[missymouse]

Originally Posted by jenbarnwell

We only make $2.10 an hour and we have to tip out the busboy 10 % and the hostess 10 % and if someone tips by credit card we have to pay 10 % fee for using the machine. so if you tip 10$ by credit card we actually only get $7. Not sure what the policies are in disney world though.

I think tipping out to bus boys is one thing because they are helping clean up a table so that it can be turned, but tipping out to a hostess is ridiculous! They just stand there a look nice and show you to your table. I know because I've worked as a hostess a few times too. I worked MUCH harder when I waited tables.

[Mickey Mom]

Originally Posted by jenbarnwell

We only make $2.10 an hour and we have to tip out the busboy 10 % and the hostess 10 % and if someone tips by credit card we have to pay 10 % fee for using the machine. so if you tip 10$ by credit card we actually only get $7. Not sure what the policies are in disney world though.

Wow, this is an eye-opener for me! My sister worked in the service industry for a while. Here, service staff sometimes have a lower wage than our $10/hr minimum wage, but they are usually at least making $5-7/hr plus tips. Tips are sometimes shared depending on the establishment but it is standard here to tip between 15-20%.

I am shocked that the industry can employ people for as little as $2.10/hour. In my opinion that really needs to be changed. And, I can't believe that you have to pay a 10% fee for using a credit card machine! How can the restaurant not absorb the fee for providing a pay option to their patrons? How does the server get stuck with that?

[M5ward]

I do understand how a server can have a credit card transaction deducted from their tip. Every time a customer uses a credit card, the establishment pays a transaction fee and a percentage of the charged amount. So if the check is $50 and the tip is $10, the establishment is NOT getting $60 from the credit card company. Therefore, some businesses deduct a percentage from each individual server's tips.

[dixie]

[quote=alilmagical32;965862]I mean this to be absolutely non-offensive my dear Dixie, because I am certain you are in the educated bunch who does follow the customs of the US, but servers here in America fight over who has to take Brittish tables because they know 8 out of 10 times they are getting stiffed!


Hey Ali, no offence taken I absolutely agree with you in fact I have had conversations with fellow Brits both here and in the USA who brazenly admit that they dont tip and dont intend to.
In fact the very first time we visited WDW we went as part of a package tour and at the 'Welcome meeting' we were told the joke 'What's the difference between a canoe and a Brit?.....Brits dont tip!
The travel representative was trying to explain through humour that tipping is customary in the USA.
In their (the British) defence, I can only say that it is because it is always optional here, and therefore we are just not used to doing it automatically. I have had clients for many many years who have never tipped me not even at Christmas, when even the most miserly can raise a few cents.
Worse still, you get ones who press into your hand a 10 pence piece, which is worth to you guys around 15 cents. That's so bad I would rather have no tip at all.
Perhaps it is because I am from a service industry that its not such a big thing for me to adapt to the American way- the thing is I think now Paul and I over tip in the UK because we have got so used to doing in in America!

[Mickey Mom]

Originally Posted by M5ward

I do understand how a server can have a credit card transaction deducted from their tip. Every time a customer uses a credit card, the establishment pays a transaction fee and a percentage of the charged amount. So if the check is $50 and the tip is $10, the establishment is NOT getting $60 from the credit card company. Therefore, some businesses deduct a percentage from each individual server's tips.

Just my opinion, but I think it is up to an establishment to cover all their costs to run the establishment, and not up to the server to deduct from their tip. If a restaurant offers payment by credit card, it should not be up to the wait-staff to cover the cost of that. Just my opinion.

[jimbo]

simplez

when to tip
= good service, good food = tip

might tip
= good service bad food or bad service good food

when not to tip
= bad food bad service = no tip no way.

but if its bad service, bad food, bad attitude = complain

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by Mickey Mom

Just my opinion, but I think it is up to an establishment to cover all their costs to run the establishment, and not up to the server to deduct from their tip. If a restaurant offers payment by credit card, it should not be up to the wait-staff to cover the cost of that. Just my opinion.

And of course, that waiter/ess is also on the hook to the IRS for tips because that is reported income. In fact, if the restaurant is disbursing tips payed by credit card, all those tips are right there on the W-2.
That brings up the question, "are these waiter/esses being taxed on income they never receive such as the 10% hit for credit card transactions as well as all money they have to "tip out" to other restaurant staff"?
If so, they are really being handed the s*** covered end of the stick. How would you like to be taxed on $5,000 you never even got?

