Gowon, First you must give all Bahamians a 3rd grade mathematics education.
Isn't that when % are taught?
Second, good luck, as there are some basic and very simple premises that most do not have, and which are the starting point for any conversation designed to assist the ever present lack of knowledge.
I am not trying to be rude, just looking at the issue very bluntly and honestly, we have done a crap job of preparing our youth to become productive citizens with a common understanding of how things should work.
Granted, few things here work as they should.
Starting with damn near every Government Department.

There may well be many former Bahamian politicians hiding in China if the Bahamian people ever wake up and demand accountability!

Mr. Bowe has no authority over movie ticket prices, so not sure what he can do except make noise , but I suppose he has to justify Government pulling him out of the retirement bushes somehow.
Meanwhile, price hikes due to increased costs aught to wait until increased costs are actually experienced.
Increasing costs at the same time as a new tax is implemented is not too sharp!
Meanwhile, duty rates have dropped enough to be seen at point of sale so we shall see.
Inventory levels at the old duty rates will be depleted at various times over the following months depending on the items movement.
Mr. Bowe aught to be investigating and reporting his findings AFTER a conclusion is arrived at.
Casting dispersions on peoples characters equates to lynching.
Is one not innocent until proven guilty?
or have we thrown that law out also?

I have also heard the mis informed, who are always most vocal,
Making erroneous statements and spreading mis-information.
It is a shame that no one in government seems able to clearly state for them what they will see,
nor does it help that most Bahamians have no clue to begin with.
Simple math is beyond most.
I have heard of complaints that duty free items are not supposed to attract VAT.
Wrong.
Duty free does not mean VAT free.
Liquor has been Duty Free for years, but is not tax free.
Liquor is cheaper in Florida!
At the end of the day, the Government has failed in National finances, transparency, rule of law, crime control, and now, education on a new tax, instituted because of their failure to collect all the other taxes.
Putting E.J. Bowe out there on a very public witch hunt is beyond reprehensible, especially having not educated him prior to his appointment.
Incompetence with power is a dangerous mix.

And when Mr. Bowe finds nothing wrong, will he be as quick and as public to declare everything to be in order?
I doubt it.
Involving the press at the front end of an investigation reeks of summary conviction, denying a citizen due process and defense in a court of law.

On the Money asiseeit,
Seems a lack of access to justice is a universal problem now.
Tribalism is the replacement of rule of law with rule by personality.

Gratuities on a receipt should be call gratuities, not inserted in a tax line.
Was this being done on receipts prior to Jan 1st?
surely someone has a receipt from prior to Jan 1st?
Simple enough to investigate, once they're finished with Super Value......

"Comrade yes but infrequently. My one only laying Hen is reaching age were her egg laying days are all but over. So, in coming weeks if you happen buy some fresh chicken from me store and find it bit tough, no worries tis only me old faithful and loyal Henrietta."

Hey Tal, what you gotta do is beat the Chicken every morning and cut its feed in half, and it'll lay more eggs.
That approach works for Government........

You are absolutely correct that we Bahamians are for the most part clueless.
Duty has always been a hidden tax, especially from the consumer at local retail, and save their attempts in evading duty at the airport, attempts which are largely successful, few even understand that simple tax!
The biggest challenge for Price control/Consumer affairs is finding legitimate complaints among the thousands they will get born out of consumer ignorance.
All very time consuming for a mathematically challenged investigator with a bent for wielding the Government stick.
Having had many "opportunities" to educate consumers, and realizing the absence of any rationale to appeal to, this is the biggest hill to climb.
It does not help that the appointed head of Price control is on a witch hunt and making all sorts of misleading statements and by self admission, is looking to expand his new found power.
VAT represents a first world tax structure introduced to the most lax, non record keeping society of the third world.
Sadly, the Government could have appealed to the private sector for help but instead chose to ignore them, save perhaps a few, but none were consulted that I'm aware of.
Perhaps the plan to make the private sector the bad guy gave them fits of conscience on that score.
Nor did it help that the private sector put self first and foremost in the initial VAT @ 15% fiasco, when they rushed to get dibs for their sector on exemptions!
In the second go around, most were in denial almost up to the last minute.
Overall the Government has done a pathetic job in implementing a necessary evil where national finances are concerned, but to that point I do not hold out any hope they will do anything but waste the money.
It is their talent, which is what got us into this mess in the first place.
As to social media, it is possibly better called a digital lynch mob, where the accused is denied even the pretense of a trial.
Guilty with no chance of innocence declared.
Will the Government apologize to any of the publicly accused if found innocent?
When has government ever apologized for any thing?

Price control is a very misleading name, in reality they control markup margins over landed costs and only on bread basket items.
One importer may pay $1 a can but another pays $1.70, both can markup the same % but on different amounts.
Volume purchases, different brands and suppliers, hell different freight rates can affect the final retail price, legitimately different in each store.
Any greats disparity in price will soon be met with a lack of sales for the higher price, higher sales for the lower price provider.
No Government hack can meddle with or change that without destroying the country.
Ask a Venezuelan about price controls and the lack of toilet paper and basic necessities.
Right where Mr. E.J. Bowes mentality will get you.