In Reply to: Why is it better to change money in Bali posted by lukef on Monday, 8. November 2004 at 07:34 Bali Time:
it's not that hard to avoid being caught out. Stick with the larger authorised money changers (eg kodak stores). You obviously can find out the official rate and authorised money changers will offer close to this rate. The ones that will try to cheat you are the ones that offer a ridiculous rate. When I was there in June the official rate was 6400 - 6500 but i saw some offering 6900, these were usually at the back of a shop or stall. Don't waste your time with these ridiculous rates as you will either get ripped off or when you catch them out suddenly there is no money and you have to go elsewhere anyway. Take your own calculator, work it out for yourself and don't let them touch it after you've counted it.