Foreigners overcharged for identical products
Foreigners are charged more than locals when buying identical products from the same establishments, an exercise conducted by The SundayTimes has shown.
One quarter of stores, kiosks and bars visited by this newspaper charged more to a foreigner speaking English than to a Maltese person speaking the national language for the same product.
Sixteen stores, kiosks and bars were visited in popular tourist areas in Valletta, St Julian’s, Paceville, Tarxien and Rabat.
At each location, a Maltese journalist ordered a selected item in Maltese, while a British journalist posing as a tourist ordered the same item in English.
The journalists ordered the same product directly after one another and obtained receipts in all cases when the foreigner was charged more.
TheSundayTimes only visited retailers where prices of items were not clearly displayed, which is illegal under the Price Indication Regulations of the Consumer Affairs Act.
At a confectionary in Merchants Street, Valletta, on August 26, the Maltese journalist paid €1.20 for a small bottle of cola, while the British journalist was charged €1.50 for the same item immediately afterwards.
On the same day, a political party club in Republic Street, Valletta, perhaps demonstrated why it displays a sign saying ‘tourists welcome’ outside – the barman there charged the Maltese journalist €1.30 for a bottle of lager, but moments later he charged the British ‘tourist’ €1.40 for the same item.
Yesterday at a store in St George’s Road, St Julian’s, the attendant charged the British journalist €1.25 for a two-litre bottle of mineral water. A few minutes later, the same woman charged the Maltese journalist €1 for the product.
And Anglo-Maltese solidarity was somewhat lacking at a certain establishment in Merchants Street, Valletta, yesterday; the British journalist was charged the Anglo price of €2, while the local journalist was charged the Maltese price of €1.75 for an equivalent large can of lager. Although the other places visited did not display the prices of all their products as required by law, they did not attempt to charge different prices for the same product to the journalists.
Foreigners who spoke TheSundayTimes came up with numerous anecdotes about instances when they believe they were ripped off.
One Briton recalled a time he was eating in Mdina with his Maltese girlfriend, whom the waitresses presumed was also foreign, and right in front of them one waitress told another in Maltese to charge them for two scoops of ice cream instead of the one they had ordered.
Another foreigner working in Valletta recalled that for weeks he was charged 90 cents for his daily cup of coffee at a cafe close to his place of work. When the staff at the cafe started to recognise him they began charging him 70 cents instead, but lost a formerly loyal customer.
“Despite the drop in price, I would rather buy my coffee elsewhere than pay people I know were cheating me,” he said.
Odette Vella of the Consumer and Competition Department, who writes a weekly consumer column in TheSundayTimes, emphasised it is illegal for any retailer to purposely charge different prices for the same product.
Ms Vella said every product for sale should have a price which is displayed in a manner that is unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible.
If consumers believe they have been overcharged, or if they know of a trader that does not display its prices, they can report these traders to the Enforcement Directorate within the Consumer and Competition Department on Freephone 8007 4400.
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caz cruthcley
Sep 7th 2010, 10:04
Let us be proacvtive. On World Consumer Day everyone whether Maltese or Alien go out and find a place with no prices marked and report them to the consumer division who will have a full team on standby.. Busy day for everyone. Even the vendors who will be busy pricing up their goods!!!
Anthony Grech
Sep 6th 2010, 17:20
Foreigners charged more....... Well this has been going on for a long long time. It is not going to change.Even if you are Maltese or Gozitan and come to Malta for vacation,they charge you more too. The establishment do not care as long as they get more money for the same things that the Maltese there buy it.If the government do not do any thing about it,then they are still going to do it. Oh yes,another thing is for crossing from Malta to Gozo. The Maltese have to pay more than the Gozitans and that foreigners have to pay high price too. I know because it happened to me and my wife. The Goverment better wake up and do something about it.
Alan Kay
Sep 6th 2010, 12:09
In most of these cases, the amounts involved are small, still wrong, and a very bad advert for the country.
However, Water Services charge 16 cents per unit of electricity," residential rate", and 21 cents per unit "domestic rate" - ie non resident, this is an overcharge of more than 25%.
If you have a bill of Eur 500 they are charging Eur 125 more than a Maltese resident.
It is this that The Sunday Times should be putting on their front page, and I challenge therm to do so.
MONICA CAUCHI
Sep 6th 2010, 11:02
i did not bother to read any blogs.. but why all this fuss..
we Maltese are being taken every time we buy any thing.. go to a green grocer.. if by chance the products are priced, do you get to see the weighing scales.
these supposedly confectionaries that selleverything including meats and detergents, hardly have any prices on their goods, but thank your lucky stars, they are open all day, all week, so this justifies the discrepancy in price.
maybe it is about time that price control is taken seriously and have some people out to check these shops.
the authorities tell you to shop around.. I tell them, who in this day and age have such time to waste.
caz crutchley
Sep 6th 2010, 10:07
Many years ago at least it was not underhand overcharging. There were quite clearly two price lists , side by side at restaurants. When this was outlawed old habits did not die out. If prices are not displayed DONT BUY !!!
If the vendors think we dont notice- WRONG we do !!!
JAFarrugia
Sep 6th 2010, 08:57
Happens everywhere, even the UK so you moaning poms quit thinking you come from the land goody two shoes.
If you think your getting over charged don't buy the product, it's pretty simple really, the more people stand up for themselves and realise their being taken for a ride the more the person trying to make a extra buck will think twice.
L. Petersen
Sep 6th 2010, 08:43
Apart from its obvious attractions (sun, sand, sea...), the genuine friendliness and helpfulness of the Maltese people is perhaps the country's greatest asset.
With stories like this one and the fact that even a govt. office (WSC) systematically overcharges foreigners (most likely in violation of EU law - as a Maltese MEP recently pointed out), this image can quickly deteriorate.
Obviously, you can't control every little shop and restaurant, but the govt. could show a good example by changing the absurd practice of the WSC and compensate those who have paid too much. Until then, they are part of the problem rather that the solution.
Aimee Fenech
Sep 6th 2010, 08:15
Name and Shame!
C. Abela
Sep 6th 2010, 07:12
We work very hard in Malta to attract tourists, so such abuses are not only unair to the customer involved but counter-productive to the country. While some of these cases were a matter of cents, there are other bigger abuses taking place. Lets hope official spotchecks will be done and steps taken against those abusing this way.
Some foreign friends who visited for a holiday this summer were charged €50 for a 20 minute karrozzin ride, while their friends found a greedier driver as they paid €70. The fact that they complained to me shows the negative effect such things have on our image and of course, on the chances of repeat visits or recommendations of Malta to their friends.
Brand Malta? If we are not all puling the same rope in the interest of our country and our tourists, maybe its time for the authorities to bring out the stick, dust it and use it.
Mandy Spiteri
Sep 6th 2010, 23:37
Interesting you should mention the 'Karozzin'. My niece was over from the UK in August, and she was asked for € 50 for a ride on the famous 'Karozzin'. She knocked the owner down to € 15, then she was so annoyed that she would have been ripped off had she settled for the € 50 fee, so she told him to stuff his ride where the sun don't shine!!!
A. Bialczak Melbourne
Sep 7th 2010, 15:47
I was lucky then because I only paid 12 euros for my karozzin ride last August !!!
Robert Agius
Sep 6th 2010, 07:00
Happens everywhere not just Malta. Especially in 3rd world countries (tempted to say such as Malta).
Jan-Wouter Stigter
Sep 5th 2010, 18:30
There are countless official ways in which foreigners are charged more than locals. From the taxman to WSC to licences and so forth. I have been told that many foreigners pay too much for their electricity because Enemalta charges foreigners differently (read: more). Foreigners are now warning each other about this practice and quite a few have managed to get substantial refunds. So if the authorities are doing it, why point fingers at the kiosk owners?
