Went there with local and out of town friends two weeks ago. The bill came and it seemed high. Upon checking it they had penned in ""15% tax", yes TAX. When questioned about if it was a propina, the waiter said "No, it is a tax we have to pay to the people who prepare the food. The tip is extra and not included." HMMM. When we told him that this was illegal in Mexico, that the price on the menu, price tag or whatever had to be inclusive of tax. He refused to take it off the bill. We paid (thanks LG) but left no add'l money as tip. Well, "Profeco TJ" headed to Profeco the other day. It took about 3 hours and a trip to the Mocambo in the HZ, but I got a refund for THE ENTIRE BILL - $581, not just the $76 "tax". The manager at the HZ restaurant was beyond apologetic. When told that the waiter was not rude, just a crook, he said he would lose his job over this and hoped it was worth the $76. AND, Profeco is going to go to the restaurant, again, on Isla Mujeres just left on the main street as you get off the boat, and hit them with a $3,000 Multa. Profeco has teeth, if you turn them loose, they will get something done. Not my first rodeo with them. I did take a Mexican lady to butt in line (for real) and she did the heavy lifting. If anyone experiences such a problem please get in touch as this may be a pattern of ripping off customers, whether local or guests from abroad.
Good for you, TJ! I just hope that it really was the waiter's fault... would be a shame if the restaurant required their staff to add the "tax" and then he gets fired because of it.
Well done TJ - yes I am wondering if waiter was just doing his job and will now get the blame- working for a crook is not good though so you probably did him a favor long term Tracey x
So, T.J., it's your understanding that the menu prices are the final prices, including IVA, and a bill that states IVA as an extra charge (rather than a disclosure of the IVA included in the prices) is a ripoff attempt? I'll have to watch for that! I haven't been paying attention, and I suspect it's happened to me more than once.
Thanks Gringation and Tracey. V - Yes, for the most part I think you get it. In the case I mentioned, the "15% tax"" was simply added by pen on the cash register printout. It was so very obvious. When you mention the "disclosure" I think you are talking about something with a published price of $111.00 (I can do this in my head). The receipt will show the price at $111.00, then below it will say something like IVA $11.00. Sorry but I don't have a receipt in hand at the moment. This will most likely occur in a bar or restaurant and if the check is handwritten it is even more likely for shenanigans to occur.
