Over Ordering and Eating a Big Bowl of "RAGRET"

Lfrugalflop on 14/02/2020 - 16:10
Last edited 17/02/2020 - 23:30

I work in the CBD so the options for lunch are endless. A work mate suggested a Japanese Curry restaurant where you can choose variants of chicken and how much you'd want, curry sauce and toppings.

I confidentially grabbed the large bowl with minimum rice (to capitalise on more meat) and added as much pieces of chicken I thought I can handle with the choice of standard curry sauce. I headed down to the counter thinking it would be at most $15 but as the total price came up on the screen, it totalled $23.94. My heart sank through the floor as I unlocked my phone to make payment but before I could do that she HAD the nerve to then ask "what drink would you like" as if paying $23.94 for chicken and rice wasn't enough. Luckily I carry my water bottle with me when looking for somewhere to eat on lunch to avoid buying a drink.

I sit down with a large bowl of Japanese deep fried chicken curry and rice with additional toppings of pride, ragret and shame and look at the receipt to find out it's $1.50 per chicken (when I left it was conveniently hidden under the lid of each selection of chicken.

My question is, at what point between deciding and paying for a purchase do you say to yourself, you probably don't need all of that.

I've gotten to a point in life where I'm just like, "oh well, deal with it".

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • bobbified on 14/02/2020 - 16:15
    +38

    …at what point between deciding and paying for a purchase do you say to yourself, you probably don't need all of that.

    You make any decisions before putting the food/chicken in your bowl. Once it's in your bowl, you pay for it because they can't put it back for health reasons!

  • saintpotter on 14/02/2020 - 17:02
    +11

    Lol what are you looking for here?

    • frugalflop on 14/02/2020 - 17:58
      +28

      A support group, a feeling of connection to anyone willing to listen, reply or bond with lelz

      • Baysew on 14/02/2020 - 18:03
        +11

        Bond with this person Why do so many people think eating out is a waste of money?

        • frugalflop on 15/02/2020 - 16:29

          Great read! Spent way to long going through peoples comments. Touchè

      • ATTS on 15/02/2020 - 19:42
        +5

        Lol i hate buying drinks when eating out aswell… all they do is put the drink in a fridge and charge a massive markup

      • AlienC on 17/02/2020 - 23:40

        Fwiw I do this almost weekly but I am learning from my mistakes quickly or at least feeling less guilty hehe.

        I work full-time hours now even though I should be on casual part time so I treat myself for the extra blood sweat and tears I spend through out the day but yeah I have some pretty shameful stories to tell but honestly don't want to for fear of being heavily judged lol yeah the shame ragret food buy is b a d.

    • Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead on 14/02/2020 - 23:50
      +9

      "Lol what are you looking for here?"

      Not chicken, that's for sure.

    • skywards on 16/02/2020 - 15:02

      Someone to say “cool story bro”

  • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 17:17
    +10

    Good on you for taking responsibility.

    Think of it as protein loading. You legend.

  • Almost Banned on 14/02/2020 - 17:30
    +40

    I went to Coles yesterday to buy the wife a Valentines card.
    Didn't really think much about the price - until I got to the self-checkout scanner and it rang up at $7!!!
    WTF - SEVEN dollars for a folded piece of light cardstock?!?
    I was so close to putting it back, but decided to just deal.
    Then, still furious, I decided to print out the receipt so I had evidence of this scurrilous price-gouge - and I noticed they over-charged me on the carton of Orange C I grabbed to cool off a bit.
    The receipt said "$1.90", when the fridge said it was "$1.89".
    So I went, got my $1.90 refunded, and kept my Orange C.
    Net result, I only paid $5.10 for that damn rip-off Valentines Day card.
    Yes, a 1c price error saved me $1.90 and got me a delicious cool drink.

    I know, cool story bro.

    • RockyRaccoon on 14/02/2020 - 17:37
      +5

      A true Valentine, would have shared the Orange C with their beloved…..👩‍❤️‍👩

    • frugalflop on 14/02/2020 - 17:56

      This is exactly how I felt. The chicken was sitting on the bed of rice separate to curry sauce which I probably could have asked to put back before even paying.. or I could have been an even bigger douche and just left after I saw the price but I realised at this age you gotta pick your battles.

      1c is the difference between living and dying (maybe that's the just the frugal side of me talking)

      • Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead on 14/02/2020 - 23:52
        +9

        "The chicken was sitting on the bed of rice"

        Was it laying an egg?

  • Bargain80 on 14/02/2020 - 17:33
    +1

    at least it's less carb ?