John M. Grima
Sep 5th 2010, 18:12
Good work Times of Malta. This is the stuff that make the paper number 1. Keep up the good work. (Next perhaps, LABELING in every other language except Maltese &/or English)
ms ghoare
Sep 5th 2010, 16:15
The argument here is that they charging diffrent prices to tourists from the Maltese which is unfair and it is stealing. W e have to put ourselfs in thier shoes , WOULD WE LIKE IT IF IT HAPPEN TO US so why would we do it to others , Unfortunatly this ALSO happenes in GREECE, ITALY,and in CYPRUS which most off the English living there are selling up and moving else where as they are fed up being taking for a ride, Now I honestly think that if we carry on like this it will happen to us too
Ms P M Graham
Sep 5th 2010, 15:54
If ARMS gets away with overcharging, "Foreigners" then I doubt the "little trader" will ever be brought to account.
smifsud
Sep 5th 2010, 15:20
well its about time this is done in Malta and it should be ongoing and plain clothes wardens hired by council should be doing lets say "Surprise Audits " in there localities they reside and if a bussiness is found out that they are practicing different pricing then the bussiness owner shall be fined or the bussiness closed for certain amount ot time until they learn there lesson to refrain from this unfair damaging practice that damages Malta's image abroad.vand to our tourists that come to visit our island to spend there hard earned money .
cecil herbert jones
Sep 5th 2010, 14:30
They're just growing oranges on banana trees when they cheat a foreigner of pittance. And then we want neighbourly votes to come our way at the Eurovision.
e duncan
Sep 5th 2010, 16:23
This should not happen but it does!! Prices should be clearly displayed and there is where enforcement should come in. In Asia tourists pay a premium....but you get to know about it beforehand. Shame on these so called business persons, they are very short sighted. It takes a while to build a good reputation, but such incidents mar the good work done. MTA should be more vigilant!!!
d borda
Sep 5th 2010, 14:19
I hope GRTU will voice their concerns especially now that there is a price disparity or does it when it happens the other way round?
This is not a question of fair trading. The people that overcharge care about themselves getting rich overnight and ignore the impacts on tourism as an industry.
They are charging themselves out of business and not seeing long term and as a result Malta will suffer as tourists will go to other countries.
I hope the authorities concerned will clamp down big time on this irresponsible behaviour
ray sacco
Sep 6th 2010, 07:25
i bet that the GRTU will come out and say that the establishments are not charging foreigners more than the maltese, but they are charging the maltese less than the foreigners!
a vella
Sep 6th 2010, 12:28
GRTU lost credibility long time ago. That is why maltese are preferring to buy directly online and letting local retailers moaning about less of sales.
viv flynn
Sep 5th 2010, 14:05
Thesame thing happened to me,I bought something when I asked for the price I was charged more than someone else did, I said I am maltese ,I was told yes ,but you dont live here.It is auful as my family goes to malta every year and I know they are getting charged more ,sometimes if we need anything we make sure we get our maltese family to buy the items for us.I feel ashamed when I see foreingers being charged a lot more than a maltese will pay,they will loose out at the end .Hope they will sort it out as people will start going some where else.
Joseph N Attard
Sep 5th 2010, 14:05
There is a reverse side to this picture: foreigners operating in Malta overharging the Maltese! Yes, it's true. An Italian owned and run restaurant by the sea very near to Floriana and Valletta, on the Grand Harbour side, is pulling a fast one on its Maltese patrons (I doubt whether it gets many repeat ones, except for a cheapo Pizza). I had to ask for the price of fresh fish (not unusual), but also for the price of wine, as they had no price list. I hate to think what I would have been charged if I were foolish enough not to ask beforehand. But they still had me. On a fillet steak marked at 22 Euro, I was charged an extra 6 Euro, for chips and a small salad. These 'contorni' are normally included in the price everyehere in Malta, but in this particular restaurant they were listed as extra at the very back of the menu, way off the main courses price list. So, Maltese patrons, beware!
Peter Cassar
Sep 5th 2010, 14:51
Joseph N Attard Name it so that everyone will know and not go there.
Claire Busuttil
Sep 5th 2010, 13:31
This is not fair, and gives a negative imahe of malta. however may i remind all maltese travelling abroad, that this happens all over the world. a tourists everywhere must keep an eye on prices, so to avoid being ripped off!
John Carmel Navarro
Sep 5th 2010, 13:31
Over the past four years since I with my British wife retired to Malta, I have written numerous letters about the practice of overcharging. I know many would say it goes on all over the World but my main concern is our Little Island of Malta we depend heavily on Tourism and Foreigners electing to live here, why establishments cannot understand that it is a nail in their own coffin every time they overcharge. We have now made it a point to only purchase from retailers who clearly display prices, this at least has put us in control as to what we are paying of course if we thing the price it is still too high we just walk away. It is extremely sad that there are still business people who had the mentality that anyone foreign is fair game, I appreciate that one can report traders who fail to display prices but surely the Consumer and Competition Department need to be enforcing the law by doing regular surprise checks. There are at least 25% of shop keepers mainly green grocers who do not display prices so it cannot be that difficult to detect and prosecute the offenders
D Delia
Sep 5th 2010, 13:17
Referring to Ms Odette Vella's statement emphasising it is illegal for any retailer to purposely charge different prices for the same product. I hope that this illegality comes out clear from a piece of legislation not from an assumption or an interpretation of the law otherwise the illegality argument may be lost. And what if a retailer is happy to give a discount to some clients and no discount to others according to his liking. Would that be price discrimination or a consequence of a free market?
carmelo aquilina
Sep 5th 2010, 13:15
No surprises here- I live overseas and went to Gozo a few years ago with my British wife and duaghter. We stopped for a snack at a restaurant in Marsalfornm and were blatantly overcharged, lied to and when we complained were threatened with a chair.When we went to Victoria police station they were not interested. My wife was overcharged often by shops everywhere and that includes taxi drivers and buses. 'Brand malta' indeed - if the brand you want to promote is petty fraud, mediocrity and grumpy sevrice
J. Schembri
Sep 5th 2010, 12:58
And the MHRA were complaining about the tax on every bed night ! Would this association now encourage the authorities to prosecute the ones who practice this illegal behaviour?
Some Gozitan retailers even differentiate between Maltese , Gozitans and tourists when it comes to pricing; one would be lucky if he's given a chit.
This thing occurs all around the world , one has to ask the price beforehand or haggle before buying anything or using a service.
j.cassar
Sep 5th 2010, 12:49
THWES THINGS HAPPEN IN ALL EUROPE, GO TO ROME AND YOU SEE THAT FOR A COKE YOU ARE CHARGED MORE THAN THE NORMAL PRICE WHEN THEY NOTICE YOU ARE A TOURIST. WHAT ABOUT GOZO, WERE THE MALTESE ARE CHARGE MORE FOR ANYTHING THAN THE GOZITANS, BESIDES THEY KEEP ALL THE OUTDATED FOODS BECAUSE IN SUMMER THE MALTESE WILL BUY EVERYTHING THEY SEE IN SUPERMARKETS. I WAS TOLD THIS BY A GOZITAN.
Paul Smith
Sep 5th 2010, 13:55
This does not happen all over europe. this only happens in Club Med countries like Greece, Spain Italy, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus and other club Med countries. Notice anything familiar with these countries? All very corrupt, tax avoidance is massive and all apart from maybe Cyprus are in unpayable debt which will eventually destroy the single European currency. Watch Greece default under severe austerity and wanton protests with violence soon, a country where nobody really pays what they owe in income tax and corruption between the politico's is blatant - sound familiar Malta?
