Let The Buyer Beware

[TheExpat]

The wife and I decided to go to a restaurant that we have been to many times before. It is the outdoor restaurant opposite the Asia Airport Hotel / Zeer and on the same side of the street as McDonalds (a small soi separates the two). The waiter brought us a Thai menu and I ordered cashew chicken (80 baht) and the wife got spicy salad (60 baht) and we each got an ice water. We got the bill and it was almost 500 baht. When my wife asked the waiter about it he handed us an English menu listing the prices as 200 and 120 baht for the food items. I grabbed the Thai menu from the next table and showed the waiter the price difference. He then proceeded to tell my wife that I was a farang and the price I was being charged was the farang price. He said that it was no problem because I was a rich farang and could afford it. My wife objected and she went to see the owner. The owner denied the two tier pricing even though my wife had the two menus to show her. She said it was because we got a little extra and the charge was for large size. After threatening to call the police, we were presented with a bill for 200 baht.

So, if you are staying at the Asia Airport hotel or shopping at the Zeer shopping mall, do not eat on the other side of the street, unless you want to be cheated..............

[DamianMavis]

*i%$!#$^&* &^%&&^y *%$^% %@$@#$# $#%$& %$r#@ $!e#w $#e#@!!!!!!! Is all I got to say about that.... makes me so angry. The fact that they just lost a regular customer won't even dawn on them. It's all about NOW NOW NOW!

Damian

[kyb789]

I've seen that at another well known Thai restaurant chain (something about coins, you figure it out). The English menu had higher prices than the Thai menu. Now days I make a mental note of all the prices when I order. You would be surprised how many times the actual bill comes out higher. Especially when you are eating from street vendors.

[JimsKnight]

*i%$!#$^&* &^%&&^y *%$^% %@$@#$# $#%$& %$r#@ $!e#w $#e#@!!!!!!! Is all I got to say about that.... makes me so angry. The fact that they just lost a regular customer won't even dawn on them. It's all about NOW NOW NOW!

Damian

Thats the merchant mentality the thais often have I'm afraid. They arrogantly believe that its ok to treat the customers like dirt because they know another will visit their store/restaurant.

One counter-method is to grill them on the price before you eat, make it a habit of asking the price. If they try and play the 2 tier pricing after you've eaten, just chuck down the thai price and walk...

They can call the cops but I doubt the cops will hunt you down for it.

[ya5702]

I had a similar experience in Yaowarat (Chinatown), BKK. I was with a Thai friend in a grandlooking seafood (Chinese) restaurant. When the woman owner heard us conversing in English she swopped the menu for Thais with another for foreigners. We checked and the prices were about double for foreigners.

I am an overseas Chinese. They (mis)treated me as a farang too!

[DamianMavis]

Ya it's not the colour of your skin they discriminate, its the colour of your money! heh Makes my heart warm to see that Thai people engage in equal opportunity scamming for all people with money.

Damian

[soundman]

Simple solution. When ordering - use the Thai menu & point to the items you have ordered, & watch the service staff to make sure they have written that down. (Even in 13 rien)

[Bentley 7]

It does happen all the time particularly with street vendors and more thai orientated establishments but at 13...

I eat there regularly and have found it to be a straight up establishment

Its part of being an expat in Thailand though unfair and unjust its an added cost. The worst thing is I cant figure out a way to overcome it with out getting into conflict -take it and do go back again, spend your money where its appreciated

[Austhaied]

I've seen that at another well known Thai restaurant chain (something about coins, you figure it out). The English menu had higher prices than the Thai menu. Now days I make a mental note of all the prices when I order. You would be surprised how many times the actual bill comes out higher. Especially when you are eating from street vendors.

Hopefully 13 will be their unlucky number.. They deserve it.

[Tinkelbell]

I had a similar experience in Yaowarat (Chinatown), BKK. I was with a Thai friend in a grandlooking seafood (Chinese) restaurant. When the woman owner heard us conversing in English she swopped the menu for Thais with another for foreigners. We checked and the prices were about double for foreigners.

I am an overseas Chinese. They (mis)treated me as a farang too!

