Reply to: Beware of French rip-offs !!!

[expat]

Call me paranoid but I always check the potential damage before buying several rounds, especially when abroad, Paris is well know for ripping off pint drinkers.

Well, they are just not selling what Brits probably think they are buying. A drink in a cafe is not just a drink, it's a fee to sit in their space. It should last you an hour, after all you're out for socialising aren't you, intoxicating yourself you can do at home. And 1 drink is a half-pint, so you're having 2 each time. That's 4 drinks, enough for a whole evening out. 13.50€ is pretty cheap for that, don't you think?

[Moscow Mule]

Call me paranoid but I always check the potential damage before buying several rounds, especially when abroad, Paris is well know for ripping off pint drinkers.

You're paranoid, but probably with good reason.

I heard the tale of two chaps I was working with in Budapest when it just becoming civilised again (1999ish). They had gone to a t***y bar and had been presented with a menu for drinks, very reasonable - two beers and a whisky each please. On coming to leave they were presented with a bill for 10x as much, a menu with the inflated prices to prove it and two rather large, mean looking gentlemen.

[Cyberman]

I've worked in most countries in Eastern Europe, along with Australia, the Lebanon and Northern Africa for some period of time. At no time was 50% off the defacto standard.

Most of the places I've been to recently happy hour has been about 33% off.

I expect the terms of the happy hour were displayed openly in 8 point font for all to see.

If you're that troubled by it complain to the local trading standards agency. They seem to kick off in France about the slightest consumer infringement so you might actually get the place shut down.

The terms were NOT OPENLY DISPLAYED. That is why I am angry....... and obviously they were not for a reason!!

[ASB]

Call me paranoid but I always check the potential damage before buying several rounds, especially when abroad, Paris is well know for ripping off pint drinkers.

It's always bloody expensive at the best of times. One price at the zinc, another one sitting down, a different one on the terrace and then the majoration at 10pm (in some places).

A beer in my hotel last last week was 9 Euro. Bloody good job the company's paying.

[Bagpuss]

tighter than a nun's nasty

That too, but seldom ripped off.

[Cyberman]

Looks like you were ripped off twice... 6.50 with a 0.50 discount is 6 euros. 4 x 6 = 24. You were charged 27 you say?

Yes!!!!! It's disgusting, and sums up the arrogant French attitude to tourists. I hope they get hit hard in the imminent recession.

I noticed also that a pretty basic hotel(Hotel Cluny) I stayed at in 1998 which were then charging 50 Euros a night, now charge 150 Euros for a single room. I'm surprised anybody goes to Paris nowadays!!!

[oracleslave]

Call me paranoid but I always check the potential damage before buying several rounds, especially when abroad, Paris is well know for ripping off pint drinkers.

tighter than a nun's nasty

[Bagpuss]

Call me paranoid but I always check the potential damage before buying several rounds, especially when abroad, Paris is well know for ripping off pint drinkers.

[Pondlife]

Is this a joke? Are you a plank? What makes you think all 'Happy Hours' across the world mean half price?

Putdown of the day thus far.

The only reason the French would do anything about this was if the menu was in English!

[Moscow Mule]

Wherever in the world I have been, and I have been to and worked in many countries, and happy hour has been advertised, the discount has been approx 50%. In fact, in another bar in Paris the previous night we did get 50% discount.

My view is that a .5 Euro discount on a 6.5 Euro beer is hardly 'happy hour' and is in fact 'sharp practice' and should be illegal if not openly displayed. They deserve to lose as many customers as possible, as far as I am concerned.

I've worked in most countries in Eastern Europe, along with Australia, the Lebanon and Northern Africa for some period of time. At no time was 50% off the defacto standard.

Most of the places I've been to recently happy hour has been about 33% off.

I expect the terms of the happy hour were displayed openly in 8 point font for all to see.

If you're that troubled by it complain to the local trading standards agency. They seem to kick off in France about the slightest consumer infringement so you might actually get the place shut down.

[oracleslave]

Thats nothing
I tried to get a beer in the 'Bar Mitzva' near the pastille and they wanted to look at the end of me knob before they would serve me

[MrRobin]

Looks like you were ripped off twice... 6.50 with a 0.50 discount is 6 euros. 4 x 6 = 24. You were charged 27 you say?

[Sausage Surprise]

This is just one of the sites I am posting this on, and the main thing is that it makes me feel a bit better. I hate dishonesty!!!!

It does you good to have a rant now and again..

[EternalOptimist]

Thats nothing
I tried to get a beer in the 'Bar Mitzva' near the pastille and they wanted to look at the end of me knob before they would serve me

[Cyberman]

The bar owner will be distraught at the loss of business from 50 people on here (of which probably zero are planning a trip to that particular bar in Paris in the next 5 years)

This is just one of the sites I am posting this on, and the main thing is that it makes me feel a bit better. I hate dishonesty!!!!