Hi BW,
Thank you for your reply, and for understanding the challenges of running a small business—especially right now.
We didn’t feel comfortable raising our menu prices across the board for the second time in recent months, but felt having the option to pay cash vs card would be preferable, and not having the option for credit cards being the most inconvenient.
We’ll take your feedback into consideration as we try to navigate what’s best for our customers, and what also makes the most business sense.
Who pissed off motley crew? That seemed like such a great fit for Industrial Eats?
It seems like restaurants are trying to recoup margins lost to the increased cost of ingredients, labor, fuel, and electricity. Because the cost of card processing hasn’t gone up, yet suddenly everyone wants to charge for a convenience we’ve all used for decades. To me it looks tacky and feels hostile to the customer. No offense to Bossie’s. I understand being in the challenging position of running a business in this environment and not wanting to raise prices across the board. But it just doesn’t seem to make sense to try to recoup lost margins on this suddenly when the reality is the cost of doing business overall has gone up, so just charge accordingly. It’s 2023 and I expect to use my credit card everywhere and never carry cash unless I absolutely have to. It just feels clunky and weird to tack it on.
Two months ago, I noticed Dutch Garden passed the credit charge fee to me. I haven’t been back.
This is from someone who went to DG every Saturday for 30 years! I know Laurie and Ken well and loved their food.
I've noticed a lot of restaurants charging "convenience" fee and a tax on that fee in addition to regular tax for take-out order, which is essentially a credit card fee because how else do you pay online? Edomasa and Your Choice are two that I ordered from recently with such fees. Edomasa actually has a sign in their restaurant that says there is a credit card fee.
Hi TJ,
Unfortunately the cost isn’t associated with the amount of time it takes us to count a drawer. We consistently pay 3-5% on all credit card transactions, meaning we pay for 3-5% of each of our guests lunch or dinner every time they use their card.
We polled many of our long time and repeat customers regarding the matter prior to implementing the fee so that we could make the best decision. Most preferred to pay the fee so we could maintain our menu pricing where it is, and because they have the option to avoid the fee by paying cash.
We do understand your position in wanting the price to be inclusive of all associated costs, especially during a time where everything is just so darn expensive. We’re happy to continue the conversation and change our policy!
Hi Carp local,
We understand the convenience fee for credit cards is unpopular…
From our perspective, we’re small neighborhood restaurant and we’re actually trying to avoid raising our prices across the board by implementing the fee to those who chose to pay with their cards. Raising prices to include fees for those that do choose to pay cash versus cards seemed unfair.
It’s honestly not meant to be deceptive in any way, and was done with our customers in mind by maintaining our pricing where it is.
We do understand your perspective and are happy to having more conversations regarding this, as we’re not set on imposing it.
If they are charging the 3% they shouldn’t mind being called out.
It’s not fair to the customers let’s not pretend. They should just raise their prices.
That's true, they're in the small minority. If they upped their menu prices to cover it, not add additional fees.
Two restaurants I've been to recently (last several months) had a cash price listed on the bill. They didn't charge more for credit - they just charged less for cash. Tratoria Victoria was one of them. La Hacienda was another. I happily paid cash.
I'd guess it takes there owner/manager longer than 3% of an 8 hour shift (14.5min) to count and prepare a proper cash drawer and deposit slip. Seems like they should be adding the 3% to all transactions.
It is not standard to pass on the fee to the customer. If they don't want to be called out, they shouldn't start charging it.
I don’t think we here in carp own the name “old town coffee.” We are not that special Diane! If someone was going to open a coffee house what does it matter if they are local or not as long as they run a quality business.
G.
This is awesome! We need more local business, supporting other local businesses. Can't wait!
He’s a longtime friend and he is a great guy! Lower state was also filled with thrift stores and yes I remember Esau’s.
Wait this seems great! It looks like it’s not even really on the bluffs, not sure why the title implies that. It’s proposing to remodel over the area where the driving range is and the farm. I think it would be a beautiful addition I’m so excited and I hope it gets approved!
It’s a branch of Old Town Coffee in Goleta.
Who will be owning Old Town Coffee ? Hope it's someone from Old Town and just not a person who wants to profit from our original area name we call our neighborhood .
Another coffee shop??? Seriously??? There’s already like 10 coffee shops….. Sounds like a recipe for failure to me….. but what do I know…..
Finally, Carpinteria is one step closer to having an intersection with a pizza restaurant on each corner. Hopefully whoever bought the palms will sell pizza when they reopen and we can open a portal to the pizza-verse.
I can't wait until they open up a bakery called Bjettina
Jay was a great guy! And let's not forget Esau's restaurant when Tom Esau owned it Best food in town!
15 E Ortega St. The Press Room parklet.
When Harry and Megan moved to Montecito the internet revealed Hot Springs Trail was near their home. Since, the masses have invaded the trail and filled the area with unwanted cars and buses. A group of hikers took a cigarette break, throwing their cigarettes into a ravine - the fire department arrived shortly after. They told the fireman they drove up from Los Angeles. Last Saturday night we witnessed a group climb the trail fence at 10:00 pm. A couple of them were smoking cigarettes. I’m all for hiking but not when it threatens nature and our safety. On a lighter note, a few weeks back, a couple were sitting in folding chairs in the middle of a nearby street. Cars had to drive around them to get by. It was such a curious sight I had to ask them what they were doing - the fellow replied they were having a bowl of spaghetti before hitting the trail. His female companion added, “I hope Harry is here today”.
This could be EVERYWHERE in Santa Barbara!!
