Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 We decided eat at Central Food Court last night on the bottom floor of Central Mall Pattaya Beach. We went to the counter to exchange our money for the card, and gave the lady 3 x 100 baht notes. My boyfriend was the one who went for the card whilst I waited next to him out of the line. She glanced at me a few times before giving my boyfriend the card and a tiny receipt. Walking away from the counter, My boyfriend glanced at the receipt and noticed that it said Credit 200 BAHT. So we turned around to return to the counter. I notice that the lady who had served us was stretching her neck looking at us over the high counter (even though she was in the middle of serving the next customer) and watched us return. She looked extremely embarrassed when we got back to the counter and immediately reached out her hand for the card to be returned to her even though we had not yet told her what the problem was! I looked over the counter and noticed that our 3 x 100 baht notes were UNDER HER KEYBOARD. She had already finished serving the next customer by the time we got back and that customers money had been put into the till! She picked up our 300 baht notes, said 'Oh!', added an extra 100 baht to our card, put the notes into the till and gave us our card back, red faced. And with no apology, no explanation. It seems pretty clear that she was trying to pull some kind of scam on us, hoping that we would not check our receipt. It was also pretty obvious she was up to no good with her keeping our money under her keyboard. She probably thought I was some dumb rich Farang girl who'd just got off the plane, paying for some Thai guy Id just met. So please be sure to check your receipts when you exchange your money for a card at Central food court. If this lady does this to 10 customers a day, she would be on a nice little wage there. This woman was middle aged and wearing glasses with blonde highlights. Please be careful everyone and CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS. We have emailed Central Pattaya branch with a complaint about this incident. Doubt that anything will be done about it, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropo Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) If this is a scam, then it's a pretty dumb scam because unless a person loaded a card with a large amount it would soon become obvious to a diner that there wasn't enough credit on a card in which case they would quickly return to the cashier to complain. If this happened a few times it would soon become obvious to management that the cashier was stealing. Edited July 29, 2009 by tropo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrybike Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 We decided eat at Central Food Court last night on the bottom floor of Central Mall Pattaya Beach.We went to the counter to exchange our money for the card, and gave the lady 3 x 100 baht notes. My boyfriend was the one who went for the card whilst I waited next to him out of the line. She glanced at me a few times before giving my boyfriend the card and a tiny receipt. Walking away from the counter, My boyfriend glanced at the receipt and noticed that it said Credit 200 BAHT. So we turned around to return to the counter. I notice that the lady who had served us was stretching her neck looking at us over the high counter (even though she was in the middle of serving the next customer) and watched us return. She looked extremely embarrassed when we got back to the counter and immediately reached out her hand for the card to be returned to her even though we had not yet told her what the problem was! I looked over the counter and noticed that our 3 x 100 baht notes were UNDER HER KEYBOARD. She had already finished serving the next customer by the time we got back and that customers money had been put into the till! She picked up our 300 baht notes, said 'Oh!', added an extra 100 baht to our card, put the notes into the till and gave us our card back, red faced. And with no apology, no explanation. It seems pretty clear that she was trying to pull some kind of scam on us, hoping that we would not check our receipt. It was also pretty obvious she was up to no good with her keeping our money under her keyboard. She probably thought I was some dumb rich Farang girl who'd just got off the plane, paying for some Thai guy Id just met. So please be sure to check your receipts when you exchange your money for a card at Central food court. If this lady does this to 10 customers a day, she would be on a nice little wage there. This woman was middle aged and wearing glasses with blonde highlights. Please be careful everyone and CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS. We have emailed Central Pattaya branch with a complaint about this incident. Doubt that anything will be done about it, though. thanks for the tip ..go there a good bit and will be sure to check from now on.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverdie Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Thats a bit rude, isnt it. Sneaky but not smart! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) If this is a scam, then it's a pretty dumb scam If this happened a few times it would become obvious to management that the cashier was stealing. I agree. Sometimes people just make mistakes. Edited July 29, 2009 by Ulysses G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzaa09 Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Imagine that, scams in Pattaya...