JOHN RIZZO
Sep 5th 2010, 12:35
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS EMPLOYED WITH THE FORCES,THE MENTALLY OF MANY WAS,"TAKE IT HOME THE QUEEN WILL PAY".
TODAY, SOME RETAILERS ARGUE "THIS IS THE MOMENT TO TAKE A CHANCE,SO LET'S DO IT". OR MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES AS THEY SAY IN ENGLISH.
KUXJENZA?? WELL WE'LL PUT THAT ASIDE FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES.
Mandy Spiteri
Sep 5th 2010, 12:20
It's not only on the prices that this happens. Recently I went to the Danish Village with my friends and their children. My friend ordered a burger and a separate plate of chips for the kids. The menu does not state that the burger comes with chips. The waitress told him, 'Zgur tridu ic-chips ghax al-Maltin il burger tigi bic-chips!' (Apologies for any spelling mistakes because I'm not Maltese). For the sake of the foreigners, that was, 'Are you sure you want the extra chips because the burger comes with chips for the Maltese!. But not for the foreigners! I couldn't believe it!
Philip Cassar
Sep 5th 2010, 14:55
Mandy Spiteri I am sure you misunderstood her because she must have meant that it is natural for Maltese not to order chips separately because they expect to have chips with hamburgers.
Mandy Spiteri
Sep 5th 2010, 22:37
No, I did not misunderstand her at all...... I know what I heard.
Mandy Spiteri
Sep 5th 2010, 22:56
My point was, that if the burger is 5 euro for arguments sake, and for the Maltese it comes with chips, it still costing the tourist more, because they have to pay extra for the chips if they want it. That was my point! It's not the first time I've been over charged, now I have learn Maltese and whenever I am in a shop I ask for things in Maltese, but it shouldn't have to be that way! Having said that, it didn't stop me being charged 5 euros for just over a 'wizna patata' from a Sweiqi greengrocer, when at my local shop in Sliema it costs only 2 euros! It's a joke!
ainsley wiltshire
Sep 5th 2010, 12:18
they must also watch out for paying to much on electric and water bills ,many landlords dont declare that they are renting the holiday flats out to avoid vat.but this means that because the flat is classed as empty the bills are at a higher rate 30% . residential not domestic , many people i know are paying to much fpor their domestic bills . ex pats if you want to cheque see the bill and cheque occupancy
Joe Falzon
Sep 5th 2010, 12:16
Talk about killing the goose that lays the golden egg!
Why are the authorities allowing this to happen? Maybe they don't think that this is a serious enough problem, but they will when the tourists stop coming here. They are letting a handful of greedy people do so much irreparable damage to this beautiful little island which is so dependent on tourism. As a Maltese Australian that saddens me.
The authorities should make this a priority and start fining and revoking licences if they want to be a serious contender for tourism in Europe. It takes a long time to build a great reputation and unfortunately only a fraction of that time for a bad reputation to spread like wildfire.
I personally know a large number of Maltese people who work 2 jobs just to make ends meet. If that is a problem now, just imagine what it will be like when the tourism industry in Malta collapses. What then?
The authorities need to grow some guts and tackle this problem head-on instead of pussy-footing around worrying about votes.
John Micallef
Sep 5th 2010, 12:11
Another topic in the same subject:
Things noticed yesterday while with the family at Ghajn Tuffieha: 1. For some reasons the guy hiring the Umbrellas started to ask people using his service to remove their things from the deckchairs at 18.. @ 18.00 the beach was still full. 2 He argued badly with a tourist & he even shot sand to hair face (during all this the MTA officals vanished). The public Transport billboard neard the bus station is in an abondened state.
3. The cherry on the cake was, that a big van with tail lift (probalby it belong to the restaurant) was parked infront of the Jellyfish warning.
Well done keep it up.
robert micallef
Sep 5th 2010, 13:26
yes they did the same thing to my wife who is foreign. she got an umbrella and paid 5 euro for it at 16.00hrs and the guy came to pick it up at 18.00 hrs.
mario gauci
Sep 5th 2010, 12:01
I work in Mdina and normally a small soft drink bottle costs me 1 euro, but when cruise liners are in port and Mdina is full of tourists I'm asked to pay 'dos euros' if the sales girl happens to think that I'm Spanish or 1 euro 50c if she happens to think I'm English. Then I have to point out that I'm Maltese and pay the usual 1 euro !!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Sep 5th 2010, 11:58
Malta---a shining beacon of values....Europe should follow suit...lol
T Camilleri
Sep 5th 2010, 11:51
Listen everyone.
Remember that once there was a certain prime minister called Eddie Fenech Adami who said he didn't want any price control?
Remember that he said that we should visit all shops and buy where we find the cheapest price?
Remember the saying that a fish stinks from its head?
So if a prime minister says he doesn't want to control prices, why should the people not charge whatever they want and charge different people different prices?
Don't get me wrong because I expect prices to be shown and to pay according to the price shown, but the people are doing exactly what ex-prime minister Eddie Fenech Adami told them.
Jean-Marc Camilleri
Sep 5th 2010, 13:20
x'gandu x'jaqsam? so if i understand you correctly, in order to buy a bottle of water i must 1. give the impression i'm maltese so i could get it cheap 2. shop around all mellieha to see who has the cheapest water, (and try my luck again by using point 1)!
EFA was wanted YOU, the consumer, to enjoy the best prices, so get a life. Keep in touch with EU competition laws. EFA's Prime Minister era is over, a number of years ago now, and is a respected politician as much as Guido and Mintoff, both for their achievements and political strength. Why include politicians in such a discussion? Times change, and laws do too, so lets keep this discussion in context and not roam too far.
T Camilleri
Sep 5th 2010, 15:03
Jean-Marc Camilleri not give the impression that you are Maltese, but that the people overcharging are following what Eddie Fenech Adami had told them and he also told the people to go from shop to shop to find the cheapest prices. I said that I don't agree with this, but this is what happens when an ex-prime minister give such advise and habits are hard to break. As for EU competition law, that's exactly what it is. There is no price controls and you compete with different prices. Isn't this what's happening Jean-Marc? Again I don't agree and agree with price control, but I guess that you will tell me that this should not be so since you believe in the EU competition law.
Jane Sammut
Sep 5th 2010, 15:07
T Camilleri, what you forgot to mention is that the same Eddie Fenech Adami had said "Ha joghlew il-prezzijiet, Ha joghlew il-prezzijiet."
j spiteri
Sep 5th 2010, 11:47
this article is useless unless you name and shame these shops/establishments!!at least if you are going to run such an article have the guts to go all the way and name them so that not all the shops/establishments are portrayed in this manner and only the guilty ones suffer
George E Camilleri
Sep 5th 2010, 11:40
Six years ago I tried to move to Malta. Both my parents are Maltese born. I was born & raised American, with a deep love for Malta & being Maltese. I wascheated in everything from being tricked by a landlord to sign a contract of lease to having my car serviced. The shop that serviced my Fiat (they only service Fiats) would change the filter, but not the oil, etc. The landlord tricked me into signing a contract I'm bound to it, said it was for insurance etc. She ruined my move to Malta as she was told it was a temp flat till I could find something close to my parents. I was over charged for buses, taxis, food markets, etc. Till my cousins told me your Maltese speak it or over pay, "as us Maltese love to cheat tourist". They being locals knew about these things...The Govt don't care as money in Malta rolls up hill! Finding a job never happened, etc. Malta is not tourist friendly. In the end the Maltese cheat them self's & the rest of Malta too. But they only see greed & not honesty. Very, very sad indeed.
