Service Charges in London

[Meg888]

Hi. I'm off to London for a couple of days next month and have been checking out some of the restaurants in the area. I'm shocked at the number of them that add a service charge to the bill?? Does one have to pay this or can it be taken off the bill?

[ojread2]

It's been a while since I've eaten in a restaurant in London, but the last time we deducted the service charge and left our own tip

There was nothing mentioned about us doing that. As far as I know, you don;t have to pay it

[heathfield]

A service charge can be discretionary, or it can be compulsory. The restaurant have to let you know whether there's a service charge by printing the information on their table menus, or entrance-way menus, or by word of mouth at the table. Not to clearly inform you is breaking the law. If the service was particularly poor, you are entitled to refuse to pay some or all of a service charge. (If you're bold enough, I might say!).

[237SJ]

You don`t have to pay it but I would feel terrible if I asked for it to be removed (which is the whole idea I guess). As mentioned, you can ask for it to be removed and pay cash. If it`s added to the bill and you pay by credit card, the card company will get their percentage as they do from the rest of the bill. Some restaurants get some as well (Pizza Express does or did). That`s why if you want the staff to get the tip as you think they`re deserving then the best thing is to leave it in cash. I`ve noticed the restaurants are adding 12.5% a lot now. I resent paying more than 10% and I don`t want us to get like America where you can be charged 19%.

[Meg888]

I think it's just greed. I mean some of these restaurants have got crazy prices anyway, so assuming they have good chefs/waiting staff etc., they should feel confident in getting a tip if service/food is good. I live in the north of England, and eat out in restaurants regularly - travelling quite far in some cases and I've never experienced the service charge - a fee sometimes for credit card. I always leave a tip when service is good and I've enjoyed my experience - but I begrudge having it forced on me.

[jno]

I think it's just because many British people don't like tipping or can't figure out how much to give (unlike taxi drivers etc it's usually more than just 'rounding up'). They do it for you, but you can refuse to pay it if you want to calculate your own amount or leave it in cash (to make sure the waiter gets it) or not pay anything