How to ask for optional service charge 12.5% to be taken off?

A question about : How to ask for optional service charge 12.5% to be taken off?

What is the best thing to say when asking to take off the optional service charge from your bill when paying by card?

What gets it done with the least confrontation and awkwardness?

I find the whole process to be very awkward. Sometimes when I've asked to remove it, I am negatively confronted and questioned by staff. I want to avoid that. I hate to ruin a good meal, but I also hate to walk away feeling ripped off by a restaurant that didn't deserve it.

Best answers:

• Just say you are going to tip in cash.
• If you're not getting the service you expect, some restaurants may expect you to say so when it happens.
• If you are spending a lot, perhaps negotiate a flat fixed service charge with the Maitre'D before you sit down.
• Vote with your feet - and don't go there again. Find somewhere that doesn't make you feel awkward... after all, being made to feel awkward or not IS part of the customer experience and therefore the customer service.
• I say. "Sorry, I'm eating here on business expenses and my company does not allow tips on the bill to go through on expenses and I can't afford it".
  If they wanted to charge the correct rate for the food and service in the first place then they would get their money. I never tip and always take optional tips off the bill when they have been added.
• Thanks guys! Good tips!
  Quote:
• Firstly i dont like when the charge is put on for service charge and always ask it to be removed from the bill . If the service is good i normall round up to the Ј above 10% (so a Ј68.32 bill gets Ј7 tip)I pay this in cash seperate from the bill and there is a better chance of the service staff and cooks getting it. If the service is rubbish and/or food rubbish ask them to remove it and pay the flat amount but please tell them its not up to standard as they can improve this way. Often people never tip no matter how good the food and service was and i dont blame them either. You dont have to and how often do you tip the friendly helpful boy/girl who is serving you your monthly shop in asda or local newsagent etc. Staff get a wage if its low its upto the owners to increase the pay or price of the food to cover and risk custom.
• I don't really see the big issue. So you weren't happy with something and want the tip taking off. If they ask why you want the tip taking off, you tell them what you were unhappy about. Job done.
  I really don't think it's unreasonable for them to want to know what they've done wrong...and in my experience, it very rarely turns into any kind of scene...