How Much Do You Tip at Buffets?

[Cosmic Commando]

I haven't noticed this question pop up in a while, but this post in the 2012 DDP changes thread made me think about it:

I have done the math many times and have not yet lost money on the DDP. I have also done the math many times and have yet to make the TiW card work for us once you factor in the mandatory 18% tip. I am far from a small tipper, however I also like to eat at the buffets in WDW, where I will not give 18% for getting my drinks and taking plates off the table. If the TiW works for you, great, however that does not mean it will for everybody.

I used to tip less for buffets. Then, when I was debating purchasing the TiW card, I thought about whether I wanted an 18% tip at buffets. Then I thought about what the servers at a regular TS do and what the servers at a buffet do. At a regular TS meal, the waiter brings drinks, takes orders, answers questions about the menu, brings food, and clears food. At a buffet, the waiter brings drinks, they should still know about the food on the buffet, and they clear plates. The way my family eats at a buffet, we'll make three or four trips to sample everything that looks good and to get seconds of the things we like. So a buffet waiter will clear four sets of plates from the table and a regular waiter will clear one. To me, those multiple sets of extra plates to clear definitely makes up for not bringing our food. If anything, now I probably tip a little better at a buffet.

How much does everyone tip at a buffet? Any other thoughts?

 

[wm49rs]

I have the TiW card as well, and for the most part will usually add on to the tip at the end of the meal. There's only been a handful of times where I thought the 18% was sufficient, and the meal we had at 1900 Park Fare buffet was one of them. But overall, even at buffets we'll add something on top of what's added in.....

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I haven't noticed this question pop up in a while, but this post in the 2012 DDP changes thread made me think about it:


I used to tip less for buffets. Then, when I was debating purchasing the TiW card, I thought about whether I wanted an 18% tip at buffets. Then I thought about what the servers at a regular TS do and what the servers at a buffet do. At a regular TS meal, the waiter brings drinks, takes orders, answers questions about the menu, brings food, and clears food. At a buffet, the waiter brings drinks, they should still know about the food on the buffet, and they clear plates. The way my family eats at a buffet, we'll make three or four trips to sample everything that looks good and to get seconds of the things we like. So a buffet waiter will clear four sets of plates from the table and a regular waiter will clear one. To me, those multiple sets of extra plates to clear definitely makes up for not bringing our food. If anything, now I probably tip a little better at a buffet.

How much does everyone tip at a buffet? Any other thoughts?

While I usually tip 15-20% at a WDW buffet, DH strongly disagrees with this. At non-Disney buffets, it is rarely your server bussing the dishes from your table and it's fairly uncommon for them to provide any info on the buffet structure and food- so I can kind of side w/DH if it's non Disney (most non-WDW buffets don't even have your server refilling your drink- it's bus staff)... but this is usually not the case at WDW. i.e. your server takes on most of the roles of non-buffet TS server. It's very rare that I tip in the 18-20% range at a buffet since a server at a buffet doesn't have to get all of our orders right, but 15-17% is still better than leaving a few singles like DH would do.

 

[njDizFan]

Always a tough debate. Technically a server at a non-buffet style table service restaurant should have a greater knowledge of the menu items and is responsible for bringing your food when it is prepared to order. So, there is more responsibility in bringing your food and beverages in a timely manner as it needs to be hot/cold. Also, they may be responsible for some perperation as in salads, soup and special considerations like things on the side. Servers occasionally also have to talk with the cooking staff to communicate special instructions.

They also often have to get drinks from the bar and have a basic knowledge of wine/beer/cocktails.

Although, just the sheer amount of table touches a server at a buffet could be considerably more. Plates, silverware, napkins, refills.....

In the past I usually gave 10-15% at a buffet and 20% at non-buffets.

 

[RozFan]

I tip based on the quality of service I receive, not the style of restaurant I am dining at. I have worked in a la carte and buffet style restaurants and I felt like I ran my tookus off when I was a buffet server. As long as a server clears your plates and refills your drinks then they provided a service that is deserving of the standard 18-20% tip.

 

[Pooh Lover]

If we have received great service including prompt removal of plates and refills on drinks, we will leave 20%. We will leave less if we end up stacking or looking for others places for our plates or sitting with an empty glass. The difference between 10% and 20% means much more to our server than us.

 

[Olijimcha]

I tip based on the quality of service I receive, not the style of restaurant I am dining at.

