Why everyone should avoid vacationing in or visiting Niagara Falls Canada

[bazokajoe]

I am a local and so I know all about this bullshit tax. The city pawns it off as a "voluntary" tourism tax to help pay for weekend fire works and other promotional events. But in most cases it isn't voluntary.A friend of mine recently took some out of town guests to Pranzos at the Hilton.His bill showed up with a 7% "tourism tax" plus the HST.He siad take it off its voluntary,I don't have to pay it. They said it's the law and its not coming off. My friend said he will never return to this restaurant. I am sure they don't give a fuck..Then I find out through another friend that Don Cherry's charges a 13% "tourism tax" + HST.Hotels charge this tax to.See links.

U truly hope some of these business go bankrupt or at least lose a ton of business. No wonder people who live in the Niagara Region don't go to the Falls for a night out.If I was the city of Niagara Falls NY I would use this tax as a promotional tool to lure people away from NF Canada.

https://canuckscribe.wordpress.com/...a-falls-are-voluntary-but-they-wont-tell-you/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/niagara-falls-tourist-fees-collected-with-little-oversight-1.1226724

 

[Ridgeman08]

I am a local and so I know all about this bullshit tax. The city pawns it off as a "voluntary" tourism tax to help pay for weekend fire works and other promotional events. But in most cases it isn't voluntary.A friend of mine recently took some out of town guests to Pranzos at the Hilton.His bill showed up with a 7% "tourism tax" plus the HST.He siad take it off its voluntary,I don't have to pay it. They said it's the law and its not coming off. My friend said he will never return to this restaurant. I am sure they don't give a fuck..Then I find out through another friend that Don Cherry's charges a 13% "tourism tax" + HST.Hotels charge this tax to.See links.

U truly hope some of these business go bankrupt or at least lose a ton of business. No wonder people who live in the Niagara Region don't go to the Falls for a night out.If I was the city of Niagara Falls NY I would use this tax as a promotional tool to lure people away from NF Canada.

https://canuckscribe.wordpress.com/...a-falls-are-voluntary-but-they-wont-tell-you/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/niagara-falls-tourist-fees-collected-with-little-oversight-1.1226724

No problem... reduce the tip by the same amount. Done and done.

 

[spankey]

The had a feature on the subject on the show Marketplace a few weeks back. The tax is about as cheezie as the bad souvenirs they over expose you to.

 

[notthemama]

I can't imagine coming half way around the world to NFs.
What a fucking disappointment.
Except for the Falls itself, the Parkway and the area around the Casino the rest is borderline ghetto. Old run down buildings, crappy roads, and Lundy's Lane is a long strip of out dated motels, fast food and rippoffs. Doubt me? Visit the factory outlet mall.
I live about 20 minutes drive down the Parkway from the Falls. I never go there to eat or shop.
Last time I had a meal there 25+ years ago they served me what I was assured was lasagna made fresh just that day. They never even heated it thoroughly, it was still partially frozen in the middle.
Clubs like Mints and Sundowner are just as bad. Their greed has run them into the ground.
Don't get me started on the Rub and Tugs which do their best to grind the tourist.
Come all the way from the Far East and see this?
I've travelled to many destinations around the world.
Yes as a tourist I expect to pay a premium but I don't think I've ever seen a more disappointing, overrated, run down attraction. I've been to the Dominican, Cuba, Ukraine, Russia, poor and prosperous areas of Europe a significant portion of South Africa and a couple destinations in the Far East.
Even rundown as some of these locations can be they have a certain charm, something woefully missing in the Honeymoon capital.
Niagara Falls is like the typical Asian rub and tug bait and switch.
The brochure shows a few bright lights and you fall for it.
The reality is missing bulbs and a real stretch of the truth.
OH! Bring cash, lots and lots.

 

[notthemama]

The had a feature on the subject on the show Marketplace a few weeks back. The tax is about as cheezie as the bad souvenirs they over expose you to.

Yep, gotta get me some of those cheezie souviners. Authentic, been to the Falls, made in China shit. Can you imagine coming all the way from China only to see the knick knacks that are made in the factory down the road from where you live?

 

[Butler1000]

I usually make a couple of runs a year there. Wait for the deals at the casino hotels with the food vouchers. Do some casino time. Visit the Downer for old times sake and order on an SP.

