Over-priced Ice Creams!

[Mo2013]

Boris, of course I understand price construction. However, notwithstanding 'price construction' some prices are still a rip-off for products that have been overpriced in an act of exploitation. I suspect some people pay these inflated prices so as to appear superior to the rest of us. You take great pride in the fact that you'd never be caught out but yet you will fork out way over the odds for a simple cup of coffee ?

[Mo2013]

Mo understands that £54 for 4 icecream cones is a rip off and so does the local Italian councillor that was passing and saw them question the bill. He said "This is not the first time tourists have been caught out like this and it sadly won't be the last. 'There needs to be a clamp down on places like this that charge extortionate prices to unsuspecting tourists. It does nothing for the image of the city and will probably put people off coming here which in the long run will affect the tourist industry. Stories such as this just don't do the city any favours. We get this with cafes and bars all the time and taxis, as well as guides and there needs to be tough action against these people."

We all expect some mark-up when sitting in certain surroundings in certain parts of the world but there is a difference between a legitimate mark-up and a shameless rip-off. I would not drink a coffee in St Mark's Square because I refuse to pay the the price they would charge me but whilst there are people who are quite happy to pay a rip-off price, the sellers will continue without conscience. The councillor is right, who wants to feel ripped off? And who in their right mind would go to this cafe now ? And who are the people who willingly pay the inflated prices ? Is it a show-off thing ? 'Oh I drank a coffee in St Mark's Square' or I had an icecream just by the Spanish Steps ........

[Manoverboard]

... £8 for a cup of coffee ? Outrageous !

I paid £24 for two cups ( with two slices of Sacha Torte ) in the Cafe Winkler-ish in Vienna some 20 years ago ... it was, for us, an experience rather than a rip-off. Their prices were NOT on display but were in the Menu.

ps ... we have also drunk coffee in St Mark's Square

It is all part of the travel experience, something to share and savour rather than to brag about, at least it is for us.

[Mo2013]

... £8 for a cup of coffee ? Outrageous !

I paid £24 for two cups ( with two slices of Sacha Torte ) in the Cafe Winkler-ish in Vienna some 20 years ago ... it was, for us, an experience rather than a rip-off. ps ... their prices were NOT on display but were contained in the Menu.

Presumably then, not even the tiniest bit of you thought - even for a minute - about what you are getting for the money - and think hell's bells - £24 for two coffees and two slices of Sachertorte ? We paid a fortune for a slice of key lime pie each in Key West (no prices displayed) but we never dreamed it would cost what they were charging. Opportunists.

[Boris+]

Mo,

Maybe I have misunderstood your response to me, but I really don't recall saying that I have paid over the odds for coffee when I've been out and about.

I have never ever been overcharged for coffee when out and about quite simply because I have never ever ordered a coffee when I have been out and about.

It is that simple.

Em

[Manoverboard]

Presumably then, not even the tiniest bit of you thought - even for a minute - about what you are getting for the money ...

Oh yes, we gave it plenty of thought but then thought sod it, why not ... we have worked hard to be here in the first place and it was in reality no more expensive than an item of clothing or whatever that would be long forgotten.

Such memories have outlasted any of the tourist trinkets that we bought in years gone by, it represents good value for money if it is enjoyed ... it is also much cheaper than doing a P&O excursion for example.

[Jan Rosser]

... £8 for a cup of coffee ? Outrageous !

I paid £24 for two cups ( with two slices of Sacha Torte ) in the Cafe Winkler-ish in Vienna some 20 years ago ... it was, for us, an experience rather than a rip-off. Their prices were NOT on display but were in the Menu.

ps ... we have also drunk coffee in St Mark's Square

It is all part of the travel experience, something to share and savour rather than to brag about, at least it is for us.

I too drank coffee last June in St Mark's Square just for the experience likewise outside the Cafe de Paris in Monaco and didn't begrudge a penny of it or should I say euro

I knew how much I would be paying on both occasions and would do it again - live for today I say - may not be everyone's take on life but thanks goodness we are all different

[jay-ell71]

Might I suggest that if you haven't already got one, you get a My Waitrose card and then you can have a free coffee in the store.

You only have to fill out a form in the store, and a card will be set to you, You don't have to have a credit card, or buy anything else. Now that is definitely not a rip off. Jay

[kaymar]

A report in the Telegraph says that the mayor of Rome has apologised on behalf of the City for the excessive prices charged, which were not clearly displayed, and offered to show the Bannisters around his city if they would care to return.

Maybe they were not so stupid after all.

[paultheeagle]

Go to Vicarage Road or the Keepmoat on a Tuesday evening in February...They will charge you £27.00 for a ticket........Now that is a rip off

[Dark Knight]

PTE
for a real rip off try the corporate hospitality package at old Trafford, makes your wallet bleed

[Mo2013]

Having a coffee, a glass of wine or ice cream in key locations is an experience I'll grant you, but these traders are cashing in on people's dreams and potential memories. OK, if you are prepared to pay for the memory, but the fact is that all of these 'experiences' are, in essence, a rip-off.
My grandmother would have said 'some folk have more money than sense!'.

[Mariner Mike]

Well I would be the last to ridicule anyone for getting caught - we got caught for 45 euros for a beer and a glass of wine on the front row outside of cafe in St. Mark's Square!! (for those who want to avoid - if you face St Mark's look to the left and it is the first cafe as you enter the main square). On the other in September off Ventura we sat outside a place right opposite the Pantheon in Rome and got a 3 course fixed menu with two beers to check out the menu and prices and a bottle of decent white for 17 euros a head. You win some, you lose some!!