Restaurant customer calls for transparency after seeing entertainment fee on tab

The customer said he was surprised by the expense.

[@atozproductions9660]

Nope that business is completely incorrect if you're charging for a band you charge at the door you can't just randomly add s*** on to people's bills

[@michaelb.8953]

That band fee also jacks up your server's tip.

[@rogersmith7808]

@@michaelb.8953 Unless someone gets pissed about the fee they weren't told about and takes it out of the server's tips.

[@user-eh5cr4or6k]

That's why you got all the waitresses and waiters in here boo hoo that it should be legal for them to just tax shit on to your bill and get away with it.

[@bjvu9460]

If they sue the restaurant they would lose. The law would assume that most people would not expect to be paying for a band they didnt want. They would have to disclose that information first before charging and it is a scam since they could potentially have 100 customers but not pay the band the service cost that they are charging .

[@rochester3]

they charhe $20 bamd fee then tax it 18% LOL@@michaelb.8953

[@markbajek2541]

Just be upfront about all fees, let the customer decide if they want to dine there with the fee added or walk across the street to Popeye's.

[@Dane-o7q]

Learn to cook...

[@wtfman5313]

What a scam. You hire bands to attract more people to your business. I think that's a tacky bait and switch.

[@mhxxd4]

People getting desperate

[@June-tb4vi]

Blame the administration...

[@ryder4508]

​@@June-tb4viWhat does Biden have to do with a restaurant ripping people off? Not that I like Biden. Just curious.

[@scorporsupremacy7948]

Restaurants are responsible for paying for a band,not the customers.

[@jdawglawler8833]

Next time gladly pay the band fee and after dinner just stay there at your table and listen. If they say something about it, hey you sold me a ticket to hear the band so I’m staying. That will stop this nonsense, they need to turn that table over.

[@bjvu9460]

That is true since they are charging to for the entertainment, there is a presumption that you will leave when the entertainer is done performing thus they couldnt require anyone to leave thus no tables are available

[@BEARSMIX]

Back in the day this was known as a "COVER CHARGE" and paid as soon as you walked in the door

[@robertodiaz9680]

Now The question Is, how much of those 10 bucks per customer goes to the entertain ppl

[@PrinceOtter]

none, they get a grilled cheese from the kitchen as payment

[@lazygardens]

They are working "for exposure" and dinner

[@billyclone4289]

Are you aware some places charge the Band to play at the club and the band gets the door. It all started in the 80’s in LA .

[@lazygardens]

@@billyclone4289 And I thought a 50-50 split of the door was bad!

[@LFMcD]

Cover fee at the door for entertainment, not just charged to the card. I do know some restaurants are charging for water, they bring it and put it on your bill without telling the customer. We were charged for 2 waters we did not ask for, each glass was $2 and they were about 12 oz. glasses, this was about a year ago. We rarely eat out now, about once every 2-3 months since the prices on all went so high, never chains. With what we used to dine out on, we spent on good cookware. Never pay restaurant with debit always credit now because of this crap, we can dispute the bill.

[@LygerTheCLaw]

getting charged for water you didn't ask for? yeah naw, i would have told them to take that right off my bill. people need to stand up for themselves.

[@LFMcD]

@@LygerTheCLaw They did not say that there was a charge and I did not see it until later when I went over card purchases. Another lesson learned, NEVER allow your waitperson to leave with your card, always pay up front and check the ticket first. Some will write themselves an extra tip. These days anything seems to go especially dishonesty. I always write a Google maps review about restaurants, hotels and other places I do business and my experience is based on honest facts, good and bad.

[@LygerTheCLaw]

@moore1656 i always check my bill so i can verify im being charged what i should be charged. companies shouldn't be allowed to charge whatever they want whenever they want. imagine how many glasses of water they served that day and how many thousands of dollars they extorted from people for it while most also didn't pay attention or passively accepted it. ironically that glass of water and charge could be taken as a synonym for how our country is being led right now and our society.

[@LFMcD]

@@LygerTheCLaw I completely agree with you on that. Try the Google Maps review on places both good and bad, pics showing the receipt, the food and post the service and any issues, good and bad such as cleanliness, customer service. Also any places that you do business with. I have been doing this for a few years now, it gets their attention and rewards companies that are honest and reliable.

[@sue8237]

Hell, our Burger King added a charge for the zesty sauce I asked for to go with my onion rings! Why not charge me for using the drive-thru, too? I think most people have had it.

[@pacodelahoya2000]

Imagine going to a full service gas station and the attendant asks "Check under the hood?". Then you get a bill for 40 bucks worth of gas and a $15 labor charge.

