Via iStockphoto / @brycegruber TikTok
A man bought a book at self-checkout, only to be charged 3% extra for something he didn't understand. Here's what it means.
A man went to a bookstore in New York’s JFK Airport to buy a book. When he looked at his receipt, he saw he was charged an extra 3%—for something he couldn’t quite believe.
Hidden fees and mandatory gratuities seem to be everywhere these days. No matter if you’re sitting down at a restaurant, going through self-checkout, or simply trying to buy a bag, chances are high that you’re going to be prompted for a tip—or just charged a fee without your permission.
Now, a particularly egregious example of this practice has the internet talking. But is this even legal?
‘Not A Gratuity’
In a video with over 40,000 views, TikTok user Bryce Gruber (@brycegruber) gives an example of why “you need to be checking your receipt for everything, everywhere.”
To demonstrate this point, she shares a receipt she found from someone buying a book. This purchase took place at the Bryant Park Market in New York’s JFK Airport.
While the receipt looks normal upon first glance—the book costs $21.99, and the customer is charged around $2 in taxes—Gruber observes that there’s another charge on the receipt.
Specifically, there’s an additional 3% charge on his bill.
“‘A 3% surcharge has been applied to your purchase. This charge is for employee and retention programs and is not a gratuity,’” Gruber reads.
“But Hudson, you don’t clearly have it printed anywhere that there’s a 3% surcharge for—whatever that is—on anything,” she continues. “I know because I was at the airport just a few days ago.”
Gruber claims she spoke with employees about whether they had any “special programs or benefits” as a result of this 3% fee. According to Gruber, “they all said no.”
Gruber further clarifies that this is not a credit card processing fee. But if that’s the case, what is it?
What Is The 3% Charge?
As previously reported by BroBible, other JFK airport businesses like Shake Shack have been spotted adding this fee. So, why is it there in the first place?
According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, airport concessionaires under its jurisdiction are allowed to add up to a 3% surcharge for “Employee Benefits and Retention.”
This fee was proposed in 2024, eventually being fully approved by the end of the year. The stated goal of the fee, per Inc., was to help provide annual wage increases for airport workers while allowing businesses to offset labor costs.
This fee is one of several price controls the Port Authority has over JFK Airport. Another is “street pricing.” This is where airport businesses aren’t allowed to charge more than 15% over what an item would cost when purchased outside the airport.
Where Does The Money Go?
Gruber says that she spoke with employees about this fee. These employees claimed that they were not given additional benefits as a result of this fee. As noted by Inc., a company adding this surcharge that does not provide employee benefits could be in violation of FTC guidelines regarding deceptive practices.
Furthermore, there does not appear to be any mechanism in place to show how this money is used by the businesses adding the charge.
That said, it should be noted that workers at Bryant Park market in New York’s JFK Airport do appear to receive benefits. The Hudson by Avolta website notes that workers get health coverage, paid leave, and more—though this also appears to be offered to workers at airports that don’t have this additional 3% fee.
‘I Demanded It Removed’
In the comments section, users shared their complaints about tips, fees, and more.
“Customers notice it, but don’t say anything, and that’s the problem, and why businesses continue doing it. I went to a restaurant and was charged an automatic 20%,” recalled a user. “I demanded it removed. They said NO. I told them I was walking out w/o paying. They then agreed to remove it. The same day I left them a 1 star Google review.”
“This just happened to me at a brewery in Dumbo. Bill had an added gratuity I didn’t see bc the server just brought me the machine with the tip page open already when I went to close out. I have to email the place now to get them to remove the extra tip,” alleged another. “Shadyyy.”
“Yup yesterday at LGA Starbucks I also saw this in my receipt,” stated a third. “Why am I paying for a company to retain employees?”
BroBible reached out to Gruber via email and Instagram direct message. We’ve reached out to Hudson via email and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey via email.