Latest news with #overcharging
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Popular Greek tourist resort labelled 'ultimate rip off'
The first sundowner of the evening is always a holiday highlight - but not if you're paying through the nose for it. One of Greece's prettiest spots, the ancient Old Town of Rhodes, has been red flagged as a major hotspot for overcharging tourists, according to reviews on Google and TripAdvisor . The area's narrow network of streets are filled with places to imbibe everything from local Dodecanese beer to shots of ouzo, but according to some disgruntled tourists, a visit to Rhodes' Old Town also leaves visitors vulnerable to inflated prices - with a string of bars accused of 'scamming' tourists. One of the most common tricks, say drinkers, comes via the 'Rhodes Boot', a boot-shaped glass vessel that can hold up to two litres of beer. Customers at bars in the Old Town say when they've asked for a small or medium beer, they're frequently been presented with the 'Boot', and then charged handsomely for it, whether they drank it or not - with prices starting at around 10 euros (£8.40) for the sizeable drink. Reviews of the Chevalier Shisha & Cocktail Lounge Bar, which is in the main square of Rhodes' Old Town and enjoys the attention of tourist crowds all summer long thanks to its atmospheric setting, has been on the receiving end of some particularly scathing reviews. One person, who visited in April, criticised the 'very poor service' and 'shocking attitude', as well as claiming they were given a second menu when they paid their bill at the bar - with very different prices. While there are plenty of positive reviews for the shisha bar, which has a three-and-a-half star rating on TripAdvisor, another unhappy customer claimed the establishment charged them 32 euros (£26) for two small cocktails, despite advertising the price at 20 euros (£16). A similar post from last summer also flagged the lack of clear pricing, saying: 'There are no menus and they don't tell you prices of drinks until you're paying the bill. 'They don't tell you that if you order a large cocktail you will get a fish bowl, which is £35 and a large beer is a 2 litre boot, which cost £18.' It seems to be a similar story at The Gate, another bustling venue in Rhodes' Old Town, where drinkers also reported being unhappy at the lack of transparency when it comes to prices. Just two weeks ago, four tourists said they paid 60 euros (£50) for a medium beer, cider, and two medium frozen daiquiris, with the reviewer calling the cocktails 'the worst I have ever come across', and claiming they 'didn't taste any alcohol'. Another declared the venue a 'tourist trap', writing: 'There is a reason why the drinks menu has no prices. I thought it was safe enough to order a sparkling water. It cost €5 (£4.20).' The bar earned just two stars out of five from 154 reviews on Google - with the food described as 'standard' but the drink prices never clear according to those who've visited it. A short walk away, a bar named Rendez Vous currently has just 1.9 stars on TripAdvisor, with ambiguous prices again behind the low score. One holidaymaker on the sun-drenched island last month said Rendez Vous had 'horrible prices' and urged people to 'ask or check them before ordering anything'. Another revealed they'd paid 15 euros for two soft drinks, writing: 'A shame. The staff were cold and unpleasant, and the prices are a real scam. Two cokes charged at 15 euros? (£12.60)' Meanwhile at the Panorama Cafe & Bar, there was more bad news, with those who'd enjoyed a drink there in recent months split on their experiences. 'We go in, ask for 'one small, and one medium size beer'. Server repeats. But a little later two 'boots' arrive, one of about 2 litres, one of at least one litre.' When it comes to paying, the customer was told 'we don't do small beers', and served up a 20 euro (£16.80) bill. And it seems it's been going on a while; back in 2022, one person penned: You'll be provided a menu with no featured prices. 'After you're finished with your watered down cocktail, served with low quality alcohol, you'll be presented with an outrageous bill. Ours was 70 euros (£58) for 2 cocktails. If I could give zero rating I would.' Another visitor said the view was sublime, but the service not quite the same standard, writing: 'Overall: unacceptable shop, service, drink and boss', although they said the cocktails served were reasonably priced. Over in Italy, tourists were warned this week about a potential scam involving one of the country's most famous foods - gelato. Tourists have been urged to take care when ordering ice cream in Italian destinations this summer as they could be being duped. Italian gelato is world famous for its creamy texture with tourists often flocking to purchase iconic flavours such as pistachio and stracciatella . But they might not be getting the real thing. The Express reports that many tourists are actually buying a cheap copy of gelato with the cheeky scam particularly prevalent in Rome. Foodies at explain that classic gelato is 'churned at a much slower rate, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato denser than ice cream'. And there's also an easier way for tourists to spot inauthentic gelato. If the ice cream colours are particularly bright, it's generally a sign that you're not buying a real gelato. Classic gelato is usually pale in colour as makers don't use artificial food colouring during the process. Tourists can also check reviews on Google and Tripadvisor to find gelato cafes with particularly high ratings.
