Over-priced Ice Creams!

[Boris+]

I couldn't help but notice on the morning tv that some people are now complaining because they were charged 64euros for ice creams (I think it was for 4 people) in a place in Rome. What a bunch of twits!

I have known since I was very young that firstly in France it's the good old 'service non compris' situation, and in many many places the difference in price for the same product in one restaurant/café/bar depending on where you sit (or take away) to consume said product.

It always used to be (and I presume it still is) the case that the cheapest option is take away - in terms of ice cream that would be a cornet of some type. The next option moving up the price scale would be the same product being consumed inside the premises, and the highest price being charged for the same product outside the premises in the seating provided.

Why on earth didn't these people check on the price before they ordered?

However - when we were last in Rome we did an excursion from the ship and the coach stopped on a hill opposite and near the Colosseum. Before we got off the coach the tour guide said that on our way down towards the main road/street there was a restaurant/bar/café and we could use their facilities if we just bought an ice cream. As it turned out this place sold various savoury snacks, cakes and ice creams and drinks. There was an option to eat in or not - and the prices were very clear and easy to understand. But - all the ice cream was home made, huge choice of flavours - and so we each had a large (and I mean large) cone with three different flavours. Cost - was exactly 2 euros each, which for a heavily laden cone we thought was great, and we got to practice our language at the same time.

If people want to prat about sitting at tables and eating ice cream out of a dish - they shouldn't really complain about the price later. What a bunch of neddies!

Em

[Quizzical Bob]

They didn't sit down, they were take out cornet thingies.

[Boris+]

Well more fool them then.

I always ask the price of stuff - if only to practice using the local language a bit. What makes it worse is that having behaved foolishly/unwisely they then tell the world about it!

Duh.

Em

[gfwgfw]

Morning Em

You are making me feel a tad uncomfortable as a similar scenario happened to us in Venice, and I tipped the thieving sod

A fool and his money . . . .

Lubooo

Graham

[Dark Knight]

it happens to the best of us, we had a similar experience enjoying lunch in Florence, wonderful food, great restaurant etc
the bill arrived, we paid, the owner put a deposit on a new Ferrari
Lesson learnt, it is easy to do, many people get caught out in Venice, Rome , Norway etc but soon learn, hey ho

[Capt Black]

An acquaintance of mine keeps an extortionate receipt from Harry's Bar in Venice in his wallet. Every now it comes out with everyones ears getting bashed with his tale woe.

My mum still bangs on about the time dad had an overpriced coffee in St Mark's Square about 40 years ago!

[Manoverboard]

Many years ago when the Lira was at about 3,000 or so per pound I purchased a silver ' Pizza Olive Oil Drizzler ' from a lovely little shop in Lucca.

They had two, one was small with a price tag in the region of £15 but t'other one was a little larger and much more suited to our needs at that time so I chose the larger one.

The shop keeper made the point, albeit in Italian plus lots of hand signals and arm waving, that the larger one was going to be more expensive, yeah yeah yeah no problem it was going to be about £17:50 right ... not so, my Barclaycard Statement was going to show £175

Had it valued at £200 so if anybody wants to make an offer ...

Lesson learnt.

[Boris+]

Hi Graham,

I don't think I can really say that I have been 'stung' - and sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. When we are in port, if we go ashore we quite often take water with us, and usually a snacky-bar too; so that we only eat on board (unless it's part of a cruiseline organised excursion). I have my reasons.

PM en route to you shortly.

Em

[Kendhni]

To be fair the seller said these were massive ice creams and he/she could have sold them a simple ice cream at about €2.50.

I thought RCI was much better where they had free frozen yoghurt pretty much 24/7

[Silver_Shiney]

I went to Sicily before they got contaminated with euros and made a BIG error in calculating the exchange on the clearly marked prices of some marzipan models of fruit. I spent the best part of £30 on no more than six pieces, and spent the rest of the week kicking myself.

[Dark Knight]

SS
Marzipan fruit ???

[Silver_Shiney]

SS
Marzipan fruit ???

models of fruit made of marzipan, mon ami.

How are you these days, sir? Back at work or still off dead and dying? I sincerely hope the former.

[Dark Knight]

SS
well that explains it all ??
back at work last week, need a holiday

[gfwgfw]

Hey Ho

Time for a wee commercial break methinks . . . .

Why not treat yourself to a visit to rural Darzet, where the sun shines, sometimes

. . . . and the locals are super friendly . . . mostly

plus the true Darzet delectable s are as cheap as chips - well almost

AND . . . you could - get a glimpse of the famous Cerne Giant standing proudly on his steep hill in the Cerne Valley, just refurbished by National Trust - god bless em

and thanks for listening

Luboo all

[Boris+]

That I shall, Graham - in August! Wimborne is such a lovely little town, and has everything I want!

Em

[qbman1]

However - when we were last in Rome we did an excursion from the ship and the coach stopped on a hill opposite and near the Colosseum. Before we got off the coach the tour guide said that on our way down towards the main road/street there was a restaurant/bar/café and we could use their facilities if we just bought an ice cream. As it turned out this place sold various savoury snacks, cakes and ice creams and drinks. There was an option to eat in or not - and the prices were very clear and easy to understand. But - all the ice cream was home made, huge choice of flavours - and so we each had a large (and I mean large) cone with three different flavours. Cost - was exactly 2 euros each, which for a heavily laden cone we thought was great, and we got to practice our language at the same time.

We went to that cafe in Rome, Em, it was great. Almost more ice cream than even I could manage!

I agree, people really have no one to blame but themselves if they get ripped off like these plonkers in the news today

[HK phooey]

Why shouldn't they complain? 64 euros for 4 icecream cones is daylight robbery! If they hadn't been to Rome before they wouldn't have known what a thieving bunch of so and sos the vendors are there, but everyone who reads about it will know for the future.. Who scrutinises the price list if they're buying an icecream for goodness sake? We approached a taxi driver in Rome to enquire how much it would be for a short trip - I think he misheard us as the price quoted would have bought the taxi, let alone hired it.

[Quizzical Bob]

It is my understanding that the prices were clearly on display.

[Mr-big-bits-mk2]

Vicki and I paid 6 euro's each for a galss of Coke at the Cafe De Paris in Monaco.

Was worth every penny as we met a local called Horsche who we chatted to for ages whilst watching the endless lines of expensive cars crawl by.

[Manoverboard]

It should also be the case that they cannot overcharge.

It is an offence not to provide a receipt and another one not to charge the correct amount for the item being sold ... Italy's Financial Police used to be quite hot on that violation cos it could mean lots of extra perks

[Boris+]

Ooooops Helen! Ask a question - and you'll get an answer! You asked 'who scrutinises the price of an ice cream for goodness sake?'. Answer: me.

Sorry - but I do look at the cost of anything and everything. If I don't like the price then I don't buy the product.

Sorry Helen - you asked and I answered. Hope you don't mind.

Em

[Manoverboard]

Hi Em,

I also check the prices, see above in Lucca, and I don't give a P&O who minds

[paultheeagle]

More fool them for paying it, especially when the prices were on display...

[jay-ell71]

On BBC Breakfast this morning the couple concerned said that although the prices were on display in all the other icecream shops they visited, there were no prices displayed in that particular shop. They assumed the prices were the same everywhere, and they had paid E2 or E3 per ice cream before.

I think I would have put the ice creams back on the counter and walked away; or maybe I wouldn't have been brave enough Jay

[HK phooey]

I think I'd have asked them if they were prepared to change their minds, after all they do have a reputation for it