Holiday Surcharge on Saturday Easter Weekend

geek001 on 02/04/2024 - 11:23

Having a rant, I was out and about on Saturday last weekend. For the past 2 years, I have been stung the 15% holiday surcharge eating out on Saturday Easter weekend, which technically is not a public holiday but food places seems to have blanket the entire weekend as holidays. I ate at a restaurant and got stung at the end. There wasn't any sign out front, just some wording on a piece of masking tape at the till where you pay.

Is this normal? Also, do you know if restaurants actually pay their staff more on the Saturday? Or is the Saturday considered a "special" day like Valentines Day and Mothers Day?

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • redforever on 02/04/2024 - 11:26
    +74

    Your location says you are in Brisbane. Easter Saturday is a public holiday.

    https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/travel/holidays/public

    • geek001 on 02/04/2024 - 11:30
      +45

      I could have sworn I checked this before I posted. I must have been blind, the Saturday was a public holiday.

      • Deridas on 02/04/2024 - 20:11
        +11

        Not sure why you're negged for this content. Your reply was very reasonable.

        • PeterSnoot on 03/04/2024 - 08:40

          Exactly. Gets an upvote from me.

        • skittlebrau on 03/04/2024 - 17:40

          Indeed. Too many treat the neg button as a 'disagree' or just a 'I don't like this person' button.

        • R4 on 03/04/2024 - 19:43
          +3

          Because OzB is teeming with keyboard warrior wayne kerrs.

      • Qazxswec on 03/04/2024 - 15:25
        +3

        yeah i work in hospo, friday, saturday, sunday and monday were all public holidays, i got paid public holiday rates for all of them, i think i never used to get paid for all 4 back in the day like 10-15 years ago, but i might be wrong about that, but yeah, staff were definitely getting paid public holiday rates on all 4 days

      • ssdexecutor82 on 05/04/2024 - 02:48

        It hasn't always been a public holiday think that is a recent change

    • HeWhoKnows on 03/04/2024 - 07:48
      +1

      I tend to agree with OP but apparently you are correct

  • Dumax on 02/04/2024 - 11:26
    +9

    15% holiday surcharge eating out on Saturday Easter weekend, which technically is not a public holiday

    They are public holidays now

    • Drakesy on 02/04/2024 - 12:58
      +6

      Was about to say the same thing.
      This is the first year the Saturday has been mandated to be included the penalty rates.

  • life is suffering on 02/04/2024 - 11:26
    +1

    Been happening for a few years now - all these absurd surcharges.
    Better ask before seating I reckon. It’s usually printed on the menu as well

    • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 02/04/2024 - 11:43
      +5

      all these absurd surcharges.

      Wrong. They’re used to substitute for the fact the business needs to pay significantly higher wages (generally double pay).

      • life is suffering on 02/04/2024 - 12:07
        -5

        Still absurd because owner needs to pay that if he wants that holiday business.

        • legendary-noob on 04/04/2024 - 12:49
          +3

          probably why you're paying for the surcharge because consumers need to pay that if they want that holiday consumption

      • CyberMurning on 02/04/2024 - 12:08

        but the employers get double income as well i think?

        • life is suffering on 02/04/2024 - 12:08
          -1

          That’s government rules

        • I like freestuff on 04/04/2024 - 11:40

          How would they get double income? Business don’t just make double the amount of money because it’s a public holiday.

          • imurgod on 05/04/2024 - 16:05

            @I like freestuff: The food industry does make substantially more.

            They are generally booked out during public holidays as demand increases and most others are closed.

      • jetblack on 03/04/2024 - 08:06

        It frustrates me when you get a coffee from the only Cafe open and they're doing 4x their normal business, service is incredibly slow, and they still have the balls to charge surcharges as if it's to cover the higher cost of wages for the day. That's not covering increased wages, it's just taking the piss.

        I accidentally paid $14.50 for 2 coffees on Saturday and had to wait 30 mins for it. Shitsfuct.

        • Flying Ace on 03/04/2024 - 19:16
          +8

          lol “I accidentally paid”

        • BAM51102 on 03/04/2024 - 21:12

          I hope you did not forget to get your smashed avos as well that day.
          Meanwhile coffee at coles/7-11/united/ampol is 2$/365days.

