What's up with this????

[POP Bad Boy]

http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_a....php?aID=44472

[Rocky]

It's not a new scam.
They have been doing it for many years, and it was very popular when I first moved here.
Nowadays, you hardly ever hear of it happening.

[BushBaby]

I totally accept Rocky's comment that this sort of "scam" has been going on for years & I totally accept that anyone renting things (Cars, motorbikes, windsurfing boards etc) should be aware it CAN happen to them & therefor to cover themselves wherever possible by getting things IN WRITING.

However, that said, I see a couple of probable inaccuracies in the newspaper report.
1) The AMBASSADOR lives in Santo Domingo - not up here on the North Coast. It COULD be that they meant the British Consulate staff member - I will check with him after Easter Break.
2) Why should he need THAT sort of protection when there is the Hotel security & (hopefully) support from the tour company he came with? I would be interested in following that through with the Tour Company concerned AND the hotel concerned!!

It is possible that there is a little more to this than a rogue rental company just trying to scam a tourist. From experience, heavy handed scam artists usually back off fairly quickly once "The Authorities" are involved so as not to draw attention to their scam methods for future tourists - maybe they felt justified in their persuance of their claim for some reason??

I will check what I can & report back next week. IF I can determine the company's name & modus operandi I will report same here next week. If the tourist was over zealous in his refusal to pay for HIS damage to the bike, that too will be mentioned! ~ Grahame.

[HOWMAR]

Originally Posted by BushBaby

I totally accept Rocky's comment that this sort of "scam" has been going on for years & I totally accept that anyone renting things (Cars, motorbikes, windsurfing boards etc) should be aware it CAN happen to them & therefor to cover themselves wherever possible by getting things IN WRITING.

However, that said, I see a couple of probable inaccuracies in the newspaper report.
1) The AMBASSADOR lives in Santo Domingo - not up here on the North Coast. It COULD be that they meant the British Consulate staff member - I will check with him after Easter Break.
2) Why should he need THAT sort of protection when there is the Hotel security & (hopefully) support from the tour company he came with? I would be interested in following that through with the Tour Company concerned AND the hotel concerned!!

It is possible that there is a little more to this than a rogue rental company just trying to scam a tourist. From experience, heavy handed scam artists usually back off fairly quickly once "The Authorities" are involved so as not to draw attention to their scam methods for future tourists - maybe they felt justified in their persuance of their claim for some reason??

I will check what I can & report back next week. IF I can determine the company's name & modus operandi I will report same here next week. If the tourist was over zealous in his refusal to pay for HIS damage to the bike, that too will be mentioned! ~ Grahame.

There are usually three sides to the story. One version for each party concerned and the truth somewhere in the middle.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by HOWMAR

There are usually three sides to the story. One version for each party concerned and the truth somewhere in the middle.

That's a fact.
I wondered how he knew for sure that the owners came and stole the vehicle.
He looked like a hefty boy and the type of guy who would run down to stop someone from stealing.
Nevertheless, it has happened does happen and will continue to happen.

[BushBaby]

Seems like 'The Shropshire Star' has it in for The DR!! Did you see this one from lastb year?? http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_a....php?aID=35186. Was this a Dominican Monkey I wonder????? Wasn't quite sure whether to paste this here or in the Sankey Forum though!!! ~ Grahame.

[daydream]

Originally Posted by BushBaby

Was this a Dominican Monkey I wonder????? Wasn't quite sure whether to paste this here or in the Sankey Forum though!!! ~ Grahame.

anyway, where is Paraiso Delfol in Puerto Plata?

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by daydream

anyway, where is Paraiso Delfol in Puerto Plata?

It's actually "Paraiso Del Fool" and it's where old ladies go with their Paki-sankies to play with the monkeys.

[daydream]

Originally Posted by Rocky

It's actually "Paraiso Del Fool" and it's where old ladies go with their Paki-sankies to play with the monkeys.

too funny!

[Chirimoya]

The article is priceless. It's more about the attitude of many of AI patrons (the 'being taken over by local people' comment) than the AIs themselves. It's really little more than a local newpaper's desperation to squeeze the most out of a non-story, as well as a lesson, a la 'eats, shoots and leaves', in how not to punctuate:

...and now I cannot go anywhere near my grandson or my daughters who are pregnant because of the risk.

...which if you read it quickly gives the impression that the monkey was responsible for not just the daughters, but also the grandson, being pregnant.
That's the real sensation the paper missed - under-age, same-sex impregnation across species and continents doesn't happen that often.

Michelle, next time stick to Butlins or those Centerparcs places.