Undercharging

[Gnasher328]

While I have had the bill padded a few times I'm sure, recently I seem to be getting more change or asked for less than I expected. Last night after a good chicken in basil, rice and a beer, I was bought the bill for 110B.

I handed over 120B, thinking 'wow, what value,they can certainly keep the change', then 'hmm - that just can't be enough'. I called the girl over and tried to explain but couldn't make her understand, and soon the whole family were crowded round looking concerned. I handed over another 100B which caused even more confusion so I asked for the menue and some paper and a pen, then showed them the full 'calculation'. The light dawned, there were huge smiles and 'wais' all round and I left with a nice warm feeling inside - or perhaps that was just the chillies.

A friend has said this is common at another friends bar, where I first started to query my mental arithmetic skills.

[eurozhongguo]

I also sometimes get undercharged, sometimes by mistake, but usually because I am a regular customer.

[AlphMichaels]

Funny..., happens to me more often than I can now recall. Like you, I've usually made an effort to point out the error made in my favor. Like you, I've had some look at me incredulously as I show them the error. On one occasion and after 3-4 minutes trying to explain, I gave up and left a richer man!

Those who understood I was only trying to help them have always acknowledged it with smiles and pats on the back as I made my exit.

[Maggusoil]

Lots of very nice people in this country.

Pity they are led by such rapacious buffoons.

[mikebell]

It can happen in supermarkets if you keep your eyes peeled. Special offers like 70 baht each or 2 for 150. If you go to a bar that has the sign 'Buy one, get one.' They mean it.

[jpduggan]

Consider yourself lucky that they didn't get in 10 taxi bikers to kick some sence into you!

[telldem]

They need to hire more math teachers.

[somchaismith]

The staff had a big laugh out the back, in the kitchen, after winning the 100 baht bet,

'You see Tosaporn, I win. Farang ngor! Not only can I charge them double, but I can even get them to give me money for nothing!'

[malcoml]

As all this was going on the restaurant owner was quietly watching.

The cashier was let go that night for not being able to add up.

I never make a point when my bill is wrong after seeing a restaurant owner scream at a staff member after I made a point they had left one drink off my bill.

[damo]

I was lost in BKK once so I hailed a taxi, and told him where I wanted to go, it was only 200 meters down the road and gave me a lift at no cost. Nice 1.

[DoctorG]

A mechanic in Songkhla did some minor repairs to my bicycle for free.

[avander]

Yes, it does happen. We've been having some considerable building works at our place and I generally seem to be quoted the 'special farang price' and after some negotiation end up with a 'smaller' inflated price. One guy did a job and I reckon I was pretty much scalped but he is doing another job for us now after quoting a reasonable price but ended up grossly underestimating the labour. He's pretty miffed but hurdy-gurdys and round abouts. We might have been more understanding if the first job wasn't so inflated. We just have to keep a close eye on the rest of the work now.

[zeichen]

I don't see how paying 110 baht for a 30 baht meal and a 20-40 baht beer is undercharging, but please come to my resturaunt anytime.

I do like the balance of threads though. There is another thread talking about price gouging and one where people are given deals.

I have had both experiences. I usually stay within my comfort zone and familiar areas and therefore often get free/discounts. My daughter who is 4 often gets lots of free stuff from vendors. She is so polite and proper and they love the fact that she looks like me but speaks Thai so properly and formally.

[somchaismith]

Yes, it does happen. We've been having some considerable building works at our place and I generally seem to be quoted the 'special farang price' and after some negotiation end up with a 'smaller' inflated price. One guy did a job and I reckon I was pretty much scalped but he is doing another job for us now after quoting a reasonable price but ended up grossly underestimating the labour. He's pretty miffed but hurdy-gurdys and round abouts. We might have been more understanding if the first job wasn't so inflated. We just have to keep a close eye on the rest of the work now.

Good luck with that. Keep us updated.

Edited December 30, 2013 by somchaismith

[gugabh]

Hahahahahahahaha!

They need to hire more math teachers.

