Where did I get robbed?

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Renato1 said:
I've never been to Bali. Don't they have ATMs there?
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They do - and have had a great ATM system for at least 15yrs that I have been travelling to Indo - every second person who exchanges cash at money changers in Bali gets skun.

Anybody who does not have a Citi Debit card needs certifying - IMHO of course.
 
Renato1 said:
I've never been to Bali. Don't they have ATMs there?
Regards,
Renato
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Yes, I have a mix of options, some cash, some card. Interestingly, the rate from the cards around this time were Rs 9,800 when withdrawing, less fees. The rate at legitimate money changers were 10,500 for cash, so cash is about 10% better exchange., except for this one exchange issue.

Pushka said:
Was the drawer under the desk open?
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Now that you mention that, perhaps you are right. I do recall that the guy opposite did have the draw open. Now I'm thinking he might have drawn it off the bottom of the first count.
 
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If the "girls" didn't lightly touch you (normally on the arm or upper body on the opposite side from where they are targeting your cash - as it "their" modus operandi when pick pocketing) then they probably weren't involved.
 
The only people who rip me off when overseas are the hotels, the Big 4 Aussie banks and Travelex at the airport.
 
I'd suggest you were scammed by the money changer.

Indonesian Rupiah comes in 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000, and 100,000 denominations. The money counters and the money changers are "skilled" at intermingling the 2,000 / 20,000, 5,000 / 50,000, 10,000 / 100,000 notes. When you change something like $AUD200 this equates to around 1.9M INR. The money counter will pull out a satchel of cash to count out the 1.9M INR. He/She will very quickly count out 19 * 100,000 INR notes. A close inspection will find there are 3-5 10,000 INR notes intermingled within the supposed 19 * 100,000 INR notes. The unsuspecting tourist will see lots of zeroes on each note and think they have the correct money. Typically you will find the counter has an assistant who stands over you when you are sitting down counting the money which adds to the pressure to take your money and get out of there. There is typically a correlation between the money changers that post an exchange rate significantly higher than what xe.com is showing and the 10,000 INR / 100,000 INR scam. If you have to use these money changers a couple of helpful tips that have saved me getting scammed:

- If you have a handheld device use xe.com to give you the exchange rate on the day and also calculate how much local currency you should receive for the transaction
- Ask for the highest denomination note possible (100,000 INR) to reduce the number of notes being used in the transaction. You can always then go to a hotel to get them to break the 100,000 INR note
- Ask for a receipt
- Don't sit down in front of the money changer - always stand so you have a good view of the money being counted out
- Don't touch any of the money until the money changer confirms they have given you all the money
- When you count the money do it slowly and spread it into like denominations on the table
- When you come across the 10,000 / 100,000 INR scam simply take you hands away from the table and get the money changer to replace the 10,000 INR note with the correct 100,000 INR note
- It could take up to 3-4 times to count the money before you get the correct amount
- Once you've uncovered all of the instances of the scam don't be surprised if the money changers assistant tells you the exchange rate has just changed and they need to recalculate the exchange

Most of us have been scammed at some point in time by money changers whether they sit inside a booth at an airport, a back street in Denpasar or the commissions charged by credit card companies like Amex. The trick is to make sure it doesn't happen repeatedly.
 
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ChrisGibbs said:
I'd suggest you were scammed by the money changer.

Indonesian Rupiah comes in 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000, and 100,000 denominations. The money counters and the money changers are "skilled" at intermingling the 2,000 / 20,000, 5,000 / 50,000, 10,000 / 100,000 notes. When you change something like $AUD200 this equates to around 1.9M INR. The money counter will pull out a satchel of cash to count out the 1.9M INR. He/She will very quickly count out 19 * 100,000 INR notes.
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That one makes sense. If confronted, so easily denied by the operator that they simply made a mistake, as opposed to one of them or a massage girl being caught picking a pocket.
 
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Yes, why did he tell his wife he'd just been ripped off before he'd recounted the money? How did he know at that point? Why wait 15 mins to count it, when about to pay for the coffee?
 
My 1st post but hope this helps for next time. We always ask first 'Big Notes?" and only change where no commission is indicated in their signage. It's easier to identify if amounts are missing rather than trying to work out if it's commission they have taken. We always leave the odd amounts as tips and count, count, count before leaving the premises. It's slight of card just like dealing cards. I have even sat on the floor of the shop whilst my husband counted the rupiahs into my hands and once threatened to get the police if they didn't do the right thing (all with a smile of course).
 
As ChrisGibbs says, if they say at the end that the rate has to be re-calculated, just walk away.

The other line is Government tax or commission (even though their board outside says no commission and there is no tax).

I know a couple of the Kuta police and have twice helped them do a sting on these dodgy dealers.

The police often cannot/ will not do anything if you just visit them and say I got ripped off by a back alley dealer.

Your word against the dealer unless you have proof.

They do crack down on them from time to time - when I helped, they targeted those who had had multiple police complaints.

6 of the 8 we visited tried the ripoff. I got a receipt each time, we counted the money again and in they went if it was off (usually out by over 20%).

Bottom line - go to an honest dealer. One of the major booth places like Kodak or this chain:

PT. Dirgahayu Valuta Prima - Authorized Money Changer - Bali Best Rate

The rates are better than hotels, better than from ATMs and you do not ripped off.

Chris
 
DaveinCanberra said:
Yes, why did he tell his wife he'd just been ripped off before he'd recounted the money? How did he know at that point? Why wait 15 mins to count it, when about to pay for the coffee?
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Excellent questions, it was just a vibe that I had. Coffee shop was the definitive count where i got to empty all of my pockets, couldn't do that on the main street.

Thanks fort he ongoing tips on this.
 
I've never wanted to go to Bail (or Thailand for that matter), so just another reason for not going there :)

Mind you, I am fully aware that I can be ripped off anywhere in the world, and especially by hotels, banks, Travelex and their ilk, etc. So I am always wary.

No easy answers to the foreign exchange problem. Because we need at least a bit of it to facilitate our way in foreign countries, we will always be at the mercy of someone, be it a bank, hotel, back street trader, or whoever.

I usually buy some currency from the bank ahead of my trip. Not the best rate, but it is less stress for me. I usually only need enough to cover airport transfers when I get to my destination, and small purchases like lunch, a drink etc when I am out and about. Hotels are usually already paid before I leave home etc, and most of my other expenses, such as they are, go on the card. Because I mostly visit places like the UK, Singapore, and Malaysia regularly, I always have a supply of currency on hand. I also have a Singapore MTR card, a RapidKL card, and an Oyster card, so don't have to worry about fares etc. I will be visiting Bangalore later this year on my way to the UK, but only there for 3 days, so I will just buy some rupees before I go. Staying with a friend, so I won't need much cash.

What is so special about the Citi Debit card? Is it worth getting?
 
albatross710 said:
Excellent questions, it was just a vibe that I had. Coffee shop was the definitive count where i got to empty all of my pockets, couldn't do that on the main street.

Thanks fort he ongoing tips on this.
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If it's any consolation it has happened to me (an old Bali hand) at a small booth beachside in Sanur some years ago, despite me watching him count the money like a hawk. I never looked away, yet back at the hotel I recounted and was well short. I went back with my Balinese wife and a friend and they persuaded him to pay up. Since then I only use "official" money changers - there are plenty, with competitive rates (always use "no commission" places).
 
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