We had a global rail pass covering three countries. On two different occasions we were required to buy seat reservations.

FIRST OCCASION
We were told 10E then when we got to the window the clerk said "40E for the fast train." When we said that was too much we were able to pay just 10E for another train.

SECOND OCCASION
On the next journey the same thing happened except that when we said 40E was too much the clerk told us the next train was sold out. So we were stuck paying 40E for two people on the "fast train."

Is this normal practice? It seemed like we were getting ripped off.

Thank you.

Some specific details will help. What routes? What kind of trains did you end up on?

The first trip was Rome to Naples.
The second was Naples to Florence.
I am not sure what the first train was from Rome. All I know the agent in the rail station both times said
" Fast train" 40 Euros for two.
The train we were able to take from Rome for 10 Euros seemed like a fast train! I was advised to buy the seat reservations in Europe when I purchased my rail pass.

From Rome to Naples, there are the highspeed Eurostar Alta Velocita (takes about 1:30), and the semi-highspeed IC+ (about 2:00).

From Naples to Florence, the only direct trains during the day are the highspeed Eurostar Alta Velocita.

5€ per person for reservations on the IC+ makes sense, and I believe the majority of the 20€ for 2nd ride is a surcharge for using the AV trains, and not just for reservations.

That illustrates why a rail pass is a bad idea for Italy.
Most train fares consist of two parts: a basis fare (which can be very low) and a surcharge for fast(er) trains. For high-speed trains the surcharge may make up to or even more than half the fare (15-20 E). You rail pass only covers the basis fare.

You were not informed about the rules - and paid for the lack of preparation in this regard.

If you mean you were specifically targeted: no, you weren´t.

You were not getting ripped off - it is the system (BTW, not only in Italy, all over Europe): For faster trains, you pay a higher fare (to prevent commuters from crowding long-distance trains).

A Porsche is more expensive than a Toyota.

Thanks for all the help.
The Railpass was needed since I did France and Italy. I guess there was no other option. 40 Euros for two is alot. If I had bought the seat reservations earlier I might have had a better chance to catch another train that was sold out in my Naples to Florence situation, But If I get there late and miss thre train I guess that would not workout either.
In my Rail Europe time table book it does not say the cost of the seat reservation. Is there any way to know how much the reservation will be for each train?

All trains between Rome and Florence on the mainline are Eurostars and Alta Velocitas so you may have to pay the surcharge anyways.

However, there are much slower trains regional trains from Rome to Florence (3.5 hours vs 1.5) that don't require reservations at all.

So, if 20EUR is a big deal, you could have get a slower IC or IC+ train for 5EUR reservations, or even regional trains that don't require reservations, and then continue on the regional to Florence. It'll take you 6 hours instead of 3:18, but it's not impossible to not pay at all.

Sorry. I'm trying to say you could have gotten on a IC or IC+ trains or even regionals from Naples to Rome for 5EUR or free; then a regional train Rome to Florence for free.