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Lower tips, a better display of prices at grocery store and a $ 15 discount at the cash register in the event of an error: new measures from Bill 72 come into force this week. The duty Take stock of these changes that should make life easier for consumers and lighten their portfolio.
taxes before taxes
This is the most awaited measure of Quebecers. At the restaurant, at the bar or at the hairdresser, the tips will now be calculated on the amount of the invoice before the taxes and not after, as it was so far.
For example, on a restaurant note of $ 100, suggested tips will be calculated as a percentage of $ 100 and not total after taxes of $ 114.98. If we apply 15 % tip with this new method, the bill will be $ 129.98 instead of $ 132.23. A way, therefore, to save a few dollars.
Another change: tip options on payment terminals must be “neutral and uniform”. “No more emoji smile next to the 20 % tip and sad emoji next to that of 15 %,” says Sara Eve Levac, lawyer and analyst at Consumer option. “This way of doing things made people feel guilty to leave only 15 %, when it is the norm,” she continues.
Payment terminals must also clearly display an option allowing the customer to choose a fixed amount and that of leaving no tip.
The new law does not however specify the type of businesses authorized to request a tip, deplores Mme Levac. “There are places where it should be prohibited,” she says, giving an example cases reported by consumers who have been forced to leave a tip in an aesthetic clinic or during a funeral service.
More precise labeling
Another flagship measure of bill 72: the revision of the labeling system for food consumer products in grocery store. The retailers will now have to clearly indicate the price of a product per unit or per unit of measurement (per 100 g or 100 ml, for example). They will also have to specify whether a product is taxable or not. In Quebec, certain basic products, such as vegetables, meat and dairy products, are exempt from tax.
For discount products, the current price must be clearly indicated. In the case of a discount for multiple purchase, the unit price must be visible on the label. Finally, the sale price for non -members of a loyalty program must be displayed.
Furthermore, the price of the price accuracy has been revised. At the checkout, if the price requested is not that displayed in store, an item of $ 15 or less will be finally free. For products over $ 15, a $ 15 discount will be offered to the customer. This threshold was so far $ 10.
“We had recommended to indicate the reduced price, as in France, to prevent consumers that a product has not changed prices, but saw its amount reduced. Unfortunately, it was not retained, ”laments Sara Eve Levac.
Difficult times to respect
“The government wanted to make information clearer, but it is the opposite that risks arriving. It will be confused. This is a lot of info on small labels, “criticizes Michel Rochette, president for Quebec of the Canadian Retail Council.
Above all, he deplores that the new labeling rules apply not only in stores, but also to circulars, advertisements, websites and mobile applications of retailers. “There had never been a question of expanding so much out of the store before a few weeks ago,” he said, fearing that some would exceed the date of May 7 to adapt their labeling.
During the session of budgetary credits on consumer protection, last Wednesday, the Quebec Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, said that no additional delay would be granted. According to him, the government was “good player” by offering merchants six months – from the adoption of the bill on November 7 – to comply with the new rules.
A consumer who is witnessing an offense can file a complaint at the Consumer Protection Office. Criminal opinions and sanctions will be given to the offenders.
