A Sydney man recently found himself stunned by extra charges added to his bill after ordering a simple sandwich at Kosta’s Takeaway in Rosebery. What should have been an $18.50 meal ended up costing $21.27, thanks to a weekend surcharge of $2.55 and a 1.2% credit card fee. The man took to Reddit to express his frustration, highlighting that there was no mention of the surcharges on the menu or at the checkout.
Surcharges and Legal Requirements
The unexpected fees sparked debate online, with some agreeing that businesses are taking advantage of consumers by not being upfront about extra charges. The man noted that the Square payment system used by the cafe doesn’t display the total cost until after payment, making it even harder for customers to catch any hidden fees.
Under Australian consumer law, businesses are allowed to charge surcharges for weekend or public holiday services, but these charges must be clearly disclosed to customers before they order. The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) emphasises that businesses must either list these surcharges on the menu or display them prominently elsewhere.
Rising Trend of Hidden Costs in Hospitality
This incident is part of a broader trend in Australia, where customers are increasingly noticing surcharges and unexpected costs at cafes and restaurants. With rising inflation and the cost of living crisis, many businesses have introduced such fees to stay afloat, though critics argue that transparency is often lacking. Other stories have surfaced where customers were shocked by high prices for simple meals and beverages, including $25 bagels and $77 brunches