  • Cave Fire on 14/02/2020 - 18:56
    +4

    Maybe that place knows it's dealing with time poor office workers. You should have fed two people with that much at most other places. I have even seen $7.90 japanese curry deals.

    • kaleidoscope on 18/02/2020 - 07:09

      don don ftw!

    • djprima on 18/02/2020 - 12:45

      $3 for a small bowl of plain curry with rice at Oiden

  • crentist on 14/02/2020 - 20:15

    I thought you were gonna say you got too much food. Clearly not as much of a concern as paying for it.

    But one irony is that in Japan they often serve meals with a choice of sizes at the same price. Meaning that people willingly reduce the food per $ based on how hungry they are, rather than stuffing themselves as much as possible, as was your undoing.

    • xoom on 14/02/2020 - 22:59
      +4

      But one irony is that in Japan they often serve meals with a choice of sizes at the same price.

      If they try that here there will be at least one person knowingly unable to finish the large meal who will order the large because they will say value.

      Like what value is wasted food really?

      Or whinge why the small portion is same price.

      • crentist on 17/02/2020 - 16:09

        Exactly, and trying to stuff yourself to get down an excessive amount of food isnt much better than wasting it either. Best is to simply order a more appropriate amount, and accept the price/value of it.

        It's funny, I've seen coupons from Mcdonalds Japan for their chips. Normally a small is 150yen, and the med and large go up to around 400yen. The coupon lets you choose any size you want for 150yen. Which means that you could save heaps on the large, or you could just get a medium if you want.

        I have no idea why they include the small size on the coupon.

    • jmi on 19/02/2020 - 09:46

      But one irony is that in Japan they often serve meals with a choice of sizes at the same price.

      At Coco Ichibanya, you can choose the amount of rice and the variety of toppings together with your curry and they'll adjust the price accordingly. I find that it's a really good concept so that customers don't waste food, they get to eat what they want and this in turn, encourages mindful eating/consumption. I really wish it was implemented here.

  • ihbh on 14/02/2020 - 20:24
    +5

    At some stage of most people's life, they'd do the same and try to get as much value for money as possible.

    As you get older, you realise that All You Can Eat places aren't worth it (unless you're Andre the Giant) - you stuff yourself as much as possible and feel crap after and don't enjoy the experience.

    A bit older now, I try to practice Hara Hachi Bu. If we eat out, to be sustainable, we bring a doggy box in case (and no, I don't own a dog).

    • FutureTech on 18/02/2020 - 07:44

      With the exception of the cheap RSL buffets? The Star buffet in Bankstown costs $15.6 on a weekday. Given any reasonable meal will cost you $12 elsewhere why not pay $3.6 more to have a bit more to eat (can probably skip brekky and dinner too) and more variety.

  • dcep on 14/02/2020 - 20:39
    +1

    would have felt better if posted photo on social media

  • raptormesh on 14/02/2020 - 21:40

    Which city is this? Now I'm curious.

    • frugalflop on 15/02/2020 - 16:24

      Melbourne, Curry Z on Elizabeth St

      • raptormesh on 15/02/2020 - 19:25

        Thanks.

      • purplelady on 17/02/2020 - 08:49
        +1

        oh damn… was hoping it's in Sydney

      • Broke-Ken on 17/02/2020 - 11:03
        +4

        Melbourne, Curry Z on Elizabeth St

        I see a common theme here, is detail not your strong point?

        It's "Z Curry", a new store which opened recently, I went there and the prices were quite clearly displayed.

        Don't worry, it happens to the best of us.

        • frugalflop on 17/02/2020 - 13:07

          is detail not your strong point

          Curry Z, Z Curry same difference. By the time I paid for it I'd already forgotten the name, which street it's on and which country I'm in.

          • tee123 on 17/02/2020 - 13:19

            @frugalflop: Oh my, hahaha.
            I actually believed I am the most tightarse but damn just enjoy the meal and make a mental note that your not prepared to go back again. We cant live life wprrying about money that much or we lose the magic of the rest of it.

  • frugalftw on 14/02/2020 - 22:43
    +14

    lol had sort of similar experience when those yoghurt places first came out, where you get to put stuff in and pay by the weight. I was not prepared for the price.

