SINGAPORE: Many Singaporeans cherish memories of traditional ice cream carts, indulging in a delightful, budget-friendly snack, typically a simple ice cream block nestled between wafers or bread, from these mobile stalls.
Regrettably, it seems that affordability has become a thing of the past, at least in some locales.
Recently, a lady ventured to patronize an ice cream vendor in the eastern region, only to be taken aback by the price of her selections.
Turning to the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook group to recount her experience, she revealed that she was billed S$8 (US$6) for an ice cream sandwich and an ice cream cone.
The surprising cost left netizens equally astounded, with many expressing doubts about the value.
Woman faces S$8 bill from Tampines MRT Station’s ice cream vendor
The original poster (OP) disclosed that her visit took her to an ice cream cart stationed near Tampines MRT station on a Sunday (3 Sep).
She ordered two items, an ice cream cone and an ice cream sandwich, for herself and her companion.
To her dismay, the vendor demanded S$8 (US$6) for the treats. He defended the price by claiming they were now larger than before.
“Think I was being ripped off, but since he was an uncle, I did not make a big hoo-ha about it,” wrote the OP, noting that she conveyed her displeasure to him but ultimately paid the sum as he held firm.
The OP mentioned that she only discovered the price after receiving her ice cream, as it was not displayed anywhere on the cart.
Netizens share disbelief at the exorbitant price
Given that these ice cream sandwiches typically cost between S$1 (US$0.7) and S$2 (US$1.4) each, many users were just as appalled as the OP.
One user mentioned that it was priced at S$3 (US$2.2) the previous year, prompting another to comment that it was still excessively expensive.
Some suggested that at S$8 (US$6), it would be more worthwhile to purchase the ingredients from a supermarket and make their own treats.
Others compared the prices to those offered by other vendors, highlighting one in the Ang Mo Kio that reportedly sells their treats for just S$1.20 (US$0.8) each.
