⌛ Rip-off Capital???

I just read an article by Alex Pal on the Visayan Daily Star Friday, Feb. 15 edition. It said some things about what could be pulling Dumaguete down, such as, it being the rip-off capital? of the country...By rip-off, he obviously meant people here taking advantage of not just tourists but even residents of Dumaguete! I agree with him 100 and 1 percent that YES! something has to be done about it. Not just pedicab drivers overcharging passengers, even stores and service-oriented individuals/groups do tend to charge more. In fact, there is also the "Kano price" and "Pinoy price", like what one of my American friends complained to me about. MAKAULAW KAAYO! If we are to attract tourists here, let's all endeavor to complain about even the least bit of what we think is a rip-off to the proper authorities, even if only to correct such abuse. I bet there are plenty of people out there having complaints about this and that, but sad to say, only a few get the time out to really voice out their hard feelings. I also came across the sister of a politician here, who said that she was denied by a pharmacy in Dumaguete the 20 percent discount afforded for senior citizens! She had in her hand her senior citizens ID and other requirements to avail of such privilege. Yet, she did not enjoy what was promised to her and thousands/millions of other senior citizens in the country. Same old, same old...She did not bother to complain to the authorities, she went straight to a radio station and had her friend-anchor lambast the pharmacy. Why don't we just all go and flood the proper authorities with complaints, big or small? SO THAT WE WON'T BE THE RIP-OFF CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES.................

 

First, I would not single out Dumaguete, since there are many places that favor locals over tourists in the Philippines.

What I think we have here are some greedy merchants and service providers, as well as a legislated discrimination by Negros Oriental against foreign tourists. Not all, by any means, but it exists. I am of the theory that there is an unofficial Dual economy here, not across the board, but sporadic in nature.

One price for locals, and one price for "foreigners"

 

What gets me is the fact that resorts in Negros are putting their prices in dollars. What about the non-dollar earners? Hah, pinoy subservience perhaps?

 

Here's an advice to all...When you go grocery shopping, check the items when you reach home and refer to the taped receipt because in some instances, and it has happened to me, an item or items can be entered twice in the computer. Whether it is a swipe, manual punching, or even the "gun", it doesn't matter, it happens. A friend in Bayawan discovered that she was charged twice for an item that cost less than her bus fare to Dumaguete and back! So, of course she never bothered to file a complaint. Then again, if all people are like her and we just let it slide, these stores will not bother to correct their mistakes! Suckers!!!

 

This price difference is not just in Dumaguete. In Hawaii and Guam there are local prices and tourist prices. Call any hotel in Hawaii or Guam and you will discover this truth. So, maybe some of the store owners think that the foreigners are just tourists. Maybe I am too optimistic!

I don't understand the resorts putting their prices in dollars. Did anyone ask why this is happening? Has it always been this way? Maybe it is easier for tourists to calculate how much money they will need. Don't know the answer to this.

 

no exception to the rest of the world

I agree with all those who have replied that this discrimination of foreigners (I mean pricing differences) is not a 'monopoly' of Negros Oriental.
That happens at most of the places in this country and even in many more countries (Yes, even in my beloved Europe !).

In nearly all resorts I have been in my live for diving (so....again not only here in Negros) I had to pay in dollars at the end of my stay there.
However....in some I could make an arrangement to pay in pesos (or other local valuta) when I simply told them not to have dollars with me :D
But I don't mind to pay in dollars now ! Let them keep on going :D
(No, my pension is not payed in dollars, luckily)

 

Dumaguete a rip off???

Guys, what is the big deal here? Prices in all restaurants and most shops in Dumaguete are printed and fixed. Tricycle drivers trying to negotiate a good price, when they see a white face?

Please tell me, where in the Philippines this is NOT happening. Have you tried to take a tricycle from Moal-Boal to Panagsama beach, a 3 km ride? Or on Boracay? And do you have any idea, how expensive it is to ride a tuk-tuk (thai equivalent to tricycle) on Phuket compared to less turisted areas of Thailand?

Labeling Dumaguete as "the rip-off capital" is totally off the mark in my opinion.

Lars

 

that article was just trying to make news, i guess. hahaha!

 

Copper Wire Thieves

Sure, rip-offs happen everywhere, sometimes even in one's own home. The point here is that there are proper authorities to correct such abuses. Unless we all just let ourselves be victims and don't do anything about it. Just today, Cruztelco reported that six households in Bajumpandan lost their telephone connections. The telephone company later said thieves had snipped off a good portion of the cables!!! SAME OLD, SAME OLD!! Well, not a surprise. In fact, Cruztelco has already given up on reporting such matter to the police, as usual, nothing has happened in solving such crimes. Junkshops have been warned of the anti-fencing law and not to buy copper wires from, especially (READ!!!) minors! Junkshop owners continue to ignore the warning, even though one shop was already padlocked by the police for violating such law. SO, WHAT DO WE DO??? Until such time that we are victimized, we tend to stay in the background. Only when it happens to us is when we take action. WE HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE! SULONG, DUMAGUETE!

 

Beware buying the Butterball Turkeys in Super Lee, they are shipped in a normal container from Manila, 3 day travel time. They arrive thawed. They are placed in the cooler and are refrozen.

I asked the owner regarding the thawed turkeys and he told me would we pay the extra price to have the items shipped in a cold container.