Busch Gardens Williamsburg Adds 5% Surcharge to In-Park Sales

[Mushroom]

I disagree with the folks saying the price hikes are necessary given the current economic state — that BGW only had the choice of raising prices or further shrinking portions. Any way you slice it, BGW is still grossly overcharging people for food right now. BGW isn’t raising its prices because they have to in order to break even — they’re doing it because they can; because they know they can squeeze even more out of their astronomical profit margins. Don’t believe me? KD right now is serving much better food, bigger portions, more variety, with more and better-paid staff, at lower prices.

Through all the years about joking about canceling my pass, I never actually thought I would ever actually do it as long as I’m living in Virginia. But the way things are shaping up, I probably will be letting my pass expire at the end of this year. If I went to the park by myself to meet some friends and eat lunch and dinner, that’s practically a $50 outing right there. If I ever met up with my family of four for the day, it would probably cost us around $200. It’s just unfeasible. Especially with KD dramatically improving its park experience and in some ways seeming to try to take over BGW’s former niche as Virginia’s high quality theme park, it’s just not worth the money anymore to go to BGW. Especially when my reasons for visiting these days are basically for nostalgia — to enjoy the last remaining pieces of the park that have yet to be destroyed by this ridiculous company.

The saddest part is that I’m not canceling my pass out of anger or protest. I’m not walking away from the park in a blaze of fury. I’m just content watching my pass quietly expire with a whimper, after simply realizing that the park I love simply isn’t worth the money it costs for the service they offer. It’s just business. Very sad.

 

[I64 Trekker]

Based on the receipt the 5% surcharge is applied to the full listed cost, before the member discount, which is also applied to the full listed cost, therefore effectively reducing the 10% discount to a 5% discount.

The "sales tax" is then applied to the subtotal with the effective 5% discount.

One thing that does not make sense to me though that the sales tax used here (without specifically being listed) calculates to be 11%.

According to tax.virginia.gov the sales tax for James City County and the surrounding region is 7% though.
I am not sure where the extra 4% tax are coming from unless there is a special theme park sales tax code that I wasn't able to find.

View attachment 27014

Meals tax = Additional 4%...

Monthly Meals & Lodging Taxes | James City County, VA

Monthly Meals and Lodging taxes are collected monthly from businesses such as hotels, motels, and restaurants.

jamescitycountyva.gov

 

[bradd1319]

Meals tax = Additional 4%...

Monthly Meals & Lodging Taxes | James City County, VA

Monthly Meals and Lodging taxes are collected monthly from businesses such as hotels, motels, and restaurants.

jamescitycountyva.gov

Yes, this is shady and they're doing because they can not because they need to. Having said that, if they just simply raised prices 5% percent as some have suggested they would never go back down from that point even if inflation decreases or a recession happens.

 

[Nicole]

I think focusing on the specific numbers is missing the point. It would be frustrating and possibly greedy for BGW to raise their food prices openly across the board. But that isn't what they have done. They have added a 5% surcharge, basically in the fine print. That is the shady part. They are not transparently raising prices. They are pretending to charge $X, while actually quietly charging $X+5%. To have any idea of the real price (assuming you even notice the 5% annotation) you have to do all sorts of math in your head, which isn't how price lists are supposed to work.

I other words, the shady part isn't raising the prices; it is hiding the fact that you have raised the prices.

 

[warfelg]

I think focusing on the specific numbers is missing the point. It would be frustrating and possibly greedy for BGW to raise their food prices openly across the board. But that isn't what they have done. They have added a 5% surcharge, basically in the fine print. That is the shady part. They are not transparently raising prices. They are pretending to change $X, while actually quietly charging $X+5%. To have any idea of the real price (assuming you even notice the 5% annotation) you have to do all sorts of math in your head, which isn't how price lists are supposed to work.

I other words, the shady part isn't raising the prices; it is hiding the fact that you have raised the prices.

Wholeheartedly agree and was the point I was (apparently poorly) making. Hiding the price increase is shadier than just doing it.

 

[I64 Trekker]

Personally I think that would be a challenge. I think they would argue it was temporary as long as pricing on goods was up, then take away the surcharge, then raise meal prices.

Agreed on the gouging part, which is why I revised my post to say the gouging law is only applicable during declared emergencies.

I think focusing on the specific numbers is missing the point. It would be frustrating and possibly greedy for BGW to raise their food prices openly across the board. But that isn't what they have done. They have added a 5% surcharge, basically in the fine print. That is the shady part. They are not transparently raising prices. They are pretending to charge $X, while actually quietly charging $X+5%. To have any idea of the real price (assuming you even notice the 5% annotation) you have to do all sorts of math in your head, which isn't how price lists are supposed to work.

I other words, the shady part isn't raising the prices; it is hiding the fact that you have raised the prices.

The sad thing about all of this is that it is probably just the tip of the iceberg, as it seems more industries are embracing this practice to keep "list" prices competitive. It certainly hampers the consumer's ability to compare items when firms obfuscate the true prices. My takeaway is that this is the promise of the internet getting smacked by reality, unfortunately.

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

I think it's the "fuck our customers" surcharge. It's a penalty for being willing to continue to patronize a park that hates you.

Seriously, fuck BGW for this. It's so far above and beyond unacceptable. I wish I could tell people to yell at the park on social media or complain at guest services, but it's clear that management just doesn't give a single shit about guest experience, feedback, satisfaction, etc. They're practically just spitting in their customer's faces at this point.