[@kingpickle3712]

Not the same. If you don't ask if it costs extra then you get what you deserve.

[@wtfskilz]

Actually you're the one wrong, you cannot legally charge someone without transparency. This won't hold up in a court of law.

[@kingpickle3712]

@@wtfskilz Who are you talking to? Name the law in which you are referring to.

[@user-eh5cr4or6k]

​@@kingpickle3712it's called standard commerce clause embedded in federal law in this country. You can't just talk s*** on the people's bill without notifying them ahead of time.

[@xerxestelevision6666]

What decade do you think this is? The majority of living humans have never said “check under the hood” to anyone. You think this is Mayberry or something?

[@stephenwilliams9652]

Have a sign just before the door. Also have the host/hostess inform patrons before seating. (or have a cover charge) either way inform customers before getting seated.

[@streetlegalsprintcar]

Fresh air fee - $20.00. Napkin fee $5.00. Silverware fee $8.00. Coming inside fee $12.00.

[@lawren-hollienelson9948]

You may steal from me once, but never twice. I would NEVER patronize this business ever again.

[@janicestigliano8999]

The best way to do this is just raise the prices and you get your fee for the band. When you nickel and dime them the customer don't like it..

[@robjohnson8522]

OR a cover charge at the door for the band costs. Then you still get to decide BEFORE hand

[@drkrypton4410]

please tell us what items youre going to boost the price on to cover a $10 fee per person. how does that math work? youll lose customers because your prices are now $10 more than the restaurant across the street.

[@robjohnson8522]

@@drkrypton4410Did you look at the rest of the bill? This place is already super overpriced! $20 per DRINK! Not me brother but then again I don't wear braids with a business suit so I guess I am just not cool enough to drink a $20 martini. {shaken not stirred I am sure!)

[@drkrypton4410]

@robjohnson8522 Yes, i noticed. also i think that guy just wanted to boost his business. he got his 15 minutes. he also needs to clip and clean his nails. js.

[@trailhopper883]

Umm..what does the Gentlemans "hair" have to do with this topic ?. Perhaps he should you should go ask Donald john Trumps best buddy. You know the one "he's in love with". Oh my goodness, open up your ears. Cant you see where this is going ?. ​@robjohnson8522

[@karimamin2]

I wouldn't pay it if there wasn't a sign posted

[@AMDixon]

They know they are wrong for not telling customers, they were just hoping that most customers wouldn’t notice. The fact that this made the news shows it’s not “standard” to pass on a live entertainment charge to the customer. It should be illegal to not have some sort of sign or note in the menu explaining this charge.

[@ano070602]

This is the reason I stopped going out.

[@terrymcfadden954]

I’m sick of having to say “no” for a tip at every place. It honestly makes me not want to go back.

[@pssunlimited8094]

They already added a service fee.

[@CAMICAZE007]

A Tip is due to service ..but if you provide entertainment it is on your business not my pocket

[@sharonburton9663]

Ppl should boycott all places that just try to rip customers off. Greed has got to stop

[@americaamerica8579]

Pretty sure its theft if they just add it on without your consent

[@bjvu9460]

NOT if you willing pay it. Theft is by force and this is a double edge sword because they could call the police stating that you are unwilling to pay that bill and the crooked law will force you to then pay it, and settle it through court

[@Yeah-its-me]

lol “entertainment” fee.. that’s the restaurant making it’s customers pay their bills for them.

[@Jenjenn1111]

These businesses kill me with the “pass the cost to the customer”….sooner or later you want have no customer. Businesses act like they are doing you a favor but they need us ( customers and workers) more than we need them. The places I go with a live band are not charging an extra line item for the service. Ridiculous…this is why I don’t go out too much, too many businesses always trying to suck the customer dry!

[@anthonykobiec8569]

Looking at the receipt it reads a state tax on the entertainment and taxes the "Service Tax" (Tip).

[@bobgreenwald1338]

omg its the highest charge on the bill!!! more then the red SNAPPER ..panna water $7 a piece ..OMG i want to see the truck this guy uses to carry his wallet!!!

[@LygerTheCLaw]

sounds like my electric bill, all the fees and taxes cost more than the electricity.

[@LygerTheCLaw]

he's just another millennial, who has one of the last decent jobs left in this country and he's burning through his paychecks as fast as he gets them to satisfy his 'woman's' needs. in 2 years when AI replaces him, he will be just another homeless person on the streets because he didn't save as much as he could, while he could.

