paintermujer

A friend of mine was helping someone out to get an internet connection.They went to Ono and sorted everything out and were told it was 29 euros for the contract.

A bit later Ono called and said it wasnt 29 euros but 60.00 euros.When questioned why they said it was because of the surname of the applicant.

Can anyone explain why????..sounds a bit scammy to me.

cricketman

Sounds like a misunderstanding somewhere, maybe down to language difficulties?

paintermujer

My friend has lived in spain for 32 years.Her spanish is very good.Needless to say they will be going elsewhere.

amideislas

Extranjero price?

cricketman

Well that is what the OP is suggesting, but the concept is so ridiculous then there must have been a misunderstanding

Because I am sure big multinational companies like Ono would do that - what the hell would they have to gain?

Some British people in Spain like to cry "racist" when it suits them, but there is almost always an easier explanation, if only they understood

amideislas

I agree it seems ridiculous, and I'd seriously question whether it could ever be a matter of policy. Still, I'm oft surprised at the crap so many companies get away with that they'd never get away with in the UK or most of the rest of Europe.

...and here at least, the two-price system is not an uncommon practice (and by the way it has everything to do with profiteering and nothing to do with racism), so I'd have some difficulty being shocked in the unlikely event it were proven to be true.

cricketman

There is a two price system in tourist areas, but this isnt anti-foreigners, it is offering lower prices to regulars and people who live there

When I lived on the Costa del sol, a place that used to charge 2 euros 50 for a coffee for tourists charged us 1 euro

Whether they would have charged us the tourist price if we were speaking English, I dont know

Btw, this happens everywhere in the world, tourists nearly always pay more

steviedeluxe

Not always the case, but in Madrid it's quite common for a bar owner to "invite" you to a drink when he realises you're a guiri. Of course this is marketing - they hope you'll spread the word among others, and perhaps add a little to the bar's image (they tend to have more of a Sherlock Holmes or Hugh Grant image of Brits there, it's a totally different atmosphere to the coast). So the flexible pricing can work both ways.
And yes, bar owners all over the place like to charge less to regular locals. Just a lot less common in the UK where the breweries, pubcos etc have so much power.

Fredbargate

But still illegal

cricketman

Illegal practicies in Spain, really?

Personally I love the way we get lots of free and cheap goodies from the local shops to encourage us to come back. My son gets balloons, toys, pastries etc from the panaderia and fruteria

One thing I've noticed is that Spanish businesses constantly undercharge according to their quote. Removals companies, garages, taxis, furniture shops, bathroom shops have all quoted me a price for a work or product, but then when they deliver they have charged me less than they quoted - which is a nice surprise, but doesnt make much sense business wise

And there are numerous occassions when in El Corte Ingles, Decathlon etc the price charged has been much less than that stated on the ticket, normally they say its because they havent changed the ticket yet - again doesnt make much sense

Maybe its because I am British like steviedeluxe says

lynnxa

only illegal if you're charging someone more than the listed price, surely?

if the owner of my regular bar wants to charge me a bit less, or 'round down' to the nearest euro, how can that be illegal - it's only really like them buying me the occasional coffee

mikelincs

In Playa Flamenca at the market we used to buy a few things to send to the UK as presnets or because they wanted them. Our Granddaughter wanted a pair of the little Spanish dancing shoes, and we went to one stall to buy them, he told us one price, we haggled and got a little discount, we then said in Spanish we're not tourists but residents, and got a further €2 off the price.

amideislas

Yes, but according to some, it never happens. Then later, of course, the admission that it does happen but it's OK because it happens everywhere.

Funny, I never had it happen in Germany. Or Holland. Or Sweden. Or France.. Italy, yes.. UK obviously not.

By the way, I'm no tourist. I have residency and a NIE, just like anyone else, and believe me, at some shops (especially garages) my price is still much higher because they assume I'm a "rich" foreigner who can afford it (just look at my surname to verify), and is naive enough to accept a much higher price than the rest without complaining. The one thing I hate the most is the quote of "about €100" for a car repair, and when you pick it up, it's €600, and they replaced things having nothing to do with the problem, without even calling you to ask your permission. That really pisses me off.

So, now I send a Mallorquin friend to do business with those shops on my behalf. Siempre mas barato!

Is it legal? I don't know, but I'd have to reckon it's not exactly illegal. And it's certainly not racist.

cricketman

If you dont speak good Spanish, then you are still a tourist in the eyes of the locals - which is actually pretty true. Most Brits are in Spain because of the sun and sand, and less so for Spanish people, culture and business

As I've said before on this forum, personal relationships are everything in Spain. The ability to make the odd joke or smart comment in the right place in priceless. People need to be able to warm to you. This is obviously a very foreign concept to the British

amideislas

So it is OK to profiteer at my expense. Thanks for straightening me out on that.