Caveat Emptor

Buyer Beware !!!

Over the last few years there has been a great increase in the number of shops selling digital cameras, dvd players and walkmans etc. in Playa Blanca.

Having been threatened and insulted in one shop ( Megapixel) because I did not fall for their con tricks, I wanted to pass on some advice for guests who think they may be getting a great bargain at these shops.

In the majority of cases, these shops are not selling bargains and in some cases I have heard of, they are selling imperfect goods with no liability and end of ranges in the claim that they are the latest models. They also have a scam whereby they pretend to sell you an item at a very low price and then they claim to have to send out for one in a box to another shop. The salesman then proceeds to run down the model you have agreed to buy by confusing you with all sorts of technical jargon. They then try to sell you a vastly more expensive model which is technically inferior ( and thus cheaper ) than the model you have agreed to buy. You can wait and wait and be given free beers etc but rest assured the item you agreed to purchase will not turn up and they will not give up trying to sell you the model that they want to sell. this is a well known scam commonly known as "bait and switch". Another scam is to sell an item at a seemingly cheap price but then charge for all the essential extras, like the software to use it with, the batteries, the battery charger etc.

Here are a few rules to stop you getting conned.

1. Know the make and model of the item you want. You can check this out in magazines like What Camera etc. You can also check things out on the internet in Reception. Websites like pricerunner.co.uk and kelkoo.co.uk will give you prices that you can buy from reputable firms back in the U.K. where you can return goods if you have any problems with them. Make the salesman understand you know what you are talking about and have researched the item and you know the prices.
2. Remember that goods on sale in Playa Blanca are never the latest model. They may have slightly different model numbers than in the U.K. but Dixons and Currys are usually 2 versions on.
3. Do not pay any money, either cash or credit card, until you see the complete boxed goods in front of you and check it contains all the items listed on the contents stated on the box.
4. Make sure you know the correct Sterling to Euro conversion rates.
5. You can buy goods at duty free prices in the U.K. ( I know it’s a bit late telling you now!). Check out dixonstaxfree.co.uk if you are flying from an airport in the U.K. with a Dixons shop. You can phone them and pre order goods for collection when you fly.
6. Don’t forget – it’s your right to walk out of a shop – you can not insult these salesmen !!!