This doesn't just occur outside of the States. While brick and mortar businesses here (NYC) have a set price (though over the years i've learned to haggle- even at Macy's!), it is a very different story when you hit the street vendors, corner stores and such. Especially now, with the dollar so low against the pound/ euro and tourists flocking over en masse. $6.00 for a gyro I saw one couple fork over. I've noticed quite a few deli's have removed many prices from the sandwich board.
However, DR does seem to take it to another level; In December while drinking coffee at Anacaona on the Conde in SD, I asked the cigar store clerk for a lighter.. he was going to charge me what amounted to $7.00.. for a .50 bic disposable lighter. I burst out laughing asked him for fosforos (matches), which he gave me, no charge. Go figure.
CJnNJ