We ate lunch yesterday at kakao on orient beach. We had 2 burgers a shrimp appetizer and 2 bottles of water. When the bill came it showed 44 euros and 52 us. There was a stamp on it that said service was not included so we left 62 dollars and headed back to club o. We ate at the greenhouse tonight and got the bill and it showed us and euro the same. I asked the waiter about it and he said everyone is giving one to one on the French side and that service is always included on the French side. What is your opinion, did I just get scammed out of an extra 10 bucks?

We have not experienced euro equals dollar on all of the French side. Quite often it is if you are paying cash. They don't have credit card fees to pay. No, you weren't taken in my opinion. We have never been told the tip is included on the French side. We leave extra. Anyone know differently about the tip issue?

My head hurts when it comes to this topic!!

I would say you got taken not once...but twice.

First.....the dollar and euro are now real close in value....certainly not about a twenty percent difference on a 44 dollar tab. Second......the extra ten buck tip...who knows???? Seems a bit high.....but service is usually included in the bill on the french side.

the main question is.......did u enjoy your day???? and would twenty bucks either way would change that? Chalk it up to a learning experience.

The tip as you know it in the USA is Always included on the French Side! If you wish to leave a little extra for exceptional service for your waiter, only leave a "pour boire"which is a few dollars for the cost of a drink for your waiter. So yes, you were taken today.

According to Google, 44 Euro = 49 USD at today's exchange rate (1 to 1.11), but that is probably not the cash rate. so you might have lost $2 to $3 on the exchange.

With regard to the tip, like Kim, my head hurts when this comes up. But my understanding is that the prices on the French side are a bit higher and the staff are paid better than in US/Canada and therefore do not rely as much on tips.

But only you can determine of the $2 - $3 plus a tip that you gave willingly constitutes being taken. I think you should go with EdB's analysis: Did you enjoy your day? If so, focus on that.

Well I guess I will chalk it up to a lesson learned and start asking questions when I get ready to pay up. I did enjoy the meal but this place just kind of rubs me wrong. We were sitting outside the covered bar area and the sun came out and got real warm on us. A group of ladies came over and sat at the next table and the bar tender came right over and set up a couple of umbrellas for them. After he was done he came by again and I asked him if we could get one also. Sure thing buddy. 10 minutes later still behind bar making drinks and I went and got my own and set it up. Not too pleased but at least I could now enjoy the rest of my lunch.

You were not taken as far as converting Euro to Dollar; 1:1 is not the norm, it's the exception. That said, the conversion rate was extremely high: 1 Euro to $1.36. I haven't checked lately, but it was under $1.20 recently. I always have our meals on the French side put on the credit card in Euros, so that I get the current conversion rate.

However, I'm very upset to hear that my favorite restaurant on Orient would stamp, "service not included" on their check, as that is NOT true. Service is always included on the French side, unless the MENU clearly states otherwise. That way you know what you're paying before you order. Now if they told you the TIP wasn't included, that's correct. Tip is a small amount, usually a couple of Euros.

I'll find out exactly what they're doing for myself next month. I do know that Kakao has changed ownership since I was last there. We have never experienced anything like that in the past ten plus years of going there multiple times each trip, and I'd hate to have to stop going there, but if they are playing that game, I will.

You didn't get taken, relax. That's what it costs to eat there. It was pretty good too, wasn't it?

When I eat on he French side, I use my credit card, it is charged in Euros, and when charged it is at the daily rate. Just make sure you have a credit card that does not have fees.

As someone already said "That is what it costs to eat there"...correct..but to derive that cost through deception is just wrong.

If they had it on the menu that the $1 conversion rate was 20% more than it should have been then fine. Not an issue.

Service in restaurants in France is included in the cost of the food

Re: Euro....CC charge in Euro makes sense. Best rate...(presently $1.11). Cash rate is usually LESS as evidenced by the frequent 1:1 for cash in some establishments but it should not be MORE unless stated on arrival or on the menu.

So, yes, that is what it costs to eat there but that cost is obtained through deception AND after the fact. This would take a bit of the fine meal experience away for me...

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

You had a lovely lunch in a Caribbean paradise. Why worry about getting 'taken'? Relax, you didn't...but even if you did, it's vacation!!

To clarify on the term "cash rate": In my post when I refer to cash rate, I am referring to the rate a consumer would normally pay to exchange the currency at a financial institution. In Canada if I take a Euro or a USD in to a bank and exchange it, many banks will charge a 4% fee -- like the CC card companies do here as well. IF the bank in the in St. Martin charge that 4% fee, and the restaurant has to pay it, then that cost would likely be passed on to the customer who chooses to pay in a foreign currency. In that case, the exchange rate the people were charged is pretty close to correct.

The 1 to 1 thing is a promo, not the "cash rate" used when determining exchange rates.

I just ate on the French side at Bacchus . I did not get a 1 to 1 rate.
If I had paid in cash, it would have been more expensive.
But we know this when we dine on the French side. 1 to 1 is not always the rule.. I did as Kim suggested....paid with a credit card.
It is what it is. No one is "taking" anyone

Yes you did get taken. You'll Know better the next time.

"You had a lovely lunch in a Caribbean paradise. Why worry about getting 'taken'? Relax, you didn't...but even if you did, it's vacation!! "
So that makes it OK?

Today euro is 1.103 to the US Dollar.

Some comments
44 Euro to 52 US - last yr we had the same thread about many establishments not using the exact exchange rate, generally in the favour of the place of business
For a few dollars not a biggie to me or if it is, then use a cc.
If a resto wants to do dollars for euro's for cash, that is again a thread we've had - their choice and presumbably part of their business model. I remember in 2008, 1st trip, walking in Marigot, checking out the resto's for lunch, everyone seemed to have a pizza on the sign board. Realized some were priced in euro's, some offering 1:1, then when I thought about it realized some of the 1:1's were actually a higher price!

Two complaints
Kakoa - if they are stamping the bill [and nothing on the menu - re service not included, that is a questionable business practice and if true I would not patronize

Greenhouse - guessing this in P'burg or Simpson Bay? if they are putting 1:1 on their bills that is taking the consumer! - Would like that confirmed - are you sure that was on the bill?

J&B

1 Canadian $ = 1.32 USA $
1 Canadian $ = 1.45 Euro....

By golly are we being taken.....wonder if we go to the USA will they give Canadians 1:1..

kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

Yes, you're right The Greenhouse is on the Dutch side and their menu online shows prices in US$ and NAF. So, 1:1 with the EURO...
I think the OP was thrown off by the comment that ALL restaurants on the French side offer 1:1 which is not the case.
Don't like it when I see the 'stamp' or hand written regarding service on the receipt when we're on the French side. Feel like someone is trying to pull a fast one. JMHO.

Believe me if it was a French couple - a bill with a stamp saying "Service Not Included" would never have been given.

I would guess all this will go on until they are getting exposed for such practices. At some point with social media and websites like this people will start posting pictures of these "bills" that are deceptive and then there is more than just words on the story and that will have an impact.

The deceptive practices are on both sides of the island and I am sure many other places off island as well.

Just a thought, maybe this would replace some of those pictures of food.

Cheers,
T

44 euros = 52 USD for an exchange rate of 1 to 1.18. The official rate has been in the 1 to 1.0 - 1.15 range for the past month.

I meant 1 to 1.10 - 1.15 range for the past month. Desole.

The Euro has not been below 1.08 since April...

Over the last month the range has been pretty stable in the 1.10-1.14 range and its' low over the last 5 years is 1.05

Edited to add: just saw your correction...ignore the above <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Sorry Kate. I think you are confused.

I think what you mean to say is:
1 CAD = 0.75 USD
1 CAD = 0.68 EUR

1 USD = 1.32 CAD
1 EUR = 1.45 CAD

Therefore, if you went to the States and wanted to buy something priced at $1.00 USD, you would have to pay $1.32 CAD.

If you went to France and wanted to buy something priced at 1 Euro, you would have to pay $1.45 CAD.

Yes, our Canadian dollar is in very bad shape right now compared to the U.S. dollar.

A trip to St. Martin will be a lot more expensive for us, but it is still worth every penny.

44 EUR = 63.80 CAD

Sigh.

not confused...just posted it [censored] backward.....I'm going to send my business degree & designation back....lol.....kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

No worries. That's easy to do. For some reason, I just felt that I had to say something. Sorry. Enjoy your next trip to St. Martin.

Oh...don't be sorry good you pointed it out....yes the $$$ is not nice....kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

NO

No, she isn't being taken or No for the 1:1 CAD:USD

Or just No, because you are contrary.

All of the above, none of the above.

If the OP was unhappy, he/she is free to eat elsewhere. I just don't understand the seemingly distrustful mindset that makes people suspicious of frequently 'getting taken' by someone. Their vacations must be very stressful

This is not going to ruin my vacation but I wouldn't like being lied to and deceived, would you?
I will add that being born in France, this "service not included" trick in a restaurant on the French side has never been pulled on me and I think I know why.

Wow I didn't think this question would get such a response. We are back home after a wonderful week on the island. I will not let this one experience tarnish my week there. I will learn from it and am now the wiser next time I'm out to eat on the French side. I love st Maarten and the wealth of knowledge I have gained from reading this forum.

Thanks for all the responses.
Darren

Glad to hear you had a good week overall. Would love to hear more of a trip report! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />