Charged Holiday Surcharge for Christmas Lunch Package

RetroGameNerd on 26/12/2020 - 15:56

Hi everyone,

So my partner and I couldn't make it back to QLD for Christmas due to my partner not being able to get out of work before the border closed due to COVID. As a result, we went out for Christmas Lunch at a restaurant that was advertising an $89 Lunch with an optional $39 drinks package, which we both took. We weren't expecting to be charged a surcharge of $38.40 on top of this price, which effectively takes the package to $147 each rather than $128 each.

I've looked on the restaurant's website and there's no mention of a surcharge on the page advertising the Christmas Lunch package.

I get it's been a tough year for hospitality and that you've got to pay staff extra on Christmas, but am I justified in feeling a bit annoyed that they charged us more than what we expected? Is this standard practice for such a package? Asking out of genuine curiosity as this is the first time I haven't been with family over Christmas.

Would I be justified in contacting the restaurant and querying them about it, or should I cut my losses? Frankly it's $38 that I would prefer to have.

TIA and I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas.

Poll Options

  • 438
    Call them and ask for the $38 back
  • 33
    Cut your losses, they're justified in charging a surcharge
Food & Grocery

Comments

    • kerfuffle on 29/12/2020 - 09:10
      +4

      The fact that the OP upvoted this comment definitely points to Fratelli Fresh

    • JungliChilli on 29/12/2020 - 18:36

      Yup you should get a refund. This is clear cut.

    • VerticallyIntegrated on 29/12/2020 - 20:37

      NYE is only $79 for a similar menu.

      https://www.fratellifresh.com.au/whats-on/festa-italiana/

      • screensaver on 30/12/2020 - 04:26

        BOOK A TABLE
        Terms and conditions apply. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Menu subject to change. All beverage packages are subject to RSA guidelines. Beverage packages applicable to selected drinks only. For groups of 2 to 20 pax.All credit card transactions incur a processing fee of 1.0% to 1.5%.
        All debit cards incur a processing fee of 0.5% to 1.0%.
        All Eftpos no charge. ‘Tap and Go’ incurs debit/credit card fees.
        10% discretionary service charge applies to all groups of 10+.
        10% surcharge applies on Sundays.
        15% surcharge applies on all public holidays. s

  • screensaver on 29/12/2020 - 05:08

    keep all documentation

  • screensaver on 29/12/2020 - 11:57

    check all reviews such as trip advisorr again, I notice a couple of people complained about surcharges charged after the fact. Find all places where there are reviews including google and add your own

  • crazyhor77 on 29/12/2020 - 12:46

    This practice gives me the shits. They want to open on a public holiday cos they want to make more money then charge the customer for the privilege. I don't and won't encourage it.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/12/2020 - 10:47

      So if they "want" to open on a pub holiday does that mean they "want" to pay their staff penalty rates too ?

      • crazyhor77 on 30/12/2020 - 13:14

        It's a consequence of opening on a public holiday, nobody is forcing them to be open.

  • tkdbboy on 29/12/2020 - 13:07

    Out of curiosity, for Boxing Day, would a public holiday surcharge apply for Saturday the 26th or Monday the 28th?

    • pangwen on 29/12/2020 - 14:37
      -2

      I would say both (except in Victoria) because both are public holidays in most states except Victoria. The reasoning for the surcharges (staff penalty rates) applies to both days.

      • kurisu on 29/12/2020 - 16:17
        +2

        The Victorian government website says both are holidays.

        Holiday 2020
        Boxing Day Sat 26 Dec
        Mon 28 Dec ²

        ² As Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, this is an additional public holiday

  • Pandabargain on 29/12/2020 - 18:15
    -1

    I will send you $38 if you agree not to make any ozbargain comments or create any new threads in 2021.

    Let me know.

    • Miss B on 29/12/2020 - 18:19
      +3

      I say take this offer, OP, just create a new account. They may even offer you money to stop commenting on the new account too.

  • Samsungnote10 on 29/12/2020 - 19:01

    to be honest, im quite surprised they didnt charge you a credit card fee as well, since the normal menu mentions a creditcard surcharge

    • AustriaBargain on 30/12/2020 - 16:55

      I thought card surcharges were a thing of the past. You'd be forgiven for thinking shops weren't even allowed to charge a surcharge anymore because you see it so infrequently these days. When I was a kid every shop had a little sign posted about surcharge for EFTPOS and cards, as if they secretly wanted you to pay in cash or something.

      • kerfuffle on 30/12/2020 - 17:02

        They're still a thing, but you can't charge any more than what the card provider charges e.g. if Mastercard charge you 1%, you can't charge 1.5% to the customer

  • Kranbone on 30/12/2020 - 13:25
    +2

    Nothing wrong with a surcharge as long as it's fair, justified and a customer is fully advised of the charge beforehand.

    As you weren't informed of the charge prior and there was no mention in any of the promotions, I'd fight for a refund on the charge. Very sneaky.

  • AustriaBargain on 30/12/2020 - 16:53

    Restaurants should hire a mathematician to help them work out what they need to raise their regular prices by in order to change the same thing all year round and still have holiday penalty rates covered. Like 99.99% of ALL businesses do it. Hungry Jacks is just owned by a madman who cares more about proving a point to the government than serving customers.

  • lgacb08 on 04/01/2021 - 15:04

    I find it astounding that you could still dine on christmas day, the government should enforce stricter force closure on one of those few days a year so everyone can have a rest unless it's absolutely essential services like servo or emergency departments. For those who have nothing to do on those day, they can learn a bit of cooking skills on YouTube instead.

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