Cape Town city tour rip off

We took a Capetown city tour with Atlas/ Springbok. They drove us around a few streets, then back the same streets then trapped us for 45 minutes in a jewelry shop. This was the only place they let us off the bus. Other tour groups got to visit the craft market. Later we stopped for ten minutes at a beach. Since our hotel was by the beach, we all came from the same hotel, we did not care for that stop either.

I was there in March. Cape Town has become a TOTAL RIP OFF. Just one example: I wanted to buy some South African wine. The price in Cape Town was DOUBLE what I pay here in the USA. Seafood prices were mostly HIGHER than what I would pay here in the USA yet it costs over there are a fraction of what we pay over here.

CAPE TOWN = RIP OFF.

Americans will find that costs for most everything are much the same as they are here in the US. Why? The dollar is weak against the rand, price inflation has affected costs in South Africa, and there is a big VAT percentage attached to virtually every transaction.

But wine is NOT expensive. Where did you shop? Supermarkets have extensive wine selections with many good wines priced from $4 to $10 a bottle. The wine estates sell their own wines at normal prices, and are not expensive - except for the 'marquee' names such as Kanonkop or Hamilton Russell.

Upmarket seafood restaurants are priced about the same as here. But the seafood chains (Fishmonger, Ocean Basket) serve big fresh seafood meals with salad and fries for $6 to $9.. and daily specials are even less. Neighborhood cafes are even cheaper - and this is true in Cape Town or anywhere in the country.

South Africa is only a RIP OFF for travelers who expect it to be some sort of fantasy world where you can have a 5-star life for 3-star prices.

Just for fun, check out today's menu from the Ocean Basket restaurants in Cape Town.. this one is on Kloof St. right in the City Center, but they all charge the same: http://www.eating-out.co.za/member_menu.asp? MemberID=2108

To get the price in dollars, divide by 6.7 (or make it simpler by dividing by 7 - you'll be close enough).

Calamari rings for a starter - fresh and perfectly cooked: $3 Entrees such as Kingclip or the linefish of the day: $6.50 to $7.

Or how about this: Seafood Platter for two The ultimate Ocean Basket taste sensation. Calamari fried and grilled, Mussels, Prawns, Kingklip and a healthy serving of chips and rice. All lovingly arranged in a mammoth pan and placed in the center of the table to be devoured. R 129.00 That's less than $20. And just about more than two people can finish.

Judge for yourself if this is a RIP OFF.

Sorry - that was the web page for the Canal Walk Ocean Basket.. the same as the one for Kloof St., which is this one:

P.S. Dave, I see you're in the tourism business yourself.....

Mike, thanks for the reasoned and very specific reply - in fact, the issue of gouging in Cape Town is something that is being discussed and debated this spring in the South African tourism industry.

There is a daily newsletter that we receive that should see what you have experienced. I suspect you won't object if I copy your note and send it in to be circulated throughout the country - read by both industry and government figures.

By way of explanation - I'm a safari operator and have a home in one of the small communities east of Cape Town - spend a few months there each year and just returned from the most recent visit 5 weeks ago. I have never seen anything priced in dollars, (except Mala Mala camp) so it is a point of curiosity to know perhaps a few more specifics about where you encountered this.

Dave,

The wine store was Carolines Fine Wine at the Waterfront. Yes, I know the Waterfront is expensive but where else is one to look for good South African wines when you do not have time to visit the estates. A bottle of 1996 Meerlust Rubicon was being featured in the store for the mere price of R369 (or thereabouts). That translated to approx $60/bottle... The woman in the store was just plain rude. I do not know if it was Caroline herself. After that I talked to a wine store owner who told me that many of the wine farmers deliver wine to individual stores - so there isn't even a shipping or distribution cost attached to many (but not all) of the local wines!!

FWIW, since you offered your background I feel obliged to tell you that my real name is not Mike Potts... I do not use my real name on the newsgroups.

Interesting about Caroline's.. I know the store, and also the other (original) location in City Centre. I agree that

ever get back there, might check out Waterfront World of Wine, which today has Meerlust Rubicon much cheaper
http://www.waterfrontworldofwine.com/winelist.php I am also a Meerlust fan.. for their Chardonnay. People who wonder why we are always happy to visit the wine estates might like to see this site:

Dave I love Cape Town but now I only visit there on business. It has become much more expensive there than say Jo'burg or Durban. I suppose because it is full of 'touristy' and trendy 'places'. The Hotel prices are substantially higher and well discounted rack rates are just not available unless you have high level contacts. Where tourists go the prices become inflated, I see the other great attraction 'Kruger Park' is going the same way. But now we have the 2010 bid Joey's will start catering for the lion's share of the business. As we have the better infrastructure for soccer and the contractors up here are still prepared to work for reasonable profits. We will of course become the nations center of activity again, with all the benifits attracted theretoo, muggers, pickpockets, rapists, highjackers and all the local informal traders that are attracted to wealth. Come to think of it please keep the money and tourists down ther it's been much quieter here for the last couple of years.