Money Changers - Beware!

[PapaBravo]

I went into an Exchange to change some money in the first Exchange shop on the left hand side, as you go down Girne 'High Street' from the main car park. I gave him £700 and he confirmed the amount. While he was getting the TL, I did the exchange calculation on the calculator on the counter. He then handed me the TL, but the amount did not agree with what I had on the calculator and when I checked the ticket, he had only converted £600. I queried this and was given an apology and the correct amount. Had I not used the calculator, I may well have walked out of the shop with £100 less than I should have. Was this an honest mistake, or an attempted con? I will never know, but when a 'mistake' is made, why is it always to the detriment of the customer!?

Anyway, the moral of the story is, 'Always check the ticket, use the calculator on the counter, and count the money'.

[Hector]

Good to know. I use that shop a lot although I always check the other 2 exchange shops exchange rates along the road but I'll be very wary now.

[Geoff1131]

Mistakes happen and it is not always to the detriment of the customer. I wanted 100 euro the other week as i needed to insure my car to go to Larnaca. The rate was shown as 2.88 lira to the euro so i gave the lady 300tl. she gave me the 100euro and about 80tl in change, i pointed out her mistake and she corrected it. This was in the shop opposite Lamar in town so as long as you are honest there is no harm done. I would always urge anyone changing cash to do the calculation so that mistakes are kept to a minimum.

[Peggy]

I too was given an incorrect amount the last time I used that exchange. It was a young man that served me and he short changed me by 100 lira. I checked it in front of him and when I told him he gave me the 100 lira without a word !

[AndyT]

I only have ever used Sun exchange (car rental) which is round by the Dome Hotel. As a family we've used them for 25years or so.

[sophie]

I totally agree with both of the above, (a) ALWAYS calculate in advance what you expect to receive (don't take anything at face value) (b) try if possible to go the same exchange (s) and then you become known to them. Mistakes do happen, but not such much if they know you well.

[paddywack]

Always use the exchange next to what used to be Cafe Britain, he works it out on his large calculator, shows you to see if you agree.

[Owl Lady]

Nearly always use Monex in Karakum opposite Lemar, never had a problem with any of the staff.

[Steve C]

Always be vigilant when exchanging money. calculate what you are to receive in exchange before you hand
your money over and physically count it before you move from the counter. I have been in an exchange bureau that try and confuse you when counting as they put it on the counter. They would be counting it out and come across a torn note and remove it with apology. However they don't deduct it from the count so you think how good they are but you are one note short. This bureau is not in existence now but this is just to highlight a trick to watch for.
I always use the money exchange in Karacum with confidence.

[bargainboozeandwines]

If any one has got sterling they wish to exchange for TL we will always match any of the exchanges,we sell in TL but buy in Dollar and Euro,getting sterling helps us keep our prices as low as possible.So if your passing alsancak and find you want to get rid of some stg you know where i am!

[Butterflyaway]

Anyone seen this con?

On a big old fashioned calculator, take the front off and swap two rows of the digits around. Instead of 1, 2, 3 going across from the bottom, left to right, then 4, 5 and 6, then 7, 8 and 9 at the top, just put the 1, 2 and 3 at the top, leave 4, 5 and 6 in the middle and put 7, 8 and 9 at the bottom. leave 0 where it is.

When you press the keys you will get a different result.

So, type in 500 TL (this stays the same) divided by 3.65 (actually even though you type in 3.65 you will be getting 9.65). So you will exchange 500 TL for £51.81. If the exchange guy says, "I will make it up to £52, you may walk away pretty happy!

He may even give you the calculator to do the maths yourself. Try it. Did you look at the keys or the screen?

This was on TV a few years ago.

Most phones have 1, 2, 3 at the top and calculators have 7, 8, 9 at the top! Good quiz question!

[paddywack]

Anyone seen this con?

On a big old fashioned calculator, take the front off and swap two rows of the digits around. Instead of 1, 2, 3 going across from the bottom, left to right, then 4, 5 and 6, then 7, 8 and 9 at the top, just put the 1, 2 and 3 at the top, leave 4, 5 and 6 in the middle and put 7, 8 and 9 at the bottom. leave 0 where it is.

When you press the keys you will get a different result.

So, type in 500 TL (this stays the same) divided by 3.65 (actually even though you type in 3.65 you will be getting 9.65). So you will exchange 500 TL for £51.81. If the exchange guy says, "I will make it up to £52, you may walk away pretty happy!

He may even give you the calculator to do the maths yourself. Try it. Did you look at the keys or the screen?

This was on TV a few years ago.

Most phones have 1, 2, 3 at the top and calculators have 7, 8, 9 at the top! Good quiz question!

And how do you switch the numbers on a digital calculator.
And

[Butterflyaway]

This example was shown on a digital calculator.

They even had very good stickers so they could change the values.

Most TR keyboards have stickers on top of some of the keys, but this is to make them work when you change the keyboard layout from TR to EN.

[Hector]

Thanks for that info. I'll look out for the dodgy calculator from now on. You learn something new everyday.

[Geoff1131]

Re post 11. If there is anyone walking around with 500tl to exchange into £'s and they do not understand that they have at least £130 or thereabouts to receive, then they should not be walking around with 500tl in the first place. It is not rocket science to do a quick calculation yourself before any money is exchanged, i would expect all responsible people to have an idea of how much they will get on exchanging funds, otherwise get someone who is sensible to do it for you.

[ElectricianPete]

Be aware in bars as well.
As many times over the years I've been overcharged by 2 lira when it comes to pay the bill.

[Butterflyaway]

Re: Post 15.

Of course the example I gave was outrageous. As most Brits as well as locals know every exchange rate of every currency, as well as the cheapest Efes, my point was not to be a true example.

However, in a different country with a different currency some people may be a little vulnerable.

Is there any people here who have never been ripped off by anyone?

If not, you probably have been done by someone so good, you still have not worked it out

Another good rip off is this.

You go into a shop in Botswana and buy something and hand over a 100 Botswana Pula note. You get your change, take your goods, then leave the shop. A few seconds later the store owner comes storming out shouting that you have just handed over a fake 100 note. He is waving the note around showing anyone around what you have just done. Feeling very embarrassed, as you are not a local and you just got this foreign currency, you apologise and give a replacement note, hoping the store owner gives you back your fake and does not call the Police.

Have you guessed the "con?"

The store owner has previously bought a load of fake 100 notes for 10 each. He makes 900% profit on every note! as well as selling some tat!