Finn McCools Irish Pub Sosua

westcan

Member
Sep 10, 2008
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More importantly, how much is a small domestic beer. Will they serve grandes?
Can we have a St. Patrick's Day parade again?
 

bigbird

Gold
May 1, 2005
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Why not have a currency exchange for US dollars at least right in the bar? At the highest going rate - Sosua this is now 49.6. That way people stop to change a hundred or two then drink $20+ in beer and pub food. Cheaper than advertising.

as a courtesy maybe yes, but probably not too wise to get in competition with the street exchange guys plus not a good idea to let it be known large amounts of cash are on premises.
 

bigbird

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May 1, 2005
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Now that I have seen the menu the simplicity of pricing in $USD makes a lot of sense on a small paper throw away menu like this.
 

tmnyc

New member
Oct 19, 2006
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I wonder if you get your bill in dollars, you can pay with your cc in dollars? This has become a new thing. I paid for my groceries in Playero and paid with my dollar debit card from my UK bank. The verifone machine gave me the option to pay in either USD or DOP. I chose dollars and checked my statement a few days later, the exact amount in dollars was debited from my account.

When paying with a CREDIT CARD, never pay with your card's issuer home currency. Always pay in the LOCAL currency. You are getting ripped off in the conversion from the local currency (pesos) to USD's or (home currency/£ ) under the guise of convenience to the customer.

This scam is known as Dynamic Currency Conversion.

See https://www.americanbanker.com/opinion/stop-gouging-travelers-with-dynamic-currency-conversion
 

Cdn_Gringo

Gold
Apr 29, 2014
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When I buy a hamburger I am now used to seeing the price in pesos. I compare prices in pesos and I use pesos exclusively everyday. When I first arrived in this country, I drove myself nuts converting everything, from CDN to US to RD and vice versa as I learned what was reasonably priced and what wasn't.

I no longer feel compelled to do this and I don't want to start again. Sure, no biggie for 1 burger or one beer/drink. Add food, several beers and several other drinks and one will feel compelled to multiply by 49 (at least OCD me will) to check the amount on the bill. Sorry, just not interested in adding another complication to daily life.

Not suggesting anyone is going to be taken advantage of. If you accept the bill at face value and don't check the conversion math, you'll not know and for some that may be an annoyance not required at other establishments. Is it not enough that you have to keep your own tally without complicating it?

If an establishment needs to rejig their menu pricing every 48 hours because of a slight drop in peso value that speaks to a whole other kettle of fish. I liked the blackboard idea. This menu/peso justification smells fishy to me. At least using the euro would be in keeping with the Irish theme...

It's just a weird decision by the owner and that stands out as being weird. No real problem being weird in this town.
 

Tom0910

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2015
1,000
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Ok, first, even if you do not know Big Frank, and you walked into his bar and sat down with him to shoot the sh1t, it's doubtful that you would pay for half of your drinks anyway. Anyone who has sat with Big Frank, conversed with him, watched football with him, will walk away screwing him over...because he won't let you pay for much.

HE's at his bar to shoot the ****, tell stories, listen to stories, get to know you, and watch girls and sports....in that order. He doesn't give a sh!t about giving away a beer here, or a drink there. What he really lives for is conversation, getting to know people, having a drink, and having fun. He's not there to try and nickel and dime anyone.
I got to know Big Frank and his son last year having dinner and drinks with him a few times and telling stories etc.,you are correct about what you say in regards to him and his generosity. I want to go on record that I for one never thought of it as a way to screw people,anyone that knows him knows that is not his modus operandi. I just thought it was odd seeing as no other bar or restaurant does it. I look forward to seeing him and picking up where we left off last year,good times.
 

JasonD

Bronze
Feb 10, 2018
1,009
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I believe the option to spend in USD/CAN or DOM Pesos needs its own thread. Someone please open one?
 

bigbird

Gold
May 1, 2005
7,375
164
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.......... I for one never thought of it as a way to screw people,........................... I just thought it was odd seeing as no other bar or restaurant does it...........................

Same here, just weird. Prices in dollars but the establishments expects you to pay in pesos of if you don't hand over exact change in $USD you will get pesos as your change.

Looking at that small menu and thinking only a small group of locals and the weekend warriors will patronize the place I don't think it will really matter.


@frank12, how will one receive the bill?
 

barker1964

Silver
Apr 1, 2009
3,413
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I like how the english version has a " at your discretion gratuity " and the spanish one doesnt.....lol.

Help me here. Am I seeing right? 18% plus 10% for a total of 28% Is that factored in the menu price or is that apart?
 

frank12

Gold
Sep 6, 2011
11,848
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Same here, just weird. Prices in dollars but the establishments expects you to pay in pesos of if you don't hand over exact change in $USD you will get pesos as your change.

Looking at that small menu and thinking only a small group of locals and the weekend warriors will patronize the place I don't think it will really matter.


@frank12, how will one receive the bill?

I wasn't there when he opened, but if it is anything like O'Shays, you get your bill in pesos, with the breakdown of all currencies at the bottom of the bill. If you chose to pay in Dollars or Euros, you get pesos as change. It's calculated by the POS computer system at the current exchange rate. It works the same in SD at many places.

It's a good system, and has all the breakdown of taxes, etc.
 

Expat13

Silver
Jun 7, 2008
3,255
50
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I was the Saturday, my bill came in pesos. He also has a point system based on your spending similar to the Pola. So overall a good deal on some good food.

Speaking of which i just hit 3000 posts, do I get anything for that? maybe a Pedro clisante coupon?
 
Someone here needs to explain to me how if Frank gives you a bill for $6 US and lets you pay at the prevailing rate in pesos he is screwing you. In fact, you can screw him if he does not know the current exchange rate and you do know it.

$6 US @ 49.6 equals 297.6 pesos. So how does this screw the customer. You don't need a math degree here, just some common sense.

It’s just a bad business idea, I am shocked he did that.
Menus should be redone imo.
Automatically I thought they are looking for tourists I’m outta here.
 
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jd426

Gold
Dec 12, 2009
10,098
3,423
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Blue Collar Town in New Jersey
At first I felt the same way " tourist trap" we take US $$..

but then, if you think about it Logically.. what is WORSE ..
1)- Paying US Cash.. which can easily be stuffed in the wallet with the pesos , no one is going to be confused and give a $ 20 to a moto by accident ..

Or
2) going to a " nice typical Dom restaurant/Bar " and yes you can see the menu prices in pesos clearly printed , but when you get the Bill. Not only is it in Pesos , its got the VAT Tax +, so now the total is completely whacked , and almost impossible to really know what your FOOD COSTS UNTIL YOU ATE it already, and got the Bill .. Unless you feel like doing ACCOUNTING every time you step out ..

So OTOH, If I know this drink or whatever is $6 , and That Philly Steak is $10.. and THIS is my TOTAL, Plus a little Tip...
IMO that is a lot easier and a heck of a lot more convenient ..
Only thing is .. If i walk in there with a $50 or Hundred dollar bill, dont give me no grief about Making my Change in USD you best send somebody out to get it , cuz otherwise you are now wasting my time ..

But For a Small Sports Bar like this which will probably be 100% Americans & maybe Canadians anyway .. I kind of LIKE the Idea to tell you the truth ...

speaking of Which , what is he going to do with The Canadians ?
 

oldschool

Well-known member
Oct 9, 2004
556
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speaking of Which , what is he going to do with The Canadians ?

The ones bitching about this issue on this thread are Canadian as they always get their underwear in a bunch anytime things are priced in AMERICAN DOLLERS