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) If this is a scam, then it's a pretty dumb scam because unless the person loaded a card with a large amount it would soon become obvious to a diner that there wasn't enough credit on a card in which case they would quickly return to the cashier to complain.If this happened a few times it would become obvious to management that the cashier was stealing. I had a funny feeling that you would be the first one to reply to this, My dear Tropo! She was probably hoping that we would notice that our credit was wrong AFTER paying for some of our food (A lot of people eat from different counters, especially when Thai & foreigners go together), and then we would suspect one of the counters of overcharging us. It is indeed a pretty dumb scam. Especially with her taking 1/3 of the money we wanted to put on the card. She was probably planning on putting one of the notes in her pocket when we got out of sight, the rest in the till and then its our word against hers if we realized later, because we had our receipt clearly showing 200 BAHT, and there would have been no proof that we gave her 300bht and not 200bht. Seemed pretty obvious that this was not an 'accident' though with her 1. Keeping the cash under her keyboard, 2. Peeking at us as we walked away, watching to see if we were coming back, then 3. Acting like she was totally aware of what she had done. She could have at least pretended she didn't know what we were talking about and then checked the cash and put on a "oh sorry it was an accident" show. Anyway Just wanted to warn you all out there to just check your receipts, It can easily be overlooked if they do it with smaller amounts. Edited July 29, 2009 by Meg_2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 If this is a scam, then it's a pretty dumb scam If this happened a few times it would become obvious to management that the cashier was stealing. I agree. Sometimes people just make mistakes. Yes, could have been a mistake hence calling it a suspected Scam. I didn't think of it as a scam until I noticed the money under her keyboard and her weird actions, Then it seemed pretty obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syd barrett Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the warning. If it happens to me I'll call the tourist police and take several photographs of the cashier and plaster them on T.V. PS: TO OP: Your Avatar is inverted, please rotate by 180 degrees. Edited July 29, 2009 by syd barrett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) If this happened a few times it would soon become obvious to management that the cashier was stealing. As long as the customers are not complaining then the management wouldn't notice a thing. If this is indeed a scam, Its the customer she is stealing from, not Central. We gave her 300. She puts 200 on the card and 200 in centrals till. The extra 100 she is putting in her pocket. Now if she was putting 300 baht credit on our card and 200 baht in the till, then yes, the management would notice that the til was down. But the way she is working, they will not suspect a thing, as the till amount is equal to the amount given out on the cards. Edited July 29, 2009 by Meg_2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luangtom Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Maybe she WAS management.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yoshitaka Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I think it is just a mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWalkingMan Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I think it is just a mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I suspect this is yet another sign of hard times amongst the working poor here in Thailand - I posted a similar experience here in Jungceylon in Phuket recently. Buyer beware! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses G. Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Over the years, I've been sure that I was being scammed many times in Thailand - only to find out later that it was not a scam at all. Be careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatchamacallit Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Been there often and have never had any problem even when getting cash back - I'm sure it's just a mistake. Of course always check your receipt to make sure you get the exact amount of credit in your card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 I think it is just a mistake. Right Mistake or no mistake, The warning is still out to check your receipt. Because if we hadn't of checked the receipt when we did, I doubt the cashier would have come running after us with our 100 baht and we still would have been 100 baht down. Mistake or Scam. Check your receipts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bojo Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 immediately reached out her hand for the card to be returned to her even though we had not yet told her what the problem was! I looked over the counter and noticed that our 3 x 100 baht notes were UNDER HER KEYBOARD. She had already finished serving the next customer by the time we got back and that customers money had been put into the till!She picked up our 300 baht notes, said 'Oh!', added an extra 100 baht to our card, put the notes into the till and gave us our card back So please be sure to check your receipts when you exchange your money for a card at Central food court. People make genuine mistakes all the time and it would be nice to give the benefit of the doubt but judging by this carefully written post, explaining to the last detail even body language, I can't see how anyone could think it was mistake. The moves the cashier made are typical of a cheat. With a little practice she'll learn to look more surprised and will in turn, even cast a shadow of doubt even in the victim's mind. Regards Bojo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya_girl Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I wonder if sliding the 300 bt under her keyboard was also a mistake, and then proceeding to serve someone else? I use to work in Tesco in the UK (on the checkout) there was NO WAY we were allowed to leave money around outside of that cash drawer and I have never seen it in Thailand either, in big shops ect... I have never eaten there Meg, but will certainly remember your warning if I ever do. