SINGAPORE: A woman took to social media after being charged S$0.60 for ice at Killiney Kopitiam at Farrer Park Hospital, even if she had specifically asked for less ice in the barley drink she ordered.
Ms Melissa Mélisse Lim posted a photo on the popular COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook page last weekend of two glasses with drinks. She wrote: “paid 0.60 cents for ice, even though we asked for less ice. The barley drink amount is laughable coz it’s less ice. When we asked about the drink levels, staff said ‘oh coz your barley you asked for less ice. So is this level. The tea cannot pour too full, will spill.’”
Many commenters on Ms Lim’s post appeared to agree that paying an additional amount to end up with a small amount of beverage is pricey. However, one commenter tried to explain the situation: “Normally in coffeeshop(s) they already prepare and pour barley all these handmade drinks into cups. They just add ice in when ppl ordered. So The amount of drink will be standardised even when u ask for less ice. If not they will be losing money if ppl ask for less ice / no ice and they top up the drinks to full. Cheers.”
Nevertheless, other commenters pointed out that buying beverages has also become more expensive, with some saying it’s better just to bring a refillable water bottle.
The Independent Singapore has reached out to Ms Lim and Killiney Kopitiam at Farrer Park Hospital for further comment.
Last week, a café customer asked why a “simple cup of kopi o kosong” cost him S$3, posting a picture of his receipt as proof.
A netizen who goes by the name Paul Anthony MusicHaven Soh on Facebook wrote on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE page, “Can someone explain to me, why a simple cup of kopi o kosong costs 3 bucks?! (receipt on right),” adding that he had the beverage at Heavenly Wang cafe.
Kopi o kosong is the simplest of coffee beverages, a no-frills cup of black coffee with no sugar. Interestingly, Alliance Coffee said in September last year that as of December 2021, Kopi o kosong cost about S$1.08 per cup. In 2016, however, Kopi o kosong sold for an average of just 70 cents a cup. Inflation (which has finally begun to level off) notwithstanding, it’s not a surprise that Mr Paul was shocked at the cost of a simple cup of black coffee. /TISG
Café customer asks why ‘simple cup of kopi o kosong’ costs S$3