Do you think buffett location servers deserve 18% grat

[wiigirl]

Yes...I always tip...and tip hard.

 

[Becky]

This! Just remember when you tip these people are getting paid 4.23 an hour.

True and not true. But I still would tip at least 18%.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires payment of at least the federal minimum wage to covered, nonexempt employees. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equals at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.

 

[Lucky]

As a party of 6 we had 18% automatically added a couple of times on our last trip. I didn't mind it, but in general I think people should tip based not just on a percentage but on how much the server is doing and how well they're doing it. Breakfast prices are lower so 18% would mean a smaller tip for a breakfast buffet than for a dinner buffet. But we get a lot of coffee refills at breakfast so our server actually works harder then. (BTW I am also a former restaurant server.)

 

[ExtinctJenn]

In my opinion, a server who has to take orders, deliver each course, refill drinks, etc. deserves a larger tip than one at a buffet location. I'm not saying servers at a buffet don't deserve a good tip, I just don't know that the 18% is really where it should be. I tip well everywhere we go and for those servers who go above and beyond, I tip even better. That said, 18% is more around what I'd do for a server who had to do a bit more to get there.

Now that said, we had a fantastic server once at a buffet location who went above and beyond and even brought my son some food instead of him going up to the buffet when he wanted more. She also brought us a pitcher of the drink I had because I was going through it quite fast and she knew it'd be easier for us both. She, even though it was at a buffet, got a 20% tip from me. So again, it's not that they don't deserve the 18%, it's just that the "typical" service at a buffet location doesn't always.

 

[PhilharMagician]

I tip less @ buffet style restaurants. I feel it is simple, I am now getting my own food and the servers do not deliver it. The servers will go from 4 -5 tables @ a table service style restaurant to 8 - 10+ tables @ a buffet service restaurant. Like when I tip bell services, I tip more money for more bags that they move and less when there are less bags. A smile, good personality and good service all help to increase the tips.

The TIW card automatically adds a 18% tip on your bill and you cannot tip less even if the server was horrible. However there is an area to add more tip if you would like. I have a few times out of habit put in a 18% tip when using my TIW card and the server must have been really happy when they saw they got 36%.

 

[Mori Anne]

We tend to just do counter-service . The high cost of food for sit-down/buffets and the expected percentage disney recommends for a tip is too high for us to justify. Our philosophy "if we can't pay the tip, we don't eat there". So, we stick with the counter-service meals. Disney food plus tax is just too expensive let alone an additional 20%.

And no. I don't feel a buffet server should get the same as a sit-down server. For my family, leaving a $25.00 tip for a family of four at an already overpriced buffet is insane. Hence why we don't eat at table service / buffets very often.

 

[WDW 3]

We always tip 20% or more for good service. If it's the kitchens fault or something else out of the server's control we still tip well. But we will also tip far less when we feel the server fails. I don't think I should tip the same regardless of the service received.
But, I really do have a hard time wrapping my mind around a 20% tip at Boma when I'm serving myself everything except beverage refills. I'm not tipping at the BYBBQ and I'm serving myself there and the only service difference (besides the food) is someone brought me silverware and refills. Is it worth the $15 for two of us. Not sure. Do I do it? Yes. But it pains me

 

[tdpolo26]

We tend to just do counter-service . The high cost of food for sit-down/buffets and the expected percentage disney recommends for a tip is too high for us to justify. Our philosophy "if we can't pay the tip, we don't eat there". So, we stick with the counter-service meals. Disney food plus tax is just too expensive let alone an additional 20%.

And no. I don't feel a buffet server should get the same as a sit-down server. For my family, leaving a $25.00 tip for a family of four at an already overpriced buffet is insane. Hence why we don't eat at table service / buffets very often.

I have the money to lay the tip down i just dont like paying for services that werent really given. personally i would rather them just let me get my own drink and then just have bussers to clear stuff. tip them a few bucks and call it a day. I hate waiting for something to drink... expecially when it is 100 out you come in dying of thirst and they make you wait for ever.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

i take it case by case. if they keep my drink filled, keep clearing the dishes off the table aka not letting them pile up then i tip well. i grew up in restaurants (my dad was an owner) so i know how hard servers work but if they disappear, i've eaten half my meal without a drink and they never clear a dish until i leave then nope...18% wouldn't happen. this summer my server at ohana's was just awful but at 1900 park fare was fantastic and their tips reflected it just like it would at any other dining venue.

 

[luv]

No, but I always paid it. The difference between ten/fifteen and eighteen is just not a big enough deal to bother knocking it down..

The TiW card gives them 18%, so it's easy now.

 

[luv]

True and not true. But I still would tip at least 18%.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires payment of at least the federal minimum wage to covered, nonexempt employees. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equals at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.

LOL, see how long an employee who makes their employer pay up to the minimum wage is kept.

Even if the restaurant is dead all night, the servers will still be entering the amount required so that the restaurant doesn't have to pay up.

There is what is legal and written down...and then there is the real world.

Disney servers, though, generally do pretty well in the busier months.

