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CONSUMER TIPS FOR NYC TOURISTS See our tips inside! WELCOME TO CITY! Thank you for visiting —the most popular big city destination in the . To make sure you enjoy your time here, the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) offers some simple consumer tips. Look inside! 1 2 3 Don’t Get Read Menus Overcharged. Carefully. New York is known for its great restaurants and Don’t Be Pressured New York has great shopping and dining, but diverse menus. Menu prices should include the full you don’t need to pay more than the posted price for preparing and serving a meal. by Street Performers. price. Restaurants, food carts, and food trucks Restaurants can charge for additional service only must post prices where you order. If you don't if that charge is clearly displayed in writing. For Busy tourist areas often have performers see them, ask to see a price list. Stores must put example, a restaurant can add a charge for wearing costumes or playing music. They may prices either on the item or on a sign where the sharing a meal or can charge a approach you for a tip, but even if you watched item is displayed. You can negotiate for a minimum price per person, but their show or took their photograph, you are not lower price, but the price you pay these charges must be on the required to give money. If you feel you are cannot be higher than the menu. Restaurants cannot just being harassed, look for a nearby police officer, posted price. Your hotel add a charge to increase the or call 911. rate must be the same cost of items listed on the menu. one quoted at the time you made the reservation. Confirm Parking 6 Rates.

At a public parking garage or lot, 5 always look for the DCA license 4 and check the rate sign, which must be posted at each entrance. Avoid Being Confirm the rates before you park, check the time on your claim ticket, Protect Your Overcharged for and save your receipt. Identity Online. Pedicab Rides.

You’ll want to stay in touch while away from home, Many visitors choose to take a ride in a pedicab, but be careful when using unsecured Wi-Fi or but remember to check for the driver’s DCA public computers. Avoid typing your personal license and the posted rates. The price of Check information; create strong, personal passwords; pedicab rides must be calculated per minute and only download software and apps from using a timer. Pedicab drivers cannot charge tax, Tour trusted sources. Delete any personal documents increase the price for additional passengers, or 9 and empty the Recycle Bin on the desktop before add other fees, and they must give passengers Prices. you log off. Never use your credit or debit card to the official Pedicab Information Card. make online purchases on public computers. 7 To explore the city, you may want to use a sightseeing guide or bus, both of which DCA Be Cautious When 8 licenses. Be sure to get receipts. All sightseeing guides, including those who do Buying Electronics. Don’t Fall for walking, bus, and boat tours, must wear their Do your research and compare False Advertising DCA license. They can only charge $1 per prices before making purchases. person per hour and cannot charge more than Only shop at an electronics store and Scams. the original fee for other merchandise, meals, that has a DCA license and check or services. Receipts must include the guide or the refund policy before you pay. If it sounds too good to be true, it may be. Sale the tour organization’s name, address, Examine the product closely to advertisements must describe the name and telephone number; DCA license number; and make sure it’s not used or rebuilt details of sale items and any restrictions. “Bait the date the ticket was purchased, the specific and be sure it will work in your and switch” ads that promise savings that aren’t tour purchased, and the total price. hometown. Avoid buying actually available when you arrive at the store extra warranties that may not cover more are illegal. If a store advertises that it is having Sightseeing bus operators must post their than the manufacturer’s and retailer’s a special sale like “going out of business,” rates at the entrance of the bus and where warranties. Get an itemized receipt and liquidating, lost its lease, or is renovating, it must seated passengers can see them. They must look closely for hidden fees or add-ons. have a DCA Special Sale license. also post a sign with the departure time. Keep the box and original packaging in Receipts must have the fare amount; the case you need to description or number of the trip; and the return the item. company’s DCA license number. Final Consumer Tip: If you have a problem with a business while you are in New York City, the Department of Consumer Affairs is here to help. You can file a complaint in multiple languages by visiting nyc.gov/consumers, contacting 311 (212-NEW YORK outside NYC), or visit 42 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Save your receipts and any other information. Resources: Non-Emergency: 311 Emergency: 911

About the Illustrations: The Front and Back Covers feature illustrations representing iconic NYC landmarks and destinations throughout the five boroughs. Front Cover illustrations: . : Bronx . : Barclays Center (home of the Brooklyn Nets); . : ; ; Chrysler Building; ; Flatiron Building; Washington Arch; One World Trade Center; Charging Bull. : Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Unisphere, New York State Pavilion). : Snug Harbor Cultural Center and ; Staten Island Ferry. Back Cover illustration: Ellis Island. Illustrations are courtesy of Yi Seul Chun.

Consumer Affairs

Bill de Blasio Lorelei Salas Mayor Commissioner 07/2016