Expat alleges overcharging by Boat Quay seafood restaurant

[Latka]

CNA

Expat alleges overcharging by Boat Quay seafood restaurant

By Leong Wee Keat, TODAY | Posted: 17 June 2011 0632 hrs

 

 

 

SINGAPORE: Company director Ian McArthur could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the bill for lunch with his friend on Wednesday: It came up to $1,107.32, including S$348.80 for a 1.6kg lobster and $564 for a 3kg crab.

 

The Scot, who has been working here since last October, told TODAY: "I thought, 'It must be wrong. I can't believe this.'"

 

Mr McArthur then approached the staff of Forum Seafood Village - a restaurant at Boat Quay - seeking an explanation. He was told that those were the market prices.

 

But Mr McArthur told TODAY that the staff did not inform them how much the crustaceans weighed or the total cost before cooking the food. "It wasn't just the price. We feel that we were misled that's why we were upset about it," he added.

 

Apart from the king crab and lobster, Mr McArthur and his friend had a plate of fried rice and four glasses of beer.

 

Alleging that he was "grossly overcharged", Mr McArthur filed a complaint with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on Wednesday against the restaurant, seeking a S$900 refund.

 

But Mr Vincent Hoh, a restaurant employee who served Mr McArthur, said he told the diners the crustaceans' weight. When asked if he told the diners the total cost of the crustaceans, Mr Hoh replied he did not.

 

Forum Seafood Village manager Jo Chia said the restaurant does not usually inform diners of the total price of their seafood, unless diners ask for it.

 

Said Ms Chia: "We tried to tell customers (the total price) but some guests say it's too troublesome and tell us not to bother them."

 

Some patrons have also commented that, by informing them of the total price, the staff would be suggesting that they could not afford it, Mr Hoh said.

 

Ms Chia pointed out the restaurant's seafood prices are listed clearly - according to cost per 100g - at the restaurant's entrance and on the menu. "Our prices are market prices. We won't overcharge our customers," she said.

 

Ms Chia said the restaurant's owner is overseas and has not decided on its course of action with regard to the complaint.

 

Forum Seafood Village, which operates two outlets along Boat Quay, charges S$21.80 per 100g for the Australian lobster and S$18.80 per 100g for the king crab, after discounts. The usual prices were S$32 and S$25 per 100g for the lobster and king crab, respectively.

 

A check with neighbouring restaurants found one restaurant charging S$18.80 per 100g for the Australian lobster and another charging S$10 per 100g for Alaskan King Crab.

 

Responding to TODAY's queries, CASE said it has received 12 complaints for overcharging by food and beverage outlets in the first five months of this year. There were 27 complaints last year, up from 15 in 2009. - TODAY

 

 

[Latka]

Wah, looks like the 'eat oready don't want to pay' is rubbing off on expats too. They are in tune wif our local culture.

[The_Bear]

Never understand why do people even pay when they dispute the invoice in Singapore. Money out of your pocket is as good as gone.

 

 

[Timex1441]

Never understand why do people even pay when they dispute the invoice in Singapore. Money out of your pocket is as good as gone.

huh? u mean u recommend not paying after eating the food?....like tat, it'll be more embarassing when police is called in or if a fight breaks out....

[Mockngbrd]

3KG crab..... that muz be huge

[SimonTan]

This shows how expensive singapore has become.

Even expats Buay tahan the prices.

 

Actually it's reasonable price....I don't see overcharging.

Doing the maths on the price per 100gram.....it's ok leh.

 

Why still want to complain? Technically it's a expensive lunch.....no cheating nor overcharged was involved!!

 

[Latka]

This shows how expensive singapore has become.

Even expats Buay tahan the prices.

 

Actually it's reasonable price....I don't see overcharging.

Doing the maths on the price per 100gram.....it's ok leh.

 

Why still want to complain? Technically it's a expensive lunch.....no cheating nor overcharged was involved!!

 

Some more at Boat Quay. If want cheaper crabs, this chow ang moh shud eat at Tze Char stall.

[Mike1234]

 

Wah....They think Seoul Garden meh?

 

Buffet meh?

 

Come to think of it...Add in those price of Lobsters, Crabs and beers..... Add in (10% service charge +7% GST)

 

i dont think they tio chopped

 

[Mike1234]

3KG crab..... that muz be huge

 

Not huge....

 

It's they have BIG appettide

 

[Kangadrool]

It's still affordable relative to the pay and most likely it's FOC since can always claim back as entertainment expenses.

[Qpik]

$900 refund that would bring the bill down to $207.32.

 

With lobster, crab, fried rice & beer, Sin Hoi San at Tiong Bahru also cannot get at this price of $207.32. One word, "ignorant" never clarify the price at point of ordering. Eat already then come and make a big fuss & demand refund.

[Jman888]

they became the seafood, aka 水鱼

[SimonTan]

CASE should not do anything for this Expatriate, he went in eyes wide open.

He knows what to enjoy.....just crabs and lobsters fried rice and beer.

This is pure enjoyment and how can he not know?

 

Does he know his salary is most likely overpaid by Singapore standard too?

 

 

[Pltang]

any smart consumer would check the price if it states market price.....

[SimonTan]

Who orders crabs plus lobsters for lunch before?

 

I have never even ordered lobsters in my whole life.....only get to eat during Chinese wedding dinners last time......now also never see lobsters at wedding Liao.

 

 

[Mockngbrd]

i only eat lobster when go buffet

[Kangadrool]

$900 refund that would bring the bill down to $207.32.

 

With lobster, crab, fried rice & beer, Sin Hoi San at Tiong Bahru also cannot get at this price of $207.32. One word, "ignorant" never clarify the price at point of ordering. Eat already then come and make a big fuss & demand refund.

 

He wants to have "market subsidy" also like our PH lor.

[The_Bear]

huh? u mean u recommend not paying after eating the food?....like tat, it'll be more embarassing when police is called in or if a fight breaks out....

 

I recommend that if you feel overcharged, you can always talk to the person-in-charge privately about the situation and offer what is think is a reasonable amount. If it still cannot be resolved, offer to call in the Police as a 3rd party to record the event and confirm your identity for negotiation and settlement on a latter date. The point here is to be firm. If there is overcharging, the restuarant will usually give way and settle for some payment to close the issue.

 

Would not recommend to do this outside Singapore.