By John Q. Hosedrinker As a consumer, I have always been frustrated with the deceptive practices of businesses that add on fees after the fact. The recent California law requiring restaurants to bake all of their add-on fees into menu prices is a welcome change in my opinion. The idea that the price you see is the price you pay seems like common sense to me. I have always felt blindsided by additional charges for things like service fees, healthcare surcharges, or gratuity that are not clearly stated upfront.
The fact that this law applies to a wide range of businesses beyond just restaurants is even more reason to celebrate. From online transactions to in-person purchases, the transparency this law requires will benefit consumers in numerous sectors. I have personally experienced the frustration of hidden fees increasing the total bill by up to 35%, which is unacceptable.
The argument made by some restaurant owners that the changes will bring higher prices and sticker shock is, in my opinion, a weak defense. The reality is that customers deserve to know the true cost of what they are purchasing upfront, without any surprises. It is not about raising prices, but about being honest and transparent with consumers.
The practice of adding surprise fees feels like a scam to me, and it is something that needs to be regulated. I appreciate that California is taking a step in the right direction with this law, and I hope that other states will follow suit. It is time to do away with tipping culture and hidden fees that only serve to deceive customers.
Overall, I fully support the California law that requires businesses to include all add-on fees in their prices. It is a necessary change that will benefit consumers and promote transparency in the marketplace. I look forward to seeing more states adopt similar regulations in the future. As a consumer, I have always been frustrated with the deceptive practices of businesses that add on fees after the fact. The recent California law requiring restaurants to bake all of their add-on fees into menu prices is a welcome change in my opinion. The idea that the price you see is the price you pay seems like common sense to me. I have always felt blindsided by additional charges for things like service fees, healthcare surcharges, or gratuity that are not clearly stated upfront.
The fact that this law applies to a wide range of businesses beyond just restaurants is even more reason to celebrate. From online transactions to in-person purchases, the transparency this law requires will benefit consumers in numerous sectors. I have personally experienced the frustration of hidden fees increasing the total bill by up to 35%, which is unacceptable.
The argument made by some restaurant owners that the changes will bring higher prices and sticker shock is, in my opinion, a weak defense. The reality is that customers deserve to know the true cost of what they are purchasing upfront, without any surprises. It is not about raising prices, but about being honest and transparent with consumers.
The practice of adding surprise fees feels like a scam to me, and it is something that needs to be regulated. I appreciate that California is taking a step in the right direction with this law, and I hope that other states will follow suit. It is time to do away with tipping culture and hidden fees that only serve to deceive customers.
Overall, I fully support the California law that requires businesses to include all add-on fees in their prices. It is a necessary change that will benefit consumers and promote transparency in the marketplace. I look forward to seeing more states adopt similar regulations in the future.