A mum was left stunned after being charged an eye-watering £16 for a pot of strawberries topped with a “drizzle” of melted chocolate at a Christmas market.
Molly Smith went with her sister during a break between performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which they were seeing at a nearby theatre.
The 29-year-old spotted a stall selling fruit, marshmallows, and other treats dipped in chocolate.
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She opted for a large pot of strawberries with melted chocolate.
But moments after tapping her Apple Pay, Molly realised she had been charged £16 for the snack.
She said she only noticed the amount once the payment notification flashed up on her phone as she walked away.
It was at the Christmas in Leicester Square Market on Saturday (15 Nov) afternoon.
“I was in shock when I saw the price, and I thought it must have been a mistake,” Molly, of Epsom, Surrey, told What’s the Jam.
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“It was so busy, I just tapped it and didn’t really process how much it was until I’d walked off.
“I double checked the price when the notification came up on my phone.
“I then went back over to the stall, at that point I saw the sign with prices and remember seeing it say £10 per cup, so I asked how much it was.
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“And she said £10 for the regular size and £16 for the large.
“In hindsight, I should have asked for a refund, but it was so busy and we needed to get back to the theatre, so I just left.
“I assume it would’ve been listed that it was £16 somewhere, but I don’t remember seeing it; these markets are so busy and overwhelming.
“I’d have been happy to pay up to £10 because I know these markets are expensive, especially in London.
“But £16 seemed way too much for strawberries and a drizzle of chocolate.”
Molly believes the treat was worth less than £5.
She added: “I understand their pitch fees are extortionate, hence their prices.
“And you do go to these markets knowing they are going to be more expensive, but I’ve never seen anywhere charge that much for some strawberries and chocolate
“It’s definitely not worth more than a fiver, but I’d be happy to pay up to £10 at a market.”
Christmas in Leicester Square has been approached for comment.
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