tax at murphs

[eddysbay]

anyone tell me a little more about the extra tax at el murphys that gus encountered?

[JimmyGreaves]

Yes, I know they throw tax on the bill and I know alot of people who refuse to go because of it.

[PeteC]

You're paying VAT every time you eat at a restaurant, but most build it into their menu prices. Most people don't care or even notice if it doesn't stick out on the bill and smack you. Look at menus and most times there is small print at the bottom of each page, "VAT included". Either way, you're paying it by law. Pete

[Super Joe]

anyone tell me a little more about the extra tax at el murphys that gus encountered?

Hi eddysbay, he explained it in this thread a while back when it was raised:
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/vi ... ed#p159892

Tax.
Over our door by law in white is our holding company name,we are a registered limited company and we pay our taxes accordingly,we also pay employee tax,employee insurance,full entertainment licences etc.We are required by law to show vat on all bills,this is totally out of our control.Most other bars opperate as sole traders and there turnovers are under the required amount as S.J. stated.Also for our permits we must pay vat from the 1st baht we earn.In Bangkok most themed or bigger bars charge this also as do 7/11 etc.
But we do not charge for service as we leave that to you.

SJ

[littlebird]

I too do not go to Murphs for this reason
Of course other places pay tax but the price displayed is the price you pay. So why does Murphs not do this?
Displaying non inclusive prices is misleading

[johnnyk]

Great American Rib does the same. Add 17% to your menu item when you eat there.
Reminds me of Canada where they add taxes and charges separately. One does get tired of the nickel-and-dime aspect of it.
The big question: do staff see any of the s/charge some places add? I hae' me doots as a Scot might say.

[hhfarang]

I don't mind the 7% so much as that is a government tax and you pay it everywhere (just hidden in the prices sometimes), but I do not frequent any place more than once that adds a mandatory service charge to the bill as the Great American Rib Company does. I've been there exactly once, right after they opened a few years ago. Tourist joint only imho...

[Jimbob]

Reminds me of Canada where they add taxes and charges separately. One does get tired of the nickel-and-dime aspect of it.

Yes Johnny I have been caught with insufficient cash funds this way. Did the meal maths in my head, my friend left gave his share of cash then came the taxes when i apid up. Ouch.

As I was on an trip via an expense account in Beijing four years ago. I asked for the VAT/GST Tax vouchers to claim back and got a whole wad of receipts that bamboozzled the finance people at work. That was fun.
I watch carefully for the tax extras in all countries but prefer them to be built into the unit price.

[Homer]

No idea why murph's does it, but whenever I see the VAT is not included in prices in a town where far and away most establishments in the same business include it, I'm cynical enough to thing deception is the reason.

[littlebird]

Much as I disagree with this practice at Murphs, perhaps deception is a little strong but certainly I would agree that a deliberate lack of transparency is employed. I have not come across this in any other bar but would be interested to know if any other bar does this.
As I said I do not frequent the place for this reason but was a little surprised to read that a cover charge is made for entertainment. Is this displayed ? What happens if you are in the bar before the entertainment arrives - are you given the option of leaving or are all prices automatically adjusted at this time ?

[PeteC]

In fact, in places that add VAT to the final bill you may be paying less than places that don't. For example for places that include VAT, a menu item that they want to sell for 100 Baht plus 7% equals 107 Baht. No way they'll charge that, it will be marked up to 110 Baht on the menu. They'll never mark it lower than actual. Pete

[Big Boy]

was a little surprised to read that a cover charge is made for entertainment. Is this displayed ? What happens if you are in the bar before the entertainment arrives - are you given the option of leaving or are all prices automatically adjusted at this time ?

From my recollection, the entertainment surcharge is only from a certain time each night. However, this entertainment surcharge is added whether the band play or not ie I believe there are 2 nights per week that they don't play, but you still pay.

[chopsticks]

In some countries retailers are required to show VAT inclusive prices which helps to avoid confusion and unexpected surprises when paying the bill.
Paying an entertainment surcharge when there is no entertainment is pushing it though, unless the TV screens are considered as 'entertaining' !!

[richard]

Only been twice since it's new owners took over so cannot comment but I guess that says it all

[JD]

Only been twice since it's new owners took over so cannot comment but I guess that says it all

NEW OWNERS?

Same owners from day one as far as I know.

Look, I run a business in Hua Hin. VAT is applicable to all sales. I personally include it in all my sales. My accountant would rather I do it the other way around, but my argumenet is the calculation. You either multiply your sales by 7% or you divide them by 107% to get your net sales figure. Some business's apply this VAT, within their published price, some add it at the end. It depends on the accounting software that their respective accountants need. At the end of the day, if you have had a good night, who gives a shit? Personally, I'm happy to have a good night out, with the entertainment provided, I do not worry about the people providing such a service as adding anything to my bill than that which the Thai economic restrictions do so on us. You accept it in the UK, why not here? I kind of agree with Pete, you pay less in the round up price, than you would in a direct price. But most of all, enjoy the music, the company you are with, and besides all else. The band are fukcing great!!! Go and experience a night at El Murphay's, OK maybe not the cheapest night out in Hua Hin from a local point of view. But a treat for me, especially when they have the best selection of beers to choose from and a stand out band to listen to. You get what you pay for.

I, on occasion, have to entertain a lot of Bangkok Customers, sometime they want to enjoy that Bangkok Irish Bar experience, El Murphay's does that and the band are an extra that the Bangkok bars do not always offer. Feel obliged that you have this in Hua Hin, There aren't many that would go to the trouble of providing this experience.

So you are going to get 7% added to your bill at the end of the night, it's still cheaper than the rounded up price you could of had. If you want to pay 7-11 prices then go there, if you want a night out, with entertainment and the largest selection of beers available in Hua Hin......up to you.

I make this post for no other reason than I like my metal and beer mixed and I can get that in Hua Hin whenever I feel the need, which is more than I can find in Bangkok.