Fees for card and surcharge for cash: Outrageous conundrum at major Aussie event after cost-of-living promise

The Perth Royal Show has been slammed for introducing a surcharge for people wanting to pay for tickets with cash. The annual event, which is expected to host more than 300,000 people, is just a few days away from launching and has more than 100 free things to do and see once you're inside.

But, if you haven't purchased a ticket before heading down to the showground, you'll be forced to pay a surcharge. It's an extra $5 if you have cash and a little more than $4 if you have card.

A spokesperson for the show told Yahoo Finance the additional charge is to support the extra staff needed to process tickets at the door.

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"We need to pay gate staff to run the cash terminals upon entry," the spokesperson said.

"The gate cash purchase fee is an admin fee to cover our cost for the additional staff.

"We recommend all patrons book online through the website prior to arrival. Booking online takes one minute... and they can immediately present the QR code to be scanned at the gate, thus not paying the additional fee."

Aussie adults who want to head to the show will have to fork out $22 for a ticket. It's free for people aged 15 and under, as well as companion cardholders, and $16.50 for students and concession cardholders.

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If you buy a ticket online, you'll have to pay a $3 online booking fee for adults and $2 for concessions, as well as a merchant fee of 30 cents and up to 2 per cent depending on the method of payment (credit card/Apple Pay/ Google Pay/PayPal).

But if you buy your ticket at the gate, it'll be $5 extra for cash for adults and $3 extra for concessions. If you pay with card at the gate, you'll be charged an additional $4.41 for adults and $2.54 for concessions, and also have to pay a merchant fee on top of that.

It's an issue close to Aussies' hearts, with a Yahoo Finance poll showing 80 per cent of people would be put off going to a venue if it included a surcharge for entry.

The controversy for surcharging has heated up in recent weeks, with even the big four banks CEOs calling for a ban on the practice for digital payments which is estimated to cost Aussies between $960.26 million and $4 billion.

Surcharging is banned in places like the US, UK and Canada and the cost is instead embedded in the price of goods and services.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) chief executive Matt Comyn said this is how the cost of using cash is generally hidden, much like "the cost of coffee beans or milk".

The cost of supplying staff for the Perth Royal Show was likely always included in the ticket price, but organisers are now being transparent about it.

Cafes and restaurants have also been subject to criticism for applying surcharges over weekends or public holidays, when they have to pay extra penalty rate wages for staff.

Yahoo Finance contributor Emma Edwards argued consumers should not have to cover these costs.

Aussies rage over 'rip off' surcharging

When news of the surcharging spread on social media, many Aussies weren't happy.

"We've been going to local shows for over 10yrs now, screw the rip off royal show," said one person.

"What a scam, government saying free and discounted tickets, not really with all the other fees and charges," wrote another.

"Wtf is a booking fee? You gotta pay whether cash or EFTPOS? Just up the ticket price if you're so inclined, jeez," added a third.

The spokesperson for the show told Yahoo Finance that they "completely understand" the outrage, however tickets on the door require more staff to be employed and they have to be paid.

The tickets would have been far higher if the Western Australian government hadn't stepped in.

Part of the $5.2 million state government investment in the Royal Show went to subsidising ticket costs, which has halved adult and concession ticket prices.

Up to four children under 15 are allowed to get in for free with every paid adult ticket.

“The Perth Royal Show is a great day out, where visitors young and old can learn more about the agricultural industries which put food on our plates and clothes on our backs," Premier Roger Cook said in a statement.

“We know many families are feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living, so this year, tickets for the kids are on us."

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