In bustling urban cities, the hum of people's conversations often fills a pub.

While bars and pubs are famous spots for social interaction, a local bar found itself at the centre of a controversy.

It's a cautionary story for businesses across the country and a potential pitfall for unwary consumers.

Card surcharges are a familiar annoyance for many of us.

While customers do not like these charges, they have become a common sight in many establishments.

However, the law has implemented strict rules about how these surcharges should be displayed, making sure that consumers know what they're actually paying for.

That's what happened at a Sydney bar as customers called them out for a sneaky detail on their menu.

ENGIE Stadium products excluded possible surcharges off their menu prices. Image Credit: Reddit/pyrosx

A Sydney local stumbled upon a curious detail on a bar menu at the ENGIE Stadium.

The drink prices in the bar were displayed in bold, eye-catching font.

However, in the bottom right corner of the menu was a small notice which read, 'Card only—0.75% surcharge applies to all transactions.'

This tiny text sparked a debate on whether this approach to listing a surcharge was an overboard.

The anonymous local then asked, 'Card Surcharge. This isn't right, right?'

Locals quickly chimed in on the discussion.

'It is against the law. If there is no way to avoid the surcharge, then it must be included in the displayed prices and not as a separate add-on,' a comment read.

According to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, if there's no alternative to paying without a surcharge, venues should include surcharges in the displayed prices.

However, the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, which also operates Sydney Olympic Park, argued about the price rule.

They insisted that ENGIE Stadium has adhered to the ACCC guidelines.

According to them, accepting card payments speeds up transactions, which has been crucial for customer satisfaction in a fast-paced environment.

However, the ACCC clarified that businesses must be upfront about their pricing and cannot mislead consumers.

So, where does this leave consumers, especially seniors, who prefer paying in cash?

It's a reminder to keep our eyes peeled for the fine print and to understand our rights as consumers.

If you ever find yourself facing a sneaky surcharge, bring it up with the business immediately.

Consumers may also report these instances to their local fair trading or consumer affairs agency or the ACCC directly.

After all, every dollar counts and no one should be left feeling short-changed by sneaky surcharges.

Key Takeaways

• A Sydney bar has been criticised for its surcharge disclosure practices, which did not align with ACCC guidelines.
• The issue revolved around a 0.75 per cent card surcharge applied to all transactions but was displayed in smaller print.
• The ACCC insisted that prices displayed must include any mandatory surcharges to avoid misleading customers.
• If consumers have concerns about misleading pricing, they should first approach the business, then their local consumer affairs agency or the ACCC.

Have you ever encountered a hidden fee that left you feeling duped? Share your experiences in the comments below.

 

[mylittletibbies]

One would think so... maybe the retailer was adding his own to the bank's fees.

Seems like it, they all seem to do exactly as they please.