Buying a bagel? Better bring your toaster
Filed under: Food, Economizer
You expect to pay for extra cream cheese. But paying extra to have a bagel toasted? Seems so. Customers of Lenny's bagels in Rockefeller Center are coughing up 25 cents to have their favorite morning munchie toasted.
One could argue that Lenny's is tacking on the surcharge to cover the extra electricity and manpower needed to toast a customer's bagel. But when they're already charging $1.00 for a bagel and an additional $1.00 to $1.50 for cream cheese (depending on if you choose plain or flavored) you'd think the chain could comp their customers to "get toasted". Especially since for now, Dunkin Donuts, among others, offers "free" toasting with the purchase of every bagel.
However, like most things in life, it could always be worse. Despite the charge, at least Lenny's customers have the option. Murray's Bagels doesn't offer a toasting option.
What do you think? Would you pay extra to have your bagel toasted? And could a bagel-slicing surcharge be far behind?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
10-21-2009 @ 5:59PM
dave said...
You know there is always another choice and you money will help to make the right decision. When the demand for bagels drops at Lenny's so will the charge for toasting......if not the hell with them.. Bagel places are all over the town......
Reply
10-21-2009 @ 6:01PM
Mitchell said...
Right on, Dave...right on.
10-22-2009 @ 4:06PM
Simzee said...
Theres a bunch of GAS STATIONS in Southern New Jersey that charge for air. Yes AIR.
10-22-2009 @ 4:20PM
Mike R said...
I bought a case of beer at a local liquior store and the guy charged me $1.00 more. I asked why and he said it costs him for elecrticity to cool the beer. It also cost him a customer for life,me. What ever happened to the cost of doing business.
10-22-2009 @ 6:12PM
jeff martin said...
Bagels, 1 buck. Cream cheese, 1 buck. toasted a quarter. They will frost your ass for free.
10-23-2009 @ 2:29AM
PAM said...
TIME TO FIND A NEW BAGEL PLACE THAT DOESN'T CHARGE AND IS HAPPY TO SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS BY TOASTING THE BAGEL FOR THEM.
10-21-2009 @ 6:45PM
Rose said...
no toast....no bagel from Lennys......next they will charge for the sugar in the coffee and the bag in the tea above the price of the water!
Reply
10-22-2009 @ 6:12AM
Mr.Luke said...
It's called a Value Added Tax (VAT).
Reply
10-22-2009 @ 6:48AM
Andi said...
No it's called getting stiffed. Either way if someone wants to levy this so-called tax (which wouldn't even be going to the government, mind you) all the customer's gotta do is walk down the street elsewhere.
10-22-2009 @ 2:40PM
fred flinstone said...
Well, I have not worked in over a year. My car needs a transmission. Health care costs are killing me and my family. Our family dog died. Who cares if the bagel is toasted or not?
Reply
10-22-2009 @ 1:16PM
joe said...
I'm sorry you're out of work and are having money troubles,. How is it that you have an internet connection? If I lost my job, that and the cable TV are the first things I'd get rid of.
10-22-2009 @ 5:37PM
Rick said...
Not your dog, apparently
10-22-2009 @ 6:40PM
sadgalinsd said...
Joe-most libraries nowadays let you get online for free. Fred-I hope the family dog didn't die because you weren't able to afford the vet bills. It's better the dog's signed over to the vet hospital so they can fix it up and get it adopted out. I'm sorry about what you're going through-I'm going through a similar situation-unemployed for a long time and my car's transmission going caflooey. I can't afford healthcare and rarely go to a doctor. Luckily there's one in my area that sees people without insurance for when I get sick (for $50!). My kitty has a cold and I have to save up my boyfriend's money to take her to the vet. Thank goodness I have him! Good luck and don't get too down-things will turn around.
10-22-2009 @ 9:27PM
jj said...
You would if you were used to eating them toasted, its not the same.
10-23-2009 @ 1:08AM
Sarah said...
sorry to hear of your troubles. Nobody deserves to suffer, especially those of us who work hard and when push comes to shove, get no help no matter where we turn, it sucks!. I feel your pain and am in a simular position. Hope your situation get better. My thoughts are with you friend.
10-24-2009 @ 10:14PM
Sandi said...
I'm sorry about what's happening to you. I truly am. Life will get better for you. Keep the faith.
10-22-2009 @ 6:38AM
Vegas said...
*Manhattan Bagel* charges an extra 10 cents to toast your Bagel
Reply
10-22-2009 @ 12:51PM
Nancy said...
If the bagel shops are going to start charging for toasting, I'll be eating all my bagels at home and toasting them myself. Ridiculous -- but what isn't these days!
10-22-2009 @ 6:44AM
Mel said...
Yesterday, CBS radio was talking about how more and more people are gravitating to web sites that offer free shipping. The program said that people are 5 times more likely to pass up a web site that charges for shipping and purchase from a web site that offers free shipping. Adding a 25 cent charge to toasting a bagel rings a death knell for Lenny's Bagels
Reply
10-23-2009 @ 12:47AM
MizVonDerW said...
Mel - I agree w/CBS radio. I order beef jerky from a plant in Missouri. No shipping charges, no tax. (Plus, costs about half what is charged in a convenience store) For some, there would be the drawback of having to order 2 pounds. (I order 4 pounds at a time)