In Reply to: Money Changer posted by toaster on Tuesday, 9. December 2008 at 10:17 Bali Time:
Doesnt matter which money changer you use,just dont take your eyes off the transaction for one second!
Particulary the local currency at the end of all the counting.
Im talking the currency on the counter in front of you.
The usual trick is to distract you for just a second,then the previously counted notes that you have already checked and ready to put in your pocket or purse will be skimmed leaving you very short if you check your money later.
Earlier trips,I caught them out many times,so just watch out for "distractions" at this critical stage.
The CON bait is to offer a higher rate than the usual bank rate on the chalk board outside their shop to suck you in,thats your first warning thats something is not kosher.
Their friends or shop mates then will distract you in some way AFTER they/you have counted and checked the local currency that the shopkeeper has counted out.
This is when part of your money stack disappears.
I get a big kick out of beating them at their own trick,these bastards,and to do that ,after the original count,before they do the distraction trick,I pocket the counted money immediatly,and leave the shop.
Boy do they panic,and offer all sorts of excuses to re count the money.
Your options are to either mouth the words,F*ck you, Give em the finger,or act dumb and depart innocently but without looking back.
This is such an old money change scam,and I have encountered in many countries in the past.