Re: Yo no tengo cambio/I don't have change

PJT, I usually tell the waiter ahead of time that all I have is 1000, and to find some change whilr I eat.

Where did you get 1000-peso bills? I've been in the DR for a month already and never saw one. I get my cash through ATMs and always get 500-peso bills, even when withdrawing thousands. Never 1000s. Not that I want 1000-peso bills, I just mean that if you want smaller bills, you could start by getting your cash through ATMs.

By the way, I haven't had any problems with change in restaurants.

If you walk into a cambio with US$500 or more to change, you will likely get at least a few 1000 peso notes.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

Is that better than using ATHs? A lower fee, perhaps? Of course not everyone has a bank account, but I was assuming the person who posted the message was a tourist who probably has a bank account and its corresponding card...

There has been much discussion on the use of ATM's in the past (see old messages). The biggest problem with visitors using their card is that if the machine keeps the card, as has happened to me, then you have a problem. Yes, the exchange rate at a local cambio will more than likely beat the official rate used by the ATM card issuer.

Jim Hinsch JimHinsch@CSI.COM

Does anyone know of locations in the DR that use the updated ATM's? (One that uses your magenetic strip in a "swipe" v actually taking the card inside the machine?

Tom

Most are missing the point on this old Dominican "con" game. The most classic example is the taxi, when the driver is presented a 50 peso note for a 40 peso ride, states with profound apology, "no tengo cambio" to garner a tip. Or any number of shops and vendors who do not have small change when asked. I could understand if you present even 100 pesos note sometimes, they might not have change, but a business or vendor that can not return 5 or 10 pesos in change should not be in business. They never seem to pull this scam with other Dominicans, they would not stand for it. However, I have been to large establishments, such as Hache, and the bill would be 400 pesos and I would present 1000 peso note and they would tell me, no tengo cambio and hand ME the bill to get change. I would say you just lost a sale and walk out. It is not up to the customer to provide change! Dominicans, I am sorry to say, have no concept of customer satisfaction or merchandising in the business world.Thanks for reading my two cents worth.

You are right Spanky its the old Dominican "con".Any restaurant like the one that PJT described was just trying to see is this gringo would get so exasperated and in a hurry that he would leave RD700 pesos behind for a tip. First of all RD1000.00 pesos is only about $62 dollars. People here selling hot dogs out in the street start with more change then that at the start of the businees day, they were just trying to hook him by acting like the guy on the road side selling mangos and coconuts with coins for change, Dominicans can dummy up just like the dumb chinamen act here in a chinise restaurant, when you are complaining about something.