Monday 23 May 2022 08:22 PM US tourists claim restaurant scammed them into paying $640 for crab legs and ... trends now
An American mother and her daughter claimed they were scammed by a Mykonos restaurant that charged them $641.15 for two crab legs and two cocktails and proceeded to threaten to call the police when they complained.
Brenda Mouldon and her 19-year-old daughter Keila were looking to spend an idyllic day on the paradisiac Platys Gialos beach, but in turn, experienced the scare of their lives when intimidating staff at DK Oyster bar told them they wouldn't return to the US if they refused to foot the astronomical bill, Mouldon claimed.
The pair said the food and drinks they ordered could not possibly justify the cost, but they do admit to sitting on the restaurants deck chairs for three hours.
'[I told them] ''two mojitos and two crab legs can not make 600 euros. I will not pay you.'' He then told me verbatim: ''I will call the police. They will keep you here and you will not return to your homeland. We can easily find where you live,''' Brenda told Greek local outlet THEMA about the May 13 incident.
The breathtaking views and dreamy weather were suddenly ruined by the alleged threats, and the mother and nervously daughter hurried to pay the check.
Upon leaving the restaurant, Brenda claims she began warning bystanders not to enter the store in order to avoid the reportedly outrageously high prices and alleged poor business practices, but was yet again confronted by staff.
'... the "boss" of the store came out furious and approached us in a threatening mood. I immediately raised my voice. I shouted at him ''do not dare to touch me! Get out of my sight now!''' Brenda added.
The American tourist said a lady then approached her and told her she had seen an eerily similar scene at the restaurant the day before and that police had been involved.
Brenda and Keila said they were so anxious they stayed at the restaurant with two fellow Americans who calmed them down until they were able to leave.
The restaurant's Tripadvisor page is flooded with telling reviews of customers who alleged they were lured with the same strategy - overly insistent 'shady' waiters who offered 'free sunbeds', vague descriptions of the menu's prices and ultimately astronomical bills.
Responding to a negative review on the website, the restaurant answered: 'There is not free country in the western world that would force us to explain to each customer why we charge the way we do.'
'However, we have often tried to explain the great cost of operating a business like ours. Would you ask Bugatti why they charge as much as they do? Would you ask all the luxury brands to justify their prices? You may opt for cheaper products and services. There is no monopoly.'
The pair had ordered two crab legs and two mojitos after staff insisted for them to order food
The were charged $640 - 600 euros - for the food. The bill led to a confrontation between the Mouldons and staff
Brenda Mouldon and her 19-year-old daughter Keila were looking to spend an idyllic day on the paradisiac Platys Gialos beach
However, they experienced the scare of their lives on May 13 when intimidating staff at DK Oyster bar told them they wouldn't return to the US if they refused to foot the astronomical $640 bill, Brenda claims
DK Oyster has profusely denied mounting claims that they employ questionable tactics to attract customers and that guests are subjected to intimidation if they complain about the high prices.
The restaurant has answered on Tripadvisor that the high prices are explained by the 'top quality raw material and our chef has been chosen among the best in order to complete our concept of an experience that surpasses the ordinary standards.'
Brenda told THEMA that although she and her daughter were not hungry on the day of the incident at DK Oyster, they had ultimately decided to enjoy the sun on one of the sunbeds that the restaurant's waiters so insistently offered.
'We were not hungry, so we just returned the smile in a good mood, but without any intention of sitting in a particular store. However, suddenly the employee of one of the restaurants in Platys Gialos jumped in front of us and started telling us persistently and annoyingly: "Sit here! Sit here! "' she
