Word to the wise about Colombia

henry m says on Mar 19, 2007, 21:00:

cheers for the story. hope your brother makes the money for a proper trip sometime.

oh, and if those counterfeit notes are still hanging around...

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coffee beaner says on Mar 19, 2007, 21:08:

That sucks, tell your brother not to take money to Colombia next time... the ATM card, works perfectly and it pays you at the rate the dollar is at that day.

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Célle says on Mar 19, 2007, 23:10:

Thanks for sharing. I'll be going to Medellin this coming August and will keep this in mind.

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thur says on Mar 20, 2007, 02:07:

Ouch, that sucks. But be honest... he met "some guy" at Dunkin' Donuts and then agreed to change 3.000 USD for COP by this man? Doesn't really sound like a sane thing to do, does it? Hopefully he'll be able to re-do the trip.
Greetings,

~ UPDATE ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- pbase.com/thur

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 20, 2007, 02:16:

This just not happen in Bogota, you have to be careful when you exchange your dollars in Cartagena also, I would recommend not to exchange dollars on the street, better go to a bank.

♥

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kalder says on Mar 20, 2007, 03:35:

That was very decent of you passing on that info. Thanks.

BTW: Once I actually received a counterfeit 20,000 peso note FROM an ATM.

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Wastelandlive says on Mar 20, 2007, 04:53:

Your brother is a fool. In Venezuela and Cuba - for example - the exchange rate is controlled. Thus there is a real, though illegal, market for currency exchange at a price other than that set by the government.

But Colombia's government DOESN'T set the price of the peso.

The peso floats.

There is no rational explanation for why a person on the street would be willing to exchange pesos at a better rate than the bank.

It is always - every time - every instance - a scam. It might be sleight of hand as he slips a note off the bottom. It might be counterfit. He might follow you, wait for his moment, and then mug you, taking back the pesos you just bought.

But it is NEVER a transaction to your benefit.

And the only reason these guys are around is that IDIOTS constantly fall for this nonsense. PYHOOYA.

Wasteland

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coffee beaner says on Mar 20, 2007, 07:31:

I personally never had any problems with my ATM and spent almost 4 months in Medellin, also once in awhile I paid with my credit card at restaurants and never had a problem either.

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Rikito says on Mar 20, 2007, 07:33:

It isn't just in Colombia First: Read what Wastelandlive has to say...he is spot on.

Second: You will find counterfeit U.S. dollars in almost every country you go. The Middle East has more than anyone. When I go to Colombia I go to my bank and buy about $250 of Colombian pesos and when I run out I go to the ATM. Life is much different in foreign countries and you need to be careful and adapt to their ways.

But, don't single out Colombia as the only country that has counterfeit money.

...and so it goes

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caslug says on Mar 20, 2007, 10:49:

who in their right mind would.. exchange 3k USD to some stranger???

BUT look at it this way.. tell your brother that.. he's just contributing to plan Colombia.. His 3k will go a long way to make many colombian happy.. starting with the con artist that got the 3k.. then all the hookers and shop owners that will get that money.. so he made lots of colombian happy! so it wasnt for naught!

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Azul says on Mar 20, 2007, 11:11:

I can't blame Colombia for this one.... Anyone who thinks that they can exchange 3k USD for COP in fucking Duncun Donuts shouldn't be traveling anyway. BTW, what was he doing with 3k cash anyway??

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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vicshere says on Mar 20, 2007, 11:16:

come on don the guy has been victimized already don't make him into a criminal to

listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

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Azul says on Mar 20, 2007, 11:19:

"he could sell them if he wanted to." Ya, I'll meet him at Duncan Donuts. Seriously though, if they are good DG is right... I know lots of people who wouldn't mind having them.

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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podborski says on Mar 20, 2007, 12:09:

anyone who has ever travelled anywhere should know that the surest sign that a stranger is a thief is if he starts asking you if you want to exchange some money.

