Australian diner is shocked after finding ‘hidden’ charge on restaurant bill – but it’s perfectly legal
- Diner left shocked after finding ‘hidden’ five per cent mark-up on bill
- Restaurant visitor visited The Bavarian before asking for bill and seeing additional fee
- Venues can add a surcharge as long as they let customers know before
One diner was surprised by a ‘hidden’ five per cent surcharge included in the bill after eating out.
The restaurant patron ordered a salad, a schnitzel, two cheeseburgers and a beer at The Bavarian Bier Cafe on the Sunshine Coast.
They then asked for the check before realizing that the waiter had added a $5.35 industrial service charge.
The confused diner posted a photo of the receipt on Reddit and asked if people had had a similar experience.
A diner was shocked after finding a ‘hidden’ five per cent surcharge included in his bill after eating out
‘Can someone explain what the industry service charge of $5.35 is? Haven’t I seen this hidden gem before? the post said.
Social media users offered a variety of responses trying to explain the surcharge.
“Sounds like a ‘mandatory tip’ to me,” wrote one.
Another added: ‘Maybe charge back the credit card to the customer?’
Others criticized the venue for charging the five percent additional service fee.
“Looks like another way Bavarian Bier Cafe rips people off with their overpriced food and drinks,” wrote one.
Another person suggested complaining to the staff and even leaving without paying.
‘For interest only, can you refuse to pay that part of the bill?’ they wrote.
“I don’t like being at **t and I’m always happy to pay my way plus a tip for good service, but if they show me a menu with prices and at the end they give me a hidden extra on the bill then I’m not going to like it. ‘
The restaurant includes a list of surcharges in fine print at the end of its menus.
The restaurant patron had ordered a schnitzel salad, two cheeseburgers, and a couple of drinks at The Bavarian on the Sunshine Coast.
Credit card fees, a 10 percent discretionary charge for groups of 10 people, a 10 percent fee on Sundays and 15 percent for holidays are among the list of surcharges.
There is also a five percent service fee between Monday and Saturday.
Queensland Government Office of Fair Trading states locations may add surcharges to the invoice as long as it is clearly shown to customers beforehand.
The Bavarian is owned by Pacific Concepts and has 30 locations in Australia.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Pacific Concepts for comment.
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