As shops are now opening and establishments are on the way to turning over that closed sign, businesses are looking for ways to claw back some of the money they’ve had to shell out during the Coronavirus pandemic. As well as the obvious life and death situations we’ve all seen, Covid 19 has brought with it a whole lot of hassle for the business world too. With new restrictions being put in place and the need to make businesses safe in order to be operational. This all costs money and one of the ways that this is being made back is through something called a Covid surcharge.
What’s It For?
A Covid surcharge is an extra charge on top of what you would usually pay, in this current time of Covid 19. We’re already seeing reports of companies in other countries adding this surcharge to their bills. For instance, dentists who have had to organise and pay for things so their surgeries are up to standard to operate. They’re adding a Covid surcharge to help cover that extra expense. It’s a bit of an odd one because we kind of expect to go to the dentist and pay what we pay. The price of everything being built in. It’s pricey enough at the best of times to pay for services and if companies start adding extra charges the price only goes up.
Are They Legal?
Completely legal, as long as they are disclosed. Of course, you could refuse to pay it and say that it wasn’t mentioned when you first sat down for the meal, for example. The likelihood is though that it’s written somewhere you may not have seen. Whilst the company is looking to find ways to earn money in this situation, it does feel like an additional and irritating extra charge. For me, it would certainly remove my desire to tip. This is a little bit harsh against waiting staff who heavily rely on tips.
Our Mindset
We don’t like being charged extra. Our mindset is that we like the total price and that is what we’re prepared to pay. The price on the ticket if you will. If you went to a clothes shop, found a pair of jeans for £25 and then took them to the till and they charged you £30, would you query it? Of course you would! If that extra £5 is a Covid surcharge would you be happy to pay it? Some would but others wouldn’t. Now, would you pay for the jeans if the price on the ticket was £30. Probably. If it’s built into the cost of the item or service we’ll likely not question it. Prices rise all the time, right? I think this is what we’ll see with Covid surcharges. Them simply being built into the price of what we buy.
Covid Surcharge Conclusion
I fully understand the idea of businesses to implement extra charges. It’s in order to bring in money they’ve spent on reopening. However, there’s been that united thought of us all being in this together. Lots of us have received government support. I know some haven’t. There have been 0% interest business loans available. If we’re now having to help out businesses by paying surcharges, where did that money go? We’re all going to see bigger taxes because of this global situation and our countries response to it. I expect there will be a fair few resentful people who look at their receipt and see a Covid surcharge at the bottom. Would you pay it? Let me know over on Twitter.
