"Two packets of mutton briyani at $38, still charge $1.90 for packing": Customer shocked over price of food
COMPLAINT SINGAPORE

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"Two packets of mutton briyani at $38, still charge $1.90 for packing": Customer shocked over price of food

Beatrice Del Rosario
Beatrice Del Rosario
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SINGAPORE: An online user recently took to a complaint forum to share her shock over the cost of food at a restaurant as well as the extra charge for packing.

"Briyani so expensive at Apollo Banana Leaf!" an online user shared on the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Friday (Aug 11). "Two packets of mutton briyani at S$38." The woman then shared, "Still charge S$1,90 for packing."

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The customer's bill, which totaled S$43.10 caught the attention of many other online users who took to the comments section of the post to join the conversation.

While many shared the netizen's sentiments regarding the price of the food, others went so far as to call on people to boycott such establishments.

"Food sold are already considered as a package," said one. "Why should we pay extra for packaging? That's called extra profiteering!"

"Blatant profiteering," wrote another. "What is the government doing?" To this, another online user replied, "Adding to it with GST."

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"This restaurant is super pricey," said another. "Only for tourists. Not for locals. Boycott."

A few others shared their own observations and even experiences with similar establishments.

"Honestly, prices at F&B seem to be going crazily high and not sure if the relevant authority is aware," said one. "Are we at the mercy of these F&B operators? Who is protecting the consumers' interest?"

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"Thank you for sharing," wrote another. "Similar experience at Joji Diner at Serangoon which charges 10% service charge for takeaway orders and claims that it is too much trouble to charge fixed fee for order so it charges 10% service charge instead (mindful that there was no real service rendered and order took at least half hour to prepare as there was only 2 sets of waffle makers).
The packing was in plain unmarked paper box and a set of flimsy wooden fork and knife. Online price for single box and utensils at normal consumer pricing (not bulk order) is less than 50 cents.
Food order for 2 mains was about $35 so the takeaway charge is $3.50 (yes, GST applicable too)." The online user added, "This is blatant profiteering. There was no notice to indicate that 10% service charge was in-lieu of takeaway charge. If it was indicated - I would have not even placed order.
Food was average only. Soggy waffles and chicken was dry. I’m now curious which other eating places applies the same profiteering method. Perhaps also need to be mindful and ask eating places how much is charged for takeaway (especially for those which do not indicate upfront and simply slap with additional costs)."

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Still, one user joked, "For this price, you'd better eat grain by grain to enjoy...haha."

The Independent Singapore has reached out to Banana Leaf Apolo for comment.

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