[tinkerbelle24]

Does anyone know if the tip IS included at CRT? My server told me last time in DEC it was included with the 2 TS credit.
Wish...Buffetts...hmmm...last time at cape may we got our drinks and it was it. No refills or anything. I left a $5.00. I felt bad but I didn't want to be there for 2 hours with 1 ice tea. Not going to happen. I always tip awesome but. If the server isn't right I'm not doing %20 I worked at olive garden lone star you name it I've worked it back in the day so I know how it should be.

[Mickeybug]

I waited tables 20+ years ago at full service and buffets. Knowing what I know affects the tip I leave. I tip 15-20% at sit downs depending on service, and even then if it's been bad I look around and try to access why. Are they short handed, did they get multiple tables all at once or could they be standing around talking to people they know. The exception of going under 15% is buffets and that's mainly because you don't normally get the same service as sit downs AND most buffet restaurants have filed with IRS for the wait staff to only be alloted 5% of thier sales instead of the standard 8%. Yes, believe it or not 1/2 of what you leave is tax free for them.
Here's my complaint: we're a family of 6 and in most places around the real world tips aren't automatic until parties of 8 or more and even then it's 15%, but in Dis World it's 18% for 6 or more. Now if service was good, give rewards where due. But come on, automatic 18% on an already over-priced buffet for filling drinks and bringing our check! That's just wrong

[ATinkatheart]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

To be honest, my confusion is more with WDW buffets! I've had WAY more than a handful of experiences where we saw our server ONCE, just to take our drink order. Never came back for refills, never came back to ask if we needed anything, we had to FIND a different server or ask around for ours. Then, suddenly they reappear at check time! How in the WORLD does that justify a good tip, or ANY at all?

Sounds like the waiter that we had at Crystal Palace in Sept 08. Didn't even take away the plates that we were finished with.

[mrwillswildride]

I have no problem giving a nice tip for good service. I also have no problem not giving a good tip for poor service. I think thats why a server pay rate is so low( $2 to $3 ), so if they do a good job the tips help make a better rate.

[sue299]

Originally Posted by mrwillswildride

I have no problem giving a nice tip for good service. I also have no problem not giving a good tip for poor service. I think thats why a server pay rate is so low( $2 to $3 ), so if they do a good job the tips help make a better rate.

This is a really good point. I agree with it too.

One of my pet peeves in a server is NOT bringing the check when I am finished eating. Sometimes it takes 10-15 minutes after I am done- and tell them no dessert, etc. Sometimes DH and I have plans and we need to "get out". Bring the check immediatly, offer more drinks, etc. If someone wants to linger, they can.

[jenbarnwell]

Originally Posted by mrwillswildride

I have no problem giving a nice tip for good service. I also have no problem not giving a good tip for poor service. I think thats why a server pay rate is so low( $2 to $3 ), so if they do a good job the tips help make a better rate.

Thats a great point! I know I work hard for my money. But sometimes whether you are a good server or not people still tip low or not at all :(

[Pam&Rich]

DW and I are both former F&B servers and managers, both regular and fine dining establishments. We have pretty high expectations when it comes to the better TS locations. That said we always start @ 20%.
You can get up to 30-35% or go down to zero. If zero is the case we will hand the manager something for the bus and associate staff and explain why. A bad server is not a reason to slight the server assistants if they are not at fault.
For buffets we tip as high as 15%. But if all we get is a drink and a check it is $1 per person eating, with another $1 if there is a bus person also on the floor helping.
As to the atmosphere being bad or not finding something on the menu you like is not the servers fault. All menus are available on most of the sites along with ratings. The server is not at fault if your choice was a bad one. If the food is bad then tell the manager to have the kitchen make another order or have them comp your part of the meal.
I will say we have never had bad TS service @ WDW. Sometimes they are overworked with too many tables. We have had bad buffet service though.

