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A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

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Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#111

Post by robocat »

rgmerk wrote: post #100
Ekaros wrote: post #34

I have wondered is there actually anything wrong with mass tourism? Wouldn't properly build for tourism destinations actually be overall better option? As long as they do not become over relied on. At least if we must have tourism and do not ban it altogether... Mass tourism would allow optimization for environment and not to destroy areas that people actually work and live in. See the AirBnB effect for example. And…

Ever visited a proper tourist trap? They’re awful places no sane adult would ever spend time in. They exist for people who don’t want to actually experience anything unfamiliar when they travel.

That is a very condescending take.

Lots of people choose to go to tourist traps for their own reasons. You don't have to like what they like. Like many, I even go back to some "terribly" touristy places because it is what I wish to do.

I also do off-the-beaten-path travel as well. But I usually can't blend in as though I were a local. I also have the freedoms and restrictions usual to tourists.

Examples: I enjoy touristy Queenstown in my own country. I like Bali. Not a fan of Bangkok.

On-topic: Backpacker accommodation and number of hotels signal tourist areas. To avoid tourists, don't stay in convenient accommodation!

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#112

Post by alephnerd »

latchkey wrote: post #103
alphabettsy wrote: post #8

Does the proximity of a Hard Rock Cafe count?

The Hard Rock Cafe in Saigon, before it closed down, was actually kind of fun (where else would you hear a live Rock coverband in Vietnam?) and the food was decent.

> where else would you hear a live Rock coverband in Vietnam

Acoustic Bar and Yoko Cafe in D3

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#113

Post by Ekaros »

rgmerk wrote: post #100
Ekaros wrote: post #34

I have wondered is there actually anything wrong with mass tourism? Wouldn't properly build for tourism destinations actually be overall better option? As long as they do not become over relied on. At least if we must have tourism and do not ban it altogether... Mass tourism would allow optimization for environment and not to destroy areas that people actually work and live in. See the AirBnB effect for example. And…

Ever visited a proper tourist trap? They’re awful places no sane adult would ever spend time in. They exist for people who don’t want to actually experience anything unfamiliar when they travel.

I was on cruise... I think that is beyond tourist trap.

In February I got trip to Canary Islands, because that was rather cheap. Pure tourism, but it is a vacation.

I have been to cities like Florence and London and more. Both tourist traps in essence.

Now that I think I don't think I have really gone to non-tourist trap place. As you know there is no flights or transport to such location which make it hard to visit...

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#114

Post by brnt »

shortcake27 wrote: post #50
Tade0 wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Considering it was the first such place in Poland, it's sort of a tourist trap in and of itself. Or was. Never been there, because 25PLN for a beer was an outrageous sum at the time.

There’s a Hard Rock cafe in Wrocław charging 2x the price of every other restaurant. From memory 70PLN for a burger. And yet it’s always full. I genuinely don’t understand.

Many tourist are really scared of trying something they don't know.

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#115

Post by AussieWog93 »

dkjaudyeqooe wrote: post #99
none_to_remain wrote: post #92

I caught onto to this scam at an airport ATM in Poland 6-7 years ago. The hard sell definitely flagged it to me - it said something about how the ATM could guarantee their conversion rate but if I had my bank handle the exchange the ATM had no idea what I would get, could be much much worse. I googled the nominal exchange rate and decided I would take my chances with the bank, which was the correct decision. What I t…

Paypal has this same scam going, but they charge up 6% plus and you'll still get the 3% FTF from your card company.

I do a lot of PayPal stuff and this isn't true. You only get charged their fee (closer to 2-3% for AUD-CNY and AUD-USD) when converting your balance from one currency to another.

If your card gets charged in a foreign currency, the bank takes a few but PayPal won't.

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#116

Post by pempem »

cat_plus_plus wrote: post #79

A bit elitist? "Ugly mass tourism places" are there because weather is good, location is convenient, one of a kind landmarks, it's easy to get food and supplies for the whole family and so on. Yes, it's going to be expensive and not super authentic. But not everyone can take a month off to live like a local. If I only have one day cruise ship stop in Mallorca and I have to pay 60 euro fee to get cash, it's still pref…

Which part is elitist? The description or suggesting that paying 60euro for cash is acceptable?

Wild.

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#117

Post by advisedwang »

none_to_remain wrote: post #92

I caught onto to this scam at an airport ATM in Poland 6-7 years ago. The hard sell definitely flagged it to me - it said something about how the ATM could guarantee their conversion rate but if I had my bank handle the exchange the ATM had no idea what I would get, could be much much worse. I googled the nominal exchange rate and decided I would take my chances with the bank, which was the correct decision. What I t…

Most banks just let visa/mastercard do the exchange and maybe tac on a % fee. So the bank doesn't list an exchange rate because they don't maintain one. So find out in advance if your bank adds a fee and then check Visa [1] or mastercard [2] when you actually need to work it out.

[1] https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/travel-support/exchang...

[2] https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/convert...

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#118

Post by crazygringo »

hgomersall wrote: post #53
crazygringo wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The world is not /primarily/ designed to rip off tourist. In my experiences with traveling to a great number of countries and cities... yes, it pretty much is. Taking any kind of "easiest path" tourism is basically full of rip-offs in every hotel, restaurant, and tour, no matter where you are. It takes effort to plan a genuinely enjoyable trip full of rich experiences that isn't ripping you off. Also, it doesn't se…

I've travelled extensively in Europe, it being where I live, using all different strategies. I've never been ripped off. I've been to a hostel from someone we met at the train station in Prague. It was fine and good value. Also similar story at lake Balaton. It turns out protectively selling something is not synonymous with being a scam artist.

You've never had a taxi try to charge you €40 for what a local knows is a €12 ride?

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#119

Post by thealistra »

oriettaxx wrote: post #93
oriettaxx wrote: post #91

I guess the scam is related to euronet commissions, isn't? is case what is an typical commission for Euronet ATM?

found some info in https://www.monito.com/en/wiki/euronet-atm-charges-and-fees#... What is Euronet? Euronet Worldwide is an American-headquartered worldwide provider of electronic payment services. It operates the largest independent ATM network in Europe and owns a total of almost 46,000 ATMs around the world. Euronet’s high ATM fees and exchange rates have regularly been criticised, but the company has frequently d…

Most Polish people have free ATM withdrawals from Euronet per their bank account agreement. In Poland it is probably the most popular ATM chain. Where there’s a lot of ATMs there’s a lot of people - not specifically tourists.

This article is weird about assuming that.

Re: A map of ATMs designed to scam tourists in Europe

#120

Post by hgomersall »

crazygringo wrote: post #118
hgomersall wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've travelled extensively in Europe, it being where I live, using all different strategies. I've never been ripped off. I've been to a hostel from someone we met at the train station in Prague. It was fine and good value. Also similar story at lake Balaton. It turns out protectively selling something is not synonymous with being a scam artist.

You've never had a taxi try to charge you €40 for what a local knows is a €12 ride?

I take as few taxis as possible, so no.
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