Singapore, March 17, 2009 - $30 a prawn or eight for $239 -
that's how much American tourists Mike Rigby and his wife had to
pay at Newton Food Centre last Saturday, reported Shin Min News
Daily.
The amount was almost half of the total bill that they had to foot
- $491, which also covered four crabs at $169, half a BBQ chicken
which costs $19, baby squids ($15), beer, mantou buns and
rice.
When Rigbys and four friends went to the food centre, it was
already packed but a stall assistant ushered them to table saying
he got one for six diners. So Mr Rigby decided to order food from
him.
He said: "We only wanted four prawns at first but the stall
assistant insisted that eight prawns would be enough of our group
of six. Later he even served us two plates of stingray that we
didn't order."
Mr Rigby was shocked when he got the bill after their meal -
nearly $500 for six diners.
"It was because we had rejected the stingray then we decided to
check the bill thoroughly just to make sure. But instead we found
that they wanted $200 for the prawns and $19 for half a chicken.
Obviously, they were trying to overcharge us," he told Shin
Min.
The newspaper sought the views of an industry expert who said tiger
prawns usually cost $6 to $6.50 for 100g at restaurants.
"An average-sized prawn is about 50g while a large one weighs
100g," he said.
"I reckon eight large tiger prawns would cost not more than
$52," he added.
Said Mr Rigby: "We were frightened when we were surrounded by four
guys, so we decided to pay up. We could have spent that amount on a
good meal in a five-star hotel."
He told Shin Min that it wasn't his first time to Newton but it was
his first trying out the seafood dishes there.
"I wanted to introduce the food to my four friends and did not
expect this to happen. I don't think I'll ever come back to this
food centre."
Meanwhile, the National Environment Agency said it would be
investigating the matter.
source
They are not the only ones kena. I have friend's oversea friends
who kena also.
