How many times have you internally cringed at the thought of paying a whopping service charge at a restaurant? You pick and choose the cheapest wine and skip the big meal, thinking you’d finally get a reasonable amount on the check this time, but hell no! The service charge is more than your day’s salary and the waiter was not even nice to you, what with your college boy drawl and chappals.

Fret not, the government has come to your rescue. The Ministry Of Consumer Affairs has decreed that a customer can refuse to pay the service tax if he/she is dissatisfied with the dining experience at the particular restaurant.

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In a press release, the government has asked the state governments to “sensitize the companies, hotels and restaurants in the states regarding aforementioned provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.” The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has also asked the respective state governments to “to advise the Hotels/Restaurants to disseminate information through display at the appropriate place in the hotels/restaurants that the ‘service charges” are discretionary/ voluntary and a consumer dissatisfied with the services can have it waived off.”

There have been a lot of complaints by consumers regarding service charges. The notification issued by the ministry reports, "A number of complaints from consumers have been received that hotels and restaurants are following the practice of charging 'service charge' in the range of 5-20%, in lieu of tips, which a consumer is forced to pay irrespective of the kind of service provided to him.”  

Well, if you are happy with the food, service and ambience, you still have to pay the tax; but it is still a relief to know you wouldn't have to shell out an exorbitant tip if your experience has been far from satisfying.    

(Images for representational purpose only)

H/t – The Economic Times