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Popular Greek tourist resort labelled 'the ultimate rip-off' for drinks
The first sundowner of the evening is always a holiday highlight - but not if you're paying through the nose for it. One of Greece 's prettiest spots, the ancient Old Town of Rhodes, has been highlighted as a hotspot for overcharging tourists, according to reviews on Google and TripAdvisor. The area's narrow network streets are filled with places to imbibe everything from local Dodecanese beer to shots of ouzo, but according to some disgruntled tourists, the Old Town also leaves visitors vulnerable to inflated prices. Reviews of the Chevalier Shisha & Cocktail Lounge Bar, which is in the main square of Rhodes' Old Town and enjoys the attention of tourist crowds all summer long, has been on the receiving end of some particularly scathing reviews. One person, who visited in April, criticised the 'very poor service' and 'shocking attitude', as well as claiming they were given a second menu when they paid their bill at the bar - with different prices. While there are plenty of positive reviews, another unhappy customer claimed the bar charged them 32 euros for two small cocktails, despite advertising the price at 20 euros. A similar post from last summer also flagged the lack of clear pricing, saying: 'There are no menus and they don't tell you prices of drinks until you're paying the bill. 'They don't tell you that if you order a large cocktail you will get a fish bowl, which is £35 and a large beer is a 2 litre boot, which cost £18.' It seems to be a similar story at The Gate, another venue in Rhodes' Old Town, where drinkers also reported being unhappy at the lack of transparency when it comes to prices. Just two weeks ago, four tourists said they paid 60 euros for a medium beer, cider, and two medium frozen daiquiris, and called the cocktails 'the worst I have ever come across', claiming they 'didn't taste any alcohol'. Another declared the venue a 'tourist trap', writing: 'There is a reason why the drinks menu has no prices. I thought it was safe enough to order a sparkling water. It cost 5€.' The bar earned just two stars out of five from 154 reviews on Google - with the food described as 'standard' but the drink prices never clear. Elsewhere, a bar named Rendez View currently has just 1.9 stars on TripAdvisor, with ambiguous prices again behind the low score. One holidaymaker on the island just two weeks ago said Rendez Vous had 'horrible prices' and urged people to 'ask or check them before ordering anything'. Another revealed they'd paid 15 euros for two soft drinks, writing: 'A shame. The staff was cold and unpleasant, and the prices are a real scam. Two Coke charged at 15 euros?' Some of the reviews on Google and TripAdvisor don't hold back when it comes to naming and shaming venues in Rhodes Old Town that they claim inflate prices Over in Italy, tourists were warned this week about a potential scam involving one of the country's most famous foods - gelato. Tourists have been urged to take care when ordering ice cream in Italian destinations this summer as they could be being duped. Italian gelato is world famous for its creamy texture with tourists often flocking to purchase iconic flavours such as pistachio and stracciatella. But they might not be getting the real thing. The Express reports that many tourists are actually buying a cheap copy of gelato with the cheeky scam particularly prevalent in Rome. Foodies at explain that classic gelato is 'churned at a much slower rate, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato denser than ice cream'. And there's also an easier way for tourists to spot inauthentic gelato. If the ice cream colours are particularly bright, it's generally a sign that you're not buying a real gelato. Classic gelato is usually pale in colour as makers don't use artificial food colouring during the process. Tourists can also check reviews on Google and Tripadvisor to find gelato cafes with particularly high ratings. One popular spot is Vivoli, a historic ice cream shop in Florence which is home to an iconic new treat. A €6 coffee dessert has become the latest Tuscan viral sensation, drawing crowds of tourists and creating hour-long lines outside the city's oldest gelateria.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Southend council refunding £2.3m in overcharged care fees
