Carryout fee?

[Wickedwrench]

Some coworkers of mine went to Flashback today for lunch. When they got back to work and unbagged their food, they noted that their receipts had a "carryout fee" attached to the bill. Is this a new thing or are they just desperate for a tip? Are there other restaurants locally that are charging this fee?

 

[Clem72]

That's annoying. How much was the fee?

I have had people tell me you are supposed to tip on take-out now, but I haven't seen a take-out fee before. I haven't been to Flashback since they opened so I won't have to remember to pull them out of the rotation. Nothing I hate more than places that try to trick money out of their customers. If you aren't making enough money then raise your menu prices, don't stick me with some BS fee.

 

[vraiblonde]

That would be the absolute last time I ever went to that restaurant.

 

[spr1975wshs]

Read the reviews an a couple of sites.
Seems like a place I would not even give a first try.

 

[my-thyme]

Never mind......

 

[Wickedwrench]

For those wondering it's a 1 dollar fee per meal ordered.

 

[DoWhat]

For those wondering it's a 1 dollar fee per meal ordered.

Helps to pay for the container and utensils?

 

[Wickedwrench]

I can see passing the costs on to the consumer for packaging and silverware but wasn't that always built in to the cost of the meal? What changed that establishments feel the need to tack on a fee now?

 

[OccamsRazor]

Read the reviews an a couple of sites.
Seems like a place I would not even give a first try.

Reading the reviews, it seems like they are not up to par for lunchtime service. Slow. Also noticed that responses to negative reviews from the business seem to have a common theme. "You should have talked to the manager!"
Not really... YOU should have your sh!t together so your service isn't slow and the food doesn't suck!

 

[HemiHauler]

I can see passing the costs on to the consumer for packaging and silverware but wasn't that always built in to the cost of the meal? What changed that establishments feel the need to tack on a fee now?

Increasing food costs squeezing already thin margins.

 

[Clem72]

Helps to pay for the container and utensils?

The only place around here I am aware of that charges for containers on takeout is Salsa's in Leonardtown. I think it's around $0.25 cents a container and even that bothers me a tiny bit as I am sure they save more than that not having to bus the table and clean the dishes.

 

[Grumpy]

Noticed alot of places going this route lately, whether is takeout fees or charging extra for using a credit/debit card.

 

[Sneakers]

charging extra for using a credit/debit card.

That used to be SOP at gas stations, might still be at some. Pretty infrequently at restaurants, don't even ever remember being charged more for a card.

Claims used to be it was to cover the couple of percent that the vendor had to cover thru the bank for using the card, but in today's economy it would appear to be cheaper in the long run. Everything is already in accounting software, no additional manpower to count, store and transfer hard cash to the bank, no mistakes counting out change...

What are they going to do when it becomes law to use only electronic currency? Find another excuse for additional charges?

 

[PrchJrkr]

Once upon a time, I used to sell on eBay and stated that CCs would be charged an additional fee to cover costs. They, eBay, shut me down and suggested I offer a discount for non-CC purchases. I quit selling.

 

[tipsymcgee]

Pretty sure it's illegal to require a minimum for credit card, but not sure on a fee just to use credit. I've seen places like antique stores and other online businesses charge more if using a card as opposed to ACH, etc.

On the carryouts, I'm not sure if it's tied to any new laws re: having to use recycled containers, etc, which was something I thought was put in place at one point, but those are much more expensive than regular styrofoam.

It's a weird spot. The price should include the takeout items, but there's a clear and growing difference in what it costs the restaurant. If you build the carryout price in, you certainly don't give a discount for dining in, although you can with specials and that's done (dine-in only). That's what the norm has been, one price regardless, but I definitely understand why it comes up and is attempted.

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

Noticed alot of places going this route lately, whether is takeout fees or charging extra for using a credit/debit card.

Additional charges for a credit card actually was in violation of agreements the vendor had with the credit card company. That changed in 2013 after a lawsuit about it.

For the takeout surcharge, I've had a couple people, both restaurant owners and waitresses, tell me that is done to even out the fact that, in many cases, a waitress prepares the order and with the tax laws the price is considered a tippable charge for her and has to be reported as taxable income whether she gets a tip or not.

 

[Kyle]

Additional charges for a credit card actually was in violation of agreements the vendor had with the credit card company. That changed in 2013 after a lawsuit about it.

For the takeout surcharge, I've had a couple people, both restaurant owners and waitresses, tell me that is done to even out the fact that, in many cases, a waitress prepares the order and with the tax laws the price is considered a tippable charge for her and has to be reported as taxable income whether she gets a tip or not.

Theres an easy solution that would not screw over the employee.

List that position as regular position, no gratuity.

 

[Merlin99]

Read the reviews an a couple of sites.
Seems like a place I would not even give a first try.

I've been there a couple of times, very good corned beef hash.

 

[Clem72]

Additional charges for a credit card actually was in violation of agreements the vendor had with the credit card company. That changed in 2013 after a lawsuit about it.

For the takeout surcharge, I've had a couple people, both restaurant owners and waitresses, tell me that is done to even out the fact that, in many cases, a waitress prepares the order and with the tax laws the price is considered a tippable charge for her and has to be reported as taxable income whether she gets a tip or not.

That not because of any tax laws, it would only be the case if they are using a crappy integrated POS that auto tabulates for their tax software and doesn't differentiate not tippable "work" like takeout orders.

The simple solution is to have a separate POS/Register login for them to ring up takeout, but this would make it harder for the bosses to micro manage the wait staff or track down theft.

 

[spr1975wshs]

I've been there a couple of times, very good corned beef hash.

I made that a few days ago for breakfast, from scratch.