D vella
Sep 5th 2010, 11:40
A comment about our brothers the gozitans is this : why we never learn? They have been ripping us off for years and years! But we go for more! I have not been to Gozo for 15 years since one of them overcharged me 20c more on a packet of royals blatantly ! And I took 50 tourists daily to visit the island and buy from his shop opposite ggantija temples . He can keep my 20 cents as I will not spend another penny there. Perhaps that is why there is the sea that separate us ! Over rated piece of rock. Habojb !!
Joe Falzon
Sep 5th 2010, 11:40
Talk about killing the goose that lays the golden egg!
Why are the authorities allowing this to happen? Maybe they don't think that this is a serious enough problem, but they will when the tourists stop coming here. They are letting a handful of greedy people do so much irreparable damage to this beautiful little island which is so dependent on tourism. As a Maltese Australian that saddens me.
The authorities should make this a priority and start fining and revoking licences if they want to be a serious contender for tourism in Europe. It takes a long time to build a great reputation and unfortunately only a fraction of that time for a bad reputation to spread like wildfire.
I personally know a large number of Maltese people who work 2 jobs just to make ends meet. If that is a problem now, just imagine what it will be like when the tourism industry in Malta collapses. What then?
The authorities need to grow some guts and tackle this problem head-on instead of pussy-footing around worrying about votes.
Francis Bellizzi
Sep 5th 2010, 11:33
We have been saying the same for years. And so have foreigners in their home countries. The department concerned should do something about it instead of reminding us what the law is. The longer the delay the more tourists we`ll loose.
Jeremy Psaila
Sep 5th 2010, 11:33
Well it may be illegal... but I think it is fully justified... nearly all tourists come from countries with a much a higher standard of living (and wage level) than ours.
A bottle of water should cost a British citizen the same as it would cost him in London... Likewise when I go to the UK I expect to be charged at Maltese rates. This is the only fair state of affairs that I can think of and the Law should be changed to reflect this.
Why should I be charged GBP 3.50 for a bottle of water in central London when my wage is a 1/10 of that of the typical Londoner??
Joe Falzon
Sep 5th 2010, 13:24
You astound me -- what an attitude! Why should tourists pay more than the Maltese? They're not asking to be treated differently, but no one likes to be ripped off blatantly either. You are a D.H.
Markus Behmann
Sep 5th 2010, 13:33
It might be "fair" from your point of view, but it is simply impossible because if this what you say shall happen, a product needs to have a billion different prices due to the fact that prices differ from region to region.
Just try to get a better job and stop cheating / blaming other people when it is your fault that your wage is low.
In other countries the shop would be closed and the business license scrapped, additionally to a proceeding because of discrimination.
M.cachia
Sep 5th 2010, 14:12
Please tell me you're being sarcastic. If not I really hope you've got nothing to do with tourists, and it's people like you that harm our country. If you Can't afford a £3.50 bottle of water then don't go holidaying in London is the obvious way to go about it.
ms ghoare
Sep 5th 2010, 16:09
Are you for real,if you are finding a bottle expencive then you should stayed in Malta and not gone on holiday to London you would have got a pack of six 2 liters bottles for that price,but the argument here is that they charge diffrent prices to tourists from the Maltese which is unfair and it is stealing. Unfortunatly this ALSO happenes in GREECE, ITALY,and in CYPRUS which most off the English living there are selling up and moving else where as they are fed up being taking for a ride
Jeremy Psaila
Sep 5th 2010, 16:11
Why are you all so surprised? Enemalta charges different people different rates depending on their income... Even Gozitans get a better deal on nearly everything, be them Ferry tickets or solar energy feed in tariffs!
So is that not discrimination?
Well by the same principle I still believe that I should be charged less than a Briton when I go to the UK and that British tourists can afford to pay a little bit extra than I can. It's called social justice.
So it's the Law that should be changed not my job, my holiday destinations or any of my purchasing preferences!
M.cachia
Sep 5th 2010, 16:26
I see so basically you want to do whatever you like and not pay for it. Stinks of Communism at best. Unfortunatly for you, you have to live according to your means - if you can't afford something, tough, you should save up or you should have studied for longer and got a better job.
j grech
Sep 5th 2010, 18:02
ARE YOU FOR REAL,i do hope that you are not dealing with members of the public,foreigners will pay the going price of the country they visit what they dont like to find out is that they have paid an inflated price because they are visitors, many times my husband because he lived and worked abroad and has an out side accent has been ripped off because the trader thinks he is loaded which is not the case he retired back here on his pension, shame on you and the mentality of people like you ,that mentality shows and thats what puts malta down
Jeremy Psaila
Sep 5th 2010, 19:01
@M.Cachia You still haven't clarified why Gozitans can get away with lower cost Ferry tickets and better solar energy feed-in tariffs! Why do single mother get lower cost homes? Why do pensioners get on and off the bus for half the cost?? Different prices for different people... That is the motto of our country! So why are you so surprised! If you disagree with the principle of fleecing the tourist, then you have to disagree with all the rest!
Victor Carmelo Sciberras
Sep 6th 2010, 11:09
Sorry Jeremy but your argument don't hold water. You might be getting a lower wage than us in the UK, although a lot of foreigners are getting similar wages to you we still have a much higher cost of living than you. For instance does your local council charge you £1200 a year council tax for the privilege of living in your own house that you bought and paid for like we do here. This is just one of many things we pay more here, others include car/house insurance road tax etc. This is not the issue as I live in a big tourist area of the Jurassic coast and we locals also get overcharged by unscrupulous vendors in high season, me in particular as I still have a Maltese accent even after 45 years living here. London is high on the list of overcharging especially from street vendors so Malta and Gozo are no exception. But that you happen to get a lower wage does not justify overcharging regardless of of whoever you are or whatever you earn, it is still stealing.
Markus Behmann
Sep 5th 2010, 11:28
Jien ma nitkellimx Malti hekk tajjeb and I notice it every time. When I don't say anything (I look very Mediterranean) or I try to speak Maltese, I get things cheaper than when I speak English.
But overcharging of tourists / foreigners is just the icing on the cake!
Especially busdrivers, bouncers and policemen are often racists. It is very common that busses don't stop at busstops if there are only black people waiting, give no / wrong change or policemen control them more often and arrest them for nothing or bouncers don't allow them to enter the club.
The only way to avoide problems as a foreigner is to remeber the sentence "it's always the foreigners fault" and to try to look and behave like a Maltese - so people who don't look like that (e.g. black people) draw automatically the shortest straw.
Charles Sammut
Sep 5th 2010, 13:27
Whenever I was in countries south of Malta, they do to us there, far worse than what we do to them here. So stop playing the race card. It is so worn out and tattered, it can be spotted a mile out.
M Tabone
Sep 5th 2010, 11:26
Why are you surprised??? Take the hospital for example! No one goes there by choice, I hope at least hehe. The Patients canteen is really expensive!!! EUR1.50 for a SMALL bottle of Cola, over EUR1.00 for coffee, over EUR5.00 for a salad etc! In the staff canteen (I am staff, student to be exact) white coffee, is .80 euro cents, last year it was .70 euro cents, ciabatta over EUR2.25, a savoury packet of a particular flavour is EUR.95 while the same packet of a different flavour is .82 when I asked the sales person he said, 'Because it has a different barcode' I was really pissed for such an idiotic answer. I normally don't buy from there since I am disgusted by the prices! So yes the Maltese steals his brother even when sick, actually the patient's canteen from Mater Dei take an advantage from these people since there are no close by shops!!!! When I sent an email to the Consumer Rights department I never had a reply -_-
Mario Aquilina
Sep 6th 2010, 00:12
While you are on the Mater Dei subject:
Did you know that say, if you are a Staff Nurse and you would like to bring a guest with you into the Staff canteen for a bite, that your guest will be refused entry, while on the other hand, the Bus Drivers are allowed to eat in this same canteen.
