Nice. Now just force stores to display actual prices with tax.
New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
21–30 of 363 posts
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#22It's unclear whether this junk fee law will have teeth. In theory, California has the same anti-drip pricing law, but restaurants have a specific carve out [1] which is bullshit because the drip pricing that most people complain about is the X% "service charges" and "lifestyle fees" that restaurants have at the bottom of their menu in small print. From what I can tell online, NYC rules won't have this carveout, but I…
Fees on one time services are not what this is targeting. This legislation is not meant to address that, and wouldn't apply to that. They are going after recurring billing (that's what the headline means by "subscription"). It mentions things like gyms, online subscriptions etc. It would be pretty wild if they had managed to get service fees at restaurants when they were not at all targeting service fees, restaurants…
From TFA:
> Rule from Mamdani administration ... targets ‘junk fees’
> The city is also targeting so-called “junk fees” that raise the final price of everything from apartments to sporting events, with a proposed rule that requires sellers to “advertise the total price for any good or service, including all mandatory additional charges and fees, up front”, according to a release shared with the Guardian.Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#23A big one I’ve been seeing a lot lately is advertising annual subscriptions as monthly rates. It isn’t $12/month subscription if I have to pay $120 in a lump sum up front. The actual monthly rate is often basically double what they’re advertising.
>$12/month subscription if I have to pay $120 in a lump sum up front.
Sounds like they are giving you two months free if you pay with a lump sum in advance.
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#24Official release: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/07/mayor-mamdani...
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#25Nintendo (subscription I have for my switch to access some older a classic games btw) is very good reminding me I have a subscription and whether I want to cancel (or renew). I don't have the email at hand but what I remember is thinking they really desire you to reflect to cancel (rather than a push to renew) if not wanting continued service. Sentiment of politeness and I find a good example what to do.
Also, not a subscription but seeing some dark practices after COVID onset at any fast-food like business (including cafes, juices, cupcakes, etc) where a preselected tip is selected. Default should be no.
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's unfortunately somewhat common these days and personally I actively avoid any place which does this. At least it's only somewhat common rather than the standard so it's still possible. Couple of examples: https://sushiconfidential.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sc_... "3.5% Living Wage Surcharge added to each bill which allows us to provide the service you have always enjoyed!" https://www.pacificcatch.com/menu/…
Because increasing prices by that percentage is too hard?
They're trying their best to make it seem that government policies and regulation compliance costs are responsible, hence the names of these charges.
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
Fees on one time services are not what this is targeting. This legislation is not meant to address that, and wouldn't apply to that. They are going after recurring billing (that's what the headline means by "subscription"). It mentions things like gyms, online subscriptions etc. It would be pretty wild if they had managed to get service fees at restaurants when they were not at all targeting service fees, restaurants…
From TFA: > Rule from Mamdani administration ... targets ‘junk fees’ > The city is also targeting so-called “junk fees” that raise the final price of everything from apartments to sporting events, with a proposed rule that requires sellers to “advertise the total price for any good or service, including all mandatory additional charges and fees, up front”, according to a release shared with the Guardian.
> proposed rule that requires sellers to “advertise the total price for any good or service, including all mandatory additional charges and fees, up front”
This is going to be tough to enact, anywhere in the USA, even New York. There is nothing quite as American as "not knowing what you're going to pay for something until you have to pay." Whether it's your doctor bill, restaurant bill with tips and service fees, your hotel stay with a hidden resort fee, or just general purchases where tax is computed at the very end right before you pay... We are culturally so used to this abuse.
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#28OH NO THIS IS THE SOCIALISMS!!!!!111
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's unfortunately somewhat common these days and personally I actively avoid any place which does this. At least it's only somewhat common rather than the standard so it's still possible. Couple of examples: https://sushiconfidential.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sc_... "3.5% Living Wage Surcharge added to each bill which allows us to provide the service you have always enjoyed!" https://www.pacificcatch.com/menu/…
Because increasing prices by that percentage is too hard?
If you want to claim "we have the lowest prices in town" in advertising, you can't increase the "price".
Re: New York City to ban deceptive subscription practices
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
Because increasing prices by that percentage is too hard?
They're trying their best to make it seem that government policies and regulation compliance costs are responsible, hence the names of these charges.
Yea, it's basically restaurant owners trying to get their customers involved in their political whining.
Notice how you never see things like "Business License Fee" or "Restaurant Electricity Bill Surcharge" listed out as separate line items on customers' bills. Those are things restaurant owners have to pay, too, so why don't they get their own charges to customers? Why does only "Living Wage" get a line item on the customer's bill?