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 The money under the keyboard is what confirmed it for me. She thought no-one could see. The only reason I managed to see is because I went around the side of her counter whilst my BF was waiting for the card back. Thats when I saw her take out the money and put it in the till.. I'm not the kind of person who would come and call this lady on a public forum if I wasn't certain of what she was doing. Everyone makes mistakes and if this looked like a mistake I wouldn't have been mad at all. It just seemed SO shockingly obvious at what she was trying to do. The look on her face was also one of those angry, embarrassed 'Ive been caught out' faces. Whether you think it was a mistake or a scam, just check your receipts.. That was my point in posting this thread, not to debate what happened but to warn others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petermik Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I think it is just a mistake. Mistake? just must be joking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobright Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 I suspect this is yet another sign of hard times amongst the working poor here in Thailand - I posted a similar experience here in Jungceylon in Phuket recently. Buyer beware! middle age ,meg, you said? it's probably a mistake. live and let live. happens around the world during hard times like these. forgive and forget, even if it is true. think of it as "tamboon", dear..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) Definitely a scam. The worker should be fired. Thanks for the warning, will always check receipts there now. Not only is that worker a thief, she insulted you. She judged you to be stupid. If she did it once, how many other times has she gotten away with it? I agree once you use the card at at a food stall, the waters would be muddied and the central card issuer could deny responsibility. My guess is her scam odds increase with purchases such as yours, 300 baht. I doubt she tries that with 100 baht purchases. Next thing you know, they will demand "tips" at those desks when the scams stop working ... Edited July 29, 2009 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tropo Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) If this happened a few times it would soon become obvious to management that the cashier was stealing. As long as the customers are not complaining then the management wouldn't notice a thing. If this is indeed a scam, Its the customer she is stealing from, not Central. We gave her 300. She puts 200 on the card and 200 in centrals till. The extra 100 she is putting in her pocket. Now if she was putting 300 baht credit on our card and 200 baht in the till, then yes, the management would notice that the til was down. But the way she is working, they will not suspect a thing, as the till amount is equal to the amount given out on the cards. I didn't indicate who she is stealing from, merely that she is stealing (if she was scamming). However, she is stealing from Central because the customer has 100 baht less to spend in the food court. You could say she is stealing from both customer and food court. If a number of customers come back to the cashier after they realise they've been short changed the cat will soon be out of the bag. Edited July 29, 2009 by tropo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 I didn't indicate who she is stealing from, merely that she is stealing (if she was scamming).However, she is stealing from Central because the customer has 100 baht less to spend in the food court. You could say she is stealing from both customer and food court. If a number of customers come back to the cashier after they realise they've been short changed the cat will soon be out of the bag. Well lets hope you're right. We never check the receipt usually, This was a one off time that my BF glanced at the receipt and saw the amount. Most of the time we are too hungry to stand around studying a receipt. Probably her way of thinking also. If she does this in smaller amounts, it would be easier for her to get away with it.. 20-30 baht here and there and it all adds up. I'll be taking more notice of my receipts from now on.. Lesson learnt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 If she did it once, how many other times has she gotten away with it? Exactly what I was thinking, hence posting here. If she is trying this on me, I really don't think that its the first time and she must have gotten away with it before to do it again. I agree once you use the card at at a food stall, the waters would be muddied and the central card issuer could deny responsibility. You're right there. The money would have run out maybe when we were trying to pay for our 2nd order at a 2nd stall. Or maybe last when we were buying our drinks. Then we would not know where the problem occurred, the cashier, the first stall, or 2nd stall? Then when we get back to the cashier, she could ask for our receipt, Point out 200 baht on the receipt and deny all wrongdoing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg_2003 Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 PS: TO OP: Your Avatar is inverted, please rotate by 180 degrees. Syd, Stop turning your laptop upside down.. Its not good for it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya_girl Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 PS: TO OP: Your Avatar is inverted, please rotate by 180 degrees. Syd, Stop turning your laptop upside down.. Its not good for it... No Syd maybe did'nt turn his laptop upside down, there's a possibility he was doing a handstand Back to the topic - if this Lady even takes just 10 Baht from each customer she serves, it will soon add up to a fair sum at the end of each week..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jareddiving Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 How can certain people say that they are sure that it was just a mistake!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
473geo Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) Lets say she hits the 200 Key in error - gives you your card and receipt....goes to put 200 in the till and sees there is 300...... You have turned and walked away...she is keeping an eye on you because she expects you to return...she has also put the money to one side so if the security cameras are watching they can see why she adds the extra 100 baht when you return.......of course she is embarrassed at her mistake...and wants to remedy it as quickly as possible hence the no fuss addition of 100 baht Is that too implausible?.....benefit of the doubt? just a thought..... Edited July 29, 2009 by 473geo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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