Travel Announcements Only (No questions or comments please)

[Virage]

Serious problems with fake notes in China. I have been given so many fake notes in the past few years. Some fake notes are easy to pick out, but there are a lot that are difficult. I was shown that the easiest way is to feel the texture of the notes. I don't know if anyone else can give some suggestions on how to tell fake notes from the real ones?

After a few bad experiences here in China I now insist that Chinese banks run any USD I am withdrawing through their machines before I take them, you will be suprised to see how many notes are not accepted (Especially in BOC).

[Savannah]

I agree with Sid. Always try to keep small notes to give to taxis. In GZ now, there are a lot of fake 10 and 20 notes.

[SidTheSexist]

I am not an expert but will give some help/advice.

You need to look at only the 100 RMB notes. I see some people look at 50 RMB notes, but my opinion is only 100 RMB notes is worth the time to look at. No one looks at small notes (20, 10, etc), because fake money people don't waste time printing small notes.Dar

No flame intended but this is poor advice regarding counterfeit bills. In two years, I have never been given a fake 100 however I have lost count of the amount of fake 20's & 50's those bastard taxi drivers circulate. I take this subject seriously because it pisses me off so much. I was going to write a long post but i cant be arsed. Monday morning and very busy Beijing taxi drivers [CodeWord140] me off!!!!! Always check all notes from taxi drivers.
Sid

[Kunshan]

After a few bad experiences here in China I now insist that Chinese banks run any USD I am withdrawing through their machines before I take them, you will be suprised to see how many notes are not accepted (Especially in BOC).

[Gatsby67]

With all of this help and advice, I still find that 20% of the time when I am using my 100 RMBs, that someone will refuse my 100 RMB and say it is fake. So, I give them a different 100 RMB note and they accept it.

I do not worry about now having a fake 100 RMB, because if someone refuse/reject my 100 RMB, I just use that 'fake' 100 RMB for the next thing I buy -- and it is usually examined and accepted by the next person!!

I think there are a lot of a people in China who refuse to accept real money, because I always (100%) get my 100 RMBs from official "Bank Of China", and they verifiy all notes are real. So why then 20% of the time people reject/refuse my 100 RMB note? I do not know, but I think because they just enjoy to tease the foreigner, like a game. *smile*

Dar

Actually this activity can be part of a common scam to switch your legal tender currency for counterfeit money. You offer a RMB 100 note, they examine it (it is OK) but they don't accept it, and through a sleight of hand return you a counterfeit one. The next one you offer is accepted and your transaction is complete, but you now hold a counterfeit note in your wallet.

[LittleGoomba]

I'll be in Chengdu for a few weeks visiting my Chengdu sweetie. I'm generally committed to her but am free to go for drinks, take sidetrips, or be a wingman. PM if you're around.

[OldAsiaHand]

I may be there 22-23 June. Drop me a PM and let me know how to make contact.

OAH

Someone must be in SZ 21-26 June. I am not a complete twat, actually most think I am good fun, any takers?

[Tiger 888]

One of the safest ways to determine if a note is real, is to cut out a small piece of the silver thread with the fingernail. It is very unlikely that a fake note has a real thread in it. The Chinese money paper runs ugly so fast, that the feel is not a safe way unless the note is fairly new.

[Dar425]

for those that know these things, why not give a brief rundown on what to look for in the fake notes, whilst regular visitors to china will probably know, newbies are unlikely to, and hints on what to look for can save someone a lot of money.

i am not an expert but will give some help/advice.

you need to look at only the 100 rmb notes. i see some people look at 50 rmb notes, but my opinion is only 100 rmb notes is worth the time to look at. no one looks at small notes (20, 10, etc), because fake money people don't waste time printing small notes.

on 100 rmb note, look for:
1) watermark. it's a photo of the chairman, watermarked / ghost.
2) thread. i think there is a thread weaved into the paper, look for it.
3) feel the red print. by this, i mean 'pet' the red ink. if it's real money then you will feel a kind of 'ribbed', or 'speed bumps', or 'raised ridges' feeling to the ink. if you do not feel this kind of 'ribbed / raised ridges' bumpy effect, then it's probably fake money.


when in china, i always get my money (100 rmbs) from banks, or bank atms. i never use hotel exchange, or other exchange services, but i think a 5-star hotel with cash exchange probably gets their cash from banks, so they are probably safe to use (but 4-star or 3-star hotel, i do not know if you can trust them).

for some reason, when doing cash-exchange (usd$ to rmb), i am told that i can do this only at official "bank of china" branches. if i go to "commerce bank of china" or "agriculture bank of china" they always tell me to go to (the original?) "bank of china". so, do not confuse these 3 banks of similar name...


with all of this help and advice, i still find that 20% of the time when i am using my 100 rmbs, that someone will refuse my 100 rmb and say it is fake. so, i give them a different 100 rmb note and they accept it.

i do not worry about now having a fake 100 rmb, because if someone refuse/reject my 100 rmb, i just use that 'fake' 100 rmb for the next thing i buy -- and it is usually examined and accepted by the next person!!

i think there are a lot of a people in china who refuse to accept real money, because i always (100%) get my 100 rmbs from official "bank of china", and they verifiy all notes are real. so why then 20% of the time people reject/refuse my 100 rmb note? i do not know, but i think because they just enjoy to tease the foreigner, like a game. *smile*



dar

[Crazyofbutts]

Fellows,

Anyone wanting to join for a session tour in Shanghai from June 15th to 18th? I must say that I don't know much about Shanghai action apart from what I've read in the forum but have a lot of experience elsewhere....

Please PM if you're interested.

[Petemcc]

Someone must be in SZ 21-26 June. I am not a complete twat, actually most think I am good fun, any takers?

[Mark Mason]

Guys.

I'm coming to China in october, it will be my 1st trip to the prc.I will be based in Guangzhou.

I've mongered extensivly in thailand, and Dubai, i have a couple of questions.

1. How does China compare to say Thailand?
2. whats Guangzhou like?

Thanks,

Fresh Meat 2

Guangzhou is not too bad. I spent a couple of years there, but it is not easy compared with other parts of China. Women can be found everywhere but you have to know how to look. RTFF is the best advice anyone can give.

There are a number of places nearby that are easy to get to and are much easier to find women.

I envy you I wish I were back there.

[Fast Eddie 48]

Guys.

I'm coming to China in october, it will be my 1st trip to the prc.I will be based in Guangzhou.

I've mongered extensivly in thailand, and Dubai, i have a couple of questions.

1. How does China compare to say Thailand?
2. whats Guangzhou like?

Thanks,

Fresh Meat 2

to fresh meat

China is alot different than thailand , In thailand every thing is out in the open
and easy to find actions and more people will speak some english , In china
you need to know where to go and it is tough if you never been there or don't
speak some chinese , So it is important for you to RTFF pay attention and read the forum you newbie.


fast eddie 48

[Showdown]

I am coming to Shanghai for a mongering vacation 6/22/06-6/29/06. Thanks to the members of this board who convinced me as a black man not to be afraid to monger in Shanghai. If anyone wants to meet up during that time(safety in numbers) PM me.

I intent to provide a very comprehensive account of my mongering trip. It will be the report of a lifetime!

[Fresh Meat 2]

Guys.

I'm coming to China in october, it will be my 1st trip to the prc.I will be based in Guangzhou.

I've mongered extensivly in thailand, and Dubai, i have a couple of questions.

1. How does China compare to say Thailand?
2. whats Guangzhou like?

Thanks,

Fresh Meat 2