The Price of Fish

Hanser · #1 22-10-2018, 13:51

After many years of eating out in Port de Pollença, we have been ripped-off by a restaurant for the first time.

We were charged 70€ for one medium-sized fish of the day. We questioned the bill but got nowhere; we've paid less for Michelin-starred meals in London.

Although the service and food was good, we will probably never go back there. Thankfully there are plenty of other good places to eat.

We learnt a simple lesson; always ask how much an unpriced dish will cost.

Please remember the Forum rules and don't try to name the restaurant here.

Sparky · #2 22-10-2018, 13:56

What kind of fish was it and was it for 1 person?.

Hanser · #3 22-10-2018, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky

What kind of fish was it and was it for 1 person?.

One John Dory about 30cm long, shared between two (meaning there wasn't very much meat to be had).

Total bill was 151€

Sparky · #4 22-10-2018, 15:47

WOW!! was that 70€ per person?

.

Hanser · #5 22-10-2018, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky

WOW!! was that 70€ per person?

.

NO! I'd have named names if it was!

The rest of the meal was reasonably-priced so that's what was so galling about the main course.

I suppose that I could have dealt with 20 to 25€ a head but 35€ each was beyond the pale.

I was more in the 'quality' camp than the 'quantity' originally but now I'm not so sure. Thankfully frozen pizzas are on special promotion at Hiper.

Sparky · #6 22-10-2018, 17:40

Well i think that is very expensive for John Dory but as you said we should always ask how much an unpriced dish will cost.

Bekki · #7 23-10-2018, 04:46

That happened to me a couple of years ago and exactly the same type of fish. I was surprised at how much we were charged and I tend now to stay away from this type of meal at restaurants as I am wary as to what I might be charged. I guess I should of asked approx price but just didn't think. I was so excited to get John Dory as this not a fish I would really buy or have at home.

Hanser · #8 23-10-2018, 08:40

When I asked why customers aren't told the price when they order, I was told this causes offence because it implies they might not be able to afford it.

mike_dublin · #9 23-10-2018, 09:28

Very underhand if you ask me.
A warning for all and a terrible rip off.

You're not alone though.

Quote:

...
"To charge for something that wasn't requested is against the law. But as long as they indicate the price of the fish, even if it is per kilo and not for the final dish, it is within the law," said Spain's consumer organization OCU.
...

from
https://www.thelocal.es/20150813/thi...ish-of-the-day

Hanser · #10 23-10-2018, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bekki

That happened to me a couple of years ago and exactly the same type of fish. I was surprised at how much we were charged and I tend now to stay away from this type of meal at restaurants as I am wary as to what I might be charged. I guess I should of asked approx price but just didn't think. I was so excited to get John Dory as this not a fish I would really buy or have at home.

To be clear, the automatic highlighting in your post is NOT the restaurant concerned.

Also, I don't think I have ever had reason to complain about a meal at any PP restaurant before.

Rockape · #11 23-10-2018, 10:04

To be clear, the automatic highlighting in your post is NOT the restaurant concerned.

Haha....I did see that and think it was rather unfortunate!

When I asked why customers aren't told the price when they order, I was told this causes offence because it implies they might not be able to afford it.

So, why didn't you ask what the price was?

Sparky · #12 23-10-2018, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanser

When I asked why customers aren't told the price when they order, I was told this causes offence because it implies they might not be able to afford it.

To be fair though, if it says POR (price on request) on the menu then it really is up to us to ask, that said i still think the price was very high, i have had fresh, whole JD here and never paid that much.

Hanser · #13 23-10-2018, 10:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockape

So, why didn't you ask what the price was?

Because:

1. In the hundreds of times I've eaten out around the world, I've never been ripped off like this.

2. Of all places, I didn't expect such a high price in PP

3. I'm lucky enough not to have to worry about the occasional expensive treat

To be fair, they did offer us a couple of extra chocolates to compensate.

Rockape · #14 23-10-2018, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_dublin

Very underhand if you ask me.
A warning for all and a terrible rip off.

You're not alone though.

from
https://www.thelocal.es/20150813/thi...ish-of-the-day

Wow....looks like you got off lightly Hanser!