What I would like to know is, as to whether the public bus drivers are employed by Mater Dei Hospital or by ADT/Transport Malta, and how they managed to get this perk.
Ray Buttigieg
Sep 5th 2010, 11:25
Name and shame or report to the relevent authorities. These outlets are not only overcharging hence indulging in daylight robbery, but also possibly harming the livelihood of thousands of families who depend on our tourist industry. If they have no social consciousness, we should not show any pity towards them when they are fined for such illegal actions and behaviour. An example should be set once and for all. We put 15 and16 year olds in jail for petty theft and let these sharks ruin the Maltese economy....ACTION NOW
Peter Wood
Sep 5th 2010, 11:19
Nothing Will Be Done !!! Talk about "Cutting off your Nose to Spite your Face" or "Bitting the Hand that Feeds You" It's no good saying that this sort of thing happens else where in the world, This is a small Island and it can not afford to treat tourist as if they are stupid. Even British residents are getting fed up with being ripped off and by the rising cost of living here in Malta, and they too are starting to leave . That's another big loss of revenue to Malta. The other point that makes one wonder is, This is supposed to be a Roman Catholic country. Do these thieves go to Church ??????
alfred curmi
Sep 5th 2010, 11:58
Dear Peter,
Of course they do. They use their ill-gotten gains to light a candle or two in front of a pagan statue and have their sins forgiven!
alfred curmi
Sep 5th 2010, 12:04
Dear Peter,
Of course they do go to church. They use their ill-gotten gains to light a candle or two in front of some saintly image to have their sins forgiven!
J.Agius
Sep 5th 2010, 11:12
@gcForte
Prosit u nigu qisna it Tunesija!
Iz- Zija darba qaltli li ghawn hafna negozji min fejn tghazel!!Fejn ma jghogbokx biddel.Qalet fejn tiekol tajjeb ma tharisx lejn il kont u fejn ma jghogobix ma tergax Tmur!! "u Zi fuq is safar".
Meta ma jkollix noqod d- dar!! Kliem ix xih zomm fih spiccat tghidli.
John F. GALEA San Gwann
Sep 5th 2010, 11:10
Such abuses are rampant both in Malta and Gozo. Unless the authorities concerned put their feet down and exercise vigilant enforcement on all publicly known short comings and abuses we will never ameliorate.
Abusers should be named, shamed and taken to court. Inspectorates of all the various departments should be more active and strict in the exercise of their duties, without any fear or favour. If necessary licences should be withdrawn, which unfortunately has rarely happened.
Same exercice carried out by the journalists, should be duly carried out by inspectorate on a frequent basis. Consumers rights should be safeguarded, in every respect, at all times.
Kathleen Barlow
Sep 5th 2010, 11:08
MELITA CABLE!!! I am British living and working in Malta for the last 3 years. When I had my internet connected they told me that the connection fee was €45 because I wasn't Maltese...they actually told me that! When I asked how much it was otherwise and they said €10. Of course I complained and I did get it for connected for €10 in the end but I couldn't beleive that they tried and ADMITTED it to my face!!
M.Caruana
Sep 5th 2010, 11:06
This phenomenon is found the world over, it is unfortunately also found when Maltese people visit Gozo; where Gozitans are charged one price and Maltese a different one. This is not only based on personal experience, but having a number of Gozitan friends, they embarrissingly admit that this is most often the case for various reasons, amongst which:
(1) Dawk Maltin
(2) La Malti ghandu l-flus
(3) Mhux min taghna.
Unfortunately when people overcharge tourists, be they Maltese visiting Gozo or foreigners visiting our island, they don't see beyond their nose. Many people do not re-visit places where they've been ripped off or given a bad service.
I still remember being given an extememly bad service when visiting Gozo, where the owner of bungalows in a certain village in Xlendi insisted we did not request having a TV in the place. When we of course did.
Then he proceed to bully us by shouting and banging on the kitchen table, claiming that kitchen was completely new (who cares? out agreement was for a TV set).
Needless to say we immediately left the place, never visited it again and passed the word around.
G. Vassallo
Sep 5th 2010, 11:04
How can a Gozitan rip a Maltese off while the Maltese know what the item costs in Malta? How Can a Gozitan rip a Maltese off when there's a price tag on every item to every shop in Gozo? The only way a Maltese gets ripped off by Gozitans is that they are either drunk or live abroad. The prices of farmhouses in Malta cost much more than the ones in Gozo, Maltese don't know this cause they never hire one in Malta. Eating out is more expensive in Malta, All kind of service is more expensive in Malta and they hardly present a vat receipt, property is more expensive in Malta. I think that in Malta they even rip the Maltese off in this matter!!!!
alfred curmi
Sep 5th 2010, 11:00
Needless to say, it's shameful on us and on the authorities but it's very true.
My wife and I were, on one occasion, having dinner at a well-known restaurant in Bugibba. I notices that, on the menu, potatoes/chips and vegetables were charged separately. When I asked one of the staff about it, I was told that "that was just for the tourists"!!!! Although we are locals, we never went there again.
g. scerri
Sep 5th 2010, 10:58
"Ms Vella said every product for sale should have a price which is displayed in a manner that is unambiguous, easily identifiable and clearly legible." A few days ago, at Marsaxlokk I took a UK visitor to one of the restaurants there and I noticed that the price list on the sandwich board displayed one price on one side and a different price on the other for the same item. When i pointed it out to a serving girl she said she would inquire, but by then I had moved on disgusted with such blatant malpractice.
H Galea
Sep 5th 2010, 10:58
Friends, we are given a free phone to report abuse, it's a waist of time, i also used e-mail address for the same use, BUT after long corrispondence to pin point the way of the abuse, the case is settled, BUT i got NO feedback of what action taken, in other words, CCP are people paid for not doing the right job.
Another ABUSE are on all consumers. You have an item for repair, this could be anything, you call the Technican, after a long wait inspecting the item, the verdict ''Cannot be repaired''
Abuse is two way, ''Seller'' overcharging us for storing of spareparts, which in fact, he has NONE. Point two the Technicans in coleboration with Sellers, ''repair items untill a couple of years'' and them declair ''item as beyound repair'' REASON to buy a new ITEM. The Seller is happy, he sold/made the profit. The VAT had it's share, BUT the customers are running out of HARD EARNED MONEY. The Overtime we earn goes to pay for New Items, which could have easly been repaired, it does not Stop here, The STATE collects these items and Sells at another profit. ARE WE NOT BEING RIPPED OFF.
Philip Sultana
Sep 5th 2010, 10:57
A classic case of biting the hand that feeds us. And then we wonder why people from developed countries look down on the Maltese ... we act like a third world country and we are treated as such. The authorities made a big fuss of enforcing limits on coffee tables on pavements; what about pricing?
eddie vella
Sep 5th 2010, 10:54
Well through my expierience it's been going on for some time this ripping off tourist and locals.. There is no authorities who roam around and see for themselves, We are losing and a few are gaining,and if you try to speak out or they shout at you or you will be in trouble.Last couple of years has been worse it looks like every store or outlet is doing it? the only thing to be done is name them shame them and the most important FINE THEM,that's the only way you will get to them by touching their pockets, but make sure that no ministers will back these people (for votes) unbelievable but it's true we are robbed all the time where ever you go Maltese say to Gozitans and vice versa LAND OF CORRUPTION and they say the Mafia is in Italy?? come to the Maltese Islands to learn your trade.
