Are we seen as just cash cows?

[MnM]

Is it just myself and my wife that may have made bad choices, or has anyone else when purchasing their property in TRNC, gradually realised that some people, ie the professionals used in their purchase, (and i realise it is probably only some), are more concerned about getting money out of you than being as helpful towards the end?

Everyone was so helpful in the beginning, however their customer service gradually started going downhill once money had started changing hands and had it not been for our TC friends and also now being under 2 weeks away from completion, we would probably have told all concerned to forget it long ago.

It just seems to me that with some people "it's all about the money, money, money" and at times we feel like we're nothing more than a pair of cash cows.

For a country that relies heavily on tourism and foreign investment, in my opinion it isn't a good argument for investing in TRNC.

[sophie]

It's truly saddens me that you have discovered this before you even arrive here. I can clearly remember the excitement (15 years ago) landing at Ercan with NO return ticket. Like you everyone was so helpful (we didn't have an Estate Agent but bought privately), invited to dinner in the best restaurants, perfume and flowers on my birthday and the day we moved in. Invitations to meet the extended family etc. but each time there was a quiet word in our ear for a further 500 GBP to pay the plumber or what ever. Even the people who moved us in, conned us by insisting we empty all 24 boxes before they left, otherwise we had to pay for the boxes. They even said we had to supply a proper packed lunch for all 10 of them. No wonder we heard them laughing out loud when they left. There are people on the forum who had no or little problem, whether that was good luck or what I don't know, but we were certainly well and truly "done". Good luck.

[jimm]

a quick answer is YES

[tomsteel]

a quick answer is YES

Absolutely confirmed. We, fortunately, had an honest TC neighbour who protected us from scams, told us the reasonable costs and soon and vehemently told the 'professionally qualified' robbers to "s-d off elsewhere."

[Sallywebstersnipples]

In any financial transaction the other person is not your friend! There are no more piss takers here than anywhere else.
Local people in every day life have always been friendly towards us and must be separated from business people.

[waddo]

It is a difficult question to answer, a bit like the UK referendum question really - some will say yes and some will say no but none will agree! Firstly it is a different culture here as you will know by now, that in itself is hard to come to terms with and you either will understand it or you will ignore it and forever blame things on the locals and think you are just here to be robbed. In the past 12 years of living here on a permanent basis I can honestly say that I have been treated as a cash cow once and once only. On the other hand I have been well treated and come to learn who can be trusted as well. I give everyone one chance and one chance only, treat me unfairly and they will never see me again - there are many, many traders here who are honest and trustworthy and if you take the time to find them instead of just accepting the first offer on anything, you will learn who they are and who to trust. I have found it is the same in many other countries, including the UK, so just be a bit careful till you learn the ropes. In general the local people are helpful, trustworthy and yes even generous here. Transient workers may not fall under that statement all the time - but still some do. Don't start off your life here with a down on everyone, treat it as a learning curve and enjoy the life. Good luck.

[sophie]

waddo, I suppose the gist of my reply was aimed at the "professional" people, plus builder, land owner and YES the b====y movers (I'll never forget them) Shop keeper, taxi driver, dentist, VET and restaurant have tried in on, but only once. 15 years ago it was a different world though. With two weeks of landing I ordered a whole load of sheets and pillow cases to be made. When I went to collect them, she told me the price, I mistakenly paid in sterling and the shop didn't put me right. Never set foot in the place again. Same nearly happened when buying a rug. When I realised what the woman was up to I told her I wanted to buy a rug, not the flaming shop. Wouldn't happen now, as soon as a shop opens the windows are plastered with Indirim signs. Just keep your wits about you and all should be fine.

[Ragged Robin]

On the whole I agree with Waddo greed happens everywhere, but it is worth accepting that here there is sometimes a slight slant to business ethics : stealing is a definite no no (I have had shopkeepers run after me to the carpark to return a few kurus mistake in change) but what we might regard as cheating in a business transaction is thought of as clever and may the cleverest man win! I regret though that over the 20 plus years I have been here the "cash cow " mentality has increased - I suspect it is because since 2004 the expatriates have had more disposable cash and significantly have displayed it.

However I would say that personally I have experienced extreme generosity from Cypriots and my most serious financial losses have been because of British Agents (in the caseof the house in England)

[EnjoyingTheSun]

There does seem a tendency from some to only deal with English tradesman as if that is the benchmark of honesty or efficiency. There are crooks and cowboys everywhere and if you are a sheep you will eventually get sheared.

[JoandJelly]

I suspect it is because since 2004 the expatriates have had more disposable cash and significantly have displayed it.

So you don't think that since 2004 the Cypriots have had more disposable cash and significantly have displayed it then??

[Dalartokat]

I suspect it is because since 2004 the expatriates have had more disposable cash and significantly have displayed it.

So you don't think that since 2004 the Cypriots have had more disposable cash and significantly have displayed it then??

Only those that have made their money on the backs of expats and other nationalities and London Cypriots selling up in UK, many also back in 2004.

[Medjoul1]

Yes we are and just in case there was any doubt, consider the words of Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, CT September 7th, page 5 (Estate Agents in law change bid).

