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jean
New member
Username: jean
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 23, 2004 - 05:45 pm: | 
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I asked this question once before but then had computer troubles and never did find out the answer. Let's try again!! What is the recommended tip for someone who clears the tables for my bus groups. We go in with up to 58 people and I want to make sure that those clearing the tables are properly cared for. Also, what is the tip at one restaurant where they clear the tables for the group but also take care of their drinks?
Look forward to a reply. |
lostlittlefairy
New member
Username: lostlittlefairy
Post Number: 11
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:33 pm: |
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I'm currently working two restaurants (Ryan's--buffet........and Cracker Barrel--full service) and after a while I noted the difference between the two stores work load wise. The buffet place actually requires a little more work to it and is a little more disgusting. Cracker Barrel is less work but yet I make the same amount of money from the two if not more from Cracker Barrel. I personally believe that the buffet place should be at least more than a full service restaurants mainly for the fact that although the food isn't place right before you the servers there deal with more crap (you leftovers that don't always hit the trash can), has a tendency to run more drinks, and stops at the table more often. I'd say with 58 people the tip should be about $80 which is hardly two bucks a person. Keep in mind that people use more plates in a buffet and have countless and endless amounts of plates in a store that tends to be larger to accomadate large groups of people. Yeah, working in a buffet can get REAL messy. |
juliesmom
New member
Username: juliesmom
Post Number: 4
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 04:37 pm: |
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I was always told that at buffets you should leave a tip of a dollar a person. If I get good service, I will leave two to three dollars a person. |
drzebra
New member
Username: drzebra
Post Number: 6
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 01:27 pm: |
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I work at a Golden Corral (buffet), and I can tell you that it's a LOT of work!
First off, we don't have bussers or any other support staff. The serving staff has to bus their own tables.
Second, we're given HUGE sections. A typical day shift for me is being in charge of 22 or more tables. Luckily, they're USUALLY not all being used at once.  On a night shift, we might have 8-12 tables, depending on the staffing situation.
Third, a buffet is a pre-bussing NIGHTMARE. People go through plates like you wouldn't believe, and many of them are still full of food when they want you to pick them up. Never mind the fact that some of our less classy customers become enraged when the used plates aren't removed the very second that they are done with them.
Fourth, the serving staff has to constantly refill drinks. Some people don't bother taking the time to taste their drinks - they just gulp them in one swallow. Even coffee. There's nothing like a group of customers who alternate empty glasses and force the server to keep coming back to fill each glass in turn while the plates are piling up elsewhere. (Yes, there are ways around this, but it's still a pain in the ass)
Anyway, we generally consider $1 per person an "acceptable" tip. Considering the massive turnover that we normally get, we generally do at least as well as servers at other restaurants despite the hordes of ignorant non-tipping white trash that come through the doors. |
jammie
New member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 119
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 03:21 pm: |
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I go once in a while to the Chinese buffett, mostly because of the crab legs. All you can eat for 11 bucks per speson. What a deal!!!! I am amazed at the disgusting behavior of alot of people.Its like a hog fest.Some have obviously left their manners with their slim fast in an unknown location.
We have about a $25.00 tab after taxes and usually leave 5-6 bucks.Let me also add for those gluttons who are too ignorant to realize the more food that is thrown away, or wasted. The higher the overhead is, therfore it is passed along to the consumer you and I. |
redbeard
New member
Username: redbeard
Post Number: 75
Registered: 09-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 01:00 pm: |
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For those that work at buffets, what is your pay rate as compared to a full service restaurant?
RedBeard
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scarlett
New member
Username: scarlett
Post Number: 298
Registered: 01-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 01:41 pm: |
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Hi RedBeard!:-) How have you been? How's your daughter doing at her job?
I think one of the buffet waiters said they get the same $2.15 an hr. that full service waiters get, but again, it depends on the restaurant they work for and the state they live in. I also noticed from Dr.Zebra's post that they have more tables than full service wait people do, probably because their average tip per table ratio is lower.
~Imagine if they gave a war and nobody came!~
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redbeard
New member
Username: redbeard
Post Number: 78
Registered: 09-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 05:53 pm: |
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scarlett wrote regarding buffet waiters: "... they have more tables than full service wait people do, probably because their average tip per table ratio is lower."
I would turn that around and say, "their average tip per table ratio is lower because they have more tables than full service wait people do." And they have more tables because they do not provide the same level of service per table. And the lower tip is based on the lower level of service provided to the customer.
If all they do is clear dishes, they are bussers -and bussers usually aren't tipped directly by the customer; i.e. the restaurant should be paying them an adquate wage, since there is no wait staff. If they serve beverages, then it seems that their tip should be based on the value of the beverages. And if they only serve water, a small tip may be "appropriate".
Regarding my daugher, she is still waitressing in a resort restaurant and is doing well with it. However, business at the resort area is getting a little slower, so her hours are being but back a little. (Thanks for asking about her.)
RedBeard
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jammie
New member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 123
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 07:40 pm: |
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Redbeard, in regards to your daughter.That happens at my job too, the seasonal thing.Cut hours as well as less of a haul at the end of the day.Although I will say at this job a bad day is the same amount as a good day at my last job.
It didnt take me long at all to get used to making good money. However I did learn a valuable lesson. I started in January the middle of"season". I will without a doubt be more aware of the amount I am sticking away for that rainy day.Because I know that they will be there, and now I wish I had done just that.
Just a little peril of wisdom, you may wish to pass on. |
drzebra
New member
Username: drzebra
Post Number: 8
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 01:28 pm: |
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RedBeard,
I make $2.13/hr (not including tips) at the buffet restaurant where I work.
