Service Charge ... or not? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Service Charge ... or not?

106
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 08:39

An article of interest :

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/138596-80-eateries-put-on-notice-...

I have heard about it before but was never sure whether it is a rumour or not. Would love to hear the comments of those who have ever objected to paying :)

22
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 21:46
Biscotti in Grand Hyatt, still has clearly printed on each page of the Menu that all the prices include service charge. When asked - the waiter, his supervisor, the supervisor of the supervisor about the legality of this in the menu and on the bill, they all thought I have a very bad day and went to there to make it miserable for them too. Obviously they did not know anything about this yesterday!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 11:49
Went to Ramada the other night and there was no service charge on the bill. Prices on the menu looked the same/ But we should watch for the hotels printing new menus!!!
106
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 January 2011 - 08:55
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=409604&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16 I read this as it applies to all eateries. Have not eaten out recently (having over-indulged for the festive season :() but would like to hear from anybody who has done so, since the news broke - does it make any difference or do menus appear to have changed overnight with price increases and the service charge disguised within them? Thanks.
331
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 17:12
The Gulf Times today says `all the hotels in Qatar have been asked by the Ministry of Business and Trade to stop levying service charges on their bills'. This includes bills from their restaurants. Time to wait and see....
106
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 15:38
Mariav, in reply to your query I believe it does as the one and only time I heard about it was somebody having refused to pay the service charge at the restaurant opposite Virgin Store in Villagio and they did amend the bill. As I said before, I was never sure whether it was a rumour or not. I am absolutely amazed that it applies to hotels too (although quite rightly) as most of their menus openly advertise the fact that there is a 17% (or is it 17.5) service charge. I certainly am going to contest it at the first opportunity.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 15:08
I am sure the hotels will just up their prices to include the 17% charge they are used to getting...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 15:00
This is interesting... We have been to the Movenpick Hotel a few times for brunch and have always been charged a service charge (17% I think). If I had realised it was illegal, I would have challenged it.
29
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 14:30
So would this apply to restaurants not in hotels?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 08:44
I'm happy about this, the hotels charge enough out here and I would rather give it straight to the underpaid staff!