I have noticed the talent isn't quite as good. You used to be able to call up Temptations or Diamonds and get a good one. Also some great indies like HLH.

I didn't realize they have upped the tax thing like that. It used to be a few bucks so I didn't worry about it.

 

[SkyRider]

Toronto has a "voluntary hotel tax".

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/03/23/torontos-voluntary-hotel-tax-catching-most-tourists-by-surprise/

 

[nottyboi]

Just refuse to pay it and have them call the cops

 

[latinboy]

Toronto has a "voluntary hotel tax".

http://www.citynews.ca/2016/03/23/torontos-voluntary-hotel-tax-catching-most-tourists-by-surprise/

As does Montreal, but it's not voluntary.

3.5% is added to the hotel bill which already includes 14.5% GST/TVQ.

So it's a tax on tax.

 

[Twister]

The had a feature on the subject on the show Marketplace a few weeks back. The tax is about as cheezie as the bad souvenirs they over expose you to.

" As does Montreal, but it's not voluntary."

On that show its says that for some cities its mandatory..didn't say which, but I would like to know which.
Bunch of thieves.

 

[NorthernBear]

No problem... reduce the tip by the same amount. Done and done.

So you are saying that to protest the tax you penalize the wait staff who work their butts off to try and make your visit pleasant?

Maybe you should just go to the new McDonalds's kiosks where servers don't have to deal with your bullshit attitude.

 

[Butler1000]

" As does Montreal, but it's not voluntary."

On that show its says that for some cities its mandatory..didn't say which, but I would like to know which.
Bunch of thieves.

I think Chicago has one. At least on hotels. Some other touristy places do it too.

 

[Ridgeman08]

So you are saying that to protest the tax you penalize the wait staff who work their butts off to try and make your visit pleasant?

Maybe you should just go to the new McDonalds's kiosks where servers don't have to deal with your bullshit attitude.

Spare me the holier than thou attitude. I am actually quite a generous tipper normally... and I NEVER eat fast food.

For many of the reasons given here in this thread, I rarely go to NF anymore anyway. Although, I did pass through it last week to jump the border to buy my lawn fertilizer/ weed killer. Stopped at my favourite Wings place state side as well.

 

[SoftHands813]

No problem... reduce the tip by the same amount. Done and done.

So you are saying that to protest the tax you penalize the wait staff who work their butts off to try and make your visit pleasant?

NB has a valid argument in that if you're trying to make a statement to the owners, chopping down the tip isn't going to accomplish that. Owners won't care if you tip and how much, because they've already made their money on the food & beverage. So while cutting the tip seems like a good idea at the time, it's just shooting the messenger. Better off to take your business elsewhere, but let the management know you're doing exactly that and why.

 

[nobody123]

Spare me the holier than thou attitude. I am actually quite a generous tipper normally... and I NEVER eat fast food.

None of which changes the fact that you are, apparently, the kind of asshole who would punish the wait staff for the egregious behaviour/policies of their management.

 

[whitewaterguy]

"Vacation" in Niagara Falls..lol...that tourist trap would never make it onto my must return list..not even for a day trip.

 

[JessyCeleste]

But why avoid it when you can simply tell them not to put it or ask them to remove it when they do? That's what I always do. I learned about it on....I think it was 5th Estate and since then haven't paid it once. I don't think its a reason to avoid a great Canadian city, an amazingly fun place and one of the great wonders of the world and pride of Canada. Im glad you posted this though to warn people, kind of disappointed in myself for not thinking to warn people on here that they should always say they don't wish to pay it before their bill arrives / ask to remove it if they forgot beforehand. Im considering wearing a shirt next visit that says 'In case I forget, I hereby request you remove that bullshit tax. Thanks and have a great day and stop staring at my tits under the guise of reading this you perv! heh heh"

 

[TeeJay]

But that's not fair to the server, it isn't the fault of the person waiting on you . Tip according to the service you recieved . Also I wonder if you mention to them ahead of time that you don't want to be charged for it and ask them to please not put it on the bill ?

But it is the fault of the server hence why he cuts their tip
It is a VOLUNTARY fee

If server just decides to add it (or worse refuses to remove it as some have complained) then you better believe that is shit service and deserves to be tipped as such