An American couple has spoken out after being tricked into paying 44 euros for two ice creams while holidaying in Rome. Nicole Ann and her partner were visiting the well-known Piazza Navona when they were hit with an eye-watering bill at the Don Nino gelateria.
Hidden charges add up
The pair ordered two ice creams, each with two scoops priced at 12 euros apiece. Instead, they were billed 12 euros for two ice creams with three scoops each, equating to 4 euros per scoop. The couple were also charged for whipped cream (an extra 2 euros), a small macaron (3 euros), and a small cannolo (5 euros), bringing the total to 22 euros per ice cream. Despite their reservations, they felt compelled to settle the 44 euro bill.
Tourist trap exposed
Taking to a Facebook group dedicated to holidaymakers in Italy, the Florida native vented her frustration about the tourist trap, branding the dessert the worst ice cream she had ever had. She revealed she only noticed the overcharging upon receiving the receipt, adding that the ice cream shop had appeared to suggest the additional extras were complimentary.
Numerous other tourists reported strikingly similar experiences, voicing their shared exasperation in the comments section. This is a scam, but it seems to be very common in tourist areas, said one user. Yes, I was there too, and it was awful, wrote another. Another woman advised, You should always go a few streets away from the very touristy areas.
Similar incidents elsewhere
In a separate incident, two visitors from Lower Austria were enjoying a break near Vienna when they decided to pop into an ice cream parlour. The venue appeared to be doing a roaring trade, with one of the tourists, identified as Wolfgang, telling the newspaper Heute: There was a huge queue. The pair headed inside and took a seat at a table, each ordering an iced coffee and a bowl of ice cream. Upon settling the bill, Wolfgang took a closer look at the receipt and spotted an unexpected third charge had been added. The bill showed $6 for the drink, $7.30 for the dessert, and a $1.20 glass surcharge.
I immediately got up and asked at the counter if we had paid a deposit, Wolfgang told the newspaper. The response left him taken aback. That is how it is with us, for the washing-up, a parlour worker replied. Wolfgang challenged the charge, pointing out that such costs were ordinarily factored into the price. The member of staff clarified that the fee applied because the ice cream had been served in a container that required washing. Had it been presented in a cardboard cup, no additional charge would have been levied.
The parlour's owner told the newspaper: We do not have separate table prices, we simply charge this surcharge - it is displayed on a sign in front of the shop. Wolfgang maintained he had spotted no such notice inside the establishment and had not been made aware of the fee when placing his order. It is not about 70 cents, you just do not treat customers like that! he said. We will not be visiting this ice cream parlour again!
