Greek hotel asks for cash

Flackwellboy

We have booked a holiday in Crete, and the hotel have said in order to take up a special offer of free aircon, we need to pay them in cash on arrival (70%). Taking into account the high amount of tax evasion in Greece, I am feeling uneasy about this. of course what the hotel does with their money is not my issue, but I don't want to be a party to anything "illegal". Do I need to be concerned about this??

richardw

''Tis how things are done in Greece.

Have you ever bought a small item in a shop in the U.K. , paid cash and they didn't ring it up on the till?

eDicky

I'm afraid it will take more than your being concerned to reform the general attitude of neglecting tax obligations in a place like Greece, where the IMF, ECB, EU etc have been trying for years.

Voyager2002

Just do whatever makes you feel comfortable, and remember that getting hold of that amount of cash will have a cost to you, not to mention the risk of loss.

Personally I would be tempted to agree to pay in cash but insist on a VAT receipt before handing over the money.

As a matter of interest, what is the value of the 'free' air conditioning? And do you really need or want it when you are still in Europe?

Blue264

Flackwellboy wrote: »

Do I need to be concerned about this??

No you don't.
The Greek government have been saying since August, that capital controls (how much Greeks can withdraw from the bank per week) have ended, but it's still to happen right across the entire country.

The only way you can avoid anything related to tax evasion is, if you hire a car, don't accept a 'second receipt' for fuel from a garage attendent.

Voyager2002 wrote: »

As a matter of interest, what is the value of the 'free' air conditioning? And do you really need or want it when you are still in Europe?

Not one single member of the Greek side of my family would forego air conditioning in summer, particularly with the extreme temperatures they've experienced in recent years. My mother-in-law called tonight to tell us that the schools in Athens are closed due to snow and (she says) that's a sign it will be a very hot summer.

Teahfc

Blue264 wrote: »

My mother-in-law called tonight to tell us that the schools in Athens are closed due to snow and (she says) that's a sign it will be a very hot summer.

What the fact schools are closed or they have had snow ?
I would say not being a weather expert that Greece in the summer having a very hot summer is quite possibly the most obvious thing to say ..snow or closed school included.😴