 

[bgraham34]

I have no problem tipping 18% at a buffet. As long as they clean up my plates and give my drinks when I need them they deserve it.

 

[flynnibus]

LOL, see how long an employee who makes their employer pay up to the minimum wage is kept.

Even if the restaurant is dead all night, the servers will still be entering the amount required so that the restaurant doesn't have to pay up.

There is what is legal and written down...and then there is the real world.

Disney servers, though, generally do pretty well in the busier months.

They prey on people desperate for work and it only takes one who is not. Their job is protected but wouldn't be a pleasant place to stay. But it would be better if they tried to run you off do you could sue them

Manipulaters prey on ignorance and desperation of the workers. It's why employers are required to hang those posters on the job site.

 

[midwest_mice]

All depends on the service. I don't use DDP anymore. I often leave more than 18% if they were well worth it, but less if they didn't do their job. I prefer to use the discount at a few restaurants that an AP give you 10-20% off for lunch and I always tip them very well if they are good since I am saving on my meal itself.

 

[psukardi]

Tipping in this country is a joke and should be changed significantly. Pay your staff a livable wage and then let people tip for service above and beyond what they should be doing.

If I order a $40 bottle of wine or a $120 bottle of wine that shouldn't impact how much my tip is - yet in this country it's going to result in a 30% bump. And don't even get me started on buffet location servers. If all you're doing is re-filling my drink and clearing my plates you should be getting tipped accordingly for that - not how much I've spent on the meal.

Heck we might as well start tipping the people at McDonalds. You know, they take your order and get it from the back and even put it in the bag.

 

[psukardi]

This! Just remember when you tip these people are getting paid 4.23 an hour.

If they don't like being paid $4.23 an hour they can go work somewhere else where the free market dictates a greater demand for their services.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

If they don't like being paid $4.23 an hour they can go work somewhere else where the free market dictates a greater demand for their services.

Nothing personal but I get an absolutely horrible taste in my mouth whenever someone says this. While that's easy to say, the simple truth is in this economy, finding a job is hard... it's even harder if your only work experience is in food service... it's even more hard if your only work experience is being a server. The bottom line is, not everyone has another option. Sometimes taking a job that makes less per hour works out great because the tips are fantastic. Sometimes their not. I really hope no one skips a tip after a meal because they feel their server, even if they did a great job, chose the job and it's too bad if they don't get paid enough.

 

[Alison1975]

As a restaurant manager, you should always leave at least a 15-20 percent tip no matter what kind of experience you have with them. Most restaurant servers are paid below minimum wage plus tips. It's not like they make 10 bucks an hour plus tips it's usually less that 5 an hour plus tips! Remember that the next time you tip someone!
Obviously if u don't have a great experience yes tip less but don't screw someone over!

I completely disagree. I waited tables for 15 years.. I did my job very well and I made darn good money, had tons of people that regularly asked for me. No way should someone who did not do as good a job deserve to make the same money or even close. If you want to succeed at being a server you need to give the job 100%.. no one HAS to tip..you need to earn it!

 

[psukardi]

Nothing personal but I get an absolutely horrible taste in my mouth whenever someone says this. While that's easy to say, the simple truth is in this economy, finding a job is hard... it's even harder if your only work experience is in food service... it's even more hard if your only work experience is being a server. The bottom line is, not everyone has another option. Sometimes taking a job that makes less per hour works out great because the tips are fantastic. Sometimes their not. I really hope no one skips a tip after a meal because they feel their server, even if they did a great job, chose the job and it's too bad if they don't get paid enough.

That's why there are labor laws in this country to protect the individual. There are state minimum wages to ensure the server is making at least that. I'd rather the establishment raise the price of their items 12% and let their employees make a more livable wage instead of me having to subsidize their income.

There was a time where tipping 10% was customary. Then it shifted to 15%. Now it's sliding toward 18%. I'm not saying the server should be out in the cold with the unwashed masses shaking a tin-cup asking for money for food. I'm saying, instead of making me the bad guy here who has to tip regardless of the quality of service, fix the problem.

When I go to a restaurant and have poor service - the burden shouldn't be on me to tip the waiter/waitress 15%-20% because "they don't have another option".

 

[ExtinctJenn]

That's why there are labor laws in this country to protect the individual. There are state minimum wages to ensure the server is making at least that. I'd rather the establishment raise the price of their items 12% and let their employees make a more livable wage instead of me having to subsidize their income.

There was a time where tipping 10% was customary. Then it shifted to 15%. Now it's sliding toward 18%. I'm not saying the server should be out in the cold with the unwashed masses shaking a tin-cup asking for money for food. I'm saying, instead of making me the bad guy here who has to tip regardless of the quality of service, fix the problem.

When I go to a restaurant and have poor service - the burden shouldn't be on me to tip the waiter/waitress 15%-20% because "they don't have another option".

Actually... servers do not make minimum wage. That's the point. And I completely agree... I'm not saying tip regardless of how the service was just because you feel bad for them. I'm just saying there are a lot of people that don't tip regardless, and the "if they wanted a job that made more they shouldn't have been a server" thing is the excuse. It kills me.