Rant, eating out

[Bailey28]

Wife and I went out to eat the other day at a new small mom and pop restaurant. Ordered two gyro sanwiches and waters. No sides, no dessert. Final bill after the credit card convenience fee and tip was $39.00.

We used to eat out a lot when we were younger and things were cheaper but we really backed off a few years ago after not finding value in it. Now we pretty much eat at home and take our lunches to work. The gyro place was a spontaneous decision as we were hungry and running a bunch of errands.

Anyone else cut out or severely limit eating out recently?

 

[methusaleh]

What’s a “credit card convenience fee”? Are you paying extra to have the convenience of an employee walking to and from the cash register with your card, versus walking over there oneself?

 

[JayhawkRoy]

We haven't cut back, but we do lunches at places that have a discount lunch menu (like Chedddars, or Tex Roadhouse 3-5 M-Thu offerings).

 

[JunkdrawerDog]

Anyone else cut out or severely limit eating out recently?

Yep. Since 2008. My work hours were reduced during the recession. To counter the effects we began cooking at home and packing our lunches. When things got better, we just never returned to dining out.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

What’s a “credit card convenience fee”? Are you paying extra to have the convenience of an employee walking to and from the cash register with your card, versus walking over there oneself?

Yes, many restaurants are doing this. Ran into that at Fort Scott KS favorite restaurant last week. We always carry enough cash for meals to cover and avoid it.

 

[Patman]

My girlfriend and I go out for dinner every Saturday night. Prices have gone up in the past few years but there are still some reasonable places out there. Last night we went to a local pub and my huge double burger and fries was only $14 Canadian ($10.10 US!) A few weeks ago I had a good sirloin steak with fries and corn and it was only $15 ($10.83 US). Occasionally we will go out for a really good steak dinner and then with 13% tax and 18% tip it will end up being $200 ($144 US) but in those cases we would have appetizers and dessert and maybe a glass of wine too. There is a restaurant in Niagara Falls that has a couples special that is $99 ($71 US) and it’s a three course meal with two glasses of wine too. So if you look around you can find a lot of great deals. I personally love trying out different places every week, it’s a lot of fun (and as a tour guide in Niagara region it’s good research for places to recommend to my guests)

 

[Patman]

What’s a “credit card convenience fee”? Are you paying extra to have the convenience of an employee walking to and from the cash register with your card, versus walking over there oneself?

That’s bad if a business charges more just because people want to use their credit card. Yes, a business has to pay 2 or 3% to the credit card company but 99.9% of businesses just absorb that cost because so many people use credit these days. I wouldn’t return to any place that tries to charge me extra for that (so far I haven’t encountered that happening in my area though)

 

[Hermann]

That’s bad if a business charges more just because people want to use their credit card. Yes, a business has to pay 2 or 3% to the credit card company but 99.9% of businesses just absorb that cost because so many people use credit these days. I wouldn’t return to any place that tries to charge me extra for that (so far I haven’t encountered that happening in my area though)

My BMW Motorrad dealer just added 3.25% to Credit And Debit card purchases

 

[Patman]

My BMW Motorrad dealer just added 3.25% to Credit And Debit card purchases

That’s terrible!

 

[Kestas]

On the flip side, I was able to sometimes negotiate a price down 2% at a store if I paid cash.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

Wife and I went out to eat the other day at a new small mom and pop restaurant. Ordered two gyro sanwiches and waters. No sides, no dessert. Final bill after the credit card convenience fee and tip was $39.00.

We used to eat out a lot when we were younger and things were cheaper but we really backed off a few years ago after not finding value in it. Now we pretty much eat at home and take our lunches to work. The gyro place was a spontaneous decision as we were hungry and running a bunch of errands.

Anyone else cut out or severely limit eating out recently?