    • Blue Cat on 14/02/2020 - 23:34
      +1

      Same here, I thought it was a flat price per cup, only later to find out it was per 100g…
      Was with a bunch of friends so I didn't want to make a scene, had to suck it up lol

    • Never Pay RRP on 16/02/2020 - 01:34
      +1

      There are a heap of malatang restaurants sprouting up near me, with the same pay by weight concept, but for noodle soup. I'm terrible at estimating weight apparently

      • tomvghs on 16/02/2020 - 22:13
        +1

        Yes the pay per weight is getting popular.
        The other one is the sushi train. You could easily go through 10-15 plates and even though they are advertised as 3.80$ per plate some are premium prices like 5-6$. In the end it could easily cost 40-50$ per person.

    • umoddbro on 16/02/2020 - 23:03
      +1

      Same the first time I bought froyo the total was around $17 for a medium cup. No way could I enjoy it after paying that, never had it again since.

  • BuyoTheCat on 14/02/2020 - 22:52
    +1

    I am glad you didn’t starts with the title “This Japanese curry place is a SCAM

    Most things in life is a lesson This one is $23.94. I went to one of those Chinese noodles place, where you pick food you want and get charged by weight of the food. I was thinking to myself. Hmmm…I really dont know how much this is going to cost. It might get expensive. I didn’t pick much and it ended up being $15. I can see how it can end up being over $20 easily.

    It was tasty, but I got thirsty after the meal (which is an indication of excessive MSG)

    • frugalflop on 15/02/2020 - 16:27

      It wasn't a scam, instructions were pretty clear. The freedom of choice blinded any rational thought of moderation.

      All of the comments I'm taking away a lot from this. "Most things in life is a lesson".

      • Andard on 25/02/2020 - 11:22

        instructions were pretty clear

        you made it sound like it was unclear on the chicken price, hence the over-ordering?

        I guess in your shoes I probably would have ragret-fully paid as well.. if it's in your bowl you can't return it.

        I think putting the price under the lids is on par with yumcha; banking on your stomach being bigger than your eyes and you over-order :)

    • Milk tea on 17/02/2020 - 10:01
      +3

      Could have just been excessive sodium and not msg

  • Blue Cat on 14/02/2020 - 23:47
    +4

    OP, maybe you would enjoy all-you-can-eat restaurants more.
    I don't like being "tricked" by restaurants too and I can't enjoy the experience always wondering "how much is that gonna cost? is it too expensive? where is the trick?".
    My favorites:

    Would you like some sparkling water?

    Yes please! Only at checkout I find they are charging $7.50 per bottle. They don't even tell the price, so I was expecting it would be free like regular water or less than $2. Even with regular water, they sometimes bring a "fancy" brand bottle and charge you $5 or more, which is probably refilled with tap water anyway (watch how they usually come with the bottle-cap already opened "for your convenience").
    Now I have fear every time the waitress offers water and I always ask how much does it cost.

    Would you like to add fries?

    They never tell the cost. Usually the main meal is for a good price, $10-$15, but then the fries cost $7-$9. I guess this is how they earn their money.

    Would you like to have some dessert?

    No thanks, I don't want your woolies homebrand premade straight-from-fridge sugar bomb for $10-$15 each

    Because of all this rubbish I usually go to all-you-can-eats, so I know exactly how much I pay and what I will get.
    Do I always eat more than what I paid for? I think most of the times, no. But at least I don't have to worry about the costs or whether I will order some overpriced tiny thing.

    • tomvghs on 16/02/2020 - 22:10
      +1

      Love the “Would you like some sparkling water?” It’s getting very common now, even at casual non-fancy places.

      Be careful with the all you can eat places too, you could easily stuff yourself with the cheaper items on the menu like rice, bread, fries or the free soft drinks. We were at an all you can eat Japanese sushi places, and the waitress kept asking us to order sushi (California rolls) so we could stuff ourselves with rice and order no more.

      I also found many Melbourne restaurants asking for a tip.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/02/2020 - 16:01
      +2

      They don't even tell the price, so I was expecting it would be free like regular water or less than $2. Even with regular water, they sometimes bring a "fancy" brand bottle and charge you $5 or more, which is probably refilled with tap water anyway (watch how they usually come with the bottle-cap already opened "for your convenience").
      Now I have fear every time the waitress offers water and I always ask how much does it cost.

      Except that basically anyone who has ever gone to a restaurant in their life knows this is a standard question and not a secret ruse to fleece you. A waiter asking "sparkling, still or tap" carries an assumed price for sparkling and still. If you want free water, just ask for tap.

      Would you like to add fries?

      They never tell the cost. Usually the main meal is for a good price, $10-$15, but then the fries cost $7-$9. I guess this is how they earn their money.