(Does this mean I really need to start tipping in cash?)

[jimbo]

what happens to the tips??
do they get pooled and shared between all the staff or does the waiter keep it them self??

if you tip on your card how does the waiter get the cash in the pay check???

[tinkerbelle24]

When I used to work at Lonestar many moons ago we had to share our tips. Let me tell ya. I was a very hard worker. I would bus my own tables most of the time. I know that a server has to put into the computer how much a tip was. For say if I got a $10 sometimes we would put in $6. I know its not right but I refused to pay people for something I did by myself.

[Mickeybug]

Places are different. In LA in restaurants cc tips were paid out immediately, not put in your check. Each server was supposed to report all tips, but were only required at least 8% of their total sales. You didn't report at least 8% (whether you got it or not) IRS would automatically allot you and take it from your measly $2.10 p/h. You paid busboys a flat rate per hour worked rather than % of your tips. Guess too many lie and bb's get undercut. However, bartending...pay is above, it's $10 p/h and no tips are reported or alloted yet barbacks get 20%.
Would be nice to know how WDW does it....for me it may effect how I feel on those auto gratuity's on buffetssince that's my only problem area .

[alilmagical32]

Originally Posted by Mickeybug

Places are different. In LA in restaurants cc tips were paid out immediately, not put in your check. Each server was supposed to report all tips, but were only required at least 8% of their total sales. You didn't report at least 8% (whether you got it or not) IRS would automatically allot you and take it from your measly $2.10 p/h. You paid busboys a flat rate per hour worked rather than % of your tips. Guess too many lie and bb's get undercut. However, bartending...pay is above, it's $10 p/h and no tips are reported or alloted yet barbacks get 20%.
Would be nice to know how WDW does it....for me it may effect how I feel on those auto gratuity's on buffetssince that's my only problem area .

I served at a Disney resturant for a few years. Each location may vary slightly, but these are the numbers we used and are likely very, very close to other places on property.

My tip out is based on my total sales which means the total of everything I sell for the entire shift. I give 1% of my total sales to the bartender, 1.5% of my total sales to the busser, 2% of my food sales to the food runners and finally a flat $5 to the sliverware roller.

How much tips I make are not factored into this. The tipout comes from percentage of sales, not percentage of tips.

[alilmagical32]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

And of course, that waiter/ess is also on the hook to the IRS for tips because that is reported income. In fact, if the restaurant is disbursing tips payed by credit card, all those tips are right there on the W-2.
That brings up the question, "are these waiter/esses being taxed on income they never receive such as the 10% hit for credit card transactions as well as all money they have to "tip out" to other restaurant staff"?
If so, they are really being handed the s*** covered end of the stick. How would you like to be taxed on $5,000 you never even got?

(Does this mean I really need to start tipping in cash?)

YES! YES! This is a horrible problem! The money is def. getting double taxed on a lot of occasions! Last year, I owed $1500 in taxes. I am a single female living alone and a full time student. I am in like the lowest tax bracket ever and I still owed. A guy I worked with that worked full time made $60,000 on his W2 and owed $9,000 in taxes!

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by alilmagical32

I served at a Disney resturant for a few years. Each location may vary slightly, but these are the numbers we used and are likely very, very close to other places on property.

My tip out is based on my total sales which means the total of everything I sell for the entire shift. I give 1% of my total sales to the bartender, 1.5% of my total sales to the busser, 2% of my food sales to the food runners and finally a flat $5 to the sliverware roller.

How much tips I make are not factored into this. The tipout comes from percentage of sales, not percentage of tips.

This is beginning to sound like you need an accountant or at least someone who is knowledgeable enough about tax codes so that you can file the proper deductions for business related expenses. Something I wouldn't expect a $20,000 a year employee to need.
One trick you could try in order to avoid some of the end of year tax liability is to claim no deductions at all on your W-4 so they withhold the maximum amount so that comes filing day, you have a chance of owing less or even getting a refund.
And yes, I am aware that this means you'll take home less every week, but at least you'll owe less on April 15 and won't have to scramble to find the extra money.

[Mickeybug]

thanks for the clarification 32. Sure many will have a little more compashion now knowing how much y'all actually "don't" make re: tip-outs & non-tipping customs. Know I will.

[Caseys Corner]

We always tip. If the service was bad we just dont go back. As far as WDW Service depends on how busy they are. I noticed that when its pack service is not up to standard but thats understandable because of the large crowds.