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Tourist files police report over S$900 crab bill at Seafood Paradise; restaurant responds with statement and CCTV evidence
Japanese tourist Junko Shinba and her group faced a pricing dispute at Seafood Paradise in Clarke Quay when ordering chili crab. They claimed the restaurant staff failed to clarify the pricing of the Alaskan King Crab, leading to a shocking bill of $938 for the crab dish alone. The total bill was $1,322.37. Shinba requested police intervention, and the restaurant offered a $107.40 discount. However, the Paradise Group, which owns the restaurant, disputed her claims, stating they communicated the price and weight clearly. The Consumers Association of Singapore is investigating the incident.
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SINGAPORE: A Japanese tourist, Junko Shinba, and her group found themselves in a dispute over the price of a crab dish at Seafood Paradise in Clarke Quay.
What started as a desire to savor Singapore’s famous chili crab turned into a culinary ordeal.
Shinba claims that the restaurant staff failed to adequately explain the pricing for the Alaskan King Crab, leading to a shockingly high bill.
She alleges that the waiter recommended the crab for S$30 without specifying that it was priced per 100 grams.
Upon receiving the bill, the group was astonished to find that their chili crab dish alone cost a whopping S$938.
The total bill amounted to S$1,322.37, leaving them speechless.
Shinba and her companions were also taken aback when they received three plates full of crab, despite not being informed that the entire crab would be cooked exclusively for them.
“None of us were informed that the whole crab would be cooked only for us, as some other restaurants serve crabs partially,” she told AsiaOne.
She added that “there were three plates full of crab and many other dishes, we were unable to finish everything.”
Files a police report for “overpriced” dish
In response to the escalating situation, Shinba said she asked a waiter to call the police to mediate.
When the police arrived, the restaurant staff attempted to reassure her by presenting a receipt from another customer who had ordered a similar dish to prove that the pricing was consistent.
Ultimately, the restaurant manager offered Shinba a goodwill discount of S$107.40, equivalent to the cost of 400 grams of crab, as she claimed they lacked sufficient funds to settle the bill.
Customer made “Innacurate claims”
Restaurant operator Paradise Group released a clarification statement on Facebook, Wednesday (Sep 20).
In their post, they asserted that there were discrepancies in the account provided by the group of customers to the media.
“We are aware of a recent customer report regarding the pricing of our Alaskan King Crab at Seafood Paradise, Clarke Quay.
“We would like to address this issue with utmost transparency and clarity,” they stated.
The Paradise Group, which owns Seafood Paradise, asserts that their staff “clearly communicated” the price and weight of the Alaskan King Crab to the diners when they placed their order.
The restaurant operator said the tourists picked the Alaskan King Crab after being shown the types of crab available on the menu that day.
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Restaurant staff seen pointing at the menu to communicate the price of Alaskan crab. (Photo: Paradise Group/ Facebook)
It added that its Seafood Paradise employee had twice informed the diners that its Alaskan King Crab, one of the largest edible crabs in the world weighing up to 5kg, was priced the same as its Scotland Snow Crab – at S$26.80 per 100g.
The average market price for Alaskan King Crab in the city is reportedly between S$25.80 and S$29.80 per 100 grams.
The restaurant maintains that the crab weighed about 3.5kg in total.
“To prevent any miscommunication, the staff even brought the whole Alaskan King crab to the table before preparation.
“Customers were seen taking photos and even selfies with the live Alaskan King Crab,” it said.
Paradise Group said it chose to release CCTV screenshots to substantiate its statement, adding that it wanted to address the issue “with utmost transparency and clarity”.
“Customers finished most of the dishes and told the restaurant manager that the food was great.
At the end of the meal, customers refused to settle the bill, hence the police were involved to mediate the situation,” said Paradise Group.
Paradise Group also noted that live seafood is typically sold and served as a whole item since dividing it into portions “would render the remaining portion no longer live seafood.”
“At Seafood Paradise and all other Paradise Group restaurants, we consistently uphold a commitment to transparent pricing with a focus on customer service and food quality.
“Our staff will do their best to communicate clearly to the customers and welcome any queries.
As much as we value all our customers, we also find it important to uphold Paradise Group’s reputation and protect all our employees,” it said.
The Consumers Association of Singapore is now involved in investigating the matter, highlighting the need for clear communication and transparency in restaurant pricing.
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I think the Alaskan crab is even more expensive than lobster.
Frankly, travelling is such a hassle or even a danger to your wallet (can be stolen, scammed or worse be threatened). In Singapore, I eat at places where the price is well displayed. Lately, I read of hawkers charging high prices too. I can afford to eat well but I am against price gouging.
My money, my choice…I am not patronizing Paradise Group. I am not a crab lover anyway.
Next time tell the customer the exact cost of the item Sometimes when people are on holiday and having a good time, they are not paying attention to the cost. 100 gms or kilos makes a lot of difference to costs.
MILO aunty said ‘If chicken expensive then eat fish’
Why you order crab? Never take MILO aunty advise now big bill!
There are youtube videos trying to show sg food very cheap
Being the most expensive city on this living planet, is oredi, … a difficult ask, to entice and encourage tourists to these shores.
Whether the Japanese tourists were right or that the Alaskan King Crab was wrong, such occurrences, … will have only made the task, all the more daunting.
This is the price and privilege of “maintaining”, … thee “most expensive city” title !!!
Sama sama. Just like doctor fleecing medical tourist that susan Lim case
https://www.asiaone.com/health/surgeon-billed-brunei-patient-40m-over-4-years
Here, everything is Lui … money talk loudest …
Japanese tourists caught by the “scammer” behaviour of Singapore restaurants. Sumimasen, koko wa Nihon ja nai.
Question everything they are trying to sell you, especially in touristy areas. These restaurants are under pressure to sale as much as possible and as high as possible, otherwise they cannot afford the sky-high rentals. “Moral” businesses that won’t fleece their customers fail while the “Immoral” survive. Just another day in “Sin” city.
If you want to avoid all this trouble, next time, just visit Kuala Lumpur. RM900 is an easier pill to swallow.
I think there is an element of intent by the waiter to push through big ticket expensive menu.
After all I’m sure he will be additionally rewarded with a commission besides his basic salary.
This is salesman incentive tactic to persuade on his expensive recomendation by coercing, misleading, misrepresenting or worse still dishonestly interpreting a misunderstanding to the naive and gullible diners.
Fine dinning restaurants to hawkers today are cut throat vulchers going for the kill to unsuspecting victims.
Dine at your own risk !
The next one will be at NEWTON hawker centre.