"Christmas staff fund charge" on my marina bill?

[HRG]

Just saw a story about tactics like this at Niagra Falls where a "fee" was automatically tacked onto some hotel, restaurant and sight seeing venues. Turns out you don't have to pay these but unless you ask and they can show you where it is mandatory, don't pay it and ask that it be removed.

We've been to two different restaurants recently that added a 15% tip to the bill automatically. One has to be careful to notice that because without knowing, I could have written a 15% tip on the tip line of the credit card bill and ended up giving them a 30% tip. In fact I wonder if that's already happened to us without us knowing.

Examine your restaurant bills carefully.

 

[flashback]

Well like I said before, I've never heard of it, but you sure tell a good story!

 

[Renken2000Classic]

Reminds me of the "shop supplies" thing that I've seen tacked onto auto maintenance bills. Like paper towels, fingernail brushes and stuff? Lol. And yes, the fuel surcharge that came up those years ago.

 

[dingbat]

Reminds me of the "shop supplies" thing that I've seen tacked onto auto maintenance bills. Like paper towels, fingernail brushes and stuff? And yes, the fuel surcharge that came up those years ago.

You can thank the IRS both issues.

Supplies is a COGS issue.

The fuel charge is to make up for the short comings of the mileage allowance

 

[garbageguy]

...as long as it doesn't affect how they treat me and my boat there.

I've not seen such a charge "called-out" on the many marina invoices that have come our way.

But, for $20, I wouldn't have said anything - you nailed the reason

 

[dingbat]

Now that I've told them to pound water, it's a nothingburger, as long as it doesn't affect how they treat me and my boat there.

As a Sales Manager I learned long ago the power of tipping. To this day I still tip my bartender $5 on the first drink.

Have a bartender, waitress and a Restaurateur in the immediate family. Believe me, they and others in the industry notice and can pick the “slackers” off a crowded street.

$20 isn’t work having your name put on the list

 

[fatlenny]

$20 is minuscule, a drop in a big barrel, chump change, practically nothing.

So if a guy working at a huge bank took "chump change, practically nothing" lets just say $0.02 out of every account and made off with the money, that would be ok with you? its just 2 cents right?

 

[WIMUSKY]

Too many in the service industry have tip expectations and it isnt just restaurants. I agree that it's chump change, but I also agree it's the principle of grabbing their tip. Sad thing is, if you don't pay it your future service probably will suffer. Tough call. No reason to fund their christmas party or bonuses. I wouldn't be happy....

 

[Nheels]

Honestly, pay the 20 bucks. They will talk about you not paying and I wouldn't give them any reason not to secure a loose line or throw in an extra fender during a storm for being "that guy".

 

[flashback]

Honestly, pay the 20 bucks. They will talk about you not paying and I wouldn't give them any reason not to secure a loose line or throw in an extra fender during a storm for being "that guy".

Good point!

 

[docmirror]

As a Sales Manager I learned long ago the power of tipping. To this day I still tip my bartender $5 on the first drink.

Have a bartender, waitress and a Restaurateur in the immediate family. Believe me, they and others in the industry notice and can pick the “slackers” off a crowded street.

$20 isn’t work having your name put on the list

Well, dingbat - as noted a few posts previous, I once got to mingling with the sales side of the biz, and almost got stiffed for a nice penny. Are tips for common retail services, nothing out of the ordinary now the rule? Do I tip my local Piggly Wiggly for selling me milk, eggs, butter and ham? Do I tip the fat smelly guy at Home Depot for pointing out where the toilet wax ring is? Tip the bank teller for taking my checks?

Or, as you referred to me, now I'm the 'slacker' who is going to be ignored, more than I'm already ignored? Will they not sell me gas? Not take my dump tank waste? Move the pier trolley cart away from my pier? Close the bathroom when I want to take a ****? I mean, how bad can it get here, I'd like to know because I'm new to the marina biz. So far, most others have chimed in as it's a BS charge. And, why isn't it in the Terms of Service: "Each year we will post a small charge in Dec for our great staff. Please continue to support the good people working at xxx marina and happy holidays". None-ya, doesn't exist.

