I appreciate Bossie's for being transparent about this issue and trying out another approach. If anything, us in the comment section should be upset about the 3-5% transaction fee credit card processors impose on small businesses like Bossie's that are just trying to do the right thing for their customers in a notoriously low-margin industry.
Is it a little clunky? Sure, but there's literally no difference between this and the alternative being proposed of raising prices on menu items. So... we're upset about another line item on the receipt? Unless I'm missing something, that seems trivial. I'll be ordering from them this week in support (and for delicious biscuits).
My family owned a restaurant for many years so this issue is very close to heart. I don’t understand why people are ok with dealing with the massive inflation everywhere else, but not ok for a small business to increase their prices. Aren’t we all living in the same area and same year? They’re not exempt from inflation or fees.
If this keeps up, the large chain fast food places are the only places that will survive. But then, if you want something cheap and fast food with a lot of preservatives, you’re in good company.
Everyone says that they want a nice mom & pop restaurants, wanna support the small local businesses, etc., but most of us have a little or no understanding of how it operates, what it costs and how hard these small business owners work just to break even.
These small business owners are not greedy people , but VERY HARD-WORKING people. This is not a hobby for them, it’s their livelihood.
From the moment they wake up until they go to bed, they live, breathe and dream about how they can make it better. From choosing the right kind of napkins and choice cut of meat to perfect pairing of wine, every decision they make have one thing in common; their customers.
For every decision they make, they weigh the pros and cons heavily and it takes weeks, months or sometimes years. They don’t make any serious decisions on a fly or at random.
If and when they have to raise a price, it’s because their suppliers did. If and when they have to charge a fee, it’s because they could no longer absorb it themselves like they have been for years previously.
So, if you REALLY want to support a local, small business owners, please support and stand with them even after they raised the price or had to pass on the fees. Because they’re not raising it so that they can get a Lamborghini; they had to, in order to keep their doors open and pay their employees.
If you’d rather not support them during these difficult times, please be kind at least. These people are someone’s father, mother, daughters or sons.
My point being, there is also an overhead cost to dealing in cash.
Wait a minute! You already raised prices in the last few months and now you want to stick your customers with a credit card processing fee.?
D. Please take it from here. This smells fishy.
Sorry Bossie, you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.
I will not go to a place that adds a 3-5% fee of any kind. Just raise your prices! And avoid all this craziness!
Carp local out!
Dutch Garden, Via Maestra and Cruisery have all charged fees. Haven’t gone back to any after that because they were not up front about it. Transparency = trust
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.