I thought I was smart years ago in Prague as I was a professional currency trader, and there was a legit reason for there being a black market in the currency (the gov´t was trying to keep the official exchange rate above the market rate). And so I asked my gf why I shouldn't use the black market since I could spot fakes and could calculate the rates quickly etc.

She said, ´oh, they won´t bother trying to give you false notes, they will just take you away from the main street and put a gun to your head and take your money.´

I didn´t feel quite so smug after hearing that.

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poco says on Mar 20, 2007, 14:58:

Another racket for sucker gringos Watch out for this scam

There is a common scam aimed at stealing from unwary persons (ie: gringos).

The gang usually comprises three or four members. While the three younger ones, all appearing to be cute and innocent, divert their "clueless mark" with a show of friendliness and fun, the eldest of this gang of criminals sneaks in to rifle undetected through pockets and bags for any valuables being carried.

This photo was taken with security cameras near the airport. A clueless Gringo if I've ever seen one.

Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need.

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Azul says on Mar 20, 2007, 15:01:

Looks like a Canuck to me :-)

las cosas caen por su propio peso

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Colombiano_81 says on Mar 20, 2007, 15:23:

let´s hear from little brother! Maybe I can meet him at Kokoricos and dispose of those counterfits safely...I speak English.

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aztec says on Mar 21, 2007, 06:14:

Isn't this just insane? BTW, what was he doing with 3k cash anyway??
By Azul

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famsearch says on Mar 23, 2007, 19:27:

can you say.... he was throwing out that ol' papaya left, right, and center?
dan

dan

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athensugadawg says on Mar 23, 2007, 20:03:

Thanks for sharing.... I have only used black market one time when the currency collapsed in Guatemala in 1985. There was no money to be had as the quetzal was severely devalued. I had previously met a couple who were kind enough to do the exchange for a small fee, it was well worth it. I wasn't ripped off, and they received some money for their time and effort as well.

A couple of years ago, I was driving from Costa Rica to the Nicaraguan border. Once I arrived, I was mobbed by the local moneychangers. I was tired and just wanted to change 50 bucks and get on my way to Granada. The punk that I dealt with played games with the calculator, and I was taken for a few cordobas. Not expensive (like $3,000 US expensive) but it still pisses you off.

Recently I was approached by a joker in Cartagena offering 2,500 COP to a dollar....I didn't even bother to inquire, it is best just to keep on walking. Your brother learned a very expensive lesson, but in all probability he will never make the same mistake twice. Hopefully he will return to Colombia and use his ATM card. He will get the best exchange rate and more importantly, will not have to carry a wad of cash on his person.

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panthdave says on Mar 23, 2007, 20:11:

Ate Papaya Big Time-Debit Card is the way to go. Feel sorry for that guy or younger brother. I always use my prepaid mastercard everywhere Exito,HomeCenter,Carrefour,Comcel,Restaurants, and Citibank and Davivenda ATM's. Don't carry many bills anymore because many mastercard merchants. Only take out maybe 300,000 at a time now at Citibank mostly now. I even use my debit card at medium to higher nightclubs or bars. No problem so don't need to carry many bills. They hit my card I dispute the charges and have a backup debit card.

Hope he will give Colombia another try..

panthdave Miami

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panthdave says on Mar 23, 2007, 20:15:

Funny Most Colombians I know use the Debit Card too Most of my Colombian Friends all have Ban Colombia Debit Card or the bank they are with and only use the debit card because of getting fake bills back as change...Just thought of that...


panthdave Miami

panthdave Miami

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SiempreHero says on Mar 23, 2007, 21:35:

what a joke Loser

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miamimike says on Mar 24, 2007, 00:13:

Interesting on the Sale of Fishing Gear,,,, I wasn't aware that it was in High demand as I have access to some nice used fishing Gear like Penn, Garcia, Shimano, Ocean City ect. You know what is more in demand-- Salt Water Rigs or Fresh Water Gear or both? I know the other items are hot sellers,,,,

"You can take the Banana Out of the Republic but you Cannot take the Republic Out Of The Banana"

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