When you eat in a restaurant, do you need customers to pay taxes when you check out? This is the first time I've heard of this!
Recently, some netizens broke the news that they were asked to pay VAT when they checked out after a meal at a restaurant; After this incident was exposed, it immediately attracted the attention of netizens!
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Details of the event
In this era when online information is so developed, there are few things that can attract widespread attention and discussion on the Internet. However, a small episode on June 28 managed to attract widespread attention from netizens - a friend had a big meal at Banyan Tree Anji on the 26th, thinking that he could happily check out and leave, but only to meet an uninvited guest on the bill - "6% VAT". This sudden tax and fee suddenly mixed the otherwise sweet dining experience with a bit of bitterness.
As we all know, whether it is going to a restaurant or shopping in the supermarket in daily life, the price usually includes taxes and fees, which is also to simplify the consumption process and make consumers feel that the consumption process is transparent and convenient. However, this time, Banyan Tree's bill clearly marked the tax rate, which was surprising. Why is it that taxes that you don't usually see suddenly jump out?
This situation makes people wonder if there may be an information asymmetry between merchants and consumers. In most cases, consumers are not clear about how taxes are calculated, and when taxes are suddenly presented in this way, it will give people the feeling of being charged extra, as if the merchant has "picked a handful of wool" on top of the original consumption.
The original intention of eating was to enjoy the food and relax, but this time it seemed to become a sudden math problem. Consumers not only have to enjoy the food, but also have a clear mind to calculate what this additional expenditure is about, which directly affects the dining experience. The originally relaxed and pleasant dining atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward and uncomfortable because of this "bill surprise".
Faced with this situation, diners have had different reactions. Some people may choose to ask the waiter on the spot to find out what this additional tax is all about, after all, no one wants to pay more without knowing it. Others may take out their phones and search the Internet for relevant tax policies to see if they really need to pay for this outstanding tax fee.
This practice of the restaurant has undoubtedly increased the psychological burden on consumers, who should have been an occasion to enjoy a relaxing time, but now it has become a place full of questions and discussions. It's not just individual consumers, but this situation can affect the dining experience of other customers as well, after all, when one person starts questioning the bill, the people around them may also get involved out of curiosity.
More broadly, this reflects consumer demand for clear and transparent consumer information. In today's increasingly important consumer rights, any behavior that may affect the transparency of consumption may attract public attention and discussion. Therefore, merchants should pay more attention to transparency in their pricing strategies to ensure that consumers can clearly understand all fee structures, including taxes and fees, before making a purchase.
The restaurant replied
As soon as the video was uploaded online, it attracted the attention of the media. Banyan Tree Anji was then contacted by the media to ask why VAT was listed separately on the bill. A staff member at the restaurant explained: "Actually, we already have a mark on the menu, and all the dishes are priced with tax. We also pay taxes according to regulations, and this time the tax amount is listed separately, mainly so that consumers can see more clearly and know where their money is spent. ”
To put it simply, there's nothing unusual about restaurants, as most restaurants have tax-inclusive prices, but they don't usually show it on the bill. Banyan Tree chose to list the tax amount separately this time in order to increase transparency and let consumers know how much tax is included in every payment they make, so that consumers can know when they pay.
Netizens are hotly discussed
As more and more people pay attention to this matter, the Internet is also lively, and everyone is expressing their opinions.
Some netizens raised a very key question: "Is it clearly written that the price on the menu does not include tax?" How much is the tax? "That's what people are particularly concerned about. Because usually, the menu prices we see are already inclusive of taxes, that is, how much you see is how much you pay in the end, and there will be no additional costs. However, if the price on the menu does not include tax, then how much this tax is, should it also be clearly written, so that everyone can know when ordering.
It's really a question of transparency. If the restaurant clearly indicates on the menu what is the pre-tax price and how much the tax is, consumers will be able to know more clearly what they are spending on a specific basis. That way, you won't feel like you've been suddenly added to your bill, and you won't feel like you're being kept in the dark. To put it bluntly, consumers have the right to know where their money is spent, and every penny should be clear.
Some netizens on the Internet responded: "What people said is right, and they have clearly informed that this is allowed." This sentence is actually emphasizing that what the restaurant is doing is compliant, and they are not doing anything wrong.
Indeed, if the restaurant has clearly informed how the price is calculated, including how the tax is charged, at the time of consumption, this in itself is in accordance with the regulations. Just like when we sign a contract or agree to certain terms of service in certain situations, as long as the information provided is transparent and we agree to it, then this is allowed.
From this point of view, as long as the restaurant does inform the consumer in the menu or somewhere obvious that the price is tax-free, or that the tax needs to be calculated separately, there is no problem with this practice. The main thing is to see if the restaurant has given consumers a clear clue before consumption, so that consumers know what is included in each payment they pay. As a result, consumers can have a clearer expectation of what to expect and won't be bothered or dissatisfied by unexpected fees at checkout.
Some netizens said in the discussion: "I really haven't encountered this situation before. This sentence shows that in his consumption experience, he has never encountered a situation where a restaurant lists taxes separately on the checkout.
Usually when we eat or shop in China, most of the prices we see are tax-inclusive, which means that the tax has been calculated, and consumers do not need to calculate the tax separately when they pay. This practice has made many people accustomed to paying the amount shown on the menu or price tag directly, without having to worry about taxes.
Therefore, when suddenly you see an obvious tax item on the bill, many people will be surprised, even a little puzzled, and feel that this is an uncommon situation. This difference in experience can be confusing for consumers to wonder if such a way of charging is common, and it may also call into question the transparency and fairness of the restaurant.
What are your thoughts on this?
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