you live in the states and don't tip well, pay attention to this next part), they typically make will below minimum wage and depend on tips as their SOLE source of income. Oh, and that small wage they are paid, only goes to cover income taxes on reported tips. I worked in restaurants all through high school and college, and most of my paychecks would be for $0. It would just show asterisks across it because my "wage" wasn't enough to cover the taxes on my reported tips, so the government took the whole thing. In Europe, tips are a much lower % of their income.

I guess Divi figures that if Americans tip 10%-15%, and Europeans tip 0%-5%, charging a mandatory 10% "service charge" would come out to about the same (unless Americans still felt compelled to tip extra) and would spread the burden more evenly. Now while the only difference between a "service charge" and a "tip" is that one is mandatory while the other isn't, I still feel that ANY type of gratuity should be earned. I am typically a very good tipper. But if I received horrible service somewhere and they tried charging me a mandatory "service charge", I would have a serious issue with that. There has to actually be "service" in order to be charged for it. Just my two cents.

 

[duroejc]

I would think that not calling it a service charge would eliminate confusion- just adjust the base cost of the goods/service provided. I like to tip appropriately - but don''t really feel compelled to tip twice or pick up the slack for those that don't tip.

 

[vladimir]

The implication of calling it a service charge is that it goes to the staff. So in that respect it differs from a plain price hike. In New York--the venue for several multi-million dollar lawsuits that successfully recouped for waitstaff tips that had been kept by their employers--that designation carries legal weight. In Bonaire, probably not, I'd guess.

 

[duroejc]

The implication of calling it a service charge is that it goes to the staff. So in that respect it differs from a plain price hike. In New York--the venue for several multi-million dollar lawsuits that successfully recouped for waitstaff tips that had been kept by their employers--that designation carries legal weight. In Bonaire, probably not, I'd guess.

Do any of the other dive shops in Bonaire have a similar charge? If their prices are in line with Divi and they do not- then how do those other dive shops compensate staff? I'm still going to operate on the assumption that I've already paid a 10% tip- so an additional 5% would bring it to a customary 15% for standard service- If I'm blown away perhaps more

Edited- just checked other dive shops- others list prices as inclusive of any service fees. And are still less than Divi- reinforces the extorted tip theory

 

[wwguy]

There's no extortion involved. If you don't want to pay it, don't patronize that business. That's the whole point of communicating the service fee up front. I'm just sayin'...