      Ok, I can now see why the water question was confusing for you. Sides are usually listed on the menu. Then again, I don't traditionally go to restaurants that ask "would you like fries with that?" so I don't know what chain restaurants like Hog's Breath and Lonestar are doing these days.

      No thanks, I don't want your woolies homebrand premade straight-from-fridge sugar bomb for $10-$15 each

      What shitty restaurants are you eating at?

      Because of all this rubbish I usually go to all-you-can-eats, so I know exactly how much I pay and what I will get.

      You'll basically get an unlimited amount of woolies brand instant foods. If you want to pay someone else to microwave that for you then… more power to you?

      I think a lot of your complaints would be easily serviced if you went out to dinner 50% less, but went to 100% better restaurants.

    • kaleidoscope on 18/02/2020 - 08:50

      I’ve been thinking of going to these (international buffets) once a month to, well eat all i can. Not really to stuff up, but rather try small quantities of all or most of the different food they have. As if I were to try all those food separately would cost me alot more.

  • Never Pay RRP on 16/02/2020 - 01:37
    +1

    Now I have fear every time the waitress offers water and I always ask how much does it cost.

    Just say you'll have "tap water" if you want to be sure.
    My general rule of thumb is if they ask which 'type' of water you want, then there will be a price tag attached

    • FutureTech on 18/02/2020 - 07:53

      Or "table water"

  • SpendLess on 16/02/2020 - 11:12
    +1

    If you are in the CBD go check out Don Dons
    you will have zero Ragrets

    • frugalftw on 16/02/2020 - 19:52

      Can recommend.

    • frugalflop on 16/02/2020 - 23:11

      Don dons is my traditional go to but a work matw suggested I try Curry Z. I came, I paid and I tried. This is what I get for betraying don dons 😂😅😢😭😭😭😭

  • Omitsukasa on 16/02/2020 - 11:35
    +1

    Uh.. I'm surprised by people's stories here on how they don't check the price before they checkout something.

    I make it a must to know the price before I decide on what to get. If it's not in a menu I ask the cashier.

    • Yamai on 16/02/2020 - 14:16
      +1

      Yeah me too, but can understand as some places are somewhat deceptive in pricing/ not displaying certain proces

  • brentl on 16/02/2020 - 12:32
    +1

    Went to one of these places in Kingsway, Glen Waverley last year where they charge by weight after you can put in the food.
    Cost like $25 but nice, but not a place to eat all the time.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/02/2020 - 01:39

      dragon hotpot?

  • t_c on 16/02/2020 - 13:14
    +2

    'Omg I forgot my wallet in the office brb in 2 min'

    Go to woolies and get 2 whole roast chooks and bread rolls.

    Receive praise for feeding whole office.

    Sh1t on Deborah's desk.

    • frugalftw on 16/02/2020 - 19:51

      What did Deborah ever do to you? Lovely lady…

  • djmm on 16/02/2020 - 13:36
    +2

    Moral of the story is don't eat lunch

    • 42 on 16/02/2020 - 19:11
      +2

      Lunch is for wimps

  • Plug on 16/02/2020 - 13:54
    +10

    It's not just a question of marking up or price gouging. They have to buy the food, cook the food, pay staff wages, pay rent on the premises, pay gas, electric and water bills, pay for the equipment used to store, cook and display the food according to prevailing health requirements, pay insurances, absorb losses from wastage, pay for advertising and signage and still make a profit at the end of the day so they have a life when they get home. $1.50 per piece of chicken isn't really that much and a market lunch anywhere these days is probably around $15 for a standard size serve. You were greedy so paid $24. Suck it up princess.

    • trev likes bargains on 16/02/2020 - 16:49
      +2

      Are you a tax evader or did you just forget to mention 'pay taxes'

    • Slippery Fish on 17/02/2020 - 00:03

      Also very rarely do you pay water, the landlord does.

    • frugalflop on 17/02/2020 - 00:03
      -1

      I laughed way too hard reading this. Who hurt you?

    • FutureTech on 18/02/2020 - 08:04

      Still no reason to charge $3.5 for a 50c can of coke

    • Sweetnsour on 20/02/2020 - 12:34

      Well said. Sometimes greed costs more money than saved. OP needs to build a bridge and get over it

  • PAOK11 on 16/02/2020 - 14:13
    +2

    Can I ask how you confidentially ordered the rice? Was it a covert operation?

    • frugalflop on 17/02/2020 - 00:08

      "I confidentially grabbed the large bowl"

      I hear Specsavers is running a special.

