McDonald's Restaurants ripoff Added to my bill 2% for charitable contribution to Ronald McDonald House without asking;would not give me my order until I paid it Easley South Carolina

I pulled up to the drive-up order speaker and placed my order. While in line, I calculated my order, including my local tax, and had correct change ready when I reached the window. Much to my surprise, the teller called out a different total. I questioned her total, and she said, yes, my total was correct, but McDonald's was adding an extra 2% to all food orders for donations to the Ronald McDonald house, then proceeded to re-quote my new total. I told her that this was illegal. She said, "okay," and once again, gave me the new total. I reminded her again that it was against the law to force customers to make charitable donations, and she told me that this percentage was going to be RAISED the next day.

I wondered HOW MANY unsuspecting people don't even realize they are being charged this extra money every single day, and they aren't even being asked? I was not given a receipt for this charitable donation, or even for the food I purchased. So I can't even deduct this donation from my tax return in 2006. Of course, the managers don't hang out at McDonald's very much, so you can't take it up with them unless you are there during their hours, whatever those might be. I could not find a web site at which to lodge a complaint against McDonald's directly, and the BBB only takes complaints if you have already complained to the company directly first. I have no idea if this is only in my area. Check your burger ticket, folks.

Teresa
easley, South Carolina
U.S.A.