Please Display Prices with Tax
Here’s a retail annoyance for a newcomer like me. Nobody displays retail prices WITH taxes!
Now I never claimed to be a master arithmetician. In fact I am a horrible, horrible calculator. But I am sure there must be at least few other people out there like me. Think you’re a master, eh? What’s 15% of 3.48 dollars, quick, and don’t fumble with your change because it’s a long line behind you!
Which is why I am seriously beginning to wonder what exactly is the point for not listing prices with the GST+PST (15%) tax that is added to everything at the end?
I mean it is not as if some people pay, while others don’t. It’s a mandatory tax, right? And it is applicable on everything. So why don’t the retailers display the prices WITH the tax added and save us poor newbie souls nasty surprises, or Percentage-101 before getting to the check out counter?
Time for a PDPT – Please Display Prices with Tax – Campaign! Anyone?
UPDATE:
A great suggestion from kind reader Jennifer makes me rephrase the title of this campaign to Please Display Prices AND Tax. She proposes a price tag that indicates the original price, the tax and the resulting payable price, such as, “$49.99 + $7.00 (tax) = $56.99″.
September 17th, 2006 at 6:37 pm
I support your campaign!
That was/is my concern too.
Thank you for starting.
November 10th, 2006 at 10:15 am
Good thoughts, well articulated and well presented.
But, if successful in your campaign to “consolidate the rate”, you will have consumers forgettin that the price INCLUDES those taxes. Look at the ongoing campaign by gas companies to remind us that the $0.85 includes all those taxes. Indeed, when the GST came in 20 years ago, many in the consumer movement in Canada fought to have the tax separate from the product price.
Politicians and bureaucrats may want you to forget, but its only if it is there each and every time, then will you remember.
Yes taxes are necessary and usually/often despised for what they take, rather than appreciated for what they buy us, but we should KNOW when they are taken.
David
December 3rd, 2006 at 9:13 am
I agree with David that consumers must know exactly how much tax is being charged with a product’s price. Having said that I must also support this campaign because what’s happing now is that prices are being listed without any “indication” of the amount of tax until you get the receipt or you have already guessed or assumed the tax amount in your head.
I propose that this campaign should mention the need to display the original price AND the tax that is charged, for example the price tags could be in such a format:
Price $49.99
Tax $7.00
YOU PAY $56.99
I think that way both David and cinnik’s ideas can be addressed.
Just my two cents (plus tax!).
December 5th, 2006 at 2:22 pm
Just came across your blog. Quite interesting, must say! I read a few posts and seem to agree with you for the most part, being an immigrant myself.
Coming back to this post, you almost snatched the words out of my mouth. Initially I was so confused at this whole GST/PST thing and even ended up in some rather embarrassing situations. I had 20 bucks on me and saw something for 18 bucks and went to buy it, only to realise at the counter that the taxes were extra and thus it ended up being more than 20 dollars. Now that???s a situation I hate.
I don???t see how knowing how much you are paying for tax matters? It doesn???t change anything as I see it. If there is a tax increase by the government, it is bound to be reported in the MSM and concerned people will know it anyways, if they want to protest or just be informed.
Will be visiting your blog more often now.
December 27th, 2006 at 12:35 am
I agree with Jennifer’s viewpoint completely on the way to take this campaign forward. But I wonder if you have any specific plans to take it forward or is it just going to get restrcited to blog only!! I am sure that all who have replied here would be more than willing to help to take this to next level of articulation to the ontario public and then to relevant authorities.
December 15th, 2007 at 9:24 am
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce