Compulsory service fees: can restaurants force you to tip?
A News Café branch in Midrand imposes a compulsory service fee on bills over R500. But is this legal?
Picture: Muffin Creatives via pexels
Relebogile Mabotja speaks with Consumer Journalist Wendy Knowler.
Listen to the interview in the audio player below.
It is customary, but voluntary, to tip your server when you eat out, although some restaurants try to make it compulsory.
A couple recently ate at News Café in Midrand and found that a service fee was snuck on, without it being disclosed, because their bill was over R500.
The customers almost double-tipped, because they did not notice the extra charge on their bill.
Many restaurants impose a service fee of 10% on tables of eight or more, but this is usually well-disclosed and expected.
Knowler says the best practice would be to disclose this on the menu and when a person makes a booking.
“Over-disclosure is a good idea.”
- Wendy Knowler, Consumer journalist
Regardless of whether the extra amount is disclosed, there is no such thing as a compulsory tip.
Wendy Alberts of the Restaurant Association of South Africa notes that if you see an automatic service fee on your bill, it's your right to reject it.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.