What a big .

kingconsulting · Posted: Sep 12 2008 Post subject:

I usually try to stay out of stuff like this butt.... Very Happy

YOU called him a shiester? How is that not trying to start a fight?

350 people and $5.50 pp? I bet your not a full time caterer. As other people said that may not work where YOU are located. I get the same price ($10pp) in the past and we are on the west coast also. We do not charge gratuity but that is his choice.

Nice to meet you also Rolling Eyes

Haaseman · Posted: Sep 12 2008 Post subject:

I am not sure why it has become the norm around here but there is a tip expected almost everywhere. I agree that a tip ( not gratuity) should be their choice in most cases but here every menu (from BBQ ) catering places that I have picked up mentions a standard gratuity. Some restaurants add it on top of the price of your meal (20%) if party is bigger then 7 -8 as a standard! Plus they want a tip! The prices of the meals are much higher here but if people will pay that then that is what the price should be.

OddThomas · Posted: Sep 12 2008 Post subject:

We've beaten �mandatory gratuity� up pretty good around here. Whether or not you charge it and whether you call it a �gratuity� or a �service fee� or just plain �extortion� ( Smile

), is completely irrelevant as long as your customers don't object to paying it.

In Marv's area, his prices are competitive and an imposed gratuity is commonplace; you can see here for an example from a competitor's site Marv posted just today. You an also see in that example, the prices �do not include sales tax or gratuity�, which is a nice way of saying, both will be added to the final bill.

You may not think it's �right�, but that's probably because in your area things are obviously less expensive and gratuity is considered optional at the discretion of the customer.

I've always been on the fence about charging it myself and I think if it were more commonplace here, I would charge a service fee without any ethical dilemma, but because it's still about 50/50 here I still struggle with it.

BBQMAN · Posted: Sep 12 2008 Post subject:

I love tips myself, and try not to turn into an A-Hole when it's offered and then not delivered on. Razz

Back on topic, hope it all works out for you Marv. Very Happy

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Haaseman · Posted: Sep 12 2008 Post subject:

Marv just curious, If I make a date for my daughters wedding. Then move the date 3 days before. Would you give me rubmyribs prices?
Laughing

If so lets talk!

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

I am still going to make some cash
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Kteedid63 · Posted: Sep 13 2008 Post subject:

yukoff · Posted: Sep 13 2008 Post subject:

Louie3 · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 1407

marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

Louie3 · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 1407

JimmieOhio · Posted: Sep 13 2008 Post subject:

First of all, its not "shiester"...

From Wikipedia:

A shyster (pronounced \ˈshīs-tər\) is someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law and politics, or a con artist. Shyster is a slang word and calling someone a shyster could be considered libelous.

Now, my observations of what went wrong here and how to prevent them in the future:

1) Customer contacts changed - Should have had a meeting with all involved, old and new contacts, to keep on the same page.

2) Date changed - Should have had a contract to document the original date and details. (Kudos to the earlier poster on this.)
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marvsbbq · BBQ All Star Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 6186

Contract was in place
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mutha chicken bbq · Posted: Sep 14 2008 Post subject:

Marv for what it's worth I think you did a great thing. It may be tough to swallow, But in the end it is helping special olympics. And you should be commened. Hopefully there will be more comunication in the future. Good Luck.
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Sep 14 2008 Post subject:

Special Olympics is always a good fundraiser opportunity

Their normal fundraisers that are done at the national level are a 50/50 split. (the very reason I do not donate at the national level, I donate heavily to our local group though)

So basically theS-O org hires a certain telemarketer someplace out of GA, then the telemarketing company makes phone calls to raise money, then they give 50% of the total take to the Special olympics org.

So doing a food based fundraiser for your local org, they would most likey expect the same 50/50 split. And at state of Washington prices (from the comparison posted) that could still be a high-profit event for the provider.

Now back on topic, Contracts are contracts and should be adhered to by both parties. If the client changes the date you are no longer obligated to change that date. But doing whatever you can do to help is always good.

Usually stuff like that gets thrown in the lap of the least qualified person in the office, so it is almost expected to have poor communications and goofy request's happening.
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