New Yorkers vote on biggest ripoffs in NY — and the Hamptons takes the cake: survey

Georgia Worrell
·2 min read
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Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and a beach in the Hamptons
Over 40% of New Yorkers think the Hamptons is the biggest hoax in the state; followed by the Empire State Building, with 31% of votes, according to a Casino.org study.

New Yorkers consider the Hamptons the Empire State’s biggest ripoff, a new survey says.

Over 40% of approximately 5,000 polled New Yorkers think the Hamptons is the attraction that’s least worth the price, followed by the Empire State Building (31%) and the Statue of Liberty (14%), according to a Casino.org study.

Almost half of those who consider the Hamptons the biggest rip-off blamed it on whopping lodging prices, while almost 30% complained about dining costs.

The average $577-per-night stay in the Hamptons is a startling 290% higher than the national $148-per-night norm, and a typical East End entree costs around $35 — much more than the national $23 standard, the study found.

The Hamptons “is a place specifically for rich people to galavant,” one interviewee griped.

On the other hand, another subject noted, “The entire point [of The Hamptons] is to show how wealthy you are, so if the sole purpose is to be a money sink, is it really a cheat?”

Almost 50% of those who consider the Hamptons the biggest rip-off blamed it on whopping lodging prices there. AFP via Getty Images
Almost 50% of those who consider the Hamptons the biggest rip-off blamed it on whopping lodging prices there. AFP via Getty Images
The typical entree on the East End will cost around $35 – far more expensive than the national $23 standard. Shutterstock
The typical entree on the East End will cost around $35 – far more expensive than the national $23 standard. Shutterstock
Over 30% of New Yorkers said the Empire State Building is the biggest scam in the state. FaceBook Empire State Building
Over 30% of New Yorkers said the Empire State Building is the biggest scam in the state. FaceBook Empire State Building
The Statue of Liberty was ranked the third biggest rip-off in the state, according to New Yorkers. AFP via Getty Images
The Statue of Liberty was ranked the third biggest rip-off in the state, according to New Yorkers. AFP via Getty Images

Respondents who considered the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty the biggest swindles blamed the pricey tour tickets, which start at $44 and $24.50 per adult, respectively.

New Yorkers said Times Square was also a sham, with 31% of votes, while seeing a show on Broadway was considered a swindle by 16% of voters, and 10% said paying $5 to try a Nathan’s hot dog wasn’t worth it.

Almost 100% of New Yorkers said a trip to Niagara Falls was worth the dough — but 60% thought a trip to Disney World was highway robbery, and ranked it the top national rip-off.