tea shop rip off

[burston]

On our way back from a long journey, we stopped off at a tlittle tea shop. Prices not displayed so went inside, sat down and looked. we felt awful getting up and walking out as we were the only ones there. NO WONDER. The prices were ridiculous but we were so hungry we chose the cheapest thing. A toasted cheese and onion sandwich each and pot of tea for two. It came. Normal bread toasted, salad garnish and 4 crisps. Small pot of tea with small pot of water. All this came to �12.35.
I always thought a sarnie and cup of tea in a tea shop were supposed to be cheap.Is this the norm or were we being ripped off. The tea shop was in a little village but nothing special.

[terambulan]

Its not the cost....its ambience and all. Same in London Dorchester would probably cost �50 or more!

[Hellyon]

Unfortunately it all comes down to rental, overheads etc. That's why Starbucks etc are comparitively expensive, a shop selling dresses for �50 quid need to sell 20 a day to make a �1000 but you need to sell 340 �3 cups of coffee to make the same amount and shop rentals and rates are astronomical.

[burston]

I appreciate both your answers but Im sure their overheads arent fantastic and our local cafes which are every bit as nice in surroundings only charge half as much and much better presented

[Tichfield]

I thought the law requires such establishments to have a menu with prices listed on view outside.

Maybe I am wrong.

[RevFunk]

Was anyone standing there twisting your arm and forcing you to pay?

lol

[burston]

You are right, we should have been brave enough to leave but as I said we were hungry and wasnt sure where else we would be able to stop where there would be somewhere to eat. I certainly will think twice again before ordering anywhere like that price agaiand one thing is we wont be going there again, in fact my husband is thinking of writing and complaining