Dear readers, in this current environment where the cost of living is higher than before, from time to time, we will hear real stories of how people are paying for prices higher than expected. And one of the common item that people may have overpaid is the mixed vegetables rice as dishes of mixed vegetables are always not clearly indicated for many stalls. Yesterday, I found myself paying for more than $20 for 3 packets of mixed vegetables rice!
$20.40 for 3 packets of mixed vegetables rice!
I wanted something light for dinner for myself and family yesterday and so I went to a food centre in the neighbourhood. The usual mixed vegetables stall which I have patronised before is not open on weekends and hence I went to another mixed vegetables rice stall that I have not tried before. My order to the stall owner was simple: 3 identical packets with each packet comprising eggs, vegetables, fried prawns and potatoes.
Just as the stall owner was busying preparing my takeaways, the stall assistant readied to collect payment from me. I was shocked to hear that I needed to pay $20.40 for the 3 packets of mixed vegetables rice! What happened!
High price explained
I guessed the priciest food item among the food which I ordered should be the prawns and I was correct. When asked, the food assistant told me that the prawn dish for each packet cost $3 per packet! I was shocked! The prawns which I have selected were not those full fledged prawns but rather small shrimps fried with flour. I immediately told the stall owner that I do not want the prawns for the other packets which he was preparing but he told me that he had already prepared the food. Unreluctantly, I gave the stall assistant a $50 note and was about to hand her another 40 cents when she told me that she would just charge me $20. I believe it was due to the comment that I have made.
Next steps
I have been overcharged many many times for mixed vegetable rice, even at stalls which I usually patronise for meat dishes. The “safest” meat option for me will be sweet and sour meat. This episode of $20.40 for 3 packets of mixed vegetables rice is the highest I am charged or overcharged!
The only saving grace was that the fried prawns given were many: but if I think deeper, these are mostly flour than prawns.