Agreed, this is how it should be.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

i don't often do buffets but when i do i try to tip the same for one reason and one basic reason only...it's a pain in the butt job now matter if you work upscale or buffet. you're hot, bending, stooping, cleaning, getting good and bad chatter from patrons, and those poor disney girls are wearing some of the most uncomfortable and hot looking outfits in good old 97% humidity. we don't die over spending $20 for 3 bottles of water so why not help out someone making minimum wage in a place we all love to go. maybe it's just good pixie dust karma.:shrug:

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I have the TiW card as well, and for the most part will usually add on to the tip at the end of the meal. There's only been a handful of times where I thought the 18% was sufficient, and the meal we had at 1900 Park Fare buffet was one of them. But overall, even at buffets we'll add something on top of what's added in.....

Unfortunately I didn't realize it until I had already used the card a few times, but TiW calculates your 18% tip based on the discounted price. I added a couple of bucks to the 18% the first few times, but it didn't really bring it back up to my normal tip range.

 

[marcriss]

Unless we have bad service, we always add to the tip to bring it back to what it would've been before the discount.

Regardless of type of restaurant, the servers are all getting paid the same. I think they tend to understaff the buffets, making them much harder to work. As I've gotten older I've learned to appreciate more jobs that I'd never want to have to do, and tip accordingly.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

When we go to Hollywood and Vine our bill at 63.00 I usually tip 12.00 which is 19 % If the Service isnt no good I will tip 8.00 or so if its REALLY bad I will tip 10 % which is 6.00

 

[materbuddy]

We have the TiW and usually just let the 18% gratuity stand at all restaurants. We add more to the tip at TS if the service is outstanding.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We tip the same at buffets as we do at any restaurant.

That person the OP quoted must be a big eater and not realize if you don't think your server earned the 18% you can have it adjusted by a manager.

 

[flavious27]

Trails End
B: $4 a head
D: $5 a head, +1 for each alcoholic drink

Biergraten

L: $4 a head, +1 for each alcoholic drink
D: $5 a head, +1 for each alcoholic drink

Boma

D: $6 a head, +1 for each alcoholic drink


These are the only buffets we eat at. We base it on 15% of the regular price; we give the wait staff at trails end an extra dollar because they have less tables, and I have seen some of the CMs there every since trip in the last 7 or 8 years.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Thanks for reminding me why I hate tipping threads...

 

[tizzo]

I tip based on the quality of service I receive, not the style of restaurant I am dining at.

Naturally - but the question is, relative to what? In other words, if 15% is appropriate for adequate service at a full-service restaurant, and you adjust up or down from there based on service - what is the equivalent for adequate service at a buffet restaurant?

I don't frequent Disney dining very much, so all I have to go on is a "regular" buffet. Personally, I usually start at 10% and round up to the next dollar. There's not much opportunity for a buffet server to shine, so I rarely find myself adjusting up from there. But if for example I find my glass never empty even though I'm thirsty and drinking a lot, I might increase the tip for that. Or if I have water instead of ordering a drink, I'll take into account that it's just as much work to keep my water glass full as it would be if I'd ordered iced tea, and will adjust to account for that as well.

On the other hand, if my "server" seats me and I don't see him or her again, he or she is lucky to get anything, let alone 10%.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

While I usually tip 15-20% at a WDW buffet, DH strongly disagrees with this. At non-Disney buffets, it is rarely your server bussing the dishes from your table and it's fairly uncommon for them to provide any info on the buffet structure and food- so I can kind of side w/DH if it's non Disney (most non-WDW buffets don't even have your server refilling your drink- it's bus staff)... but this is usually not the case at WDW. i.e. your server takes on most of the roles of non-buffet TS server. It's very rare that I tip in the 18-20% range at a buffet since a server at a buffet doesn't have to get all of our orders right, but 15-17% is still better than leaving a few singles like DH would do.

Your Husband sound very stingy.
I always tip 20% for good service, 15 % for average to poor. Llast time at Crystal Palace the waiter was great and suggested we stay as long as we like and take our time due to the thunderstorm outside. He got over 20 percent...

 

[righttrack]

It's hot as Hades in Florida so I tip well, no matter what. I can't recall a time I've left less than 20%. I'm also a person who would happily give a 50% tip if something exceptional is done. I spend a ton on my vacation and it really makes someone's day and that makes mine. In the grand scheme of things, the difference between 15 and 20% isn't that much.

 

[wizards8507]

I think the entire notion of tipping based on a certain percentage of the check is absurd, regardless of whether it's a served meal or a buffet. Did your waiter work any harder to bring you your filet mignon and Sam Adams than the couple next to you who ordered the turkey club and water? Why should the tip be any different?

 

[SleepingMonk]

... 15 % for average to poor...

...if its REALLY bad I will tip 10 %...

Why do you tip for bad service?