Q & A – Service Charge vs. Gratuity?

QUESTION:

Our caterer has added a 20 % service charge, and 7% tax has been added to that. The waiters are being provided by the venue, and are being paid in a separate fee. The caterer says this is not their tip…that he has his own personnel that is paid by the service charge. He had a suggested tip of $1500.00 on the contract. The wedding is this Sunday. He would like the 1500 tip in advance, as a separate check. I said we would tip afterwards, and he said he gets the tip and distributes it before the event. This seems like blackmail to me, and my husband is adamantly saying he will not do it. I don’t want the day ruined. Advice, please?

-Linda Read the rest of this entry »