Sorry if my response does not go along the JTF ideals, but at least I'll speak out. The problem that I have with these kosher places is that the economics of Laissez Faire does not apply because they get the feeling that they have no competition. Sadly enough I do not keep kosher. I'm willing to pay a little extra for kosher food, but I am not willing to be taken advantage of in order to keep kosher.
Because many people are kosher observant and will not go elsewhere, most store owners feel that they can do whatever they want and will still get their business. I understand that Kosher food, especially meat is more expensive because someone has to supervise it. This does not apply, however, to certain packaged foods such as drinks. The fact that a store owner often charges double the price for canned and bottled drinks which are already labeled the same everywhen is a sign that they are just taking advantage of the customer. Since I try to somewhat look out for my health, I often want to just have water. Just clean filtered and refrigerated water. I don't want to pay $2.00 for a bottle of water. Isn't $8.00 for my falafel sandwich(which doesn't even fill me up) enough. All the other restaurants appear to serve nice clean drinking water. Why do the Kosher places look at me like I am crazy when I ask for water which they then pour from a dirty sink?
Also, when the restaurants choose to accept credit cards, they enter into a contract with the credit card companies. Under this agreement, they are not allowed to impose a minimum purchase on transactions. I understand that this cuts into their profits, but it is something they have agreed to in writing. When I either mention that I have no cash on me or that it is illegal to impose the minimum, they try to charge an illegal terminal fee or just do so and try to hide it(which is credit card fraud). How come the other places have no problems abided by the law, while the kosher places think they are above it.
My list of complaints does not apply everywhere, but does apply to the four main Kosher places in my area. The list goes on when you factor in things suchs as the bad employees discussed in this post and often the lack of staff which results in long lines.
If a kosher restuarant wants more Jews(who may not be strictly religous) to visit, they need to be competitive at least in service if not price. In fact they should outperform in serve to make up for their higher prices.
Topic: Kosher restaurants hiring shvartzas and cukarachas. (Read 11147 times)