      • raptormesh on 17/02/2020 - 01:03
        +3

        Did you mean confidently?

      • PAOK11 on 17/02/2020 - 06:29
        +5

        I ragret my comment

        • xoom on 17/02/2020 - 09:26
          +4

          No regerts.

  • Kikkoman56 on 16/02/2020 - 22:14
    +2

    I feel you, I've done the same before when frozen yoghurt was all the rage. It was one of those serve yourself setups and I yanked the handle a bit too eagerly… Lets just say I didn't have dinner after having $20 worth of frozen yoghurt alone in one sitting

    • Slippery Fish on 17/02/2020 - 00:03
      -1

      Should have added soy.

    • frugalflop on 17/02/2020 - 12:58

      Lets just say I didn't have dinner after having $20 worth of frozen yoghurt

      Me after paying and before even sitting down to eat

  • FareEvader on 17/02/2020 - 00:08
    +1

    These "weigh your own food" restaurants are such a bait!! Mainly Dragon Hot Pot and Curry Z.

  • serpserpserp on 17/02/2020 - 06:41
    -2

    Troll post?

  • purplelady on 17/02/2020 - 08:49

    Which restaurant is this? don't worry~ found it

  • chriskq on 17/02/2020 - 09:20

    Mate you gotta know the cheap eats in the city where you work. Thats the simple solution here.

    Are you in Sydney?

    • legendary-noob on 17/02/2020 - 10:10

      any suggestion of cheap eats? I am in sydney city but dont know where the cheap eats are
      or maybe my definition of cheap doesnt quite align with the general publics'

      • chriskq on 17/02/2020 - 14:53

        Obviously this isnt an extensive list, but the hunter arcade has a few cheap eats that i rotate between
        1) rice paper rolls (3) @ $4
        2) viet pork roll @ $5
        3) jap pre made lunch box @ $5 (after 2pm its 3 boxes/sushi for $11)

        Then theres the infrequent fast food options i'll have once or twice a month (probably more if im being honest) - maccas double beef n bacon small meal for $5.95, KFC secret menu popcorn chicken and chips @ $5 (combine with free soda/chips from survey)

    • frugalflop on 17/02/2020 - 10:33

      Defs agree and I do know where A LOT of cheap eats are in Melbourne's CBD but it was highly recommended by a work colleague. She's been cut out of any Christmas gift giving

  • Milk tea on 17/02/2020 - 10:03
    +1

    Download Eatclub

    • frugalflop on 17/02/2020 - 10:38

      Wowee, I need this app in my life! Cheers, lunch is sorted for today.

    • Blue Cat on 17/02/2020 - 17:07
      +1

      Gonna try this out too, if it is legit, then this is the best app I have used in years!

      • Milk tea on 18/02/2020 - 07:33

        Lol Of course it's legit and a good app to try out new places. Just another way to save money like the livein app

        • Blue Cat on 18/02/2020 - 16:52
          +1

          Tried in in one restaurant that had 50% discount, it actually worked!
          Though I got the expected regular excuses "oh it won't apply to this item" or "oh that is a special, the discount doesn't apply to specials."
          Which was a bit of a let down as the app states "50% The Total Bill Including Drinks", doesn't say selected items only or that there are exclusions.

          • Milk tea on 18/02/2020 - 21:36

            @Blue Cat: Yeah a lot of places make excuses because they haven't heard of the app or they know they lose money when people pay via eatclub but you just show them the terms and conditions and they'll let you use it.

  • biozet on 17/02/2020 - 10:38
    +3

    you sound painful

  • Bills22 on 17/02/2020 - 13:23
    +2

    Bring lunch to work - solves majority of the problems.

  • bargdebarg on 17/02/2020 - 17:25
    +1

    I have ragret that I read your whole post.

  • JelIyfish on 17/02/2020 - 21:59

    What kind of Tongan complains about $20 worth of chicken?

    • frugalflop on 17/02/2020 - 23:21
      -1

      What kind of Tongan has $20 to spend on chicken?

  • netjock on 17/02/2020 - 22:14

    Hand back your ozbargain membership. If you are a real Ozbargainer you'd eat a little bit and spread the hurt over 2 more meals.

    $8 Japanese Chicken Curry, almost a bargain.

  • darkmoss on 18/02/2020 - 11:05

    wtf are you talking about?

  • SnowDragon on 21/02/2020 - 11:32

    Nothing worse than heading into a takeaway place and asking for something that looks nice thinking you will only pay maybe $5-7 and then it's actually $8-10+.

    I feel your pain OP.

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