[Rinrada]

Same the whole world over..MPrai...Kor tort K.....Porn man..arkum charan tom tom.. ....se combien.......vas costas das,quenta costa... .......

and

.......excuse me old chap but I say ...how much does this cost....(afore ye buy?)

..hard work and complicated ..init

[jumnien]

I worked for five years in restaurants in California. We developed a habit of treating locals to lower prices, freebies, specials, free drinks, etc. all the time. I'm sure if you go back to where you came from and open your eyes you'll see it is just good business practice. And, no, the customer doesn't get to decide whether he is a local or special or not. Owning a business comes with certain privileges.

[endure]

I worked for five years in restaurants in California. We developed a habit of treating locals to lower prices, freebies, specials, free drinks, etc. all the time. I'm sure if you go back to where you came from and open your eyes you'll see it is just good business practice. And, no, the customer doesn't get to decide whether he is a local or special or not. Owning a business comes with certain privileges.

One of which is watching customers shop elsewhere

[Tinkelbell]

I had a similar experience in Yaowarat (Chinatown), BKK. I was with a Thai friend in a grandlooking seafood (Chinese) restaurant. When the woman owner heard us conversing in English she swopped the menu for Thais with another for foreigners. We checked and the prices were about double for foreigners.

I am an overseas Chinese. They (mis)treated me as a farang too!

I had the same bad encounter with the chinese restaurant owner in chinatown- Yaowarat too. And I'm a Thai expat who can read and speak good Thai at college level, yet they still tried to cheat me by give me the menu for tourist's price.

Why the owner handed me the more expensive menu ? I only could guest she sensed that I might be an expat not a local Thai.

When I first looked at the menu which printed in both Thai and English, I felt the price was quite outrageous for an egg noodle topped with vegi and seafood ((ba-mee-lard-na-talay) for 650bahts and coconut juice was 145baht. The restaurant itself is about 3 stars level. But figured if I got jumbo pawns and some fresh fish filet, then it would worth that price. Instead, I got few medium size shrimps, some flakey immitation crab meat and few sliced fish cakes. I wasn't happy with the whole thing.

I was waiting for my chance, when the Thai group sitting next to me finished looking at their manu, I ask to see menu from one of the group by saying that I want to order the desert. Sure enough there is different set prices on this 2nd menu. After scaning all over, I found my dish priced at 270baht, coconut juice 38baht.

Of course, I paid and got a business card from the cashier. I told her that I'm going to report to TOT which I did.

Once I was having Thai lunch buffet with several friends at Erawan Hyaat in BKK, the buffet was only 680baht per person. But the coconut juice is 160baht each. We were willing to pay for that price at the 5 stars hotel.

The same kind of coconut that served in the hotel can be bought in any local morning market (ta-lard-sod) 2 for 15 baht. Is that amazing ?

[Oleg_Rus]

I worked for five years in restaurants in California. We developed a habit of treating locals to lower prices, freebies, specials, free drinks, etc. all the time. I'm sure if you go back to where you came from and open your eyes you'll see it is just good business practice. And, no, the customer doesn't get to decide whether he is a local or special or not. Owning a business comes with certain privileges.

++1

I don't mind overcharging (lets say American, or similar kind) with triple rate. Whats wrong with it ?

Let me give an exaple - who is the owner of Dusit Zoo ? Khao Yai Park, some park in HuaHin ? Everywhere the rate is different - locals and non-locals.

Guys, who cannot accept reality - they are just pathetic. foreigners in the strange land, period.

[H2oDunc]

I run a diving, snorkling and fishing business. The price I charge for customers I think is reasonable. I dont charge the same for Thai locals who I know cannot afford to pay the same as Farang customers. I dont see that as wrong? There is a big difference to overcharging Farang. I give the local Thais an opportunity to enjoy some of the things we enjoy doing so much. I dont think it is a specifically Thai thing. It happens the world over. I certainly don't expect to pay the same as somebody who earns a fraction of what I do. I know it winds certain people up who stay here. It isn't going to chang so don't let it upset you too much. You have a choice in where you spend your money and remember something is only worth what you are prepared to pay for it!