[nongsangcity]

I had a deep water well drilled recently.......2 local Thais had the same recently.....they have asked me how much I paid ??? both the Thais paid more than me.....also bought paint last month, girl in the village liked our paint colour , we told her where we bought it and how much it was....she went to the same shop bought the same colour paint...they wanted to charge her 100 bht extra than I paid.....she said in know falang who paid 100 bht less .....and they dropped the price to the same as I paid...........doesn't matter if you are Thai or Falang.....they will try to flees you..........Thai bashers take note....Thais will try to charge more to who ever......

[Nemesis7]

lucky you

[connda]

If I'm under-charged I always make it right. Anyway, the Thai family restaurant that I usually eat at has dual prices: one for the English menu and a lower one for the Thai menu. Being a regular who can actually read the Thai menu, I get the Thai price. I do appreciate that!

[connda]

A mechanic in Songkhla did some minor repairs to my bicycle for free.

In Chiang Mai, our mechanic who was overhauling our car gave my wife and I a ride to Lamphun two times while the car was in the shop. Heck of a nice guy.

[connda]

I had a deep water well drilled recently.......2 local Thais had the same recently.....they have asked me how much I paid ??? both the Thais paid more than me.....also bought paint last month, girl in the village liked our paint colour , we told her where we bought it and how much it was....she went to the same shop bought the same colour paint...they wanted to charge her 100 bht extra than I paid.....she said in know falang who paid 100 bht less .....and they dropped the price to the same as I paid...........doesn't matter if you are Thai or Falang.....they will try to flees you..........Thai bashers take note....Thais will try to charge more to who ever......

Slightly off topic, but how deep did they drill and what was the approximate cost. I'm giving it some thought.

[gcbruk]

Nice to hear some good things said about Thais for once...they are not all b'stards far from it...very few in my experience...though I can't help noticing how little they trust each other..

[mogandave]

As all this was going on the restaurant owner was quietly watching.

The cashier was let go that night for not being able to add up.

I never make a point when my bill is wrong after seeing a restaurant owner scream at a staff member after I made a point they had left one drink off my bill.

If a cashier can't add, or at least operate the machine that adds for them, they should be let go.

That said, if the error was on the bill, the cashier had nothing to do with it.

[malcoml]

As all this was going on the restaurant owner was quietly watching.

The cashier was let go that night for not being able to add up.

I never make a point when my bill is wrong after seeing a restaurant owner scream at a staff member after I made a point they had left one drink off my bill.

If a cashier can't add, or at least operate the machine that adds for them, they should be let go.

That said, if the error was on the bill, the cashier had nothing to do with it.

Mistakes can happen. That is what happens when tight fisted employers looking to save money recruit from the the least educated people.

You get what you pay for.

[mogandave]

As all this was going on the restaurant owner was quietly watching.

The cashier was let go that night for not being able to add up.

I never make a point when my bill is wrong after seeing a restaurant owner scream at a staff member after I made a point they had left one drink off my bill.

If a cashier can't add, or at least operate the machine that adds for them, they should be let go.

That said, if the error was on the bill, the cashier had nothing to do with it.

Mistakes can happen. That is what happens when tight fisted employers looking to save money recruit from the the least educated people.

You get what you pay for.

So it is your position that cashiers need higher education?

[cobra]

Though I applaud your altruism,

I would be a little leary of pointing out in public that someone couldn't add,

They may be greatful or they may feel a loss of face, looking stupid, etc,

I'd would just include in the tip the difference so they're made whole.

[mogandave]

I think incompetence should be made obvious. Keep in mind, if they are accidentally undercharging, odds are they are overcharging as well.

Should we all just donate the overage to allow the wait-staff and cashier to save face?

[Kangawallafox]

Bring back the abacus.

[Ghostnigel]

On the other side of the coin, I don't know why we only have to keep an eye on the Thai cafes and restaurants, have you ever noticed that even if you buy Thai food in a Farang type restaurant, (ie. 'the George', owned by a farang by Thai wife) it's a lot more than in a Thai one. Same food, but pricier....did i think that aloud?

[godden]

As the old saying goes if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

[jackr]

As all this was going on the restaurant owner was quietly watching.

The cashier was let go that night for not being able to add up.

I never make a point when my bill is wrong after seeing a restaurant owner scream at a staff member after I made a point they had left one drink off my bill.

Indeed. Being undercharged is much less important than someone losing face. I also point out when undercharged, but be mindful how you do it no matter how right it may seem.