[@dianarockwell6256]

My late husband and I were chased out of a restaurant by a maître d’ who was expecting a separate tip. We had never been to anything that posh in our lives and didn’t know that they expected a separate tip for seating us at a table that was part of their job description. We only had five bucks between us and he was not happy about it. This was in New York City back in the 1980s.

[@Boutys_mom]

Fine. But charge first. Not last.

[@burprobrox9134]

Eff these companies and hidden fees. Honestly I would not ever go back and I’d tell EVERYONE

[@mikehenry7056]

Put a sign at the entrance informing customers there is a $10 cover charge per person for live entertainment and that's okay. Anything else is asking for trouble with disputed charges and arguments about not being told about it.

[@dianarockwell6256]

1:44 Yes you have to notify people in advance that there will be additional charges and how much they are that are being tacked onto your bill. That includes mandatory gratuities for larger parties any of these other newfangled fees that restauranteurs are coming up with out of the blue.

[@June-tb4vi]

Its not our fault cost is up? Its up for everyone!! Good thing he checked and I think its a sneaky charge!!

[@mrflashport]

Remind me again why I am curtailing eating out. It's too expensive. This fee, that fee, prices raised on everything. $25 to eat lunch? Sorry, too rich for my blood. These places are their own worst enemy, it's one thing to charge a fee, but not disclosing it at the door BEFORE you are seated is shady. If one is told upfront, one has the option to get up and leave. But once you order, consume the food, you really have little option at that point other than to pay it and dispute the ripoff fee with your credit card issuer. Shady shady shady

[@beanstyled]

Your customer doesn't come for entertainment when they just want dinner. So all these extras people don't want along with paying 15 for a burger

[@rancidiot]

I will not eat at Kathching that's for sure

[@stevG318]

Man, this is a real reason why I would never recommend that nobody goes to Atlanta next you know they’re gonna start charging for the air that you’re breathing the nap and you use the chair that you sit in it’s getting ridiculous when you pay to bring people into your establishment, you don’t charge people. Absolutely stupid.and you’d be a fool to return to surprise charges and no it’s not customary but CUSTOMIZED FOR PROFIT. It’s amazing how all the restaurants have survived before now they should just be closing down left or right because of high cost to pay your people to earn a living to build your business.

[@LoriFoster]

The restaurant should post the charge upfront or charge a cover charge at the door, to make customers aware before dining.

[@305youtuber]

let's be for real here ✋😳🤚, that's what you call scam business practices and there should be regulation in place to prevent that smh 🤨👎

[@voiceofraisin241]

A cover charge is usually charged when you walk in the door.

[@RickW-HGWT]

Restaurants have the highest failure rate of any business, this one is trying to accelerate their's.

[@lilbit4493]

BS it's managements responsibility to pay for entertainment!!

[@markaddison4642]

Scammers of dining 🍽. Boycott these greedy restaurants.

[@lazygardens]

Some cities REQUIRE that menus and "extra" charges be posted outside, so you know BEFORE you walk in what it is.

[@user-eh5cr4or6k]

I'm sure glad this out of control cover charge shit started after my clubbing days, cuz I wouldn't have had it. And yes I remember paying a cover charge at certain smaller venues to watch small artist play or perform, but not just to go into a bar to drink or to dance ain't happening.

[@hansel2001]

I thought it was a 2% surcharge or something. But a hidden $20? Yeah, that’s sneaky. He did the right thing.

[@pssunlimited8094]

I’m stuck on two bottles of water for $14.😮 … and they charge you a service fee plus entertainment fee. 😏

[@micheleboyle3547]

My son and his band play at bars quite a bit…they get paid up front ….when I get my food and drinks I don’t have an extra charge…But I do pay a cover charge at the door…😊

[@marct9942]

I can understand the restaurant side, but up-front is better than losing customers

[@bjvu9460]

No one had asked for the band! So there is no justification for the band and what If is didnt want to hear the band . Its the equivalent to keep bringing water to a table from the tap then you get a bill for it when no one would expect to be paying for the tap water. I bet they are about to lose some customers

[@marct9942]

No one had asked for the band? Are you psychic?@@bjvu9460

[@SeniorMoostacho]

Good point. Has this place ever had a cover charge for live music and have they Ever placed a PSA about a Cover Charge for a Live show minus a Doorman? This is a Live and Learn moment. Or the Owners could dictate to the Band, your payment will be Based off Alcohol sales depending on How much Business they bring in and Skip the Cover Charge all together. So many options.