[Austhaied]

I worked for five years in restaurants in California. We developed a habit of treating locals to lower prices, freebies, specials, free drinks, etc. all the time. I'm sure if you go back to where you came from and open your eyes you'll see it is just good business practice. And, no, the customer doesn't get to decide whether he is a local or special or not. Owning a business comes with certain privileges.

One of which is watching customers shop elsewhere

:D

[thaihome]

I’m against the double tier pricing as much as any reasonable person, but can someone please explain why so many people take it so personally?

It’s not an insult, it is just an attempt to maximize profits, Simple business, as practiced all over the world.

TH

[UnknownPoster]

Another case of TIT where we are expected to accept the absurd ?

This is a blatent ripoff, plain and simple.

2 menus? What kind of people do that?

[Murf]

Double pricing is terrible.

If i know a place uses the tactic i will not go there... ever.

If they can make a decent profit at Thai price structure, there is no need to double charge falangs.

[H2oDunc]

I see by the postings that most of the posters here just see them being ripped off. Open your eyes for christs sake people. You are all here and you have a choice. You are given a menu with a price, If you want to pay , pay if not don't. Its as simple as that. A lot of you jump on your high horse whinging and whining about it. JEEEEZ Its not so much as charging you more rather than charging somebody who earns a fraction of what you earn less. Which part of that equation do you people not understand ????????????????????????????????

[pgs]

I see by the postings that most of the posters here just see them being ripped off. Open your eyes for christs sake people. You are all here and you have a choice. You are given a menu with a price, If you want to pay , pay if not don't. Its as simple as that. A lot of you jump on your high horse whinging and whining about it. JEEEEZ Its not so much as charging you more rather than charging somebody who earns a fraction of what you earn less. Which part of that equation do you people not understand ????????????????????????????????

Based on that, you won't mind if the Gov't ups your tax to 70% because you're a foreigner. No difference.

[philliphn]

I worked for five years in restaurants in California. We developed a habit of treating locals to lower prices, freebies, specials, free drinks, etc. all the time. I'm sure if you go back to where you came from and open your eyes you'll see it is just good business practice. And, no, the customer doesn't get to decide whether he is a local or special or not. Owning a business comes with certain privileges.

++1

I don't mind overcharging (lets say American, or similar kind) with triple rate. Whats wrong with it ?

Let me give an exaple - who is the owner of Dusit Zoo ? Khao Yai Park, some park in HuaHin ? Everywhere the rate is different - locals and non-locals.

Guys, who cannot accept reality - they are just pathetic. foreigners in the strange land, period.

I don't mind overcharging (lets say Russians, or similar kind) with triple rate. Whats wrong with it?

Guys who cannot accept reality - they are just pathetic. Foreigners in the strange land, peroid.

Edited August 15, 2007 by philliphn

[jumnien]

I worked for five years in restaurants in California. We developed a habit of treating locals to lower prices, freebies, specials, free drinks, etc. all the time. I'm sure if you go back to where you came from and open your eyes you'll see it is just good business practice. And, no, the customer doesn't get to decide whether he is a local or special or not. Owning a business comes with certain privileges.

One of which is watching customers shop elsewhere

:D

This is a very wise post. If your intuition leads you happily in another direction and you've developed enough wisdom to follow your intuition, then smile onward. Keep a sense of humor and wonder of life. It's the poor pathetic resentful beasts we are most concerned for. Anger, resentment, sadness, depression will lead a person to self-destructive behaviours and attitudes.

Edited August 15, 2007 by sunrise07

[endure]

I worked for five years in restaurants in California. We developed a habit of treating locals to lower prices, freebies, specials, free drinks, etc. all the time. I'm sure if you go back to where you came from and open your eyes you'll see it is just good business practice. And, no, the customer doesn't get to decide whether he is a local or special or not. Owning a business comes with certain privileges.

One of which is watching customers shop elsewhere

:D

This is a very wise post. If your intuition leads you happily in another direction and you've developed enough wisdom to follow your intuition, then smile onward. Keep a sense of humor and wonder of life. It's the poor pathetic resentful beasts we are most concerned for. Anger, resentment, sadness, depression will lead a person to self-destructive behaviours and attitudes.