Edit: In retrospect, after consideration, I think I want to be 'that guy'. I want to be known as the marina a$$hole. They guy who should be ostracized, and left to his own devices. The guy who scoffs at being an easy $20 mark. I have a great mechanic, and I pay him well. If I need something he's 6 minutes from my boat, and I installed some private cameras on the bridge, so I will know if the staff is out there being feminine hygiene products around my boat. If the alternative is being a patsy like the rest of the ball-less crowd, count me out. I'm on my own since 14, why change now?

 

[docmirror]

Honestly, pay the 20 bucks. They will talk about you not paying and I wouldn't give them any reason not to secure a loose line or throw in an extra fender during a storm for being "that guy".

You think they do this now? You think they'll go down the list, and those with the yellow star of David get bupkis? And it's ok to just spring it on the tenants, with no advance notice?

 

[alldodge]

My marina hasn't started this kind of thing "yet", but they did start charging 5% if a credit card is used. Marina gets charged around 3% and they charge 5. The ruff point is if your paying cash/check you have to ask them to remove it

 

[WIMUSKY]

I was at a tire shop the other day. On the front door window was a sign stating, If you want us to check your tire pressure, please consider leaving a tip. Not exact wording...
Seriously? It's their job. Will nobody lift a finger anymore unless they receive a tip?

 

[alldodge]

Malinials

 

[airshot]

I was at a tire shop the other day. On the front door window was a sign stating, If you want us to check your tire pressure, please consider leaving a tip. Not exact wording...
Seriously? It's their job. Will nobody lift a finger anymore unless they receive a tip?

Many of those types of businesses pay the techs based on the job. When they are checking air pressures that is not a paying job and the techs probably complain as it cuts into there paychecks. However, are people being so lazy thay cant check their own tire pressures ??? It seems to many are expecting service above and beyond what is considered normal and dont want to pay for it. I will give a reasonable tip if service was good, but I dont give tips if service is poor, nor do I go overboard with 20% tips unless the service is way above and beyond !! It is there choice to work there and my choice as to how big a tip I leave.

 

[docmirror]

Every Lowes I've been to has a free tire filler and gauge at the Pro entrance. Usually it has a covered loading area, and the blue air filler and gauge is right near the building. I've filled a tire there at 2am when the store was closed. I think all Discount tire will check and fill for free, and don't expect a tip, but wouldn't be bad to give them if they have to fill all four tires.

 

[fatlenny]

The discount tire near me has an automated system. The guy hooks up 4 individual air hoses to each tire and presses a button and walks away or he might stand there and chat with you while it does it thing. The machine checks the pressure and fills accordingly until the pressure matches the preset numbers then stops. You can call me lazy for not checking my own tires but I'm not apologizing for not tipping for this no skill, no work service.
When I purchased my tires I get a free tire rotation, I guess I am expected to tip for that too, and I am the bad guy that don't, right? Where is my employee discount when I use the self checkout at Home Depot or any grocery store? where is my Christmas bonus from Walmart cause I check out my own product and never stand in line if its available. $20 bucks is his to pay or not no matter if he has billions to spend each day or not, It shouldn't be on a bill, If it was only added as a suggestion, maybe that would be ok with me.
It really bothers me when people make the comment that its only chump change or a drop in the bucket. Just because you have money to spent on a nice boat dont mean others deserve anything from you. He doesnt receive any special service, he doesnt feel treated well at this marina. In fact it sounds like he is treated as less than a customer. I wouldnt tip a waitress that never came back to my table to check on us. Its pretty simple here, everyone should be on his side.

 

[docmirror]

I have a crew of guys trimming and cutting trees in the yard right now. He said '$900', I said '800, and I will cut the bigger logs once the tree is down safe, and the branches are ground, and cleaned up.' He said ok. They are doing quick and good clean work. I'll tip them $100 for a 3 man crew, working hard. It's the season to be jolly.

 

[Beagleville]

I would consider it tacky on the part of the marina to add a charge for "Christmas staff fund" and than actually itemize it on your bill. --insert eye-rolling imoji here.--