In Reply to: very rare breed posted by curlydamo on Monday, 22. January 2007 at 20:25 Bali Time:
I went to one which had what looked like the ging rate (don' go to ones with a higher rate, you know they aren't going to give it to you). It was only money changer (not inside a shop).
Rate was 7010. He counted out bundles of 100 (20's). I had the 7 piles then he said I'll just check the 700.000. I said no it's Ok. But he insisted (I knew then). He took one bundle at a time and counted it, holding the whole lot in his hand. I watched carefully. But when I took the bundle back there was only 600.000.
I tried to work out how he did it. I realised I had watched his right hand as he grabbed each bundle. He held the rest in his left hand and while grabbing the next bundle he dropped some down a small slit in the benchtop. They're good. I just said "I hope the Gods are watching" and threw the money in the air and walked out.
This was on Jl Legian near Bemo corner. Not the one right near the corner (that's where I normally go, they're great) but just north of that.
Don't really know why I went there. Curiosity satisfied.
It always amazesw me when I see people wasting time going from money changer to money changer trying to get the best rate. The honest ones have a very similar rate (usually less than 20rp difference which is 30c on $100). Not worth the effort.