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If service charge is not compulsory at restaurants, will you still pay?

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DailyBite
DailyBiteJan 02, 2017 | 19:58

If service charge is not compulsory at restaurants, will you still pay?

Good ambience, good music, clean cutlery, and finger-licking food with the perfect companion make for an ideal setting for a memorable meal.

But imagine having to wait until eternity for your order to be served, with only condiments, pyaaz-chutney and pickles on your table in the name of food, all because the waiter forgot to serve your order? Nothing worse to turn the evening into an unpleasant one.

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The food finally comes, and is to your liking. Thank god!

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The department of consumer affairs has said that restaurants billing service charges in addition to taxes is optional. [Photo: PTI]

However, you need to remind your server for a glass of water nearly four times before he finally goes running to a well to fetch a pail of water. You decide to igore everything and enjoy the meal because, well, you are hungry and, of course, the ideal setting.

And now its time for the cheque, and it comes in less than 10 seconds, along with which comes "service charge" in the range of 5 per cent to 20 per cent, which the restaurant adds to your billing amount, irrespective of the kind of service provided. 

Was it entirely fair? 

Thanks to a new announcement by the government, the department of consumer affairs now maintains "restaurants billing service charges in addition to taxes is optional". This means, it is your wish to pay extra for service.

It also says that "the department of consumer affairs has asked the state governments to sensitise companies, hotels and restaurants in the states regarding the aforementioned provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and also to advise hotels/restaurants to disseminate information through display at the appropriate place in the hotels/restaurants that service charges are discretionary/voluntary and a consumer dissatisfied with the services can get it waived".

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The Hotel Association of India has issued a clarification that the service charge, which is added to the bills by many restaurants, in lieu of tips, "is completely discretionary and should a customer be dissatisfied with the dining experience he/she can have it waived".

The clarification comes in the wake of the government receiving complaints from consumers that hotels and restaurants are following the practice of charging "service charge".

The service tax and VAT, also components of restaurant bills, however refer to tax collected by the government.

Such great news, especially when the demonetisation drive has made cash a prized commodity! We can now officially walk around with this official statement and flash it at the restaurant when the service charge is being "thrust upon".

If service charge is not compulsory at restaurants, will you still pay? 

Last updated: January 02, 2017 | 19:58
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