YOBT - Big Boy review

[migrant]

Here in California there is a statement on the menu if the restaurant charges a service charge (usually on parties of 8 or more).

If stated, I accept it, or don't return.

I, too, am a big tipper, especially for good, friendly, service. Like you BB, my wife is an ex server and tends to be generous.

Like others mention, the service charge makes up for those who don't tip (or at least don't tip fairly).

I have left a note, if in a service charge restaurant and bad service, saying that the service was lacking, and I will not return. Probably ends up in the trash, but I felt better.

Also glad to hear Bill's charges go back to the employees

[richard]

BB

Know you do take aways but your phone is upstairs

Wanted a take away roast today because of the rains but no answer on either landline or mobile

[charlesh]

The whole concept of an owner not paying his staff a commensurate wage for his/her job is apalling and should not be a responsibility passed on to a "customer" for rectification - so says I, fortunately working in a country where I get paid a reasonable wage!
Charles H

[Wanderlust]

I think the whole tipping/service charge issue is often determined by where you are from; in Australia tipping is not expected or often done, if at all, although it seems as if service charges are now increasingly prevalent from what other posters have said; in the USA tipping is expected and is the norm, and staff (particularly in the restaurant trade) are paid with this in mind (i.e. low pay); in the UK there is a sort of halfway house between those two, with some uncertainty still about whether a tip should be given in some circumstances. My Dad always said 10% was the right amount if you got good service, more or less depending on that, and nothing if service charge was included on the menu. Here in Thailand it seems that amongst the locals 20 baht is the going rate regardless as someone said earlier. I don't know what the situation is in other European countries, or other Asian countries though, so it would be interesting to hear.
The advantage with a fixed percentage service charge that is clearly indicated is that it is easier for it to be shared amongst all staff and the customer can still add extra if they want; the disadvantage for the customer is that the more expensive an item they order the service charge goes up disproportionately (i.e. the cooking and the delivering of the food are essentially the same just the price of the ingredients is higher), and they have no way of showing dissatisfaction other than verbally complaining, which to me always spoils the occasion, and with a tip system one can show your feelings without making a scene. As someone else has already said though, the best solution is to scrap these concepts completely, pay the staff properly and price the menu accordingly, and this still leaves room for someone to give extra for excellent or out of the way service to the individual concerned.

[Randy Cornhole]

I refer you all to the opening conversation about tipping, in the cafe at the beginning of Reservoir dogs...

[Winkie]

Took the opportunity to eat in YOBT yesterday, for the first time. Had some friends from UK, and thought it'd be nice to have Sunday Roast.

Its good now and then, to have a Sunday Roast, but often dissapointing. I can say that YOBT was not different. Howver, knowing that is was going to be quite distant from the normal Sunday Roast that my Mum would make, the dissapointment was not outside of my expectations.

Not sure if that makes sense! I wasn't expecting a fantastic, home cooked Sunday lunch and ddin't get one!. So was quite acceptable.

Good points -
The staff were friendly, attentive and helpful.
Barman new what a Shandy was.
Roast Beef was Good, Roast Chicken was Good.
Yorkshire Puddings tasted good (but didn't look good).
Staff prepared a single Roast split onto 2 plates for the kids.

Indifferent points -
The windows were open, the place was a little warm, but was not a problem, the fans were running and good breeze was coming through the open window. For me, probably beeter than sitting in a chilly aircon room.

Bad points -
The Lamb was terrrible, looking at the cuts on 3 of our plates, we were served the last little bits they could cut from the leg. Very sinuy (is that a word?). Taste was quite strange. We did come late (2pm).

Price confusion - outside the white board advertised THB290 for complete Sunday Lunch including Brownie and custard (we actaully only ordered this becuase it was included). However, when the bill came, we were chargerd THb 395++. Quite different to the 'All In' THB 290 advertised outside.

Took one staff outside to read the sign, he confirmed the sign was wrong and explained that Paul had written this becuase Bill was not in Thailand, and if Bill was here it would say something different!!! Anyway, the explaination made me smile, and he did apologise. Paid the full price without complaint and left smiling.

