Service charges VS tipping

[johnny333]

is it even a legal requirement for consumers to pay any service charges in the first place?

Laws in Spore are not for the protection of lesser mortals. Even if there are laws prohibiting service charges who is going to enforce

 

[zhihau]

A tipping culture would improve service standards, but knowing Singkie customers, they will probably give zero tips.

hmm... Sinkies want cheap, want fresh, want tua liap nee?

 

[jw5]

hmm... Sinkies want cheap, want fresh, want tua liap nee?

Unfortunately, where Singkie women are concerned, cheap got, fresh not many, tua liap nee practically none.

 

[zhihau]

is it even a legal requirement for consumers to pay any service charges in the first place?

after seeing bro joetys asking about tipping, brought to my attention that one question remained... are we legally bound by the law to pay service charge in F&B outlets? :o:o:o

 

[jw5]

after seeing bro joetys asking about tipping, brought to my attention that one question remained... are we legally bound by the law to pay service charge in F&B outlets? :o:o:o

You can probably legally refuse to pay, but they can also legally refuse to serve you.

 

[Ramseth]

Laws in Spore are not for the protection of lesser mortals. Even if there are laws prohibiting service charges who is going to enforce

A Singapore restaurant registered to collect 10% service charge, that's billable and payable. The restaurant must satisfy certain criteria before it can register to collect it. This must be accounted for separately on tax returns. For better than expected service appreciated, customer is free to allow a keep the change or award extra tips. That's non-taxable and is up to the employees' arrangement and agreement, i.e. individual pockets individually or pot together, then split and share.

The US system of all tips for services is to bypass the tax returns. Technically, tips have to reported as income too but there's no way cash tips pocketed or potted can be traced. The employers are fine with that too since they can set a lower basic salary and let the employees earn and sort out the tips themselves.

 

[gatehousethetinkertailor]

The so called service charge is a scam by some restaurant owners to charge more.I know as I was in the service industry.
If I am not mistaken the service charge was originally meant to be distributed to service charge instead of depending on customer's tips.Are service charges really distributed back to the service staff?

Speaking of restaurant scams - a recent one I learned was make sure that when you order and bottled drinks, that they open the bottle in front of you - particularly when ordering mineral water - it is not unusual for some unscrupulous restaurants (including shockingly the high-end ones) to try and cut corners by squeezing new water into VOSS bottles - this can happen anywhere and not only in SIngapore - it get tricky when you order fizzy drinks which I delivered flat - not sure how many singkies would try and kick up a fuss in a high-end restaurant - maybe they think its part of the gastronomic experience.

I prefer to tip the waiter directly when he is very good - otherwise tips left with the bill will get sapu-ed by the owner who takes 50% and the rest of the waiters have to share the leftover 50%...

 

[Char_Azn]

I sure service charge will be keep by the owner.

Unfortunately you are right. The last time someone brought up this topic, some owners admit they keep that extra charge. I think there should be a law that demands owners give the extra 10% to employees if they have service charge.

i being to USA
i dun want tipping rule to replace service tax

no thank you

Totally agree. It's very irritating when everyone expect a tip. Most annoying is cab drivers also demand tips, U give extra $1 for a less then $10 ride and they still look at you like you're El Cheapo. If their service is really good here, I will tip even if they have whatever extra charge here.

 

[scroobal]

Yes, you got every right to turn down the service charge if the service was poor.

You can probably legally refuse to pay, but they can also legally refuse to serve you.

 

[chuckyworld]

Don't feel bad bro, we pay 13% HST and we give 15% tip on top of that......

 

[Ramseth]

Yes, you got every right to turn down the service charge if the service was poor.

You can even refuse to pay the whole bill. Remember Swensen?

 

[zhihau]

You can probably legally refuse to pay, but they can also legally refuse to serve you.

thanks bro