[@billyclone4289]

Also in the 1980’s clubs started charging the Bands to play in their club. 2k wasn’t uncommon in some of the more popular bars . The band had to charge and collect the cover charge at the door and hope they had enough fans to not only cover the club rental fee but also a profit. Either way the club or bar owner always gets paid.

[@jerryw5508]

There is a Ford Restaurant near Orlando that is upfront with fee's. Just before you are seated they inform you that there will be a 20 percent fee on your bill so the two or three people that comes to your table gets a piece of the action. I suppose that it ok since if you continue to walk to your table you are in essence confirming that you understand and are willing to pay that 20 percent fee. Then after your meal the check comes and on the ticket it provides additional gratuity should you decide to tip your waiter. The 20 percent is billed regardless of whether you get good service or bad. The price of the meal is not cheap. More like $20 for a hamburg and some fries.

[@shari9721]

You absolutely can not just slap an "entertainment fee" or cover charge onto a bill without the customers knowledge and consent or have it clearly posted at the entrance . This was straight up theft . smdh

[@deborahbaker4770]

I would not pay anything for the band if the band is playing in the restaurant that hired them then the restaurant should pay them they hired them not the customer what if the customer didn’t like the music ⁉️ I would demand that they give me that money back for not telling me that there was a band fee‼️

[@tammiep9628]

Wow, if I go to a place and they charge me a fee for their entertainment I better be able to have some say in what the entertainment is!

[@culcune]

The problem with this is the fact that cover charges are customarily charged at the door. I am wondering if he and his guest showed up after the band had began to play. I imagine it was fairly loud, and someone (e.g. the host/hostess) mentioned there is a charge. I generally hate showing up to a random bar or club that is usually fairly noisy, but then walk in on a REALLY loud band. Of course, someone working at the establishment, like the bartender, could make a verbal 'agreement' to hand over my car title and $1000 and I would have little to no idea what they said because of the noise level.

[@supermodelatlanta1354]

That's normal but it was posted when I walked in

[@JohnSpo]

I'd like to know how much that band was paid.

[@pssunlimited8094]

The band should have counted the people in the restaurant and asked for that amount in payment for the entertainment.

[@debrh.b]

They should charge them a cover charge as they walk in the door but , putting on the bill after. Is technically like " Bait and Switch " which used to be illegal .

[@LexyTheEbikeQueen]

Why have a live performance if u can’t afford it

[@shaneerasmus2591]

" Katchinggg " 😂👏

[@truthreignsforever9286]

Restaurant supposed to pay ALL FEES for their CHOICE of having a band

[@nfortin24]

I mean.. was it disclosed anywhere? If so, too bad.. if not.. im taking my $20 off that bill

[@natashanyxx9486]

I’ll bet that the band doesn’t see that money.

[@kennethweaver8029]

Good call sir! Entertainment fees service fees anything added on is B.S. without prior notice. These restaurants that aren't profitable supposedly, does that mean they didn't show any profit or that they didn't show the profit that the owners WANTED! GREED at it's best.

[@Jackie-rn5xw]

Getting to the point that eating at home is the best delicious choice!

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

Many times places increase the price of their drinks during band times. But not that much

[@JesusPresley...]

Why even open a business in a town that has over 50% Juneteenth celebrating population?

[@johnsradios484]

It used to be called a cover charge, paid at the door. But you knew about it from the start.

[@onelove1968]

There's always a catch, at Katch.

[@greglee1174]

If the restaurant doesn’t notify customers about the fee up front, THEY SHOULD. That way customers can make the decision before they sit down.

[@forkoffgoogle]

If this policy is clearly posted at the door then the restaurant is in the right but if the policy isn't made clear until the check is called for then the restaurant's not.

[@CrawfishCuban]

They had us in the first half😂

[@BhaveshPatel-gujupride]

They should of told them head them when they walk in to the doors also when the restaurant have entertainment that’s on them they booked them for there restaurant not the customers for all the customers that did pay for the the entertainment when they got the bill they have legal rights to collect from the money that the restaurant made for the entertainment by percent cause when people pay to the entertainment with there bill that’s more likely as a contract but for people that did pay the entertainment fees and the restaurant had a advantage it out that it will be extra cost them the restaurant is safe if not then the restaurant owes money to everyone that paid the fees that’s how I think it’s the right thing to do

[@roseoftexas3137]

No amount should be charged for a live band. This will be a hard step for restaurants bars & grills to loose patrons.

[@whoobastank8616]

No one should be surprised that this restaurant is in Atlanta

[@montipellier]

1:02 Wow $14 for 2 bottles of water, who in their right minds would even pay for that.