Would we go there again? Yes, sure, it was OK, it aleast reached expectations (even at a price higher than advertised). Don't think I'd risk the Lamb again. If theat is really from NZ, then NZ has a major problem! Beef and Chicken on the other hand, were very good, veggies also very good.

Any suggestions? Advertise fairly! THe pirce isn't ever a problem when you know what it is, I'd still have gone if advertised at the correct price. That's all. Instruct staff to correct errors if they find them. The staff didn't bother to change the sign outside. Staff did offer us all an 'On the House' drink, which we turned down as we had other thingt od (It was a nice gesture though).

All in all, a reasonable experience, that could possibly be much better next time I try. Which I will do at some stage in the future.

[PAULIE]

To be fair to Bill, even though I, too, dislike the service charge concept, he does state on a previous thread that all the money goes to his staff. I think the general reasoning behind it is to ensure that all the staff get a fair share.

Today I have joined the forum just to comment on this.
My girlfriend and I have moved from Bkk where she has worked in the theme bar/resturant industry for 5 yrs.In most jobs the full 10% service charge was shared between all the staff.

Since coming to HH she has worked in 2 service charging places here.
1st in YOBT I would pick her up and have a drink while waiting I was charged a total of 17% for sitting at a bar for a drink.
I went abroad when her pay day arrived she got the basic agreed rate minus the cost of a few broken glasses.When she asked for her share of the service charge she was informed the she had received it in her basic salary - because people see a service charge they tend not to tip,but the tips that were taken in this place were kept by the manager and given to the staff every 10 minus more deductions?.
When she complained about this she was told in english to F.Off she asked for the 4 days of the new months salary & tips she was told to go.
Luckily for these people I was off shore at the time otherwise I would have got involved.
Her salary here was 4,500 a month.The cooks were also carpeted if the meals were too big as customers would not order desserts.

Next she got a job in another expensive resturant Hh rib co.,here it is a little bit better her salary is 8,000 per month all the tips are kept by the servers each night but the service charge,here they get 4% minus brakages out of 10%,she is still working here now while waiting for the season to pick up so she can get into a hotel where they do not cheat.

If you ask the staff in most charging resturants they will tell you the truth of what they really get,the owners of these places are not only ripping you off they are also ripping off their staff.

[sandman67]

anyone who charges for accidental breakages is taking the p**s - sorry but that is way out of order.

I used to help a mate out in Reading that ran an event theming and catering company.... if he'd charged for breakages the staff would have earned nowt.... accidental breakages were written off as wear and tear losses.

Sorry Bill, y just lost my custom mate.

[DawnHRD]

None of my business, sandman, but don't you think it would be fair to Bill to see what he has to say about this post before condemning him?

Someone joins just to give his girlfriend's experience of working in YOBT. It could be true, it could be a competitor trying to get one up on Bill or it could be someone holding a personal grudge. None of us know. How about judging when we've heard both sides of the story?

[PAULIE]

I have no business intrest in Thailand,I made a comment on 2 business here not one,all you have to do is go and ask the staff this and they will confirm this or you can speak to my girl in the rib co.I am there most nights at closing (10pm)waiting for her before we go luk nam ask for Ae or Paulie.She gets a 25% discount for family here which makes the drink affordable and no service but for family and 1 farang -me only.

[Super Joe]

Bill should clear this up.
Some people don't mind service charges if it goes unconditionally to low-paid Thais.

SJ

[richard]

Where is Bill??????????

AND does he give a Sh1t???????????

[DawnHRD]

I have no business intrest in Thailand,I made a comment on 2 business here not one,all you have to do is go and ask the staff this and they will confirm this or you can speak to my girl in the rib co.I am there most nights at closing (10pm)waiting for her before we go luk nam ask for Ae or Paulie.She gets a 25% discount for family here which makes the drink affordable and no service but for family and 1 farang -me only.

Not what you said in your earlier post:

Today I have joined the forum just to comment on this.

And the rib company (where your girlfriend now works) wouldn't be a competing business?

No disrespect, but I don't judge until I know both sides of the story. Thanks, anyway.