As far as calling us bussers, I beg to differ. Clearing dishes is not all that we do, though it is a LOT of what we do. We also refill drinks, serve rolls, and run almost any sort of errand that our customers can think of. As mentioned before, we maintain MUCH larger sections that other restaurants and have MUCH larger messes to clean up. In addition to all this, we visit our tables FAR more often than servers at "full service" restaurants do.
We won't even get into the side work, daily cleaning, rolling of silverware, etc.
My contention is that the tip shouldn't be based upon the value of the beverage, but upon the amount of work that a table imposes on the server. A glass of water may not cost anything, but it can sure tie things up when someone refuses to let it last for more than thirty seconds. Fifteen glasses of water for one person is a much larger pain in the ass than one glass of Coke for someone else. |
jammie
New member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 126
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2004 - 09:21 pm: |
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drzebra, I often wonder where do these bevrage hogs put it? When you are refilling a soda or tea 4 and 5 times that is plain ridiculous!!!! Im not even talking about the tip factor.We have 20 oz glasses, and do offer free refills.How much can a person drink with a meal? Maybe they have 2 bladders, and where do you put the food when you have drank that much? |
jean
New member
Username: jean
Post Number: 4
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 06:25 am: |
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This is some really good input and I cannot thank you all enough. Let me clarify things, though. What to tip at a buffet where they deliver soda, isn't even an issue. Fair is fair and I do know that. Those on my bus trips need to be taken care of. And that means our server does as well. Without getting anyone mad at me, please just listen and give some input. I tip 20% minimum at a full service restaurant, 15% at a buffet where they serve the drinks and things like that. But then I've been doing about $1.00 PP, maybe a little less at times, where they only remove the plates. Now, let me know, I'm I unreasonable. Don't be mad, please. I want to be fair and I want to treat the servers as they should be treated.
What started this question for me was a buffet where all the girl had to do was remove the dishes. It was not done! She sat in a chair and just watched until we were done. I only gave her $10.00 for the entire bus group, but remember, she did nothing. Well, the next day upon our return, she took care of everyone! She introduced herself and all in my group was properly cared for. That's when I realized how poorly treated some of them are! She was thrilled at $10.00! It made all the difference in the world!! Keep up the input as I'm listening and thinking hard. |
jammie
New member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 128
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 06, 2004 - 09:28 pm: |
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I think 58 people swarming in a restarunt tired hungry and have to go potty, is about the worst nightmare I could be as a server faced with.
But we dont always get to choose now do we?
At a buck a person thats 58 bucks for about an hours worth of work.Not bad.
With a party of such volume the entire staff is slammed, usually.
Im sure your bus riders dont expect to be pampered either.It would be very difficult with a huge party.
The main factor for tipping usually is for service.If your not getting any then I dont really blame you for giving the server ten bucks.Even thought she thought it was great. I guess you would consider the check total, the quality of service. Then deceide what to tip, taking into account that a large party all at the same time is a diffucult one to handle for even the most seasoned server. |
jean
New member
Username: jean
Post Number: 5
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 - 08:43 am: |
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It most definitely is! And that was the first time I ever had no service whatsoever! Then it hit me how rude bus groups can be. I handle the tips so that I know the person clearing the table gets something. For instance, at a buffet where they just clear the tables, the check usually runs about $350.00. I leave the girl $40.00. Does that sound unreasonable? |
jammie
New member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 137
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2004 - 07:22 am: |
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We gauge tips on differnt factors. $40.00 doesnt sound unreasonable, but I think a buck a person is a little more reasonalbe. That would make $58.00 for the server and a few more cents from each bus rider.
I bet the server would receive the bus group with open arms knowing there was a nice gratuity involved.
But again if you get crappy service or none at all. The gratuity should reflect that. |
jean
New member
Username: jean
Post Number: 6
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 - 01:54 pm: |
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Thank you! That is exactly what I was looking for as input. It is important that the staff taking care of all in my group are properly cared for!
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jean
New member
Username: jean
Post Number: 7
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 - 10:48 am: |
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Further question. Without anger, I needed to think about what Jammie was saying. What you suggest is just over 16%. Now this is my dilemma. When a group goes into a restaurant where they serve you drinks (and keep them filled), bread (and make sure you don't need more), appetizers, main meal, dessert, clear table, etc. an automatic 18% is usually added to the check. You're asking almost as much to just clear the table? As for the group going potty, that doesn't affect the person clearing the table. And does the kitchen help get some of the tip to keep the buffet stocked? I've really thought about this. I'm not being difficult. Just trying to get a clear picture. Fairness is still, and always will be an issue. |
redbeard
New member
Username: redbeard
Post Number: 80
Registered: 09-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 01:14 pm: |
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Jean raises good questions as to why the person in a buffet restaurant should get nearly the same percentage tip as a server in a full service restaurant. A high tip for buffet servers seems to imply that there is little value in good service in a full service restaurant.
A few days ago I ate breakfast in a small restaurant where I ordered the food at a counter and was handed my coffee at the counter. I was given a numbered card to display at my table. The "server" brought my meal and then walked away. The next time I saw the "server" was when they took my dirty dishes away. I sat there wondering what type of tip such meager service deserved, if any. What service do I base my tip on, since only the minimum level of effort required was provided?
RedBeard
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jammie
New member
Username: jammie
Post Number: 147
Registered: 06-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 03, 2004 - 09:26 am: |
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Jean, what I meant by the bus riders going potty was simply that we have 58 people that are hungry and have to go to the bathroom.More than likely not in the best of moods.
To me 16% is not an over the edge tip. My thought is that a server can make your stop a pleasent or not so pleasent experiance. Depending on the level of service. |