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FutureMrsAF
Super August 2017

Is the service fee considered a tip?

FutureMrsAF, on February 6, 2017 at 8:27 PM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 24

I feel like this might be a dumb question, however our catering has a service charge of 22% and a sales tax of 9.something%, for the service fee, is that considered their tip? or is it necessary to tip on top of that? I am trying to calculate with tax and service how much my meals will be, I just...

I feel like this might be a dumb question, however our catering has a service charge of 22% and a sales tax of 9.something%, for the service fee, is that considered their tip? or is it necessary to tip on top of that?

I am trying to calculate with tax and service how much my meals will be, I just didn't want to screw myself and be in an awkward situation with a vendor who is expecting an extra $400 or something and we haven't budgeted for it.

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24 Comments

  • ashleydale715
    Devoted June 2017
    ashleydale715 ·
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    I used to work private events at a place that would add a 20% gratuity to a check and then once the payment was tendered change it to 16% grat and 4% for house/manager. (It was shady because people typically wanted to tip us, the servers, 20% and the few times they found out about the 4% they added 4 more %) but my actual point here is that the gratuity was our tip not part of our $2.83 "wage."

    Tl;dr: ask your caterer Smiley smile

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  • EM
    Master April 2017
    EM ·
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    I actually specifically asked my venue and was told that the 22% service fee DOES include gratuity (I even made sure to get it in writing so I wouldn't freak out later and think I heard wrong). Never hurts to ask!

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  • A Bride
    Super August 2016
    A Bride ·
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    Yup, same as previous posters; it varies from location to location.

    I specifically asked our venue about tips for our staff and they told us it was included in the service. However we ended up being so impressed with our service we tipped a little more. (we were also under on our estimate for how much people would drink so we just gave that little extra we had allocated anyways to a bigger tip)

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  • MrsDrum
    Master June 2017
    MrsDrum ·
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    Ask them. I've seen a service fee go both ways.

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