KOTA KINABALU: Shop operators who are used to totaling up bills with mental calculations or calculators are struggling with the new computerized system which they have to adopt as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) came into effect yesterday.
The system requires businesses to key in every item a customer orders so as to calculate the amount of GST imposed, which inevitably slows down the transaction process for operators who previously did not use cash register machines or computers.
Before GST was implemented, many operators of coffee shops in Kota Kinabalu used calculators to sum up the orders written on pieces of paper, or did mental calculations upon glancing at the mugs and plates of different sizes and colours (to indicate the price of food).
Lui, who handles transactions at Kedai Kopi Melanian 3 along Jalan Pantai here, admitted that she was still unfamiliar with using the cash register machine.
Kedai Kopi Melanian 3 is popular among locals and tourists for its sang nyuk mian (pork noodle soup) and tofu stuffed with minced meat.
“At times, it gets jammed up here because I am still unfamiliar (with using the cash register machine), especially when customers add another order to their bill.
“It is weekday today so there are not too many customers; but it will be awful during the Sunday market at Gaya Street when it gets really busy,” she said, adding that it was necessary to produce a receipt for customers now that clearly states the amount of GST imposed and the GST registration number of the shop.
Lui said business at the coffee shop was still normal at the moment, despite the implementation of GST, though some customers had vented their frustration on the new tax regime.
She said a male customer had bought takeaway food from the shop and threw the receipt on the ground in a huff after paying, presumably dissatisfied with the implementation of GST.
“Most of our customers are regulars … they understand about GST but did complain a little.
“Many customers check their receipts, and one even asked to see our GST registration number.”
Lui said the several sen of GST imposed might not seem much, but it could snowball into a significant amount in a month, especially when a family dined out.
Meanwhile, Suki Wong, co-owner of Keng Wan Hing along Gaya Street, had only one word to describe the first day of the implementation of GST: “Chaotic.”
“We now have to use the computer and system and we are not used to it.
“And our customers are complaining as to why it takes us so long to calculate their bills,” she said.
Suki, her husband and parents-in-law operate the traditional buns and desserts shop in town.
Like many coffee shops, Suki and her husband rely on mental calculations to sum up customers’ orders, and for them, it is faster this way.
Minutes later after the interview, Suki was seen at the counter fiddling the computer as her parents–in-law looked on, all trying to familiarize themselves with the system.