The real cost of public holidays revealed
It's no secret that we all love a public holiday. It’s the perfect time to enjoy a well-deserved break, relax with friends and family, and maybe even take advantage of some retail therapy or dining out.
However, as you prepare to enjoy the upcoming long weekend to celebrate the King's birthday, we at the Seniors Discount Club are reminding you to be extra cautious with your spending.
Often-overlooked hidden charges may gradually erode your savings significantly and stealthily. Businesses like cafes and restaurants across Australia are infamous for subtly implementing huge surcharges during public holidays.
These 'public holiday surcharges’, are used to offset penalty rates for their staff.
'Jaws will drop across Australia on Monday when cafes and other businesses impose significant surcharges to cover staff public holiday penalty rates,' Waave CEO Ben Zyl warned.
He further added, 'Payment surcharging is widespread across the hospitality industry, often flies under the radar, and the rules are not well-enforced. It’s a problem that is costing people huge money each year, and they aren’t even aware of it.'
Although public holiday surcharges can be quite frustrating, Zyl suggests that it’s the daily surcharges we should be even more concerned about, as they often slip by unnoticed.
'It’s the daily surcharges that consumers should really be worried about. Public holiday rates are just a surcharge on a surcharge,' Zyl stated.
According to Zyl, a typical transaction includes a surcharge of 0.5-1.5 per cent. However, it's surprisingly common to see surcharges of up to 3 per cent.
These sneaky surcharges can add up significantly, with even a small surcharge on your daily cup of coffee potentially costing you hundreds each year.
'Multiply this across other daily purchases, and compound it with increasing costs–thanks to inflation–and it quickly adds up to thousands each year lost to surcharges,' he said.
You might wonder whether businesses are allowed to impose these surcharges at all. The answer is yes.
So, what can you do to ensure you're not being overcharged?
Ben Zyl advises consumers to 'always ask if they are being surcharged and how much. If it seems excessive, raise that with the merchant and consider shopping elsewhere. But the reality is that all power is with the merchant.'
Now that you're aware of those pesky surcharges, you may be wondering how you can avoid or minimise their impact on your wallet. Well, fear not! We've put together some handy tips to help you make informed choices and keep those extra costs to a minimum.
At the Seniors Discount Club, we hate to see our members' hard-earned money being spent on unnecessary costs. Thus, we urge you to pay close attention to your purchases and transactions during public holidays like this upcoming one.
Keep these tips in mind, and enjoy your holiday! And do let us know about your experiences with such surcharges; we're always here to lend a listening ear. Stay savvy, and happy shopping!
However, as you prepare to enjoy the upcoming long weekend to celebrate the King's birthday, we at the Seniors Discount Club are reminding you to be extra cautious with your spending.
Often-overlooked hidden charges may gradually erode your savings significantly and stealthily. Businesses like cafes and restaurants across Australia are infamous for subtly implementing huge surcharges during public holidays.
These 'public holiday surcharges’, are used to offset penalty rates for their staff.
'Jaws will drop across Australia on Monday when cafes and other businesses impose significant surcharges to cover staff public holiday penalty rates,' Waave CEO Ben Zyl warned.
He further added, 'Payment surcharging is widespread across the hospitality industry, often flies under the radar, and the rules are not well-enforced. It’s a problem that is costing people huge money each year, and they aren’t even aware of it.'
Although public holiday surcharges can be quite frustrating, Zyl suggests that it’s the daily surcharges we should be even more concerned about, as they often slip by unnoticed.
'It’s the daily surcharges that consumers should really be worried about. Public holiday rates are just a surcharge on a surcharge,' Zyl stated.
According to Zyl, a typical transaction includes a surcharge of 0.5-1.5 per cent. However, it's surprisingly common to see surcharges of up to 3 per cent.
These sneaky surcharges can add up significantly, with even a small surcharge on your daily cup of coffee potentially costing you hundreds each year.
'Multiply this across other daily purchases, and compound it with increasing costs–thanks to inflation–and it quickly adds up to thousands each year lost to surcharges,' he said.
You might wonder whether businesses are allowed to impose these surcharges at all. The answer is yes.
So, what can you do to ensure you're not being overcharged?
Ben Zyl advises consumers to 'always ask if they are being surcharged and how much. If it seems excessive, raise that with the merchant and consider shopping elsewhere. But the reality is that all power is with the merchant.'
Key Takeaways
- Aussies are warned to watch out for sneaky charges during public holidays such as the King's birthday.
- Cafes and restaurants across the country may charge extra on public holidays due to surcharges.
- Payment surcharging is widespread across the hospitality industry and can cost people huge amounts of money each year.
- Consumers should always ask if they are being surcharged and how much and consider shopping elsewhere if it seems excessive.
Tips on how to avoid or minimise surcharges
Now that you're aware of those pesky surcharges, you may be wondering how you can avoid or minimise their impact on your wallet. Well, fear not! We've put together some handy tips to help you make informed choices and keep those extra costs to a minimum.
- Keep an eye out for signs: Businesses are legally required to display their surcharges prominently and near the point of sale. Take a moment before making a purchase to check for any signage or ask a staff member about potential extra costs.
- Do your research: Do some homework on your favourite cafes, restaurants, and stores to determine if they apply surcharges. Choose the ones that are transparent and reasonable with their charges, showing support for ethical business practices.
- Limit out-of-home purchases on public holidays: By limiting outings and preparing a delicious home-cooked feast or targeting sales on non-holiday days, you can minimise the risk of getting stung with public holiday surcharges.
- Share the knowledge: Discuss your experiences with friends and family, and ask about their encounters with surcharges. Knowledge is power – the more you know about which businesses are fair with their charges, the more informed choices you can make.
At the Seniors Discount Club, we hate to see our members' hard-earned money being spent on unnecessary costs. Thus, we urge you to pay close attention to your purchases and transactions during public holidays like this upcoming one.
Keep these tips in mind, and enjoy your holiday! And do let us know about your experiences with such surcharges; we're always here to lend a listening ear. Stay savvy, and happy shopping!