Overview
- Consumer advocates led by the Verbraucherzentrale publicly demanded an EU ban on preset tip prompts on card terminals on Monday, saying the displays hide the 'no tip' choice and nudge customers to give more.
- A Forsa poll commissioned by the Verbraucherzentrale found 76 percent want the 'no tip' option shown as clearly as preset amounts and a majority said prominent percent buttons make them feel pressured to tip.
- Industry representatives and the hospitality union NGG accept that tipping is moving digital but insist terminals must be transparent and that any electronic tips be fully traceable so payments reach staff.
- Reporting and experts document concrete examples of terminals offering high presets — sometimes up to 25 percent — and describe the effect as 'nudging' that can drive 'tipflation' by making certain amounts look normal.
- Practical guidance given to consumers includes deciding tip choices before paying, asking staff how digital tips are handled, using custom-entry or cash when available, and watching for possible EU rulemaking on dark-pattern interfaces.