How much should a customer tip a server when dining in a Buffet ( self service ) Restaurant?
I currently work in a all buffet reataurant where guest dine for long periods of time, but don't tip the customary 15-18%. Even though there getting the food themselves, its alot more work than ala carte service, due to the guest making several trips to the buffet, its more plates you have to clear, not to mention all the beverage they consumme. Some guest are in & out whithin 30 minutes, in ths case I'm O.K. with 10%, but dont make it an all day affair and give me pennies.
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GWYNEVERE.com :
I've worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years. It is now customary to base your tip at the lowest 18% to the highest at 23% with the standard being 20%. And it should never be different for a buffet versus a la carte items. People that eat out should realize that the server has to tip out to the bussers, the kitchen and the bar and sometimes even the hostesses and captains on the floor. You don't just hurt the server. There is a snowball effect that occurs when you are a cheap tipper. Regarding the buffet…Just because you served yourself at the buffet doesn't mean that you set up and broke down the buffet yourself , kept it fully stocked and cleared your table yourself and got your drinks too. If you can't afford to tip 20%, don't bother going out. And did you know that all server sales at most restaurants are reported to the IRS daily so we pay taxes based on what you buy…whether you tip or not. So when you skimp on the tip, not only am I out my hourly wage but I get hit with the tax of the assumed tip based on the average for the restaurant…which is now 20%.
When i eat at a buffet, ill usually drop a 5 on the table when im leaving if the waiter/waitress brought me a drink or something if i needed it.
But id imagine that the normal tip would be around 2 bux. If that.
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I usually leave a dollar or two at the table, depending on the service.
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It sorta depends on the amount of the buffet. If its what I would consider a nice buffet, $15-30 a person, then yes, the standard 15-20% would be fair. If its $7.99 a person, and you prepay as you come in, then I'm sorry, but I wouldn't expect much of a tip if any. If you want tips, go work at a typical chain restaurant.
EDIT: A big part of a servers job is to get the order, get it to the kitchen, and make sure it gets out correctly. With a cheap buffet, the server(if you can call them that) isn't doing that. At a nice buffet($15-30+ a person) the server explains how the buffet is setup, where you'll find certain items, such as at the far end is the seafood portion, etc. If you have a question on a dish you've never had, you can ask the server whats in this. Plus when you are done, that server presents the check. You don't pay as you walk out, or as you come in. Thats why a nice buffet server deserves a tip instead of a Golden Corral refill getter.
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I definately agree with you. I also work in a restaurant that has a buffet once a week and a lot of people leave less money. But I think I do more work on buffet night than I do any other night. I think 20% is necessary no matter what.
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I usually leave a dollar per person (at the table with me), and feel that's more than fair.
*** At he buffet restaurant I go to, the customer gets his or her own drinks, and clean plates.
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if the order is placed at a table to a waiter or waitress - 15% minimum.
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If the service or host was cordial and helpful I normally leave 10 % tip for buffet service. Good question because I've never heard anyone set a standard for this type of meal or service ….
TONY
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Do buffet servers get 2.15/hour? Or minimum wage?
I always thought buffet servers made 5.15+tips. I might be wrong, not sure. I always tip @ least 15% at buffets, but I tip 20% at full-service restaurants because I'm in my chair the entire time being served.
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10% of the total bill is reasonable but if you are there for a long time, server has to visit your table alot or if you have a lot of people in your party, then its best to use your conscience I would say between $5-10 is nice.
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I waited tables for a long time when I was younger, and I would NEVER work at this type of restaurant specifically for the reasons you gave. I have seen people run wait staff ragged and just leave without a tip. I think they forget between the paying for the meal and leaving part sometimes. But no excuses to ever not tip.
My son loves one of those buffet restaurants and we go to it probably 3 times a month. I noticed one day there's a sign in the front where you come in and get your drinks and pay that says 'tipping is appreciated for good service' WHAT? I know what they're probably trying to say but that sounds just wrong. Like if you don't tip you won't get good service, which I think is just wrong. You should always receive good service when you go out to eat whether you're at McDonald's or some fancy hotel restaurant. BUT….you should also give good tips!
When we go to this restaurant I usually tip only about 15%, but I also usually get the waitress who is just trying to leave and doesn't care about refilling my drink. I have never been to this type of restaurant and used more than 3 plates, and the only thing I ask for is drink refills…..but more often than not it seems that I'm asking too much out of my wait staff when I do that. Maybe they're all burned out because they think they're not gonna get good tips so why try……I'm not sure.
I think a good solution to this type of problem is to have a tip added to the bill when you first come in and pay, unfortunately that might be the only way for wait staff to get the tips they deserve. That also means they'd have to make sure to do a good job!
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It depends on the service you get from the waiter or waitress. I would say about $5 or $10 dollars
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I've worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years. It is now customary to base your tip at the lowest 18% to the highest at 23% with the standard being 20%. And it should never be different for a buffet versus a la carte items. People that eat out should realize that the server has to tip out to the bussers, the kitchen and the bar and sometimes even the hostesses and captains on the floor. You don't just hurt the server. There is a snowball effect that occurs when you are a cheap tipper. Regarding the buffet…Just because you served yourself at the buffet doesn't mean that you set up and broke down the buffet yourself , kept it fully stocked and cleared your table yourself and got your drinks too. If you can't afford to tip 20%, don't bother going out. And did you know that all server sales at most restaurants are reported to the IRS daily so we pay taxes based on what you buy…whether you tip or not. So when you skimp on the tip, not only am I out my hourly wage but I get hit with the tax of the assumed tip based on the average for the restaurant…which is now 20%.
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Sorry, But at a buffet I don't expect to tip. The price of the food pretty much includes no service. The Resturant should require you use fresh plates for each trip to the Buffet, but since I'm already getting up to serve myself, there is no reason why I couldn't place my empty dishes in a deposit area. You are not a waitress in this environment. You are a bus boy! Sorry if this seem harsh but it is my belief. The crazy thing about this is that in most contries I have been to (besides 3rd world nations) tipping is not required… Only in the U.S. are we expected to tip our waitress/waiter. Why don't you address the real problem.. Resturant owners are too cheap to pay you a real salary! They pay you pittens and blame your lack of prosperity on cheap customers or your inability to provide good service. I would rather pay a bit more for the food then have to deal with tipping…
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The job you're describing is more commonly known as bussing. And I don't know a single busser, no matter how hard they work, who expects 15%, let alone 20% in return for table clearing and drink service.
The fact is, more often than not people who eat at discount buffets do so because they haven't got money. You can't squeeze blood from a stone.
Sorry!
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I am a server, I don't know what a server at a buffet makes an hour, but I make $2.13 an hour. I work hard taking orders, bringout out the food, and making sure that everthing is right. A buffet server refills your glass, brings you your check, and busses your table. I tip %10
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I am the source, I smelled like the food and put on a smile on my bad days.
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