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Actually, it works the other way around: when I'm in Europe the price on display is the gross price (including VAT), so I kind of get used to it. In US when I
by mamon 8y ago
Actually, it works the other way around: when I'm in Europe the price on display is the gross price (including VAT), so I kind of get used to it.
In US when I go shopping the price on display is net price, and then, when I get to register, they add sales tax to it, which is irritating, but it makes it painfully obvious who's to blame for that difference (i.e. government).
One thing that would make people hate taxes even more is if we got rid of tax witholding by employers. Let every employee receive full, gross salary to their bank account, and then make wire transfer to IRS by themselves.
Another funny thing: here in California, when I go to arestaurant there's often a disclaimer at the bottom of the menu: "To support minimum wage increase we add 3% surcharge to each bill"
- labster 8y agoI've lived in California my entire life and have never seen "minimum wage surcharge" on a menu or receipt.
- jedberg 8y agoIt’s not all of California. It’s just in the places with their own higher minimum wage like SF or LA. I’ve seen it a bunch of times, mostly at small family owned restaurants.
- dontbenebby 8y ago>It’s not all of California. It’s just in the places with their own higher minimum wage like SF or LA. I’ve seen it a bunch of times, mostly at small family owned restaurants. if the menu lists a price for a dish, how is it legal to tack on an extra 3% because the owner doesn't like the minimum wage in SF?
- midnightclubbed 8y agoIn San Diego the surcharges were deemed legal: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/restaurants/sd-fi-restaurant-surcharges-legal-court-20190131-story.html https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/restaurants/sd...
- wutbrodo 8y agoYea I've always wondered that. It's supposed to be included in prices (unlike sales taxes) like any other cost, so how are they able to legally get away with advertising a lower cost than they charge? Would it be similar (from a legal perspective) if they added an electricity surcharge or a dishwashing surcharge and lowered their menu prices accordingly? I'm all for more transparency of taxes for the end-payer, but I'm curious about this from a legal perspective.
- dontbenebby 8y agoSomeone replied with an article that they were legal, but that article mentioned the surcharge must be disclosed prior to ordering. I suspect there's wiggle room for a good lawyer if they're using mouseprint or not making sure ordering services like Grubhub accurately disclose the charge.
- pacificmint 8y agoIt's becoming more and more common, at least in the Bay Area. I know several places in downtown Palo Alto that do this.
- midnightclubbed 8y agoI've only seen it in cities that have a higher minimum wage than state. In San Diego it only seems to be at the more expensive end of the restaurant business. They put a sob-story on the menu explaining how they are going to add 3% to my check or else the minimum wage law will drive them out of business. Unfortunately it has the opposite effect for me and makes me think twice about supporting a business who will charge me $40+ for an entree but admit to not paying their staff a living wage.
- lallysingh 8y agoYeah I can't imagine taking that kind of bullshit argument seriously. Did the owner complain about finding nearby parking for his Bugatti, too?
- int_19h 8y agoIt's pretty common, and not just in California. Here are some examples from WA. http://www.workingwa.org/action/surcharge/list http://www.workingwa.org/action/surcharge/list
- maxxxxx 8y agoMaybe some companies should add a disclaimer "Our CEO needs a new yacht surcharge" to achieve full disclosure :-)