Consumer Report
A joint test on tissue papers and cling film by Macao and Zhuhai Consumer Council is now published in the latest issue no. 278 Consumer Report, the magazine also includes a survey on the fees and surcharge of local Chinese restaurants. Consumers may refer to the latest Consumer Report for details. Macao & Zhuhai Consumer Council test tissue papers and cling films Macao Consumer Council and Zhuhai Consumer Council work together to test 20 batches of tissue papers and 16 batches of cling films. All samples tested pass the quoted standards and score good grades in the test. Details of the test can be found in the latest Consumer Report. Consumer Council conducts survey on Chinese restaurants surcharge The Council has received an average of 25 complaint cases each year regarding charges of tea and condiments, surcharge on public holidays, and minimum spending collected by Chinese restaurants in the past three years. A survey asking for all the details of charges has been conducted by the Council, hoping to enhance transparency of the industry. Service charge is the most common Among the almost ninety questionnaires received, all surveyed Chinese restaurants charge consumers different kinds of surcharge in which service charge (mostly ten to fifteen percent) is the most common. About eighty percent of the restaurants have charges of tea, and over fifty percent of the surveyed restaurants charge consumers for corkage. About twenty percent of the restaurants state that they have an extra ten to twenty percent service charge on public holidays, and notices will be prominently displayed at their shops. Different names and charging methods For charges of condiments, snacks, and tissue, etc., different restaurants use different names and charging methods for this kind of surcharge. One restaurant responded that consumers will be charged even if they choose not to have these kinds of products provided. Other restaurants stated that condiments or snacks are not mandatory charged, some restaurants even offer them for free. Consumers are reminded to inquire about the charging method of the restaurant as different calculation result in discrepancies of the final bill. Make inquiry before ordering All restaurants surveyed state that items and amount are clearly listed on the receipt for consumers’ checking, however, Consumer Council believes that it is better to have all prices of food and service charges, especially non-daily ones or any price adjustments of food or services, listed in the menu as well as displayed at the premises to avoid any consumer dispute. For details of the survey, consumer may refer to the coverage in the latest Consumer Report. Special charges or any price adjustments should also be reported to the enforcement department. he current issue of Consumer Report also features interviews of the two companies serving public transportation in Macao, Transmac and TCM. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) and WeChat official account. For enquiry, please call 8988-9315.