Price lists must be displayed before ordering; entertainment venues cannot charge “after the fact”
Original: eternity4719 · source details
Original author: eternity4719 · Chinese source: · English adaptation: parveen0029. Translation and grade notes ↗
Bibliographic titles are retained in their original language.
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Cost and benefit at a glance
- Check the cost Cost ↓
- No cost at all. You simply need to request a price list. The tricky part is asking for it in front of others — it can feel a bit awkward.
- Then the source benefit Benefit ↓
- The regulation states: “Entertainment venues offering services or selling goods must display clear prices and provide a price list to consumers; they may not force or deceive custo…
In plain terms
By law, entertainment venues must display clear prices for all services and goods and proactively hand over a price list to customers. Most cases of “exorbitant drink charges” occur when patrons never see a price list and end up paying based on verbal quotes after the fact. Upon entering a private room, ask for a price list and take a photo of it. After placing your order, request a written confirmation. If a billing dispute arises, call 12315 right away.
This guide's cartoon · show illustration
Enlarge illustrationOriginal illustration with Chinese lettering; the English dialogue is below. Humour is a reading aid, not evidence.
English dialogue
- Play first. Pay later.
- The price list first, please.
Cost: what it takes
No cost at all. You simply need to request a price list. The tricky part is asking for it in front of others — it can feel a bit awkward.
Benefit: what the source reports
The regulation states: “Entertainment venues offering services or selling goods must display clear prices and provide a price list to consumers; they may not force or deceive customers into using services or buying products.” Violations of pricing laws are subject to legal penalties. The vast majority of disputes over “overpriced drinks” happen precisely under these circumstances — no price list is shown, and payment is demanded based on informal verbal agreements.
Conditions, limits and disagreements
How to proceed: Upon entering a private room, request a price list — paper or digital, it doesn’t matter — and photograph it. After ordering, ask for a written confirmation of your order. For any “special cocktails” or fruit platters suggested by staff, always ask for the price before ordering. If a billing disagreement occurs, call 12315 immediately. Never pay in advance and then attempt to dispute the charge; once payment is made, proving your case becomes far more difficult.
Original references
Original bibliographic titles and links are preserved; some titles are in Chinese.
国务院 (2006). 娱乐场所管理条例（国令第 458 号，第二十九、五十三条）. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2008-03/28/content_6297.htm
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