Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

50p extra for milk with coffee is ridiculous isn't it?

35 replies

MinnieMountain · 19/05/2026 08:08

A new cafe has opened in our town centre. The menu on the wall behind the till says "Americano £3.40". I was charged £3.90 for one with milk. Not special milk, just the usual tiny jug. The woman who served me agreed to put in a splash of milk for no extra.

I know the cost of everything is going up but 50p for 20ml of semi-skimmed is taking the piss. Plus the fact that their massive wall menu doesn't mention it.

OP posts:
viques · 19/05/2026 08:52

Fortnums now charge for their distinctive blue bags which turn their customers into walking advertisements for the company.

They don’t miss a trick do they?

Blundl · 19/05/2026 08:51

Tea is the real rip off, at least with coffee they use a machine and put a slight bit of effort in, tea is just a teabag in hot water

Ablondiebutagoody · 19/05/2026 08:49

If some hot water and a bit of coffee is £3.40, doesn't sound outrageous that the milk would be 50p.

TheJuryIsOut · 19/05/2026 08:18

An americano is a black coffee so if you want milk with it then it's fair enough for them to charge for it. I own a cafe and it's a struggle to make any money with sky high rents so I can totally see why people have to charge for extras.

FeedTheFoxes · 19/05/2026 08:16

An americano doesn’t have milk in as standard though so charging for milk seems fine.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 19/05/2026 08:16

Last time I went to the hairdresser, they’d added £20 for a blow dry.

I’m not sure what exactly the alternative was after a cut and colour, just sending me home with wet hair and hoping I was happy with the result once it had dried?

A wet cut is a thing, I used to have one. But I'd expect the pricing to be clear.

Ditto OP's coffee, Id expect the shop's prices to cover the milk or no milk scenario.

jinglejanglescarecat · 19/05/2026 08:14

LauraNorda · 19/05/2026 08:10

You're complaining about 50p for milk but paying £3.40 for a cup of coffee doesn't even register?

Pretty standard price for coffee where I am.

but agree extra for milk is mad. Milk is a standard part of a cup of coffee for a lot of people. Even if it were to be added extra 50p is a lot!!

jinglejanglescarecat · 19/05/2026 08:12

MidnightPatrol · 19/05/2026 08:10

Last time I went to the hairdresser, they’d added £20 for a blow dry.

I’m not sure what exactly the alternative was after a cut and colour, just sending me home with wet hair and hoping I was happy with the result once it had dried?

I ask for a rough dry if that helps. Can’t remember how much but a lot cheaper.

LauraNorda · 19/05/2026 08:10

You're complaining about 50p for milk but paying £3.40 for a cup of coffee doesn't even register?

MidnightPatrol · 19/05/2026 08:10

Last time I went to the hairdresser, they’d added £20 for a blow dry.

I’m not sure what exactly the alternative was after a cut and colour, just sending me home with wet hair and hoping I was happy with the result once it had dried?