FairTip.info
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FairTip Service Fees &
Tipping Etiquette

FairTip.info explains how FairTip handles pre-tax tips, service fees, split bills, everyday receipt storage, and receipt-verified feedback — without pressuring the customer.

Tips are voluntary Tip default is pre-tax Service fees shown separately Receipt-backed feedback

Open FairTip.mobi See message examples

FairTip9:41

Clear choices.
Fair records.
No pressure.

Pre-tax subtotal$78.26
Tax$6.46
Service fee$3.91
Voluntary tip$14.09
Total$102.72
Tips are calculated on the pre-tax subtotal by default.
Service fees are mandatory charges. They may or may not replace a tip. FairTip lets the customer decide.
FairTip position

Tipping fatigue is real.

Many customers are tired of being asked to tip everywhere — especially when the request feels automatic, awkward, mandatory, or manipulative. FairTip was built for a different approach.

We believe

  • Tipping should be voluntary.
  • Prices should be clear.
  • Service fees should be easy to understand.
  • Customers should not feel pressured by a screen.
  • Workers should be paid fairly.
  • Customers should be able to tip well when they want to.
  • Customers should have a respectful way to share who they hope their voluntary tip reaches.
  • No-tip receipts should still be easy to save and track.

What FairTip does

FairTip does not tell you what you must tip. It helps you make your own choice, understand the math, save the receipt, and keep a clear record.

FairTip does not control how a business distributes tips. It gives customers a clear way to express their preference, when business policy and law allow.

Tip by choice, not by pressure.

A different way is possible

I once worked as a waitress and cocktail waitress at a country club where staff were paid a fair wage and members were encouraged not to tip because service was already included.

I did not feel shorted. It was clear, honest, and respectful to both staff and customers.

That experience helped shape the idea behind FairTip: reward real service, keep prices and fees clear, and respect both workers and customers.

How FairTip handles service fees

A service fee is different from a voluntary tip. FairTip keeps the fee visible, separate, and adjustable in the customer’s calculation.

Default service-fee split

FairTip’s default is to split a service fee proportionally based on each guest’s purchase amount. Customers can change it to an equal split.

Default tip basis

Percentage tips are calculated on the pre-tax subtotal by default. The customer can use a flat tip, custom tip, or no tip when appropriate.

Tip can always be changed

Because a tip is voluntary, FairTip lets the customer keep the tip separate, reduce it because of a service fee, replace it, or manually override it.

Customer service-fee choices

1
Keep tip separate
The service fee does not change the voluntary tip.
2
Reduce tip by service-fee amount
Example: $18.00 calculated tip minus $5.00 service fee = $13.00 voluntary tip.
3
Choose my own reduced tip
The customer sets a different reduced amount because every situation is different.
4
Replace tip with service fee
The customer chooses not to add a separate tip because a mandatory service fee was already charged.
5
Manual override
The customer enters any voluntary tip amount they choose.

Example messages customers can leave for a business

These examples keep feedback useful, respectful, and tied to an actual visit. Customers can post anonymously, use a nickname, or use their real name.

1. Positive service message

Thank you for the great service today. My order was handled quickly and the staff member who helped me was friendly and professional. I would be happy to return.

2. Staff recognition message

I wanted to recognize Amanda for helping me today. She was patient, attentive, and made the visit better. Please let her know her effort was appreciated.

3. Service-fee question

I noticed a service fee on my receipt and was not sure whether it goes to the service staff, kitchen staff, or the business. It would be helpful if your tipping and service-fee policy were explained more clearly.

4. Tip preference message

I left a voluntary tip today. My preference is that it be shared with the people who helped make the visit successful, including the primary service provider and support staff, if your business policy allows.

5. Reduced tip because of service fee

Because a mandatory service fee was already added to my receipt, I adjusted my voluntary tip amount today. I would appreciate clearer information about whether that service fee supports the staff.

6. Problem report without public attack

My visit today did not go as well as expected. The wait was long and the order was not correct. I am leaving this as private feedback so the business has a chance to review what happened.

7. Fast food / receipt-only message

Receipt saved for my records. No tip was expected for this visit. I am using FairTip to track the receipt and rate the visit experience.

8. Dog grooming message

Thank you for taking good care of my pet today. I especially appreciated the gentle handling and the update at pickup. I would like my tip to go to the groomer and support staff if your policy allows.

9. Delivery message

The delivery arrived on time and the driver was careful with the order. I left a tip based on the delivery effort, not just the total price of the order.

10. Return visit note

I have visited before and today’s experience was better than my last visit. I appreciate the improvement and wanted to leave a verified note tied to this receipt.
FairTip feedback should be useful, specific, and fair. The goal is better information, not public pile-ons.

Not just for tipped receipts

FairTip can be used every day as a simple receipt vault, even when no tip is expected.

Fast food and coffee

Save receipts from places where tipping may not apply. Use FairTip to track the visit, total, tax, and your private note.

Grocery, retail, and home improvement

Keep receipt records for returns, warranties, price checks, budgeting, reimbursements, and household records.

Service visits

Track groomers, salons, delivery, repairs, farm and ranch purchases, and other visits where details matter later.

FairTip is useful even when the tip is $0. The receipt still matters.

How to save or back up your receipt vault

The starter FairTip tool saves receipts on the phone/browser you are using. Until cloud backup is added, users should keep their own backup for important receipts.

Take screenshots

For important receipts, take a screenshot of the saved receipt summary and store it in a phone album named Receipts or FairTip.

Save the original photo

If you photographed a paper receipt, keep that photo in your phone gallery, Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive, or another backup location you already use.

Email or text yourself

For business, tax, reimbursement, warranty, or return records, send yourself the receipt photo or summary so you have a second copy.

Use a monthly folder

Create folders like Receipts 2026-08 and move receipt images there. This makes returns, tax records, and reimbursements easier to find.

Do not rely on one browser only

The no-login starter version stores receipt summaries locally. If browser data is cleared, those local records may be lost.

Cloud backup later

A future premium option can add cloud receipt backup, multi-device sync, exports, long-term archive, and tax/category reports.

Important receipt? Keep a second copy outside the browser.

For businesses

FairTip can help good businesses receive receipt-backed feedback instead of random reviews.

✓
Receipt-verified visit
The feedback is tied to a real receipt or visit record.
✓
Useful customer detail
Customers can mention service fees, staff members, tip preferences, and visit-specific concerns.
✓
LocalPro connection later
Customer comments may post to LocalPro after that integration is built.

Paid LocalPro listing tools

A free Basic Listing may show basic business information, but owner response and feedback tools should require a paid LocalPro listing.

Paid listing required for: responding to comments, obtaining detailed customer feedback, using a feedback dashboard, requesting follow-up, displaying a FairTip-friendly badge, and managing tipping/service-fee policy statements.

Use FairTip.mobi

Quick FAQ

Does FairTip tell customers what they must tip?

No. FairTip helps customers calculate and record a voluntary tip. The customer can override the amount anytime.

Why pre-tax?

Pre-tax tip calculation keeps the tip based on the service subtotal instead of the tax added by government.

Are service fees tips?

Not always. Service-fee policies vary by business. FairTip keeps service fees visible and lets customers decide whether to change the voluntary tip.

Can FairTip be used without tipping?

Yes. Customers can save receipt-only visits from fast food, retail, grocery, home improvement stores, and other businesses.

Can businesses respond?

When LocalPro feedback posting is connected, business owner responses and detailed feedback tools should require a paid LocalPro listing.

Does this page store receipts?

No. FairTip.info is the explanation page. Use FairTip.mobi for the live starter tool.