they did NOT add 26%, the menu states "taxes included"
I had wanted to try Simply Red last night, but I got waylaid with some friends at Rocky's. It was well worth the postponement.
I completely agree with tflea regarding the tax and tip deal-e-o. It's not something we need to discuss ad infinitum. If the menu states, taxes and tip included, they probably are.
I will withhold judgment on the waitresses until I actually eat there, but my judgment will not be based on nationality or physical appearance. That I can guarantee.
me too.
if by hook and crook a business owner makes the actual price 40-50% higher than is stated in the menu it leaves a very bad aftertaste to say the least.
he may pay whatever taxes required by law but for us there must be one clear and honest price.
and we will be able to compare easily and will bring our dollars only to the most honest place with the absolutely lowest price. If any business wants our money, he should make sure and demonstrate that his prices are the lowest of all.
it is very simple i think.
as a matter of principal neither myself nor my relatives or friends and visitors never go to places that hint or allude to any additional "taxes", "charges", "fees" etc. We are not born yesterday.
We are happy that Simply Red seems to be on our side of the barricade. We`ll give them lot of business and lot of money. Lot of money.
Are you saying you will only eat in the absolutely cheapest restaurant in town?
And since when is charging the Legally required taxes being dishonest? Without getting into a debate about this, I just want to point out what some seem to continually misunderstand:
16% ITBIS and 10% Legal Service are required by law to be charged. Some restaurants include them in the menu prices, others charge them separately...unless they say one thing and do another, there is nothing dishonest or illegal about it...why would a restaurant that clearly states 'Taxes Not Included' on their menu, and then clearly adding them to your bill, be on the wrong side of the "barricade"??? If a restaurant owner doesn't pay their staff correctly that's a different story, but it rarely has anything to do with whether or not they charge separately for taxes.
As for prices, that's another story. It's great when a good restaurant charges reasonable prices, but to think the only restaurants worth visiting are the cheapest ones in town is a little closed-minded, but to each his own, I guess...
yes you are right.
probably i expressed myself incorrectly.
only wanted to say that we prefer to see just one price without any additional calculations.
and if service is exceptionally good we may add 5 or 10 pesos propina as well.
i did not say cheapest restarants. i said - best and most competitive prices.
of two comparable restarants we go ONLY to the one with lower price. be it difference one peso only. To support the correct thinking and to stimulate the firece price war and competition among owners for our hard earned money.
If they do not want to fight each other and prefer to relax instead of competing and lowering prices - it is OK. We can eat home and go to a bar for a happy hour drink.
...restaurants are not "at war" with each other over a few pesos pricing!!
And it is very bad!
This is the reason for rampant tourist traps and rip-off in Sosua.
And this is a big difference between a real capitalist competition and anti-tourist price setting that is Illegal in USA.
Consumers need price wars.
Business owners hate them. Two opposite agendas at stake.
"Cheapest place" and "place with the cheapest price" - are two big difference. In reality "place with the cheapest price" can be the best quality wise. Just less greedy than others.