Restaurant Fees Fees Fees--The real reason

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Cholo

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Who else is getting sick of fees? Fee this, fee that.

I just read this article and something Denise Mickelsen said made me "Say what?" out loud. So who is Mickelsen?

"Any non-discretionary charge added to a restaurant or bar customer's bill, regardless of what it's called, is a service charge," explained Denise Mickelsen, communication director with the Colorado Restaurant Association and Foundation."

The following statement defies all reason. I have to wonder if she (?) was roomies with Alissa Heinerscheid.

I'll bet you didn't know this little pearl of wisdom. And they think we're that stupid! SMDH

BREAKING NEWS OUT OF COLORADO

"Restaurants are not money-makers and the people who run them are doing so because they love to serve and care about hospitality," said Mickelsen. "When guests see a service charge on their bill, they should know that the cost of doing business right now is higher than ever before and those service charges are a means of staying in business."

Oh my aching head...

 
I can't remember the last time I ate in a restaurant, it has been years. When we vacation, we get a room or rented house with a kitchen and cook our own meals.
 
Of course they're in the business to make money, unless they're a non-profit (which they aren't). IMO it doesn't matter whether they add a "service charge", "living wage adjustment" or simply increase their price the bottom line for me as a potential customer is whether or not I find the total cost of my meal to be reasonable and within my budget. If it is I eat there and come back. If it isn't I leave and don't return, same as any other business/service.
 
Having worked in a restaurant for years, as well as friends working as well, restaurant owners are out to make the biggest buck they can. Cooks, like myself, were paid crap, and waitstaff and busboys were paid less. They at least got the tips.

Quality and quantity of food were monitored to bring in the most $. French fries replaced with potato sticks from a can. Shortcuts to the food were everyday. Managers were concerned about bringing in the most money. I had 2 friends, who neglected their health, and died from working there. Neither could afford to take time off to get better.
 
I don't eat out very often but sometimes I meet up with a young lady for lunch. Lunch at IHOP, a burger for her and chicken fried steak for me almost $40.00 and after the tip and fees, $52 and change. It wasn't all that long ago the price was half that. I would do it except I don't mind being seen in public out with a pretty girl. A good thing it's basically about a once a month deal.
Paul B.
 
So far here in Memphis, the only additional fee charged is a 3.5% fee to those who pay by credit card. Paying cash eliminates this fee. It is my understanding that this amount is what goes to the credit card company for their service. Eating out is sort of a luxury for me, and I do eat out on Sunday after church. Saves me having to come home and prepare my own dinner. So the money spent is for the convienience to me.

And my days of having lunch or dinner with a beautiful woman are past. But one day..................

Bob Wright
 
There a a lot of restaurants in this area that charge a service fee if you use a credit card but if you pay cash you get a 5% discount. More and more of them are starting to do that.
 
It used to be that you could not charge more for processing a credit/debit card or less for cash... it was part of your businesses contract with the processing center... I think they made a law that stopped this.

As for service charges and added on cost.... having run my own business for over 40 years I personally think it is just silly.

I charge a fee to show up at your house... then I charge more for any work I do. Now here is where I am different from other service businesses... if I sell you something I don't add sales tax to the cost of the product... what you say? The reason is I figure in the 6% for S.C. in with my original markup for the product..... so if I tell you that rain/animal guard is going to cost $500 installed... that is the price. Stores and places adding sales tax or what ever to the product or such on top of the advertised price is just a shame... they could figure this in and give you the total....
 
There a a lot of restaurants in this area that charge a service fee if you use a credit card but if you pay cash you get a 5% discount. More and more of them are starting to do that.
Are they really taking 5% off or are you just paying the menu price for paying cash? Card fee is 5%?

I charge a 3% card fee to cover what the card companies charge me. I've been told just to raise my prices by 3% and quit charging a specific fee but I am not going to do that. (fyi I am not a restaurant.) Also, 3% really doesn't cover all the card fees but it covers enough of it.

An arbitrary "service charge" is a bunch of crap. My electric company has a fee called "power charge adjustment." I really don't understand their explanation except for "when it's really hot or really cold we can say it cost us more for the power and charge you for it."
 
It used to be that you could not charge more for processing a credit/debit card or less for cash... it was part of your businesses contract with the processing center... I think they made a law that stopped this.

As for service charges and added on cost.... having run my own business for over 40 years I personally think it is just silly.

I charge a fee to show up at your house... then I charge more for any work I do. Now here is where I am different from other service businesses... if I sell you something I don't add sales tax to the cost of the product... what you say? The reason is I figure in the 6% for S.C. in with my original markup for the product..... so if I tell you that rain/animal guard is going to cost $500 installed... that is the price. Stores and places adding sales tax or what ever to the product or such on top of the advertised price is just a shame... they could figure this in and give you the total....
We are made to charge sales tax and I want people to know it. Tax is totally separate from my labor and/or parts and is listed as such on my receipts.
 
I went out for dinner a week ago. The waitress that was serving me told me that the other waitress was comping my meal. I guess now I will have the pleasure of asking her to dinner to even things out. Looking forward to it.
 
I too run a service business, similar to blume's. I quote a price to my customers,, and I pay the taxes on any materials I use. People like to keep it simple, and by explaining my fees up front helps a lot.
But I do have a separate fee I CAREFULLY explain, up front, about how my fees are performance based. if I set traps, and I catch an animal, my fees depend upon what species I've caught. Some species require more work on my part, and as such, I charge a per animal/cage fee.

But in the case of restaurants adding all kinds of fees just to cover their extra expenses,, all while trying to justify low wages, demands on the tip percentage, large party surcharges, etc. is just maddening.

I have stopped patronizing many restaurants that have done this. BUT,, to drive home my point,, I have also written a polite letter to them, explaining why I will no longer eat there,, AND tell others why we CHOOSE to not go there. No matter how good the food is.
 
Yes, of course, the price for everything is going up. People who don't realize and expect that are living with their heads buried in the sand.

But with that said, any place charging an additional "fee" should DISCLOSE that to prospective customers UP FRONT with a sign on the door - and another on the menu, right next to the price of each meal. Failure to do so is a sneaky, intentional, duplicitous rip-off.
 
I was tipping 20% for good service in a place to eat and have a couple of cold ones. Then I realized I was paying 20% tip on the total bill including the tax. Now I tip based on the price of the meal & drinks before tax is added.
 
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Restaurant owners are simply doing this because they love to serve.
Does this mean that any money I give them should be considered charity, and I should be allowed to decide how much charity I want to give?
well they are serving you for their own enjoyment. I think you should be able to charge them a fee for your showing up for their enjoyment.
 
Restaurant owners are simply doing this because they love to serve.
Does this mean that any money I give them should be considered charity, and I should be allowed to decide how much charity I want to give?
And thus it should be tax deductable for you.:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 

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