[gates]

never a truer word spoken i would not trust anyone out here special with money accounts robed me 40k so has all but one i have met and the company that sold me & built my house in Yeni Erencoy Tanyel Estates . Be very weary

[Ragged Robin]

I suspect it is because since 2004 the expatriates have had more disposable cash and significantly have displayed it.

So you don't think that since 2004 the Cypriots have had more disposable cash and significantly have displayed it then??

c


Only those that have made their money on the backs of expats and other nationalities and London Cypriots selling up in UK, many also back in 2004.

Exactly .and the whole thing has snowballed The Cypriot's reaction to the advent of people with money to spend on luxuries is understandable, but whether the explosion of high profile (as well as high rise) building and consumerism that the additional income gave rise to is in on balance a good or bad thing is a matter of opinion. My guess is that future generations will mourn the loss of ethics and traditional
attitudes to hospitality just as they will the other outcome - what we oldsters used to boast of as "the last unspoiled coastline in the Med".R

[Art]

Yes we are treated as cash cows but mainly by expats not local people.

[Confused]

The poor residents/owners of properties in Safakoy near Bogaz are certainly treated as cash cows. Huge site fees for a few dirty pools and overgrown gardens.........Complain....get water cut off.

[MnM]

Yes we are treated as cash cows but mainly by expats not local people.

I've not done any business so far with ex-pats, only locals. "Oh you're British, hang on, let me swap the tl for a £"

And to iterate, i realise it's only some people, but as others have said, you'll get that everywhere.

[Cardiffblue]

I’ve found expats in business on the Island, and Cypriots returning from living in London to be the ones to beware of, most of the locals I’ve found friendly , helpful and honest.

[Mr Chinnery]

Forget nationality, culture, occupations, smiling faces and promises. Do not trust anyone, treat every word and transaction as suspicious. If you think like that you will not go far wrong whether in TRNC or elsewhere.

[gates]

Cardiffblue how would you know you only just got here like most people been here 2mins know the whole lay out . That cost me another load of money know all you can do this do that when i first came over

[Hector]

Do I think that expats are seen as ‘cash cows’ here? Oh, yes, I certainly feel that way. Had too many experiences. I’ve also had many experiences of honesty, kindness and help. We have over the past few years only contributed to the local economy by spending a lot if money here.
The issue for us at present is whether we should continue visiting NC (being swallows who visit our villa 5 months in total a year) and continue being ‘cash cows’ I.e. the change in the over 60 no visa regs. Do we really want to spend time going through the unpleasant procedures and expense to get this new visa? Do we qualify to get it anyway (sufficient money in a NC bank)? Apply online? Forgive me if I’m just a little sceptical.

Take the car MOT. Drive to a garage to get emissions done. Then into Girne and try and park, to pay the fee. Then having accomplished that go to the police station MOT station for what exactly? Look under the bonnet?
What does this accomplish for road safety or the government?
Sorry, just had to get off my chest.

[EnjoyingTheSun]

Forget nationality, culture, occupations, smiling faces and promises. Do not trust anyone, treat every word and transaction as suspicious. If you think like that you will not go far wrong whether in TRNC or elsewhere.

Exactly, caveat emptor.
I've heard of people leaving their common sense on the plane when dealing with an estate agent, "because he was English." Because estate agents in English are renowned for their integrity.
People charge what they think they can get away with.
Your tradesman is happy with 300 lire but because he knows that we might pay at least 150 sterling for the same job in England he might double the price. So be informed and shop around. If he knows good English he probably knows enough to give him the advantage in the negotiation.

If I was having a big job done and the best and most reasonable only spoke Turkish then I would get someone with fluent Turkish who I trusted in as a translator and pay him 300 TL a day just to translate and factor that in rather than limit myself to just English speaking tradesman.

I've met hundreds of con men, I've yet to meet one that wasn't charming, eloquent and plausible. It's kind of part of the job

[Ozankoy Best Butcher]

If anyone would like assistance with translating/being understood, I can thoroughly recommend Kai Fletcher, I`ll copy and post his Facebook posting below and am happy to pass contact details on off-board to him for anyone (haven`t asked his permission to post his phone number)

"Translation service for Expats and locals – are you sometimes struggling to communicate the correct message across? Need help when you are going out to buy things? Need help when dealing with officials and authorities here? I am a 17 year old A-Level student, fluent in English and Turkish and would like to help you if you need it! I am also a pretty good negotiator! If you think you need help then please message me and I will willingly see what I can do to help. There is no fixed cost for the service, it really is “pay me what it was worth to you”. I also have experience in teaching children Turkish. Not a professional, but a very willing person. Ozankoy based but can travel."

Karen

[Ozankoy Best Butcher]

And back on topic I don`t think we`re necessarily seen as cash cows but I do think its easy to be taken advantage of in a country where the culture is so generous and welcoming, I`ve found myself smiling back and nodding and agreeing to things that in a "colder" environment I`d have said "ok, well I`ve got a few people coming to give me quotes so I`ll come back to you". Yusuf generally reigns me in

Karen