In Reply to: Becareful of the posted by goldcoastgal on Monday, 13. September 2010 at 05:55 Bali Time:
Do not let your guard down in the so called 'kodak shops' either when changing money.The beckoning to travellers passing by of 'kodak shop/kodak shop money changer' emanating from some of these stores tended to indicate to me that they were 'cashing in'(excuse the pun) on the good name that kodak shops have built up over the years.One in Padma Utara, on the right heading North and before Adika Sari,would use this 'ploy' to attract proposed money changing customers.I entered this store with a friend who had cashed up there the day prior, and there was only 1 style of camera to be seen in the dislay cabinet.No other photographic supplies were evident either.Although the days of print film have gone, I would have expected more 'photographic' materials/products to be found. The Kodak signs were posted but many experienced Bali goers would be aware of the no copyright laws and the ease of which stores could acquire these signs.What should be observed here is 'when is a Kodak Shop not a Kodak shop??' For me, after 31 years of going to Bali:
1. I never change money after drinking.
2. I only (try to) cash in dominations of AUS$100
If there are a few of you only one change at a time, then the next,then the next-do not let them join all your monies for exchange.
3. Never indulge in chitchat when conducting/counting an exchange.
4. Avoid any other chatting with any other customers/Indos in these stores.One 'customer' tried to distract me by using this technique prior to my return home to Oz.
5. Of course-count again.
RP 100,000 are a very similar colour to Rp10,000 although these 10,000's are being phased out to another colour.If a changer slips in a Rp10,000 for a Rp100,000 you've been done-you've just lost $7.50.On the Rp100,000 are two heads, on the Rp10,000 is one head.Count the heads to confirm they are 100,000's, not the '00000's (even I can see double, even after no bintangs).
Avoid 'inflated' exchange rates-check the rate sign out the front-ensure it says 'no commission'.Inflated figures will not list this.
Dont change in the back of a shop-you need clear lighting.The shops that sell clothes/any/everything and do a bit of cash trading on the side-AVOID