          • nobro25 on 03/04/2024 - 22:57
            +1

            @BAM51102: I take packets of insta coffee and sugar from work. Don't judge me.

          • smartazz104 on 04/04/2024 - 08:42
            +2

            @BAM51102:

            Meanwhile coffee at coles/7-11/united/ampol is 2$/365days.

            Might as well drink Blend 43.

        • life is suffering on 04/04/2024 - 09:07

          And everyone just accepts it as normal. It’s absurd

      • spriggan43 on 05/04/2024 - 10:30
        +1

        Do the major burger joints charge you a surcharge? What about service stations? Coles/Woolworths?

        What are the business requirements to be able to charge you a surcharge?

      • BluebirdV on 05/04/2024 - 12:31

        Easy, just cook at home. Grow your own food. Don't pay the surcharge.

    • geek001 on 02/04/2024 - 11:50

      Yea, good idea. I think I will ask before seating from now on. I think I was charged the surcharge one time on an extended Christmas weekend as well, which was neither 25 or 26 Dec.

      • Muzeeb on 02/04/2024 - 11:58
        +10

        which was neither 25 or 26 Dec.

        You really need to brush up on your public holidays or just spend 30 seconds looking at a calendar.

        Christmas day (Dec 25) is not always a public holiday and can be substituted for another day during the week.

        As a 24/7 shift worker who worked on Christmas day in 2016 at normal rates - trust me, I know.

        • geek001 on 02/04/2024 - 12:21

          Hey, sucks that happened to you. How did the company manage to get you to work at normal rates on Christmas Day? I didn't think that was even possible.

    • Trekky on 03/04/2024 - 08:42

      I was away this past weekend - when I booked the trip, I hadn't realised that it was Easter. The 2 places I ate at (in Melbourne), both clearly stated the surcharge at the front when entering. Also once seated, I was told again about the surcharge.

  • Fredfloresjr on 02/04/2024 - 11:30
    +5

    Next time ask Ozbargain forum if it is a Holiday or not before ordering.

  • CodeXD on 02/04/2024 - 11:38
    +4

    I read your title as "holiday surcharge on holiday" lol

  • foxmulder on 02/04/2024 - 11:44

    I was at Mamak Paramatta on Sunday and they did have 15% public holiday charge notice. A $70 bill has $10 surchages on it. I thought what can I do right.

  • pegaxs on 02/04/2024 - 11:49
    +17

    LOL @ it is actually classed as a public holiday.

    Aside from that, even if it wasn't… it should be treated as one. It is a long weekend, 4 days worth in fact, and, like you, other people also want to go and relax somewhere, so, to get staff, you would need to pay them more to entice them to work in the middle of their 4 day break, else no one would work and these shops would be shut and you would have nowhere to eat.

    Stop bitching, it's 15% for a few days a year. No wonder no one wants to work in these industries any more.

    Imagine being at work, on a Saturday, in the middle of a 4 day long weekend and being chewed out by some Karen because they had to pay an extra $3 for their burger and chips and how it's technically not a public holiday…. but you stayed back from the girls weekend away just to help out your boss out so people would have somewhere to go an enjoy lunch with their family… for this…

    • ThithLord on 02/04/2024 - 11:55
      +3

      Imagine being at work, on a Saturday, in the middle of a 4 day long weekend and being chewed out by some Karen because they had to pay an extra $3 for their burger and chips and how it's technically not a public holiday

      Spot on. OP lives in QLD, where it is a public holiday, too, lol.

    • geek001 on 02/04/2024 - 13:07

      Woah.. everyone is allowed to make mistakes right? Yes, it is a public holiday as redforever pointed out, happy to cop some flak for not picking this fact up earlier.

      FYI, I didn't give anyone a hard time about the 15% surcharge. I never give any low level employee a hard time. They are just doing what they are told by management. They shouldn't cop any abuse.

      Ironically, if I wanted to avoid the surcharge, all I had to do was to go get a burger and fries at Hungry Jacks or McDonalds.

      • Baysew on 02/04/2024 - 13:22

        Everyone never lets facts get in the way of a good rant.

        • geek001 on 02/04/2024 - 13:32
          +10

          I learnt something new today. A bit embarassed but gained something nonetheless. If I didn't rant and keep it all inside, all the "alternative facts" in my head can never be corrected. :)

    • bobbified on 02/04/2024 - 14:20
      +1

      Stop bitching, it's 15% for a few days a year. No wonder no one wants to work in these industries any more.

      We've got places like Hawker Chan (that Michelin star restaurant from Singapore that serves Hainanese chicken rice, that opened in Melbourne a few years go) increase the prices significantly (for a tiny portion) and then if that wasn't enough, put a 5% surcharge for weekdays and a 10 or 15% surcharge on the weekends. Highly illegal, but they did it anyway. And then add the card surcharges, etc on top of that. The staff were not paid accordingly either.

      I had no sympathy whatsoever seeing them shut down.

  • CyberMurning on 02/04/2024 - 12:06
    -2

    yeah one place i wanted to go put 15% surcharge from friday to monday inclusive. yeah no cancel the trip

  • Porker on 02/04/2024 - 12:32

    As an aside, a few asian places in Melbourne now have 10% weekend/public holiday PLUS 10% GST!

    Suspect it's simply preying on the ill-informed customers that fight each other to pay for the bill to show face.

  • AustriaBargain on 02/04/2024 - 12:40
    +1

    I prefer restaurants who have the same price all the time, but like will have Monday-Friday specials to attract people in. Best of both worlds.

    • CrowReally on 02/04/2024 - 12:55
      +1

      same price all the time
      Cheaper prices on Monday to Friday

      Pick one

      • AustriaBargain on 02/04/2024 - 13:02
        -1

        Well it is the same price all the time. But on Mon-Fri they have unique lunch specials, like a pasta main with chips and coke for $15. It gives the budget conscious a reason to come in, it has just one menu with same prices all the time (besides the specials), so there's no confusion, you always pay what the menu says.

        And besides, spreading the cost of 362 days of business a year into a per day cost doesn't raise the prices all that much. If the business is operating at or below that margin anyway, then they aren't charging enough for their goods, or have some other inefficiencies going on like too many staff, too much rent, etc.

        • CrowReally on 02/04/2024 - 13:07
          -1

          I see you ordered the word salad special.

          If the prices are the same all the time, the "unique" $15 meal price is available on Saturday and Sunday as well, isn't it?

          • AustriaBargain on 02/04/2024 - 13:09
            -1

            @CrowReally: I don't think weekday specials violates the spirit of a set menu. And besides, public holidays can fall on weekdays too.

            • CrowReally on 02/04/2024 - 13:11
              -1

              @AustriaBargain: I don't need to get into a discussion about the "spirit" of a hypothetical menu, this is a mathematical certainty.

              If the prices are the same all the time, it doesn't matter which day or the week you shop on.

              If you want that, you can't expect cheaper prices on certain days.

              • AustriaBargain on 02/04/2024 - 13:13
                -1

                @CrowReally: You are welcome to order the specific pasta dishes with a chips and a coke individually and pay the regular menu price for each 7 days a week, all year round. Or on weekdays you can get it in a special for just $15.

                • CrowReally on 02/04/2024 - 13:16
                  -2

                  @AustriaBargain: In one ear and out the other.

                  Let's cut to the chase, what you want to avoid is:

                  (Gets charged public holiday rate)
                  Austria: why'd I get charged more than the weekday price???
                  Owner: You came in on a non-weekday day

                  But what you're willing to accept is

                  (Gets charged the full, non-$15, price for a meal)
                  Austria: why'd I get charged more than the weekday price???
                  Owner: You came in on a non-weekday day

                  • AustriaBargain on 02/04/2024 - 13:22
                    -1

                    @CrowReally: If the weekday specials were a different page of the menu, or a different bit of paper, and weren't even shown to you on weekends except maybe an ad for it on a poster or something, then yeah I'm willing to accept that.

                    • CrowReally on 02/04/2024 - 13:30

                      @AustriaBargain: Alright, so if the menu is split up in different parts and it's clear to you from which part of the menu you're looking at what the price is that day, you're okay with it?

                      Good news!

                      Every menu right now has a part that says "public holiday section, here's a surcharge". You can look at it on the day you're in there and pay the price like you accept.

                      • AustriaBargain on 02/04/2024 - 13:35
                        -1

                        @CrowReally: Nah, you don't need to do extra math with my way.

                        • CrowReally on 02/04/2024 - 13:39

                          @AustriaBargain: From your eagerness to drag discussions of the 'sprit' of main menu and whether a can of soft drink is involved into the discussion, I could already tell math wasn't your strong suit

    • nobro25 on 03/04/2024 - 22:59

      Macca's doesn't have public Holiday surcharge. It's somehow considered a family restaurant?

  • ihbh on 02/04/2024 - 13:13

    Are you going to post another rant next year?

  • bobokingdom on 02/04/2024 - 13:47
    +4

    Next time, just eat at KFC, McDonald's and Hungry Jacks, they don't have surcharges. But don't eat Pizzas as Domino's / Pizza Hut both have surcharges.

    • eek on 02/04/2024 - 14:23
      +3

      Did this. Ate over 32 wicked wings and 10 pieces of KFC chicken over the long weekend.

    • pipe on 03/04/2024 - 19:15

      Or your local RSL club

      • bobokingdom on 03/04/2024 - 21:56

        Some RSL clubs also have surcharges + No Daily Special during Easter Weekends. :(

  • big1964 on 02/04/2024 - 14:25

    Eating at these places are optional if you don't want to pay the surcharge don't go there.

  • isthisreallife22 on 02/04/2024 - 14:33
    +1

    More generally, I've always thought businesses would be better off smoothing their pricing to account for holiday pay requirements X number of days a year, rather than disincentivising their customers from visiting on those days

  • djsweet on 02/04/2024 - 15:48
    +1

    I believe the restaurant needs to indicate the surcharge prominently so that it is obvious it will be charged. Ie on the menu. If this wasn't done, then you shouldn't really have had to pay it. But most menus I've seen do indicate public holiday and Sunday surcharges, so maybe you just missed it?

  • try2bhelpful on 02/04/2024 - 16:32

    It seems we need to change the name from Bargain to Whinemore.

  • kiitos on 03/04/2024 - 08:26

    OP, if it's any consolation, your post educated me as I thought Easter Saturday wasn't a public holiday too.

    I wonder when it became a public holiday? Or had it always been?

  • 2esc on 03/04/2024 - 10:05
    -1

    I know its a extra cost but seperate menus for public holidays maybe?

    I've heard this too often where the surcharge is in small writing somewhere and the customer gets a surprise that ruins the outing.

    • try2bhelpful on 03/04/2024 - 10:15
      +2

      Or the customer could assume a public holiday will have a surcharge and be pleasantly surprised when there isn’t one.

    • FocusRider on 03/04/2024 - 10:19

      Eat at home then if a surcharge will ruin your day.

  • Sensiekatie on 03/04/2024 - 14:53

    I went to am event on Saturday and got stung
    However, we were warned by the organiser. I wondered why there was a surcharge for a
    Saturday. Now I know why.

    Ithe old days of quite good penalty and shift rates for nurses, there were 3 days a year where we got even more (working for Qld Health). 1 was Easter Saturday, Labour Day and I cannot remember what the third one was. Hospitality was very different before the big changes
    I remember when I was nursing, a school kid was working at the Pancake Manor in the CBD overnight and getting way more penalty rates than we ever did.

    • try2bhelpful on 03/04/2024 - 15:20
      +1

      I think nurses are treated really badly.

  • JimB on 03/04/2024 - 16:41

    Went to Yang San Park Korean Restaurant in Sydney over the weekend.

    Surprisingly, no surcharge. Was happy with that.

    Paid cash and received $10 off. Score!

    Also went to La Spiaggia in Coogee. Even more surprised they didn't have a surcharge. I paid cash to avoid C/C surcharge.

    Didn't feel fleeced eating there. Good food too.

