Juta Tour Drivers Scam

[MissBlue]

Why is it ok for the bar in this thread to overcharge for beer but in the Pub Crawl thread, Bella Donnas is getting kicked off the pub crawl stops for charging $5 a beer?

because the pub crawl is a tour specifically set up with certain establishments (supposedly) participating in a discount program for "that" tour's customers. As part of said program, there are usually agreements made re: guidelines on pricing. An independent merchant on the side of the road is not participating in any "program" - they are selling to the general public and can charge whatever they wish.

this has nothing to do with "Fatherly wisdom from the ELDERS" - and it's not a 'cultural' thing either. It has everything to do with knowing how stuff works in the travel/tourism world. If you come across someone selling beer for $20 bucks, no you shouldn't "bi.tch" about it - that will do exactly nothing. Just don't buy from them. when they don't make sales, if they're smart, that will clue them in that their prices aren't supported by customers. But in any case there's no reason at all to bi.tch at anyone about their prices. Why get so emotionally upset about it? Would you do that in a Target or K-mart cause one of their TV's is $200 bucks but another is $800, and you don't want to pay $800? No. You would simply not buy the one that you feel is overpriced.

This is no different from inflated prices at US hotels and sports arenas, as someone else mentioned - we ALL know that if we go to the football game, a warm soda and one hot dog is gonna cost $15.00... and a beer is $10 or $11 bucks. but if we had bought the same thing out on the street before entering the arena, the same exact thing will be $5.00.

Buying a coffee and pastry in the hotel lobby in downtown Chicago or Philly, will cost you $20.00 bucks - but out the door at the bakery on the street, same thing will be $5.00.

nobody gets all self-righteous and indignant about this when at home in the states, we all know not to buy at the places that are known for inflated prices. it's the same thing everywhere in the world.

[Bob-n-Sandra]

Well I guess we are back on the soapbox..just let it die already!!!!

[mdsn]

STICK with your convictions Irie John,it is what it is.A RIP off is a RIP off no matter WHO sits home and tries to politically correct you.I thought THAT is what this board is about INFO. You never painted a broad brush? No need to defend yourself. If I was in a bar in NYC and they ripped me off I would do the same.

Some try to paint Negril as some perfect Nirvana where there are no alligators who TAKE...And I LOVE Negril.I know the spot,the shack by the water,below the beautfull hill where the goats roam. They were nasty to me also. It is what is is and Most are not like that.I get tired of this "there are no VULTURES in Nirvana thing.

So it's "standard" business to get ripped off? Gee, so then I guess there is no seperation from the GOOD folks in Negril who do NOT rip off,right?Right? I get sooo tired of getting Fatherly wisdom from the ELDERS as if I havent traveled to many many countries and know a ripoff when I see it.

Gee,just throw away your money,dont challenge.I mean your'e rich right? I mean you don't work your AZZ off all year to pay for your vacation and work for others back home in order to do so.

Well said.

[kim&betty]

I'm not sure what is done elsewhere but, when ever I'm in a new bar or restaurant, I inquire as to the price of a beverage or food item if a menu isn't provided before I order. This is because a well drink at one bar might be $2 (local dive bar), the same drink at another bar might be $12 (atlantis casino bar, bahamas). It helps me decide if I want that drink (or 20), BEFORE I order. It helps me to remain Irie. Location means everyting, business is business, no scam there, my opinion.

[booger]

Beer prices are all over the place in Negril, so if not posted just simply ask. Cheapest I found last week was $150J at a place right near Roots that is set back a little. So you can go there or a place like Sunnyside and drink a lot for a little, or go to Margaritaville, Rick's, and now Bella Donna's and pay roughly $500J for a beer. You know where I will be though I have no problem paying $400J at a place like Catcha with the ambience that is provided.

On a side note, the bickering has grown old. Respect your brother and sister and don't get caught up in the small stuff. The site has a moderator that will make the adjustments if necessary.

[yetta]

IMHO, if the price isn't to one's liking...then don't buy it! There are times when I am willing to pay a bit more for a drink and other times that it is not worth the effort. Times, they are a changing....but bottom line, I am the one that is paying for the drink....so, obviously....we, as the consumer, are in charge. Drink good!!!

[Fred Stripe]

First off,due to their HIGH prices I will never go there again. I also like to go to the bar that charges 2/3 dollars and then leave them a FIVE dollar tip. So many times when I used to take the bus from the airport and saw that beautifull shack by the water & the hills with the goats.

I finally stop there and my dream became a nightmare. Nasty/overpriced. I want the Lollipop to open again.

[ohliz]

I think the whole situation could have been avoided by simply asking "How much a Red Stripe?" instead of ordering one and then not wanting it.

Indeed it could have been.

I'm not sure what is done elsewhere but, when ever I'm in a new bar or restaurant, I inquire as to the price of a beverage or food item if a menu isn't provided before I order.

So do I.

Beer prices are all over the place in Negril, so if not posted just simply ask.

Yep.

IMHO, if the price isn't to one's liking...then don't buy it!

Probably overkill to quote any more posts that basically say the same thing, but they're all so LOGICAL.

That said, I would also want my beer cold and if it were not, I'd return it for one that was, having asked for a cold one. Some people do prefer them warm but tourist establishments are generally aware that most tourists want cold. To be safe I specify "cold" when I order, as I did in England also.

[Seveen]

Right now I'd pay almost anything to have a Red Stripe in Jamaica --- that first one always tastes so good --- and I could even do it lukewarm

[Mike_D]

I know I've probably paid $5 for a beer or 2 while in JA. I've also paid very little or nothing for a beer, many times. (The free beers usually come after paying for some other service - like a taxi.) Eh, it all evens out in the end. One time, I paid upwards of $4 for warm Red Stripes at one of the nicest restaurants in one of the nicest (non-AI) hotels on the beach road. I watched the bartender pull them out of the fridge, so I knew that was all they had and there was no point in asking for a "cold" Red Stripe. After that, we simply headed over to C&D for some ice-cold $200 J beers, in order to offset the warm, expensive beers we just had.