[@charliepiland3285]

So, Katch charges $10/pp for anyone dining, what about bar patrons? And assuming they seat/serve 100 people during the hour(s) the band plays - do they give that $1,000 to the band?

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

The thing is, many bands get paid little or nothing beyond the “exposure” so that is pure profit for the restaurant. What if he just got a cup of coffee, would it be $3 for the coffee and $20 for the band.

[@cld4393]

Screws the waitstaff..no tip then..

[@mwaynem]

Instead of complaining, how about not eating at this restaurant anymore. That's what most of us do. If the owners of this restaurant think that they can charge for the entertainment and keep their customers, that's their choice. But if they're customers stop being their customers well problem solved. I've stopped patronizing some restaurants because I didn't think the service or the food matched the price. It's why a lot of businesses fail. You either provide a service people are willing to pay for or you go under.

[@JustMe-mn5hk]

Give me my $20 back!

[@bennygarvey]

I guess the question is. How much do they make on the night. And if they make more than it costs, is there a refund.

[@InnocentUntil718]

This is why I'm more and more against "tips." These people have successfully tricked us into paying THEIR employees. After we have already paid. And clearly they're trying to take it further.

[@oldmandouche8844]

Should have been stated on the door at the entrance. A surprise like that is theft.

[@robjohnson8522]

$20 per Martini? Pffft, screw the band costs! lol

[@BettyGrin]

Tell customers before they come in that “tonight there is a cover charge because of live performance”. Some will still come some will opt out for another night.

[@leolo2222]

What's weird about a cover charge?

[@None-ef6nf]

A covert charge is assessed on the way in. Charging it without notice is a poor business practice.

[@travguru8]

Definitely won't be going there lol 😂

[@Cucumberflavoredmustard]

If you have a band, it's called a "cover charge". It's paid at the door when you walk in, or not at all. Also, $7 for bottled water? That junk better cure cancer.

[@cryptojedii]

2 words - Stay Home! Screw these restaurants and gyms gouging us customers. We The People need to vote more with our DOLLARS!!!

[@almerichendricks5425]

Thanks you

[@henrywilliams5712]

It's all about disclosure. Let people know up front that there's a $20 cover. Simple.

[@ronbelanger4113]

Cheap owners. Let your feet do the talking and walk right by.

[@doreanabland1296]

Nah, I don’t think so! Unless you informed him first and he agreed then fine…other than that I’ll eat elsewhere…

[@Voorhees-Jason]

Normally you then charge a cover charge for bands playing at a place. Ever bar i been to that has bands playing normally charge a cover charge before going into the place. Charging after the fact without telling the customer, is just straight wrong and selfish.

[@sue8237]

People just need to stop eating out. Let these greedy folks close up shop, with all their extra fees, gratuities, etc. Eating out is expensive enough, especially in these restaurants that do not pay their wait staff but expect you and I to take care of it instead. Time to stomp our feet and yell, "ENOUGH!!"

[@nativestacker4185]

Just put the real price of the food on the menu and quit playing games , if people can't afford to eat out than that's how it is . This would not be an issue if Wages kept up with the cost of living , most people don't understand , The US Dollar is loosing value so when prices go up so must wages to even it out . Most Financial Experts will agree , a person working a full time non-college degree job should be paying no more than 30% of his/her take home pay for rent and bills , they should not have to work 2 jobs just to survive .

[@lauriepolden6594]

I wanna know how this is the customers problem if they cannot afford to stay open, then the restaurant should close they should not be passing all their cost onto a customer that’s not right restaurants need to be aware there will be hard times they need to be aware there will be times when there are no customers or they hit a lull in business… that is what savings is for if they cannot do the proper management of their money and save money for these times, they don’t need to be in business is it the government‘s fault when a woman can’t pay her rent because she didn’t save her child support check for the rent but instead spent it on getting her hair and nails done. Should the government cover that no just like restaurants should not pass on the cost to a customer when they can’t budget their money for things that they don’t plan on

[@watsonspuzzle]

Restaurants need to stop gouging the customers with surprise fees at the end.

[@lizhern9360]

Stop eating out, too many sneaky fees....

[@frankcarter7146]

Who goes to a restaurant for entertainment? I go to eat. YOU hired the band, YOU should pay them.

[@loligagger85]

you do not need to be a math guru to figure out your bill.... i guess this man does

[@61wanderer61]

If that ain’t up front when I walk in the doors, y’all ain’t gonna get that fee!