We used to go out to eat every Friday evening as a family. No where special or expensive (burgers, pizza, Mexican, bbq) We'd done this for years. Over the last year or so, I began to notice the price creeping over $100 with tip for a family of 4. This happened a few times. We've always stayed within a modest monthly budget, but recently started keeping a written budget as i get closer to retirement to see where the money goes. Restaurants was eating up about $700 to $800 a month. Groceries had also consumed a large amount of the budget. We stopped eating out and now go out for special occasions if we choose.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

McCarthy auto group has added a convenience fee for credit card recently. I pay by check and carry one in my wallet now, for just in case issues.

 

[AutoMechanic]

We have eaten out almost everyday of my life. I can’t think of any point in time when we have skipped more than a day. My parents don’t like eating at home. Personally I prefer to eat at home and have money for other things that I like. They always complain about how expensive it is but then keep doing it because neither one of them are great cooks but also because my dad said he hates eating at home. I’d rather eat at home to save money and also so I can relax in my own home and not take so long in a restaurant.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

We have eaten out almost everyday of my life. I can’t think of any point in time when we have skipped more than a day. My parents don’t like eating at home. Personally I prefer to eat at home and have money for other things that I like. They always complain about how expensive it is but then keep doing it because neither one of them are great cooks but also because my dad said he hates eating at home. I’d rather eat at home to save money and also so I can relax in my own home and not take so long in a restaurant.

That is some serious added expense. We have multiple choices around me at supermarkets and some better food stores that they have many hot food choices etc. They are not real cheap but food is good, lots of choices and definitely cheaper than eating at restaurant all the time.

 

[Rand]

we eat out about once a week.. usually after the visit at the cleveland clinic.
I dont mind 40-50$ with tip if the food and service is worth it.
Das Schnitzel Haus in parma
40-50 for some slop I could make better at home (and im not a great cook) is disheartening.

On vacation I lower my standards.. as long as the food doesn't make me sick.. I'm happy

 

[97prizm]

What’s a “credit card convenience fee”? Are you paying extra to have the convenience of an employee walking to and from the cash register with your card, versus walking over there oneself?

Essentially it's the swipe fee that restaurants used to eat no pun intended. With slim margins customers are now paying the cc fee.

 

[Hall]

That’s bad if a business charges more just because people want to use their credit card. Yes, a business has to pay 2 or 3% to the credit card company but 99.9% of businesses just absorb that cost because so many people use credit these days. I wouldn’t return to any place that tries to charge me extra for that (so far I haven’t encountered that happening in my area though)

In the US, you'd quickly whittle down the number of places you can frequent then. This is becoming more and more standard everywhere, not just restaurants. Proponents of it argue it's a "convenience" to the customer that they can use their CC but I argue try going to cash-only and see how much business drops. It WILL. Then tell me who the "convenience" is for.

 

[Rand]

yep car dealers near me now charging it.
I felt like bringing in the distilla 5gal jug of pennies to pay.

They charge a 10% shop fee too... on a diagnostic fee on the 2013 equinox.
they found nothing. I showed them video.. still found nothing...

my 189 diag cost $232

 

[Cujet]

Here in S. Florida, it is very difficult to have a sit down lunch for 2 end up under $50. Wife and I went to Leftovers, a favorite casual 'gastropub' seafood place. $90 for lunch. 1 salad with fish, 1 fish wrap. 1 water, 1 iced tea.

Maybe 7-8 ounces of fish total, 1 tortilla wrap, a handful of salad greens and some dressing. Holy mother of god, that's absurd.

 

[gman2304]

My wife and I stopped for lunch last week in a small nearby town. Small strip center with a family owned small restaurant that you walked to a steam/buffet table and told the ‘attendant’ what you wanted from three or four entree’s then move along and choose sides then desserts and finally a drink. Wife chose chicken pie and one vegetable with water to drink. I chose a fried chicken breast with one side of cabbage and iced tea. I noticed signs at the register that refills were $2.00 on tea, cokes, coffee etc and a to go styrofoam box was 75 cents, and a drink with no ice was an additional .75 cents . The food was just OK and our bill was $24 for 2 entree’s, two vegetable sides and one iced tea and at 12:30 pm there were 4 people in the entire restaurant, including my wife and I.