Price of food when eating in?

Jon_01

We've just had a local leisure center (council run) switch from it's own cafe to Soho.

As a rule I wait and have a bite while my wife does her course.

Took a sandwich to the til (priced at £3.30), and was asked 'eating in or out?' Said 'in' and was asked for £3.95?
When I pointed out it said £3.30 on the shelf, I was told they change more when you have the item inside??

There's no signs to tell you this and only one price on each item.

I was under the impression they had to display both prices if they had two charges? Or at least something that tells you you'll be changed more for eating on the premises?

I'm I right that they either have to accepted the price shown or remove the item from sale? (in which case I'll just go and get another and repeat, I've got an hour to kill, I can clear their shelves )....

wealdroam

Jon_01 wrote: »

I'm I right that they either have to accepted the price shown or remove the item from sale?

I am not sure whether they have to show two prices or not.

However, I believe your last point is wrong.

Strictly, it is along the lines of
1) you offer to buy the thing at £3.30
2) they refuse your offer.

WestonDave

As above - the item on the shelf is technically "an invitation to treat" - you take it to the till and make an offer to buy it at £3.30 and they are at liberty to refuse. No contract law problem.

The eat in thing comes from the difference in VAT between a food item (zero rated) and prepared meals (VATable) hence £3.30 plus 20% VAT is £3.96 (so they've round it down). (Incidentally if its a hot item it should be VATable even if you take it out as that is again prepared food rather than just food - this is where the pasty tax thing got "heated" because places like Greggs were trying to claim they didn't have to charge VAT because the heat in their pasties was just residual from cooking when clearly they had heated cabinets to keep them warm!)

They would probably do themselves a favour and avoid aggro by making it clear there is a price difference.

InsideInsurance

The difference in price is due to VAT being 20% on food you eat in but takeaway sandwiches etc being 0% VAT. Places like Eat & Pret are exactly the same however their shelves do have the takeaway price in large text and in small text is under it is the dine in price.

I would double check that there arent any signs anywhere to inform you that prices are higher for dining in due to VAT being added. I'd assume that if there arent then they should be absorbing the cost of VAT and effectively giving a discount to the net price for those eating in

Jon_01

Many thanks.

I just assumed that if something had 2 prices, then they were required to label the items with both of them.
It was also interesting that anyone that bought a single item was told the higher price when they said they were eating in, but anyone buying more wasn't!
I'm guessing that they thought peoples math wasn't up to realizing they were being charged more than the ticket price...
I've seen this at other cafes ect and they usually display both prices. Which has to be the better way.

So, what happens if I say I'm talking it away, leave and then come back and site down? Can they throw me out or make me pay more?

InsideInsurance

Jon_01 wrote: »

I just assumed that if something had 2 prices, then they were required to label the items with both of them.

It has one price - its $3.30+vat

The problem is VAT for takeaway is 0% and VAT for eat in is 20%

Jon_01 wrote: »

So, what happens if I say I'm talking it away, leave and then come back and site down? Can they throw me out or make me pay more?

You have to remember that this is a question of VAT, the net money that they are getting is the same (the extra gets sent to HMRC).

To the cafe themselves it doesnt really make any difference other than if they were audited and seen to be routinely miss categorising things as takeaway when indeed they were eat in then HMRC could fine them and apply VAT to the previously 0% rated sales.

In reality you fairly often see people in Pret etc ask for takeaway but then eat it in and the staff dont do or say anything.

McKneff

£3.95 for a sandwich, Blummin' 'eck, I could make a roast dinner for that.....


So how come McDonalds food is the same price whether you eat it in or out?

JimmyTheWig

Jon_01 wrote: »

So, what happens if I say I'm talking it away, leave and then come back and site down? Can they throw me out or make me pay more?

That would be like taking your own food into the cafe. Which, presumably, you're not allowed to do.

InsideInsurance

McKneff wrote: »

So how come McDonalds food is the same price whether you eat it in or out?

As it is hot food and hot takeaway food is 20% VAT - though sometimes they are stretching the definition of hot, and food

Jon_01

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

That would be like taking your own food into the cafe. Which, presumably, you're not allowed to do.

Well, its a council owned and run center, therefore its open to the public. So I don't see how they can stop you?

Jon_01

InsideInsurance wrote: »

As it is hot food and hot takeaway food is 20% VAT - though sometimes they are stretching the definition of hot, and food

I think McDonalds stretch the definition of food every day!