A surcharge tacked on is a really underhand, sneaky way to charge a customer. Am already mad at airlines who do it.
I’m very cost adverse when it comes to luxuries like eating out.So the more expensive it is the less I’ll do it.Regardless of *why* it’s more expensive.
Actually, I think that owners of bars and restaurants should include a list of all increased costs because of government regulations and various taxes. Imagine how apoplectic a lot of people would be to find out that 2/3rds to 3/4ths or more of their bill is because of government.
City taxes.
County taxes.
State taxes to include license taxes, especially liquor license taxes.
Federal taxes, especially liquor taxes.
Cost of city, county, state and federal regulations.
FICA and unemployment insurance.
Obamacare costs.
It would make most sense if they broke it down:
“For every $10 on your bill, between $6.65 and $7.50 goes to pay for the cost of government.”
I would like to know about the 3% as well.
Since the 3% is going to the wait staff, I would thus reduce my standard tip from 15% to 12%. The employee still gets the 15% and I don’t pay any more than I have to.
Perhaps surcharge is a misnomer for what is in reality a pass through tax
Who's stiffing who?
Seems to me that just the opposite is true. Can't get much more transparent than an overt surcharge.
A surcharge is more honest and up front way to charge a customer. Customers expect the sales tax to be itemized on their bill, why not specific taxes caused by Obamacare?
Dunno.
I’ve notice this at a few restaurants.
What are yuh gonna do?
Fact, as I told one establishment
“That you aren’t professing a position on something that you are charging is complete bull shit.
You charge 3% knowing full well 70% of your employees aren’t going to pay for a bozo program they can’t afford and 3% doesn’t go directly to them to pay for the minimum type of insurance they might get”.
Loved the food and service though..
I do eat at the establishments and have ceased doing so as a result.
Many restaurants in LA say they will not follow this custom.
There is a huge thread on it on Chowhound LA. Until I can find it, here is the LA board.
http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/2
The solution to this is pretty straightforward. Many restaurants put a line item ok their menus saying that they tack on a surcharge (18% usually) for larger parties (6 or more).
Restaurants should do this for their healthcare costs. State it on the menu, have it appear as a line item on the bill. Upfront and transparent.
I would like to see businesses have it posted on the door or menu that there is % surcharge to pay for health care.
Then before utilizing services one could decide if paying the extra % was worth the service being provided.