“I’ll give you a tip!” An account of poor customer service.

As I finish my coffee and look over the bill, I realise we have been severely overcharged.
The price of food is normal, the overpriced drinks are just as bad as I expected, but a 12.5% voluntary service charge has been added without any volunteering done by anyone.

So I think about the value of the service I have been charged for.

When we arrived there was no maitre’d. We had to wander around a little before a member of staff even acknowledged us and then we had to ask if we could get a table rather then the traditional offering I have become use to. So, so far I really couldn’t put a value on the service.

Once seated we were left to our own devices for a good 10 minutes before being offered drinks. Now this is not a busy restaurant. The staff are clearly too busy with something else to have time to worry about what the customers are doing. Still no value to the service.

I look around to try and catch a waiter/waitress’ eye but unfortunately one (almost as if on purpose) keeps avoiding looking towards our table, whilst another is enjoying flirting with the bartender too much to care.

The food was good when we eventually got it and our beverages were served cold and very refreshing. But we have already been charged for these in the food and drink section of our bill. Total value of service at this point is still 0.

When we had finished out mains, we were almost forgotten about altogether for a good while. When the waiter finally came, he offered the bill rather than a desert/coffee menu. I’m guessing they would like us to leave so they can close early since it is quiet.

In general the waiting staff were neglegent and slow.

The only thing quick about the staff tonight at all was the speed at which they added our ‘voluntary’ service charge.

If I was paying cash, I would wait for the change! So there is no way am I paying a 12.5% service fee.

There was a time before minimum wage/living wage when waitresses and waiters had to work hard for their tips as their wages were poor. The level of service then was worth paying for. You were looked after. Part of going out for for dinner was the experience of good service to match the food and drinks.

Now I think service staff are taking their jobs for granted due to guaranteed wages and people are still tipping out of habit.

I work in a customer facing job where people dont tip they just expect. I aim to give good customer/client service at all times out of respect for the brand I represent and the desire to please my client.

So the only tip I’ll be giving tonight:

Don’t expect a tip. Look after your customers and then they will look after you when the bill comes.