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Turns Out, Some Restaurants Are Charging COVID Taxes After Re-Opening And It Boggles People
It is safe to say by now that the coronavirus pandemic has affected much more than only people’s health; it has had a major effect on our day-to-day routines too. Many venues were forced to temporarily close their doors to customers due to lockdown and experienced great loss, restaurants included. In order to salvage their businesses, some restaurants have decided to implement a small extra fee, “COVID surcharge,” upon their customers. While some customers realize what’s behind this tax and accept it quietly, some are rather furious about being charged extra.
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A huge number of restaurants worldwide were forced to close their doors to customers due to the coronavirus lockdown
Image credits: Sarahmirk
While some restaurants kept working during the lockdown, offering pickup and delivery, some didn’t have such opportunities and had to temporarily close their doors to customers.
Turns out, some restaurants are implementing an extra COVID tax after reopening
Image credits: talialikeitis
However, some restaurant owners just couldn’t keep their business afloat without letting go of some or all of the staff.
Some customers are completely content about the situation
Image credits: mstinaswu
Turns out, some restaurants that were affected particularly badly by the lockdown are now turning to their customers for help after reopening.
And are pointing out to unhappy ones that restaurants are not living their best days
Image credits: Br212Br
They are implementing “COVID surcharges” upon their customers in order to cover the additional costs they’re experiencing after reopening.
After all, they have to take in fewer customers and ensure everything’s been sanitized
Image credits: jurekrl
A sushi restaurant recently added just over $2 to a customer’s bill labeled as “COVID-19 surcharge.” A similar charge has been implemented at Goog’s Pub and Grub in Holland, MI.
Some customers seem to be aware of the extra costs restaurants are facing
Image credits: abigail_adams76
Goog’s Pub and Grub told Fox 17 that “the ‘COVID charge’ is a way for them to be transparent about the rising costs in the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
And therefore don’t mind paying an extra $2 to “stay safe”
Image credits: Doveshaun
“You’re not just putting it on a plate or tray and washing that again. It’s the silverware, the boxes,” said Goog’s owner, Brad White.
However, some people think this is the worst time to implement extra taxes
Image credits: mr_mookie
Restaurant owners also report that food prices are increasing as well due to the supply chains being affected by lockdown rules.
And are saying they would refuse to pay extra if they saw that on their bill
Image credits: taffyallen9
Some customers seem to be aware of the hardships their favorite restaurants are currently facing and don’t show any discontentment about the charges.
Some are even convinced these new taxes will affect tipping
Image credits: slmaso
However, there are some that are infuriated by the “COVID” surcharges.
It is said by some people that extra money from the government should be enough to cover the extra costs restaurants are facing
Image credits: CraveKate
Some even say that they wouldn’t pay the bill if they ever saw such a charge being forced upon them.
However, some restaurant owners disagree
Image credits: McintireJordyn
They argue that it’s the worst time to be charging extra when so many people have lost their jobs or experienced salary cuts due to the pandemic.
Thus, some people are pointing out people just shouldn’t go if they’re not planning to be nice about having to pay a little extra
Image credits: malonespeaking
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What do you think ?
Just a Purpler 5 years ago
Oh my gosh the people complaining about it... IF YOU CANT AFFORD IT, DONT GO, IT'S A LUXURY NOT A RIGHT. Geez the entitlement
pusheen buttercup 5 years ago
Well, whether you're for it or against it, if you can't afford an extra two dollars you probably shouldn't be eating out a lot. However I certainly wouldn't want to be surprised by this. It's information I'd want to know before I dine there.
Ivo H 5 years ago
Exactly this. If it's stated before ordering the food, it's completely fine. If it's surprise when you get the bill, it's nasty and shouldn't be supported.
Load More Replies...
Andrea Jaje 5 years ago
Not all the restaurants got the SBA loans, either because of the nonsense we saw about who did get them or because they looked at the terms and realized it would bankrupt them faster than hanging in there. We've all seen it at our grocery stores, we all know that cleaning supplies and food costs have gone up. Had the restaurant just upped their prices, would we protest so much?
Erik Lawrence 5 years ago
Honestly I think increasing prices would be better than a surcharge. Then if people don't know about it since it's price increase instead of an added line item they have nothing to complain about... Win-win.
Load More Replies...
Id row 5 years ago
We already pay the salary of the wait staff, so this extra charge is not fine. What's next? Charging rent for when we dine in? Paying to use the restrooms? I worked in the service industry as a bartender in various restaurants and pubs for almost a decade and think this charge is b******t. The ones who are really struggling are the wait staff. I'll leave extra in their tip, go from 20 to 30%, but I'm not paying a f*cking covid surcharge to the owners who already got help from the government.
