In Reply to: Scam, sham or schrewed? posted by Paradiselost on Thursday, 20. April 2006 at 08:28 Bali Time:
The difference is that you know that the coin thing is fake and are happy to go along with it in return for a smile as part of your planned $2 coin giveaway exercise.
Not everyone is in that position. They are told that their coins will be made into a bracelet , but what they receive is something inferior . That superior customer service which you extol involves a barefaced lie and dishonest substitution of goods - I wonder how many would get away with that way of running their business at home , yet are qite happy to be scammed while on holiday ?
I take it then that you are happy for the money changer to skim 50,000 off the trade as long as you get a happy smile ? After all, it's all just business
I think we need to take off the rose coloured glasses sometimes and realise that this attitude is one of the reasons why tourists visit Bali only once and never return . With Aussies & other tourists staying away in droves, the general prevalent dishonesty ( which you must agree is NOT good business practice in the long run ) is one of the things which needs to be addressed . One of my work mates went to Bali recently for her honeymoon and swore NEVER to return - she said it was the holiday from hell , from being grabbed on the beach to money changers to the final indignity of the standover hotel porters.. such a shame ! Paradise Lost indeed, you have chosen an apt name