  • Gytang1 on 03/04/2024 - 17:37

    Dont eat out on sundays or public holidays often these days, surcharged ranges from 10 to 20%! I do find some korean restaurants that dont charge surcharge and get 10% off is oay by cash.

  • TrisFish on 03/04/2024 - 20:39

    In NSW Easter Saturday has been a Public Holiday for about 5 years im sure many other states would be the same

  • ribze1 on 03/04/2024 - 21:46

    I simply don't eat out during these times, or needs to be something like KFC where you don't get stung. Of course if you're happy to pay then do so, but not for me.

    • pandadude on 04/04/2024 - 00:09

      https://www.kfc.com.au/menu/featured-offers
      "Late night surcharges may apply to selected menu items at this store between 11:10pm-5:00am."

      Better to go Maccas.

      • smartazz104 on 04/04/2024 - 08:47

        "Late night surcharges may apply to selected menu items at this store between 11:10pm-5:00am."

        Who is eating KFC at these times…

  • cauilfield on 04/04/2024 - 05:24

    paid 18% for coffee at David Jones; FFS!

  • MaXcon on 04/04/2024 - 08:48
    +1

    do you know if restaurants actually pay their staff more on the Saturday?

    Yes, double time and a half.

  • mavis30551 on 04/04/2024 - 09:19

    As someone who works a part time job on weekends and had to work 4 days of it because everyone else was smart enough to take time off, i absolutely would not be working the Easter long weekend without the extra penalty rates. Many didn't anyway, rates included.

    The 1000's of families out to get capitalise on the amazing weather and get a quick coffee or bite to eat would of found much less open and a longer wait for services had penalty rates not been included.

    I find people who complain about the prices a little frustrating, no one is making you pay the (admittedly) overpriced food/drink.

    Alcohol is even worse because the tax on those things is ridiculous.

  • antonthenet on 04/04/2024 - 09:23

    If I had a business I would make my prices 10% cheaper on public holidays and I would probably get free advertising on the news and on OzBargain.

    Also clothes shops don't hike their prices when the staff are still working on public holidays.

    • CrowReally on 04/04/2024 - 14:02
      -1

      If I had a business I would make my prices 10% cheaper on public holidays

      Probably a good explanation of why you don't have a business

      I would probably get free advertising on the news and on OzBargain

      Stand on a street corner and sell $20 notes for $10 each, I guarantee you'll get a ton of customers and maybe even some OzBargain and free news coverage as well

  • trapper on 04/04/2024 - 09:40
    +3

    If easter Saturday and Sunday are now considered public holidays then shouldn't non-weekend workers get those holidays transferred to the following Tuesday and Wednesday, like what happens for other public holidays that fall on the weekends?

  • The Hawk on 04/04/2024 - 10:48

    We were out on Saturday and I did a double take at the bill for a moment before realising that Saturday was a PH, something I did actually know, but I think most people who work a typically Monday to Friday job kind of forget that public holidays can fall on a weekend since they often become a day in leu during the week!

  • PriceSensitive on 04/04/2024 - 12:45

    I simply avoid visiting restaurants other than fast food on public holidays/long weekends.

    Too many times, I've been caught out by the surcharges (minimal signage, literally only a finger sized piece of paper stuck on the EFTPOS machine). At this point, it's almost expected however. Also fun fact - Domino's surcharges on Sundays and public holidays too.

  • Craze on 04/04/2024 - 21:20
    +1

    Also avoid dining out on Sunday and public holiday these days- the surcharge can amount to quite a bit at 10-15%!

  • huwcar on 05/04/2024 - 11:39

    I'm in Vic, I made the same mistake you did. Got an expensive beer, was even more expensive than I expected. Looked it up on my phone whilst enjoying said beer and realised Saturday was a gazetted PH. Still enjoyed my beer.

  • Dan_ on 05/04/2024 - 15:52

    The relevant regulator needs to force businesses to either have a separate menu listing the surcharge inclusive prices or have the surcharge watermarked across the menu.

    Or just make them build it into their everyday price.

    Getting pretty sick of the sneaky tactics to tack on a bit of margin.

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