Michelle C 5 years ago
It's not so cut and dry peeps...I personally wouldn't pay it and it's not because I can't afford it since I'm a great tipper, it's out of principal. Other industries can't charge a COVID rate for doing their jobs and restaurants weren't the only industries affected, & a lot of people lost jobs and are suffering too & sometimes it's nice to eat out and forget how much s**t sucks. Finally to state some facts, I'm a State Government employee and I know at a state level small businesses were given tax breaks, extensions, forgiveness programs, and emergency funds for employees they furloughed to help alleviate their costs. Also Federal are giving restaurants and small business forgivable SBA loans where the main stipulation not to have to repay it is not to terminate & rehire furloughed employees. So after all of that why do they need more? & if you think they still should get more then I guess it's OK for markets, stores, doctors offices, McDonald's, hey EVERYWHERE can do it.
Mathilda Bright 5 years ago
a lot of those smaller mom & pop operations got hit hard, by this shutdown. i'm fine with paying a covid surcharge, if one shows up on my bill. looking at that ticket, in that one post, that's a $48 dollar food order, and the covid tax was negligible. working in the service industry, myself, i have to wonder if the o.p. tipped. that's straight where my brain went.
David Roughton 5 years ago
If it's NOT state or federally mandated, it is NOT a Tax & therefore an illegal charge. This is technically a fraud & you can legally withhold that part of the fee. In the UK, if prices of supplies increase due to the supply chain, the END cost to our customers is recalculated & advised to them in the form of a MENU CHANGE.
Just a Purpler 5 years ago
Oh my gosh the people complaining about it... IF YOU CANT AFFORD IT, DONT GO, IT'S A LUXURY NOT A RIGHT. Geez the entitlement
pusheen buttercup 5 years ago
Well, whether you're for it or against it, if you can't afford an extra two dollars you probably shouldn't be eating out a lot. However I certainly wouldn't want to be surprised by this. It's information I'd want to know before I dine there.
Ivo H 5 years ago
Exactly this. If it's stated before ordering the food, it's completely fine. If it's surprise when you get the bill, it's nasty and shouldn't be supported.
Load More Replies... Andrea Jaje 5 years ago
Not all the restaurants got the SBA loans, either because of the nonsense we saw about who did get them or because they looked at the terms and realized it would bankrupt them faster than hanging in there. We've all seen it at our grocery stores, we all know that cleaning supplies and food costs have gone up. Had the restaurant just upped their prices, would we protest so much?
Erik Lawrence 5 years ago
Honestly I think increasing prices would be better than a surcharge. Then if people don't know about it since it's price increase instead of an added line item they have nothing to complain about... Win-win.
Load More Replies... Id row 5 years ago
We already pay the salary of the wait staff, so this extra charge is not fine. What's next? Charging rent for when we dine in? Paying to use the restrooms? I worked in the service industry as a bartender in various restaurants and pubs for almost a decade and think this charge is b******t. The ones who are really struggling are the wait staff. I'll leave extra in their tip, go from 20 to 30%, but I'm not paying a f*cking covid surcharge to the owners who already got help from the government.
Michelle C 5 years ago
It's not so cut and dry peeps...I personally wouldn't pay it and it's not because I can't afford it since I'm a great tipper, it's out of principal. Other industries can't charge a COVID rate for doing their jobs and restaurants weren't the only industries affected, & a lot of people lost jobs and are suffering too & sometimes it's nice to eat out and forget how much s**t sucks. Finally to state some facts, I'm a State Government employee and I know at a state level small businesses were given tax breaks, extensions, forgiveness programs, and emergency funds for employees they furloughed to help alleviate their costs. Also Federal are giving restaurants and small business forgivable SBA loans where the main stipulation not to have to repay it is not to terminate & rehire furloughed employees. So after all of that why do they need more? & if you think they still should get more then I guess it's OK for markets, stores, doctors offices, McDonald's, hey EVERYWHERE can do it.
Mathilda Bright 5 years ago
a lot of those smaller mom & pop operations got hit hard, by this shutdown. i'm fine with paying a covid surcharge, if one shows up on my bill. looking at that ticket, in that one post, that's a $48 dollar food order, and the covid tax was negligible. working in the service industry, myself, i have to wonder if the o.p. tipped. that's straight where my brain went.
David Roughton 5 years ago
If it's NOT state or federally mandated, it is NOT a Tax & therefore an illegal charge. This is technically a fraud & you can legally withhold that part of the fee. In the UK, if prices of supplies increase due to the supply chain, the END cost to our customers is recalculated & advised to them in the form of a MENU CHANGE.
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