I don't think it's the intuition that will lead you elsewhere. It's the fact that you're being asked to pay more for the same goods than other customers.

[jumnien]

Some of us get paid a hel_l of a lot more for doing less work than others. If we occasionally pay more than others it just helps ot balance our karma. Every time I see a Burmese laborer pay 5 baht for his pineapple I smile inside. Why get angry? Look at the big picture!

I've seen US dollar millionaires argue about whether they should pay 5 or 7 baht for a motorcycle taxi!

[bottleymike]

Off the actual subjest of twin resteraunt pricing I know. But this twin pricing starts with the Thai government, who charge one price for Thai's to visit nateral beaty spots( waterfalls, caves etc) and a significantly higher price for fallangs.

My Thai wife and three of her relatives were to be charged 40 baht each at a waterfall in the bush upcountry in uthaithani last year, whilst they wanted 200 baht for me.

My wife argued with them for some time. She got VERY angry with them and would not go in.

My point being that if it starts with the Thai government using double prices, its going to be seen as "normal" by mant Thai's working or coming into contact with fallangs.

As always, whenever buying anything, check the price first.

Mike

[Lancelot]

Off the actual subjest of twin resteraunt pricing I know. But this twin pricing starts with the Thai government, who charge one price for Thai's to visit nateral beaty spots( waterfalls, caves etc) and a significantly higher price for fallangs.

My Thai wife and three of her relatives were to be charged 40 baht each at a waterfall in the bush upcountry in uthaithani last year, whilst they wanted 200 baht for me.

My wife argued with them for some time. She got VERY angry with them and would not go in.

My point being that if it starts with the Thai government using double prices, its going to be seen as "normal" by mant Thai's working or coming into contact with fallangs.

As always, whenever buying anything, check the price first.

Mike

Ding, ding ding, here is one guy that "gets it."

In addition to the national park X 10 pricing, the Thai government is sanctioning overpricing on the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi railway fares. Baht 100 for farangs and around B31 for Thais.

[ercorn]

The double pricing I got used to in eastern europe when I was living there.And that`s why I accept that it`s normal policy for poor contries.I personally hate it but it`s easy enough to find places that don`t do it and again as one poster said if you check the prices before you order and are happy to pay the prices O.K

The one that annoys me is accomidation but I haven`t struck in in LOS or I don`t know about it more than likely.In eastern Europe there are 2 rates(were I think a lot of countries have changed now or are changing)Local rates,and foreigner rates I got caught once as I booked a room stayed the night the manger thinking I was a local gave me local prices and when I checked out he asked to see my passport BANG $40 increase in price.

yeah...... like I made a bigger mess in my room than the locals do???? NFI

Edited August 16, 2007 by ercorn

[buzziebaby]

I see by the postings that most of the posters here just see them being ripped off. Open your eyes for christs sake people. You are all here and you have a choice. You are given a menu with a price, If you want to pay , pay if not don't. Its as simple as that. A lot of you jump on your high horse whinging and whining about it. JEEEEZ Its not so much as charging you more rather than charging somebody who earns a fraction of what you earn less. Which part of that equation do you people not understand ????????????????????????????????

Sorry Dunc have to disagree, surely the price is the price ? Having more or less money should have no influence. It should be the same price for the same thing. If you choose to go to a "FARANG" style restaurant you accept the price however I expect to be charged the same price as everyone else. It is not a matter of money for me as you well know it is a matter or principal.

If I am living in Thailand and working in Thailand then I am earning potentially the same as someone doing the same job whether Thai National or Farang. I am not on vacation I live here . Sure I don't have to work in a bar or a restaurant or in the fields and yes I make more than 150 bht a day but do you think that Mr papa pays the Farang pricing because he has millions in the bank ? ? or do you think he pays Thai pricing ??? I am sure he pays Thai pricing , which surely shows it is not a matter of money ? But the perception that we have more and are all on vacation, not living on fixed incomes ?