Foreigners rates?

[El_Uruguayo]

While I don't disagree with the idea of special pricing, i.e local pricing, children pricing, student pricing, senior citizen pricing, etc. I find, and you have to admit, than in the DR there is a high occurence of, how do I say, pricing irregularites/dishonest pricing, and in some cases gouging. The majority of shops do not have marked prices, you are charged whatever they feel you are willing to pay. While this yields short term rewards, it is not likely to yield a return customer. Same goes with taxis and the like. I am white and speak near perfect spanish, when I ask for a rate in person,it is usually about %60 to %100 more than the rate I get over the phone - why? all they have is my spanish to gage me, and not the appearance of a foreigner. Nobody can deny this, it happens, and it sucks - more for those living in the country than for tourists.

Again, as I had mentioned I don't have a problem with having local rates, it makes sense to a certain extent. The problem I find is that with touristy type things, prices are over-inflated at times, and would cost more than they would cost in NA - Fishing charters come to mind. While I understand that foreigners have more money, it needs to be understood how much money they are willing to spend. I think that many tours, excursions ect. are cost prohibitive, and people don't feel like dishing out money for something that would cost them less at home. If operators were to charge more down-to-earth prices, they would probably find an increase in volume, and in the end make more money. It's ok to charge at a premium rate for what the country's rates are, but going above the rates which one finds in their own country is counter productive. While some will say, "I'm on vacation, screw it, I'll pay", most will probalby just say "screw it." More reasonable prices off the resort, means more money spent off the resort, which is needed - The approach shouldn't be to get whatever they can out of the tourist, but to get as many tourists as they can to contribute.

As for the OPs statement about overcharging foreigners in the UK, I think if you read between the lines you'd see she was painting a picture in extremes - people don't like being ripped off, it's not ok here, there or anywhere. Give the OP a little slack, first post she said something along the lines of "i'm probably coming off as naive..."

[marliejaneca]

Originally Posted by Rocky

And I already admitted to it.
I didn't like her racist statement.

I realized this after I posted that I had not read the second page ( I am set to 40 posts per page), but was too late to edit! Sorry -

Yes, Rocky - she deserved it - way to go - we all thank you!

Marlie

[fightfish]

The price for a foreigner will always be higher...That´s the norm here. The best way to avoid this is to speak the language, don´t have your hair cornrowed with braids and negotiate, the former two suggestions having a definite outcome on the third...

[El_Uruguayo]

..haha corrows and braids are up there with hawaian shirts for things that scream TOURIST!

[augustus]

Even at a discount rate that is a little to much for the locals. 1000 pesos is what some residents in Cheramico were paying for rent per month and maybe what they could or couldn't afford. I pay $ 22.00 for a haircut and shave here in Philly and in DR $3.00 US and that might be the tourest price. Dominican price may be half that. I pay 10 pesos more than Dominicans for a bus ride and double for a public taxi ride, because im almost 300lbs, but I'm only talking a dollar or 2. So why have a stroke over something that would cost me multible times more here in the USA. Now , I have to keep reminding myself when in DR................Tourest do pay more, and will pay more --- No Problem. Just like business in the states, when working in construction like myself I might charge someone in the ghetto $250.00 for getting a permit for plumbing, because only licensed plumbers can get them, and then I might and will charge some one in a upper end area $2,000.00 to $8,000.00 for an 8 bathroom permit and that's a bargain and a real example. If I charged him less, I might look like a crack-head or a fool, grant you the permit cost me $600.00, but that's business. And I'm not a licensed plumber, but go thru someone else...................So I'm sure that $70.00 bus excursion would cost you more here, especially if you needed a translator, which might cost more for that driver, difference in price ??????????

[JoeTurist]

Originally Posted by El_Uruguayo

While I don't disagree with the idea of special pricing, i.e local pricing, children pricing, student pricing, senior citizen pricing, etc. I find, and you have to admit, than in the DR there is a high occurence of, how do I say, pricing irregularites/dishonest pricing, and in some cases gouging. The majority of shops do not have marked prices, you are charged whatever they feel you are willing to pay. While this yields short term rewards, it is not likely to yield a return customer. Same goes with taxis and the like. I am white and speak near perfect spanish, when I ask for a rate in person,it is usually about %60 to %100 more than the rate I get over the phone - why? all they have is my spanish to gage me, and not the appearance of a foreigner. Nobody can deny this, it happens, and it sucks - more for those living in the country than for tourists.

Again, as I had mentioned I don't have a problem with having local rates, it makes sense to a certain extent. The problem I find is that with touristy type things, prices are over-inflated at times, and would cost more than they would cost in NA - Fishing charters come to mind. While I understand that foreigners have more money, it needs to be understood how much money they are willing to spend. I think that many tours, excursions ect. are cost prohibitive, and people don't feel like dishing out money for something that would cost them less at home. If operators were to charge more down-to-earth prices, they would probably find an increase in volume, and in the end make more money. It's ok to charge at a premium rate for what the country's rates are, but going above the rates which one finds in their own country is counter productive. While some will say, "I'm on vacation, screw it, I'll pay", most will probalby just say "screw it." More reasonable prices off the resort, means more money spent off the resort, which is needed - The approach shouldn't be to get whatever they can out of the tourist, but to get as many tourists as they can to contribute.

As for the OPs statement about overcharging foreigners in the UK, I think if you read between the lines you'd see she was painting a picture in extremes - people don't like being ripped off, it's not ok here, there or anywhere. Give the OP a little slack, first post she said something along the lines of "i'm probably coming off as naive..."

My sentiments exactly!
Just returned from a trip to the North Coast, the most annoying was at restaurants with 2 menu, one for locals and one for tourists.
Question for North Coast restaurant owners, when you visit Santiago or Santo Domingo, do you ask for a locals rate? Same as when at Wendy or MacDonald?
Gauge the tourists and you will end up with locals only.
Paying more for admissions to attractions did not bother me, I could see the reason.

My 2 cents.

J.T.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by JoeTurist

My sentiments exactly!
Just returned from a trip to the North Coast, the most annoying was at restaurants with 2 menu, one for locals and one for tourists.
Question for North Coast restaurant owners, when you visit Santiago or Santo Domingo, do you ask for a locals rate? Same as when at Wendy or MacDonald?
Gauge the tourists and you will end up with locals only.
Paying more for admissions to attractions did not bother me, I could see the reason.

My 2 cents.

J.T.

I only know of one restaurant in Sosua that does that.
Did you encounter many like that?

[augustus]

Yeah, I went to the restaurant Rocky is talking about with one of my girls and her mother and the manager rolled out his large chalkboard menu and I got raped by the 3, I wouldn't be surprised if they went back for a commission. But you learn from experience, better there than here though.