A traveler at JFK Airport encountered a surprising "employee retention fee" at a self-checkout machine in the Bryant Park Market, sparking widespread criticism online. The incident occurred when the customer attempted to purchase a book, only to find an additional 3% surcharge on their receipt.
The fee, amounting to $0.66 on a $21.99 book, was designated for "employee benefit" and explicitly stated it was "not a gratuity." This charge, alongside the standard sales tax, was added at a self-checkout kiosk where the customer performed all the scanning and bagging.
The traveler shared their experience on Reddit's r/EndTipping forum, where other users expressed anger and frustration. Many commenters criticized the bookstore for passing labor costs onto customers using self-service options. "That is actually a forced gratuity regardless of what name they put on it," one user wrote.
This incident follows a trend of increasing surcharges and "tipping fatigue" reported nationwide. A recent study indicated that a significant majority of Americans feel tipping practices have become excessive, with many feeling pressured to tip even when service is not exceptional due to digital prompts on payment screens. This airport bookstore charge exemplifies the growing consumer resentment towards unexpected fees layered onto purchases, particularly in non-traditional service scenarios.