Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Went into Lemar today purchased some goods the total was 26.14 tl gave the cashier 30 tl when I got my change she had rounded it off to 26. 25 tl why is it they always take more to suit them never the other way round .
Believe me it’s not the pennies that worry me but it’s the principle ,this does not happened in the Uk or in the South you are always given the correct change I wonder how much all these odd Kurus add up to at the end of the year ?

I went to the Belediyesi today to pay our emlak vergi and buy 30 tonnes of water, because 'er indoors wanted a bath. Lovely Ahmet said "It's 401 TL but 400 is OK", it's just the way it is here. If you had paid them 25 kurus short, I'm sure they wouldn't have worried.

Italcyp: No other problems?
Apart from that, often they also do it the other way round, see frontalman's remarks.

Most other shops I use do but not my local Lemar it has appended loads of times to me it seems like company policy at this branch .

It looked for a short while as though the UK might have been heading that way.....

I would count yourself lucky if that is all you have to worry about!

As mentioned above, it works both ways, all the time. This morning I bought a coffee in the canteen of the Kyrenia University Hospital - price 3.50. Handed over 3.25 and was looking for the other 0.25. " No problem, that's fine" It's just the way it is.

italcyp wrote:Went into Lemar today purchased some goods the total was 26.14 tl gave the cashier 30 tl when I got my change she had rounded it off to 26. 25 tl why is it they always take more to suit them never the other way round .
Believe me it’s not the pennies that worry me but it’s the principle ,this does not happened in the Uk or in the South you are always given the correct change I wonder how much all these odd Kurus add up to at the end of the year ?

If their policy is so against your view, vote with your feet and use another supermarket. It's not as though Lemar is the only provider here.

sophie wrote:As mentioned above, it works both ways, all the time. This morning I bought a coffee in the canteen of the Kyrenia University Hospital - price 3.50. Handed over 3.25 and was looking for the other 0.25. " No problem, that's fine" It's just the way it is.

Happened to me in Cirali bakery got 2 coffee 6tl I had a five tl in my hand going into my purse for one tl the lady took the five and said that's okay.

Yep, swings and roundabouts, I really don't have a problem, it all evens itself out.....

One final word from me on the subject. Last week I went in to the Fish Shop, bought what I wanted and prepared to pay. I HAD LEFT MY PURSE AT HOME. I'm not too regular a customer but he said "Never mind, pay when you are passing " Assured him I would and went to the car. Suddenly there was a tap at window "Don't worry, they're a present because the sun is shining" Can't see that happening in many countries can you?

Whenever we visit a new village we always make a point of visiting the coffee shop. I give it my best Turkish, which isn't very good. I don't think we've ever paid for the coffee, it's always "Don't worry, so-and-so has paid".

I have visited many countries and not encountered this way of giving or not of change. Most euro countries would not tolerate it.
Please bear in mind that if the cashier lets you off with paying less then someone has been overcharged.
Finally I assume those underpaying are quite happy to pay extra on occasion?

cambridge wrote:I have visited many countries and not encountered this way of giving or not of change. Most euro countries would not tolerate it.
Please bear in mind that if the cashier lets you off with paying less then someone has been overcharged.
Finally I assume those underpaying are quite happy to pay extra on occasion?

TRNC is not in 'Europe' as far as shopping legislation is concerned. I have worked/lived in most of the continents, less the far north and south. What is acceptable in one is foreign in another and even countries within the continents. Either have the change to pay the bill, demand the full change owed, shop elsewhere or accept this is Cyprus. Bleating on this forum will change nowt!

Tomsteel, I was not bleating and resent the inference when I was simply stating my own experience around the World.

cambridge wrote:Tomsteel, I was not bleating and resent the inference when I was simply stating my own experience around the World.

Your resentment is a personal perception. I merely quoted my worldwide experience. If that upset you, so be it. However, it was not my intention to 'ruffle your feathers'.

It's strange how we all view things differently! The fact that they don't bother about the odd kurus here is one of the quirky things I love. Also, when comparing to the UK, ROC or similar you have to consider the value of kurus is significantly less than a cent or penny?

When in Rome springs to mind, accepting the 'bad' as well as the good things here will lead to a much happier and contented life, especially when it's something we can't influence.

I always found it "quaint" when we were given some sweets or a box of matches in lieu of change. Maybe the shops should return to that system?

Kanonier wrote:I always found it "quaint" when we were given some sweets or a box of matches in lieu of change. Maybe the shops should return to that system?

I believe that was when there weren't enough small coins in circulation. That certainly isn't the case now.

frontalman wrote:

Kanonier wrote:I always found it "quaint" when we were given some sweets or a box of matches in lieu of change. Maybe the shops should return to that system?

I believe that was when there weren't enough small coins in circulation. That certainly isn't the case now.

I always put them in one of the charity collection boxes anyway I don't want a purse full of small coins.

I can see the point of not receiving the right amount of change if it is obvious that the Till drawer is light on the ‘small’ change you should receive. When the Till drawer is full of change, well that’s another matter and I always insist on the correct change.
Lemar has had form for short changing folks for many years ( as if it was company policy ) and for that reason i very rarely give them my custom.

Lemar has had form for short changing folks for many years ( as if it was company policy ) and for that reason i very rarely give them my custom.[/quote]

A very sensible point of view and good shopping sense.

Pay by card! exact amount everytime

Its great when the machine has to be found and a long queue behind you

Most supermarkets do it....I have been "short-changed" in Supreme, Tempo and Erdener but equally they often say forgot the 10kurus or whatever so it does even out and if you are really bothered, insist on the right change.

You could make a point of carrying a lot of shrapnel with you and make sure you give them the exact amount of change, if you are that bothered. I must admit I always talk Turkish to the cashiers and may be treated differently as a consequence.

frontalman wrote:You could make a point of carrying a lot of shrapnel with you and make sure you give them the exact amount of change, if you are that bothered. I must admit I always talk Turkish to the cashiers and may be treated differently as a consequence.

The plain fact not mentioned in this thread is that unless your bill totals either exactly 0 or 5 kurus you will always have a 1-4 kurus difference either way as 5 kurus is the lowest value coin since the 1 coin was made defunct.

I have always wondered how the balance their tills when cashing up at the end of the working day

Sukicat wrote:

frontalman wrote:You could make a point of carrying a lot of shrapnel with you and make sure you give them the exact amount of change, if you are that bothered. I must admit I always talk Turkish to the cashiers and may be treated differently as a consequence.

The plain fact not mentioned in this thread is that unless your bill totals either exactly 0 or 5 kurus you will always have a 1-4 kurus difference either way as 5 kurus is the lowest value coin since the 1 coin was made defunct.

Surely you're not worried about a couple of kurus.

I've always loved the give and take over change in the shops here. It used to be a box of matches or sweetie but the shops do have more to worry about now. I took half a carrier bag full of the tiny coins to the supermarket today and received back 15tl to put into the charity boxes next to the till. Love It!!