Upcharges come in a variety of shapes and sizes
I received a message the other day from a friend and reader of the blog who is not in the business. She recounted going out to eat and asking for a few extras. When the bill came it was filled with minor charges for each of the items she requested. Her concern was not that the charges were there, but that they weren’t mentioned in advance. She wondered what I thought the protocol was here.
The answer is not really a simple one. There are no hard and fast rules because there is a fundamental lack misunderstanding between restaurant owners and guests that servers are forced into the middle of. Restaurant owners feel that they have priced meals for value and if you ask for something extra, the costs should be passed along. Guests believe that they can make the same item for less at home so owner’s profit margins are sufficient enough to give away the extras. Servers are forced to defend both sides while staying loyal both to the owners that gave them a job and the guests who pay them.
Read the full post at The Manager’s Office
I always let customers know of any additional charges because they can decide if they want the item or not. Other servers do not let customers know before receiving the check and there are disagreements.
Pingback: Supply, Demand, and Chicken Wings « Tips on improving your Tips
Pingback: Cost vs Profit « Tips on improving your Tips
Pingback: The Index « Tips on improving your Tips