Debbie Falzon
Sep 5th 2010, 10:53
My husband is a Maltese Australian who speaks Maltese and I'm Australian. We have been living here now for 7 months and have also been ripped off on a number of occasions.
Just last week my husband had bronchitis and went to a local doctor in Sliema recommended by a Maltese friend and was charged 20 euros for the visit when it is normally 8-10 euros per visit. Obviously my husband didn't know this at the time, but it was after reading this article we asked our friend what he normally pays.
We have also been targeted with traffic infringements. We were the only car amongst other cars in St Julians where there were no signs or anything indicating you couldn't park, and of course were the only ones with a ticket because we drive a hire car.
When we were in Comino a Maltese friend insisted he get the drinks because we would be charged twice as much.
We've had a lot of visitors from Australia since we've been here, many with Maltese roots, and none of them want to come back. The authorities need to do something about this now!
ms ghoare
Sep 5th 2010, 10:53
YES name and shame this happenes to me all the time as my husband is English i always have to do the ordering I allways tell my children to speak maltese when they order stuff as all the time they speak english they are charged more, But this teach us somthing stick to what you know places they become familliar to you .As i do beleive that places that give you good service should be praised ,Me and my family go to a Kiosk in st pauls bay have a nice meal with drinks and afters for under 20 euros now that is what i call good price and not just for the food it s the service with a smile . Really People smiles never killed anybody.. how can anybody run a bussines looking miserable is beyond me
Mike Farrugia
Sep 5th 2010, 10:51
Tourists must also be careful to check their change. Vendors have this fantasy that all tourists are idiots, especially the hawkers during a village festa.
I urge you (or the tourist board) to repeat the exercise during a festa and you will find out that prices double for foreigners.
Charles Micallef
Sep 5th 2010, 10:40
Price Control is non-exsistant.
Recently my wife who is UK born and myself decided to separately approach two vegetable vendors in the Qawra area and enquired about the price of three particular items, and low and behold, the prices quoted to my wife were substantially more expensive then what I was quoted, which confirms that the prices charged varies according to nationality. When I spoke with the particular vendors, they both told me that my wife must have misheard the prices they quoted, this by two particular vendors, on the three items requested! If the prices were displayed on their products as indeed they should and what happens in most Countries, such incidents will not arise
Andy Towler
Sep 5th 2010, 10:38
Other commenters are right - we already know this happens, so without names, this report is not telling us anything we didn't know already.
Who were these establishments?
Andrew Jones
Sep 5th 2010, 10:34
As a English man living in Malta for the last 11 years, is happen to me all the time. Its got to the point were i have to send my girlfriend to the local shops just to buy milk & bread. And when i phone trading standards a few years ago i was told " its malta ta, what do you want us to do"
Brian Maloret
Sep 5th 2010, 10:48
I am also an Englishman who has lived here for a number of years in which time I have been and have seen blatant overcharging of foreigners by vendors especially the roadside fruit and veg merchants. This is nothing short of racial discrimination and the Maltese should be ashamed of themselves in allowing it to happen. Are any of the vendors in this article who overcharged foreigners going to be prosecuted and if not why not?
Ramon Mizzi
Sep 5th 2010, 10:21
@M Mifsud. You are right mate, NAME & SHAME.
This is shameful when Malta 'promotes' itself as a touristic place. Where are the avid checks by authorities and when someone is found breaking the law will have to pay a huge fine? No checks. Recently some friends came to Malta for a holiday from Australia. These have no Maltese relatives & I noticed this happening. What a backward country. Incredible.
axuereb
Sep 5th 2010, 10:36
Naqbel perfettament "name and shame" ha nibbokotjaw dawn l-istabbillimenti! Kulhadd irid issir sinjur m ilum ghall ghada hawn Malta. Minflok niehdu hsiebu lit-turist naraw kif naghmlu ha ngerxuh, jistaw mhux jghamlu kampanji tal-Malta Tourism Authority biex ingibu n-nies. Certu nies jahsbu li m hawnx fejn tmur vaganza fid-dinja, li ahna biss nezistu! U mbaghad neqirdu li ma jigux turisti! Ma Jfux li l-kelma tigri f sekonda llum bl-internet!
A. Slater
Sep 5th 2010, 10:18
Investigative journalism is useless unless places and people are exposed .
The Times reporters need to have a clear vision of what their article is trying to achieve. Simply reporting that an establishment is charging x amount for certain product is just not worth reporting.
What has been reported is not worth printing because the readers just end up saying 'oh well, tell us something we don't know'
M Fenech
Sep 5th 2010, 10:15
Shame!! I hope that the authorities take the necessary actions to ensure this does not happen again
George Lewis
Sep 5th 2010, 10:12
No big deal it's done around the world however should not be done after spending all that money "our money" promoting Malta
Philip Sultana
Sep 5th 2010, 11:11
But that is the point! It is NOT done around the world! It is only done in underdeveloped societies.
M Mifsud
Sep 5th 2010, 10:00
NAME AND SHAME! NAME AND SHAME! NAME AND SHAME! That' how they learn!
Steve Cutajar
Sep 5th 2010, 10:00
NAME & SHAME plssssssssssss....... It would great to takeback all the 'extra' millions that these bummers take from tourists and put it back in the whole of the Maltese honest tax-payer's accounts!!! Never to go buy again from these stores - Just NAME & SHAME!!
I hope these stores will be heavily checked upon and fined for breaching 2 very very important consumer's rights:
- Not displaying prices of offered products.
- Direct cold stealing.
http://www.eccnetmalta.gov.mt/consumer_rights
Ramon Mizzi
Sep 5th 2010, 10:22
Totally agree with you Steve. Totally agree.
V Caruana
Sep 5th 2010, 09:55
Good exercise ..which leads to nowhere. This has been happening for a millenium. on personal account. I was charged Lm 3.25 for a bottle of wine. A foreigner with our group ordered and paid a second bottle of wine at the bar. he was charged Lm7. Before leaving I asked the owner why the difference in the price. He "scolded" the waiter why he added the first bottle of wine in the bill. He assumed that the foreigner was paying for both bottles! They are always ready with excuses! Most of them are self-employed - so quite wise. Read on Original is in italian
Al Ristorante
Il cliente controlla il conto: "C'e' un errore - dice - avete sommato anche la data!"
" Certo signore - risponde impassibile il cameriere - il tempo e' denaro!"
Are Italians...........?
victor Vella
Sep 5th 2010, 09:52
Then these very same people complain that the goverment is not doing enough to get tourists and the GRTU complains that buisness is low and all because Valletta is dirty, yes Valletta is dirty but with these thieves operating buisnesses.Not to mention that these are small examples where tourists are ripped off.
Mark john abela
Sep 5th 2010, 09:49
Ta min jipruvahha gewwa ghawdex. Lill malti izommulu hafna iktar milli lill ghawdxi. Mhux Ta bxejn kien vojt ghawdex dan il weekend!
Mark Spiteri
Sep 5th 2010, 09:44
How sad we lot are !!!
Why dont we compare buying a vehicle in Malta and buying one in the UK ?
Why dont we compare buying an air fare in the UK and Malta ?
Domestic appliances-HI FI - TV's - PC's- Cable TV , you name it and its more expensive in Malta.
