A gelateria in Rome has gone viral for all the wrong reasons after allegedly overcharging tourists, with one woman paying $70 for two cups.
Tourist's Shocking Bill
Nicole Ann, from Florida, said she was visiting the city with her partner when they decided to stop at one of Don Nino's five locations in Rome. In a Facebook group dedicated to travel tips in Rome, Nicole said she asked for two small cups – but when she later looked at the bill, she was shocked and confused by the cost.
“She gave us the smallest sized cup and said we had 3 scoops. Then she started adding toppings we didn’t ask for – like cannoli and macarons...” Nicole wrote. “We went to pay and it was €44 for 2 gelatos. It sounded like she said 14 so I didn’t even realise until I looked back at the receipt. Tourist trap scam for sure.”
Nicole, who bought the gelato from the store’s Via di Tor Millina location, claims the dessert “wasn’t even good”. “The worst out of all the gelato I had in my 10 days, I couldn’t even finish it.”
Similar Experiences Flood In
Nicole’s post has attracted more than 1,000 comments with people sharing similar experiences. “I had the same experience with Don Nino situated at the fontain Trevi for 2 gelato I had to pay 32 euros,” one person wrote. Another tourist claims he was charged $US20 for two gelatos, despite the fact the day before it was only $US9.
“This happened to us also. Got gelato and all sorts was added … whipped cream, small wafers, macarons and chocolate buttons that we didn’t ask for but they tried to charge us for it when we said we didn’t ask for it they took it off the bill,” another added. A local also chimed in, saying: “As an Italian living in Italy, I’m ashamed.”
Defenders and Critics
However, others blamed Nicole, saying she shouldn’t have assumed the add ons were at no extra cost. “She added macarons and mini cannoli, assuming they’d be no extra charge. In what country would you not be charged for macarons and cannoli?!” one person argued.
The gelateria has come under fire for its lack of pricing with several tourists claiming there’s no visible price list and the cost of its gelato and pastries tend to change every few days. “Prices are nowhere to be found, and it is done intentionally! The unpleasant surprise comes at the register after you have already got your ice cream in hand. For a small ice cream, I paid a whopping 16 euros!!!” one person wrote in a TripAdvisor review.
Another frustrated customer, who gave Don Nino one star, wrote: “AVOID, AVOID, AVOID! Charged 22 euros for one ice-cream!”
TikTok Video Goes Viral
A US man, who goes by the handle ‘Cabletable’, was in Rome earlier this year with his family and said he bought two “small gelatos” that cost him $US9 (AUD$14). However, when visiting the following day, it hiked to $US20 (AUD$30). “Didn’t make sense,” he said in the viral TikTok. “So, I looked on my account and I go back and I said ‘OK, here is my statement why are the ice creams double the price’ and she goes ‘Oh sorry we change prices every day and this is what it is so you must pay it’,” he claimed.
Don Nino has since deactivated its Instagram and Facebook accounts. news.com.au has reached out to Don Nino for comment.
