How Americans Are Being Duped by the Importing Business

The San Benedetto brand bottles very good water. It is not the highest ranking in Italy, but it is way above the likes of plebeian Acqua Panna. Which is why I can't understand why both these brands sell for up to $40.00 a case in the unites states.
I said $40.00 a case! Italian water is being sold at the price of gold, and Americans are lapping it up, pardon the expression.

As a proud Italian, I must say that Italian springs provide excellent water. As a Roman, it is my duty to tell you that the city fountains provide the purest of waters, all you can drink, free of charge, 24/7.
The water is wonderful, but it is certainly not worth thirty dollars.

Americans, while proudly standing their own in other matters, still turn to Europe for guidance in fashion and nutrition. This is great, for Americans tend to walk around in tents (my euphemism for baggy clothing) and have appalling eating habits, but while imitating is great, try to use your head. You are being duped by Water importers!
I focus on Italian water because I am from Italy and know the prices, but the same goes for highly acclaimed water like Evian (the quality has gone down, can't you taste it? Maybe you're blinded by the name! Evian spelled backwards is naïve) OR Fiji (bestselling tap water ever!)

San Benedetto is sold for a few dollars in minor 'gourmet' stores, and for up to $15.00 in slender glass bottles in fancy stores on NYC's Upper East Side where wealthy housewives never count their change, or online.

Dear consumer, take a stand! Italian is great, but it is not always worth half your weekly food budget.

But then, what do you expect from people who think 'Poland Spring' is God's Gift To The Northeast…

I have seen the price of Italian water in NYC. Here is some research on internet retailer pricing:

Acqua Panna at finewaterimports.com: $37.75 case of 12 1Lt bottles= $3.14 p. bottle.
Acqua Panna at aqua maestro.com: $26.80 case of 12 1LT bottles= $2.23 p. bottle
Acqua Panna at Gristedes NY: $2.19 p. glass bottle 1LT
Random Italian supermarket prices:
0.45 Euro per 1LT bottle (Despar)
2.81 Euro case of 6 1.5 LT bottles. (0.31 LT) Esselunga

San Benedetto at aqua maestro.com: $26.05 case of 12 Glass 1LT bottles.
San Benedetto at Gristedes NY: $1.59 P. 1.5 LT bottle
San Benedetto at Esselunga, Italy: 0.30 Euro 1LT bottle
San Benedetto at Despar, Italy: 0.24 Euro 1LT bottle

These listings are results of unscientific amateur research, but I am quite sure I have managed to convey the general price discrepancies that are present, even with the 'import tax' included.

I think it's time to learn from Europe and go on strike.