*If I go to an all-you-can-eat buffet and choose not to eat the crab meat, am I ...

If I go to an all-you-can-eat buffet and choose not to eat the crab meat, am I getting ripped off because I "paid for" the crab meat?

Not if you passed several restaurants where you could have ordered a la carte but chose not to on your way to the all-you-can-eat buffet.