 

[Mushroom]

Wonder if filing a general complaint with the state would make a difference?

I originally said price gouging complaint, but that only applies in Virginia during a declared emergency.

Someone with more of a legal background feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but from my basic understanding of commercial law, BGW isn’t doing anything illegal here. Legally, posted prices are considered an “invitation to treat,” not a binding “offer,” which means businesses are not under any obligation to honor the prices they post. So in theory, you could pick up your $21.99 Trapper’s sampler and head down to the register and be told that it’s actually $200. It is only when you reach the point of sales and the cashier tells you the final amount you owe and you agree to that amount that a binding offer has been made and accepted. (What would be illegal is if the cashier told you the final amount you owe, including tax, you agreed to it and swiped your credit card, and then the surcharge was secretly applied.)

To put this in context, technically, I don’t think BGW even has to include the fine print about the 5% charge being added. They could just tack that on at the register before reading the final amount to you (thus making an offer).

tl;dr Listed prices legally aren’t considered binding offers, so BGW is probably in the clear legally. That doesn’t meant what they’re doing isn’t super sleazy though — and guests should have every right to be outraged at this insanely slimy ploy.

Further reading for anyone interested:

What does

An invitation to treat is a statement that someone is interested in negotiating a business deal. It's important to understand that...

www.mylawquestions.com

 

[rswashdc]

The surcharge, while tacky and a poor business practice, is definitely not illegal so long as they properly disclose it. No different than a restaurant applying a service charge because customer tipping is inconsistent.

Price gouging would almost never apply to a theme park, unless in some crazy scenario where BGW was being used as an emergency shelter and tried to gouge people taking emergency shelter there.

 

[mountaineers]

What upsets me the most is it seems they are trying to slip it in unnoticed. I understand that costs have risen and some costs will not ever return and some are supply chain cost increases and will hopefully one day go away. I if the intention is to not permanently increase prices but need to increase temporarily then a surcharge is appropriate. They are written into business contracts all the time. However, I have 2 issues. First and foremost it needs to be completely transparent and acutely made aware to the customer. I think most people understand the need in this current environment for the surcharge and that is better than raising prices that will never go back down. Just be up front about it. Post signs explaining this at the main gate and every area where it will be applied. Second, it should go away ASAP and not be there 6 months from now essentially becoming an add on hidden charge.

 

[Coasternerd]

I want to start by saying this isn’t a defense of BGW, more a how companies as fucking pieces of shit in general:

I got an oil change the other day. 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. Price went up to $85 (first one was $45). There was also a 20% surcharge for materials due to scarcity. And a 10% labor surcharge for “labor shortage compensation”. My oil change price went up $70 in 4 months. More than double.

Luckily my new team member was in automotive repair so I’m going to his place for oil changes in the future. I can get the materials that I need for $30.

Companies as a whole are taking it the customer to absurd levels right now. It’s not all about the recession and labor market anymore. It’s about greed. Companies need to be taken to task for price gouging.

I believe earlier today I saw a gas station owner of a rather large chain (franchise location) is refusing to sell gas until they fix the prices, because as the owner said, “they are robbing the customers of money”

 

[horsesboy]

What upsets me the most is it seems they are trying to slip it in unnoticed. I understand that costs have risen and some costs will not ever return and some are supply chain cost increases and will hopefully one day go away. I if the intention is to not permanently increase prices but need to increase temporarily then a surcharge is appropriate. They are written into business contracts all the time. However, I have 2 issues. First and foremost it needs to be completely transparent and acutely made aware to the customer. I think most people understand the need in this current environment for the surcharge and that is better than raising prices that will never go back down. Just be up front about it. Post signs explaining this at the main gate and every area where it will be applied. Second, it should go away ASAP and not be there 6 months from now essentially becoming an add on hidden charge.

I probably also would help if they were not doing it a week after actually raising prices.

 

[Murphy]

 

[horsesboy]

View attachment 27022

She is actually reducing the price general was 30 earlier today.

 

[Thomas]

If it costs more than Disney to eat at your regional park: you are doing something wrong.

 

[horsesboy]

So I have given this some thought and it's fairly clear that social media complaints won't have any effect and I think we all know that this is being decided at a level far above the park so stopping Kevin or going to guest services won't be of any use. But I did do some research and here is Marc Swanson's corporate email. I would suggest that if you are not happy with this path this is where the anger and energy should be directed. If you go that route please be respectful and polite but let him know how these decisions impact your view of the park and willingness to spend money there.

marc.swanson@seaworld.com

 

[Zachary]

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[Zachary]

Meanwhile, after you pay the astronomical food prices and have an additional five percent stolen from you for shits and giggles, this is the food you're served.

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[panopticon31]

Meanwhile, after you pay the astronomical food prices and have an additional five percent stolen from you for shits and giggles, this is the food you're served.

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Food service in the park has really taken a shit. The last two times I went to trappers the chicken was dry. I've seen more than once where they are only dropping one basket of fries out of four at Les Frites even thought the line is 15+ people deep. I got a Pretzel Hot Dog that the pretzel portion was so hard it was 50% inedible. I am curious out of membership overall just what percentage of people are just outright forgoing eaten anything at BGW because its not even remotely worth it any longer.

 

[horsesboy]

Meanwhile, after you pay the astronomical food prices and have an additional five percent stolen from you for shits and giggles, this is the food you're served.

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I would have been sending that photo to the health department. There is no excuse for that.