[jenbarnwell]

Originally Posted by Pam&Rich

DW and I are both former F&B servers and managers, both regular and fine dining establishments. We have pretty high expectations when it comes to the better TS locations. That said we always start @ 20%.
You can get up to 30-35% or go down to zero. If zero is the case we will hand the manager something for the bus and associate staff and explain why. A bad server is not a reason to slight the server assistants if they are not at fault.
For buffets we tip as high as 15%. But if all we get is a drink and a check it is $1 per person eating, with another $1 if there is a bus person also on the floor helping.
As to the atmosphere being bad or not finding something on the menu you like is not the servers fault. All menus are available on most of the sites along with ratings. The server is not at fault if your choice was a bad one. If the food is bad then tell the manager to have the kitchen make another order or have them comp your part of the meal.
I will say we have never had bad TS service @ WDW. Sometimes they are overworked with too many tables. We have had bad buffet service though.

Isn't it funny how servers are the biggest critics of other servers, I say things all the time and DH always cuts slack, lol! We have not had bad service at WDW, slow but not their fault!

[Pam&Rich]

Originally Posted by jenbarnwell

Isn't it funny how servers are the biggest critics of other servers, I say things all the time and DH always cuts slack, lol! We have not had bad service at WDW, slow but not their fault!

I learned the difference between a $50 night and $150-200 per night very quickly. Start and end with a smile and remember that the customer is ALWAYS correct. It was hard many times but the bills were paid quicker if you just blew off the morons walking the earth after they left.

[Soundgod]

Actually, on the receipt, they put the 18% and 20% amounts, partly to remind and partly to pressure.
There are also times when that 18% becomes automatic, regardless.
If your party is 6 or more, that's an automatic 18% tip.
Also, if you are using a TIW membership card for the 20% discount, you also automatically get hit with the 18% tip.
Let's also not go too far into the whole, "how much should I tip at a buffet" question.
I'm not saying what is right and what is wrong, but as often as not, guests will be hit for 18% good service or bad.

[cinderbella]

Oh the great tip debate
I tip 15% no matter what..however, a server can easily up their tip by basically not being a horrible person. I was a server in college and I know how hard it can be and how busy it can be. 15% is lowest I would go short of the server being totally having a bad attitude. And they would have to be really horrible to do that.

[DisneyTeacher]

We've never had service that I felt we needed to tip less than 15% on any trip. I think only twice had we had less than good service, once at Coral Reef and once at Sci Fi.

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

Oh the great tip debate

This is one of those topics that can blow up really fast.
Surprisingly, knowing that I could blow it up with a word, I'm handling it like I would a quart bottle of nitro - very gently and very sparingly.

[Mickeybug]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

Actually, on the receipt, they put the 18% and 20% amounts, partly to remind and partly to pressure.
There are also times when that 18% becomes automatic, regardless.
If your party is 6 or more, that's an automatic 18% tip.
Also, if you are using a TIW membership card for the 20% discount, you also automatically get hit with the 18% tip.
Let's also not go too far into the whole, "how much should I tip at a buffet" question.
I'm not saying what is right and what is wrong, but as often as not, guests will be hit for 18% good service or bad.

This is why we now avoid buffets at all costs at WDW. I'm sorry but with 6 of us and since disney states my 10, 11 & 14 yr olds are adults, (even though 2 of them are the pickiest eaters and could blow away with a strong wind), I cannot bring myself to pay an automatic $28 to a server for bringing us drinks & a ticket. Hate to sound crabby about it but if i'm going to pay it they're going to earn it.

[alilmagical32]

I obviously have very specific opinions on this and I will not share them again here, BUT: just something to think about--

Servers do not set the minimum wage. The state goverments set the server wage. I personally think tipped positions are stupid, but if the resturant paid servers the regular minimum wage your dinners would more than double in price. Would this really be better?

If you are shoe shopping at Macy's and it takes 15 minutes for the girl to get your shoes from the back you are not going to get the shoes any cheaper. You might be annoyed and you might complain to the manager but your shoes are still going to cost the same amount.

I know there are bad servers who just don't care, but the VAST majority are trying very hard. Tipping someone less than 15% is not acceptable in today's financial climate unless something absolutely terrible happened, in which case you should speak with a manager because the issue likely lies somewhere else.

*steps down from soap box*