Credit card surcharging at restaurants?

I understand that merchants or in this case, restaurants have to pay merchant fees to banks for customers that utilize their debit or credit cards. It's part of being a business owner -- and it should be built into their business model, i.e. inclusive. Don't like it, don't accept plastic. But don't be surprised when your business decreases either because of the actions taken.

What are your thoughts on restaurants that add a surcharge to the bill, but don't notify you in advance of the "fee" tacked on?

And what are your thoughts when you ask for an itemized bill, if not given to you -- it is simply a reprint of the total bill that you had already received?

I recently had this happen to me. And while my bill was off "several dollars," I didn't think too much of it ... until it happened to a relative of mine as well and we started putting two and two together.

After discussing our bills, I learned that a surcharge was added to my bill ... and to his bill, because we both paid with our debit cards (assumed it was rang up at a credit card transaction) and likely, many others as well.

This doesn't sit too well with me. Again, it's not the "fee" that bothers me. It's the "why isn't this factored into the overall price of goods you are selling me?" In other words, I don't want to see it. It feels like you are nickel and diming me. But most of all, be transparent with your customers. Notify your customers in advance. Have posted signs on the wall. Let customers know on your menu. Post it on social media. Don't try to hide it until after the fact.

It's a bad image.