And in the process compare what one earns in Malta and what one earns in the UK.
axuereb
Sep 5th 2010, 10:42
Totally agree! Thank God for online shopping. a case in point: a particular item from a shop in a popular St Julian s shopping mall costs 44Euros. The same item from a popular online shopping site costs 6.99 Sterling!!!!!!!!! Why the exorbitant difference in price? No one a lot of Maltese are resorting to online shopping for clothes, gadgets, toys etc.
C. Borg
Sep 5th 2010, 09:44
Get real. This doesn't happen only in Malta. It happens almost everywhere, many times with the "blessing" of the authorities, inspite of laws about display of prices.
Philip Sultana
Sep 5th 2010, 11:20
Not everywhere, C Borg, only in primitive societies!
Anthony Azzopardi
Sep 5th 2010, 11:23
And will these "investigative journalists" kindly investigate what happens to us Maltese when we are tourists abroad?
In Switzerland at this very moment they are considering a license to pick mushrooms. One price for the Swiss and another one for foreigners...
gcForte
Sep 5th 2010, 09:42
When tourists / foreigners arrive in Malta, they should be advise instantly that where prices are not shown CLEARLY, they should either keep on moving to another establishment or bargain the price................Kelli z zija tant kemm kienet iggebbed fil prezz, li tal hanut kien jaqbad jibki. Per ezempju......jekk par kalzetti talabha lira, kienet tofrijlu 25 centezmu. fl ahhar kienet tiehdu b`60 centezmu............u hekk ghandu jidra ghanke il Malti ukoll. Ma nistax nifhem, kif tlett t`hwienet hdejn xulxin, u ghal l-istess oggett ikun hem tlett prezzijiet differenti, pero il kbira hija li tixtri oggett tant u wara l-istess oggett tarah immarkat kwart tal prezz li tkun hallast. Ara kemm ikun qala min fuqek, ghax xorta sab il qlieh bit tieni prezz.
J.Agius
Sep 5th 2010, 10:47
Prosit u nigu qisna it Tunesija!
Iz- Zija darba qaltli li ghawn hafna negozji min fejn tghazel!!Fejn ma jghogbokx biddel.Qalet fejn tiekol tajjeb ma tharisx lejn il kont u fejn ma jghogobix ma tergax Tmur!! "u Zi fuq is safar".
Meta ma jkollix noqod d- dar!! Kliem ix xih zomm fih spiccat tghidli.Mhux ahjar tmur tghamel xi
part time flok tkun blogger!!Mohhok biss fuq in nies!! Grazzi Zi.ghandek ragun!!!!
gcForte
Sep 5th 2010, 12:00
J.Aguis.............U min qalilek li ahna differenti mit Tunezija........fejn jithlu prezzijiet u ingann lil ta Tunes nghalmuhom. Jekk tasal wasla sa fuq xi monti tkun taf x`qeghed nghejd. Liz zija ghejdilha li illum mhux bhal dari, jekk tmur tiekol, ikun hemm il menu fuq barra bil prezzijiet u meta tithol gor resturant jergaw ituk l-istess menu. Ghallura jekk tkun trid xi platt kawlata tkun taf min qabel kemm ser thallas, issa jekk ma toghogobiex mix problema tieghi. Sewwa qaltlek sabiex ma toqodx tiblogja u tghejd bin nies. ghal i`jista ikun, zijtek mhux bhal ziti hux, tmur il quddies u wara tghoqod tghejd fuq dik u fuq l-ohra, ziti biddlet il persjani xi ghaxar darbiet, ghax ittella u tnizzel mitt darba kull jum........nahseb taf ghalhiex.
J.Agius
Sep 5th 2010, 14:13
Inzertat iz zija tieghi ma kienitx tmur quddies !! Pero marret it Tunezija u daret nofs id dinja u bhal hafna turisti li jigu Malta kienet tghidli bhal Malta ma ghawnx!Kienet Kburija li kienet Maltija.Mietet u ma hallietli xejn.Sewwa ghamlet nefqet kollox!!Ghalmitni li flok noqod nghid fuq in nies bhaz zija tieghek nahdem u nsiefer halli nkun naf fuq xhiex nitkellem!!Mhux nmaqdar dak kollu li hu malti!
Dave Alan Caruana
Sep 5th 2010, 09:32
It would be a good thing if these establishments are named and shamed - they are part of the sickness of our country where there is no such thing as 'a good deal'.
Joseph Micallef
Sep 5th 2010, 09:31
"If consumers believe they have been overcharged, or if they know of a trader that does not display its prices, they can report these traders to the Enforcement Directorate within the Consumer and Competition Department on Freephone 8007 4400." -
OK did the English journalist taking part in this exercise do this? Were these establishments reported?
j grech
Sep 5th 2010, 14:05
it should not have needed journalist to do this study if the said department were doing their job you can use the free phone number but you will never get feed back to any action taken which means the department are still sitting on their behind doing nothing and getting paid for it, why could the department not have used mystery shoppers in pairs one maltese and one foreigner to go at random to any location and any outlet and then act on the outcome, how many foreigners live on this island and spend their foreign pension here like i do and that pension disappears with-in no time with being ripped off, what would happen if every foreigner left the island and took their pension with them, when i am due my maltese state pension i will leave the island taking my maltese pension with me as in the eu i can do this, what then?
Kieron O'connor
Sep 5th 2010, 09:27
Long over due, but the government will do nothing about it.
Everyone including the Maltese is being ripped off for every day goods in Malta.
Is someone trying to tell me that in Malta where sallaries are low, that a bottle of Coke is worth 1.20, when i can get one in Dublin for 90 cents.
The dog in the street knows there is a corruption charge factored into all pricing in Malta.
Next survey include the petrol stations, watch the tourist getting directed to the special tourist price pump, i.e. 15 ltrs for the price of 20 ltrs.
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 5th 2010, 09:25
Ah! The Maltese malaise is still alive and thriving.
A weeks suspension of the business licence, accompanied with a couple of hundreds euro fine might help to heal a part of this sickness.
Rose Bonnici
Sep 5th 2010, 09:25
Blimey! tell us something new! Malta is known as rip off island here anyway!!!!
A Sammut
Sep 5th 2010, 09:18
Even the vegetable seller is at it. As a returned migrant, I stand out a mile. It follows,that I get turned over three times in one simple transaction. I am given underweight, they usually throw in two or three bad fruits/pots and then for good measure,overcharged. Bread sellers,meat shops,grocers,greengrocers,kiosks,cafe's. restaurant's,hairdresser',chemists,clothes shops, doctor's .There's always a smile at the end of course. They're all at it ,and blatantly too. It's not just a living.It's a way of life.
CCassar
Sep 5th 2010, 09:04
My wife is forgeiner and I have been noticing this for a long time. But it seems that GRTU keeps its mouth shut over such obscenities. And they want to be credible???????????????????????
M. Fenech
Sep 5th 2010, 09:03
This is no big news! Unfortunately, the abuse is rampant.
From a leading local supermarket, you buy a CISK 12pack (with 1 Free can inside) for the same price of 12 individual cans. When you query with customer care, they invent every excuse. I am sure that Farsons are passing the FREE can complimentary to the outlet, but someone intelligent, employed by the supermarket, has decided that the consumer is stupid and the price offer will not be noticed.
Same for a 4-pack Coca-Cola with free noodles. Can you tell me how many outlets are passing on the offer to the consumer? They open all the packs, remove the noodles and sell them seperately, removing completely the offer. When you query with customer care, they complain that the supplier did not give them the offer.
This is daylight robbery. Infact, i have delisted a big number of groceries, supermarkets which try to cheat and blame the supplier. And believe me, the list is growing. With all the competition around, i shop where i feel comfortable and respected.
axuereb
Sep 5th 2010, 10:51
it would be agreat idea if we could have an online site whereby people can put down names of supermarkets, greengrocers ect who overcharge, obviously naming the product and the price charged for it. I am sure the abuse would stop when the customers stop going!