A council has said it will pay about £2.3m in refunds after overcharging people for the cost of City Council said there was a technical error when new software was set up in 2018.A total of 586 people had been contacted already, including 335 people who still received this care, a spokesperson said."I sincerely apologise for this error," said Labour council leader Daniel Cowan. "I am pleased to report that council officers have moved quickly to assess its impact, and we are putting things right."The council said it discovered that disability premium, enhanced disability premium and the carer premium were not factored in when new software was set up in 2018 to calculate a person's minimum income Care Act 2014 dictates that local authorities can charge for care, so long as these fees do not reduce an individual's income below this meant some people who received Personal Independence Payments or Disability Living Allowance, and some people receiving Employment and Support Allowance instead of Income Support, were paid too much for care in their homes; while living with family members; supported living; shared lives; extra care and day care, the council spokesperson said people who had overpaid and who were not in arrears would be offered a refund or given the option of using the overpayment to cover future fees."We are confident that we now have the systems and processes in place to stop this happening again," said Cowan. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Consumer Reports visited 26 Krogers stores in 14 states and found 150-plus expired or misleading price tags
A monthlong Consumer Reports (CR) investigation alleges that shoppers at almost half of Kroger-owned grocery stores are overcharged for sale items. The investigation began after CR learned that Kroger workers in Colorado alleged widespread errors in pricing labels during union negotiations. In an effort to document the "size and breadth of the problem," CR recruited people to visit multiple stores in multiple states over several months. The results? Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) 'The shoppers found expired sales labels that led to overcharges on more than 150 grocery items, including Cheerios cereal, Mucinex cold and flu medication, Nescafé instant coffee, boneless beef, salmon, and dog food,' the report stated. According to the report, CR recruited people to visit 26 Kroger stores — including Kroger, Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Fry's and Ralphs — across 14 states and the District of Columbia during March, April and May 2025. Shoppers documented more than 150 items where expired or misleading sales tags could have caused customers to pay more at checkout than the price listed on the shelf. Roughly one-third of the tags were outdated by at least 10 days, and several, they say, expired months before. The average overcharge was $1.70 per item — or, 18.4% more than the advertised sale price. 'People should pay the price that is being advertised, that's the law,' Consumer World founder Edgar Dworsky told CR. 'The issue here is that shoppers can't rely on the shelf price being accurate, and that's a big problem.' Items affected included a range of household staples and name-brand goods such as cereal, medication, instant coffee, meats, seafood and pet food. In some cases, the shelf tags still displayed promotional pricing well after the sale had ended, potentially misleading shoppers into thinking they were getting a discount. One example, KTLA News reports, was an 8-pack Mission Flour Tortillas advertised as on sale for $2.99 but showing as $4.00 when the CR shoppers checked their receipts. A Kroger representative responded to the report, saying the company regularly checks prices for accuracy and called the CR report a 'few dozen examples across several years out of billions of customer transactions annually.' The company said that while no errors are acceptable, characterizing a few mistakes as "widespread pricing concerns" is false. While Kroger is the latest retailer to come under scrutiny, it's not the only one. Other chains, including Walmart and Vons, have faced similar accusations in recent months. In October 2024, Albertsons agreed to pay $4 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the California grocery chain of charging more than the lowest advertised price for various items. Consumer advocates say the issue may be more common than most shoppers realize, and without checking receipts and shelf tag dates, many overcharges can easily go unnoticed. