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I didn't get any responses in the Shopping & Consumer Products forum, so I'm posting here since this is where I normally hang out.
It's sort of relationship related, since I'm in the process of forming a professional "relationship" with a caterer.
I am planning an event for our church and need to hire a caterer for a buffet dinner. They will prepare the food offsite at their kitchen and deliver it to the church address in disposable pans, but will not stay to serve the food--we have volunteers to do the serving and clean up. The food budget for this event is a firm $1750 (tax included). I very nicely explained to "ABC Catering" that we are open to all menu suggestions that would fit within those parameters, but there is no wiggle room on price. The proposal I received was exactly $1750, but with a note at the bottom that said, "...this proposal does not include gratuity." The budget for this event is very tight and the church doesn't have additional funds. I'm a bit put off by this as I stated very clearly what our bottom line figure was. Am I out of line for feeling annoyed? Is a gratuity appropriate in this case? If so, how much? Based on last year's consumption at the same event, I could subtract 23 people from the head count and still have enough food. That would bring the totals in line with where we need to be in order to include a gratuity. But it feels a tad like my phone conversation with "ABC Catering" and the proposal they submitted were a bit bait and switch.
If it's being delivered, I would expect to tip. Certainly not as much as if they were to stay and serve, but I do tip pizza delivery on Chinese delivery ... so I would tip catering delivery.
They stated it because the expectation is that the delivery person is tipped, but unlike some catering companies they are not including it in the price because it is voluntary. Some catering companies charge an automatic gratuity or delivery fee.
I certainly think a tip is appropriate. The amount will vary a bit by the driving distance and how much food is being delivered (how long will it take one person to bring it all inside?). If they don't charge for delivery, I would expect to tip a minimum of 10% of the total bill. If they do charge for delivery--5% or so.
10% or $175.00 is an outrageous expectation for a tip on the delivery. The delivery should be part of the charges from the caterer. Their business is made up of off-site events. Tip the likely young, part-time kid $40.
Would you be annoyed an unspecified service/delivery gratuity was expected but not included in the quote?
Not at all. Gratuity is only sometimes automatic (like in the case of large parties in a restaurant), but for the most part it's voluntary and left to your discretion.
Would you be annoyed an unspecified service/delivery gratuity was expected but not included in the quote?
No, that's fairly common when getting quotes for anything. It's up to the customer as to whether or not they're going to tip and/or how much. Unless, as other said above, a delivery fee or similar is included in the quote. Even then, customers can give tips over and above that amount if they choose to.
First, definitely subtract 23, even 35 people from the head count. There will be more than enough food made by the caterer.
Secondly, on the delivery tip. Don't base it on the total bill. Just judge by how many pans of food delivered by the driver. I'm thinking $50 should cover his troubles.
Or... what about someone from your group just pick up the food from the caterer in their minivan?? And your group getting a discount for picking up the food from their kitchen.
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