Pierre Lauri
Sep 5th 2010, 08:56
A very good exercise indeed.
How howcome no names of the retailers are mentioned? (especially that the journalists have proof)..... are we so scared in Malta to alert consumers?
NAME and SHAME please !!!!!!!
I also would like to suggest that a simliar exercise is carried out in Gozo, however instead of using foreigners, the test would be carried out with Maltese customers vs Gozitan ones !!!!!!
M.cachia
Sep 5th 2010, 13:59
If you look carefully at the text you can identify each of the shops
mark muscat
Sep 5th 2010, 08:55
This is nothing new, and has been going on for a number of years. An island that depends so much on tourism it should stop but it is likelely to go on. It is doing so much damage to the islands reputation as there so many other places a tourist can go.
edward bartolo
Sep 5th 2010, 08:54
While I can only condemn this utter act of theft, I would like to say, that this "news" is harming the tourism industry. There are other more logical ways to tackle this problem rather that blowing the trumpet of bad publicity!
Tommy Lee
Sep 5th 2010, 09:43
Name them.The more logical ways that is.
Ruth Mifsud
Sep 5th 2010, 08:53
Jekk il-mentalita tal-maltin mhux ha timbidel inutli il-mexxejja tal-pajjiz jaghmlu il-ligijiet ghax Malta xorta lura ha tibqa sejra!!! Sfortunatament ic-cittadini stess jitfaw il-Malta lura u l-mexxejja jitfaw il-ligi fuq il-ktieb u ma jirrinfurzawiex!! Kull min jigi jzur pajjizna jinduna b-dawn in-nuqqasijiet u ma jergax jersaq l-hawn imma ahna ta Maltin stupidi li ahna sa mnehirna naraw!!! Jiddispjacini li nghid hekk fuq pajjizi stess imma hekk huma l-fatti. Ma nitghallmu qatt. Pajjizna zghir u misna ghandna gojjell!! Ghalhekk nibqaw lura. U dan huwa sempliciment ezempju wiehed....
K.Anastasi
Sep 5th 2010, 09:11
You are soooooo right Ruth.
A Calleja
Sep 5th 2010, 08:49
An email address to report such abuse would also help....
t. borg
Sep 5th 2010, 09:29
@a. calleja. x'email email ma tarax li tkun tahli l-hin! kont ilmentajt fuq hwienet ghax bla prezzijiet bhal tal-madum u hafna ohrajn. qaluli li se jmorru imma jaghtuh hmistax cans jaghmel il-prezzijiet. l-istess bhal tal-medicini
Chris Grillo
Sep 5th 2010, 08:47
If you only found out NOW that this is happening, then we are in a poor state!!!
Isn't this the cause that foreigners are no longer coming here? You think that they are dumb?
'It-turizmu, AHNA STESS fottejnieh..'.....my uncle purchasing a Kinnie (he's English), was charged 2Euros, and when I went to complain, the guy said 'well..he should have sent his Maltese wife or friends!!!'
Simon Caruana
Sep 5th 2010, 08:47
At last! Someone had the guts to' try' this out. Thank you to the journalists involved. So perhaps when we get less visitors to this country people will start to realise why instead of trying to find all sorts of excuses.
It is about time to put a stop to this once and for all!
Victor Galea
Sep 5th 2010, 08:42
Mur obsor hej.
kienu ighidu li l-Ghawdxin jaghmluhom dawn l-affarijiet!
Mela issa skoprejna li isiru kemm fil-gzira z-zghira u kemm fil-gzira l-kbira.
C. Busuttil
Sep 5th 2010, 09:38
There you go ... the source of knowledge is finally unveiled!!
D. Farrugia
Sep 5th 2010, 09:49
With the only exception that in Gozo they overcharge foreigners AND Maltese!
gcForte
Sep 5th 2010, 09:52
The difference is that the Maltese rip off the foreigners, and the Gozitans rip off kemm the foreigners and the Maltese.
jean-marc camilleri
Sep 5th 2010, 10:01
l'Ghaxdwin jaghmluhom lil kumpatrifoti taghhom stess, ahseb u ara. tista tkun aghar minn hekk??? tisraq lil huk ukoll???
Azzopardi V
Sep 5th 2010, 10:04
@ Mr Galea, Gozo have its own problems, 3 different prices, 1 for the Gozitan, 1 for the Maltese and the other for the foreigners! As like Parking fines on a thousand wrong parking in a street you'll notice who's maltese, with the ticket on the windscreen! It is a Gozitan saying No? Malti Xriku ....... u .........!
I would like to ask to try this in other countries like tourist areas to see if it is actually happening only in Malta or not! by my experience, we are not alone!!!
M Vella
Sep 5th 2010, 11:23
@ Jean Marc Camilleri @ d farrugia @gcforte
Kumbinazzjoni l-Hallieq tefa' l-hziena Ghawdex u t-tajbin Malta. U halluna tridx...mur staqsi lil tar-ristoranti kemm isiru complaints ghalxejn mill-Maltin wara li l-ikel ikunu hatfuh biex jifrankaw xi haga jew biex ma jhallsu xejn...Mur staqsi lil tal-flats u farmhouses kif iridu joqghodu b'seba' ghajnejn ghax kien hemm kazi fejn anke' geyser qalghu biex jehduh id-dar!
Il-qaddisin fis-sema qeghdin u mis-sema l-isfel kulhadd xorta!
Jean Marc Camilleri
Sep 5th 2010, 11:50
@ M Vella
imnalla hemm hafna Maltin ghandhom post Ghawdex ghax kieku fix Xitwa lanqas ghandkom biex tghaddu.....ghalfejn ghandu jehel kulhadd ghax xi hadd qala' l geyser? ghalfejn hemm min izomm EUR1 ta flixkun ilma zghir (u minghajr ircevuta)? u tghidli le, ghax graw lili u lil min kien mieghi...ghawdex m hemmx kontroll, sakemm ma jkunx hemm xi karozza maltija ipparkjata hazin u jiccumbaha xi warden....
M.cachia
Sep 5th 2010, 13:57
Mr. Vella, when we were hosting a student conference in Malta a few years back, we took a number of the delegates up to Gozo for a day. We went to the Rabat market and one of our forieghn friends wanted a Sun Hat: her price €8.50. when he heard us speak in Maltese he asked 'Di Maghkhom?' and the price went down to €5.00, one of my friends is Gozitan, and he said 'Isma jien Ghawdxi ta' and the price went down to €3.50. You might get ripped off sometimes in Malta but it seems the rip-off you get in Gozo is a constant and inflated one.
M Vella
Sep 5th 2010, 17:46
@ Jean Marc Camilleri - Believe me when I tell you that incidents like the one I mentioned are not a rare incident... I am not negating the overpricing to tourists in Gozo. But this article proves that it's Malta's issue too. Your argument is flawed as you find it too easy to sanctify Maltese and demonise Gozitans...But anyway, extremists exist everywhere hux... Imissek tghid imnalla hemm hafna Maltin ghandhom post Ghawdex ha jkunu jistghu jisolhu is-sussidju offrut mil-gvern lill-Ghawdxin fuq it-trasport bil-vapur... Tippuntax subghajk siehbi ghax turi kemm int intelletwalment limitat.... @ M Cachia what seems to be inflated is your argument...you're not a special human species and are vulnerable to abuse just like we are....I'm against abuse both in Malta and in Gozo..... Incidentally, this article pointed out abuse taking place in Malta...why do you feel the need to shift the problem to Gozo only...