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it While price errors may not be intentional, they can still cost you money — especially if you're buying multiple items you thought were on sale. Consumer advocates say overcharges often go unnoticed, but with a few simple steps, shoppers can reduce the risk of paying more than they should. Here are a few ways to protect yourself at the register: Double-check your receipt. Review it before leaving the store to ensure sale prices were applied correctly. Take pictures of sale tags. If you're concerned something won't ring up right, take a photo of the tag to show the clerk. Look for expiration dates on sale tags. Some tags may still be posted even after the promotion ends. Check before you decide to purchase items you think are on sale. Speak up. If the price at checkout doesn't match what was listed on the shelf, ask for a correction. Know the rules. Most states do not have a law that requires stores to honor an expired sale tag. However, some stores will as a gesture of goodwill. Even major grocery chains can make mistakes, but staying alert can help ensure you're actually getting the deals you came for. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
BreakingNews.ie
28-05-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Michael Flatley in dispute over €1.4m legal costs after Cork mansion court battle
Riverdance star Michael Flatley is embroiled in another legal row, this time over a €1.4 million disputed costs bill associated with the recent battle to keep a receiver from the door of his Cork mansion. Mr Flatley claimed he was shocked at what he called 'the blatant level' of alleged "overcharging'. Advertisement In an affidavit to the Commercial Court where he is disputing six-figure sums in legal and receiver fees, Mr Flatley alleged he may be seen "as an easy mark for inflated costs." In dispute are a receiver costs bill of €86,000 plus legal costs of €186,000, along with €793,000 in legal fees from the opposing side in the legal battle for the Castlehyde mansion. In the affidavit to the court, Mr Flatley claimed there was also a charge for 13 hours put in by the joint receivers for attendance at the High Court at a combined rate of €1,000 an hour. At one stage Mr Flatley also said: "I have no objection to paying fees in general but in circumstances where the fees are exorbitant and mainly unvouched and unjustified and lacking transparency the vouching of the documents sought is in the interests of justice." Advertisement The court on Wednesday was considering an application by the Flatley side in which it was seeking certain documents from the Novellus side, including the receiver's report, a contemporaneous record of tasks carried out by the receivers and a full breakdown of invoices and timesheets from third-party providers to the receivers. The Flatley side want the documentation as part of their bid to have the court decide in relation to the €1.4 million in disputed costs. Mr Flatley's counsel, Ronnie Hudson BL instructed by solicitor Maxwell Mooney, said Mr Flatley had no objection to paying costs, "but he needs transparency." "The only motivation of Michael Flatley is to get the money back," Mr Hudson said. Counsel for Novellus and the receivers, Kelley Smith SC, said previously all allegations made by the Flatley side were withdrawn and her side were concerned about the motivation behind the latest application. Advertisement Ms Smith said it was misconceived and was "more of the same grandstanding." Last March, Mr Flatley paid off a €6.9 million loan on his Castelhyde mansion to save it from the receiver. The original legal battle related to a loan made to Mr Flatley's Blackbird Film Productions Ltd by Novellus Finance Ltdin 2023 with repayments of €67,000 per month over two years. Novellus claimed there had been default on repayment, which Mr Flatley denied. Mr Flatley provided a guarantee for the loan on the strength of the value of his Castlehyde mansion. As a result of the alleged default, Novellus appointed a receiver over the property. Advertisement Ireland Michael Flatley regards payment of €6.9m mansion l... Read More An interim injunction was granted to the Flatley side to prevent the receiver from taking further measures in relation to Castlehyde and a judge conducted a two-day hearing on the matter. The Flatley side asked the court to hold off on giving judgement on whether to set aside the interim injunction stopping the receiver taking steps or grant an interlocutory injunction to the Flatley side and said Mr Flatley was flying into Dublin to pay off the loan. The €6.9 million loan was finally paid off but the issue of certain disputed costs remained. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey had reserved his judgement to a later date.
