I doubt that there are people and/or visitors in Dominica who would use a US$100 to purchase store items or gas; if any, few of them.
Generally, people with $100 US and $100 EC bills would go to the bank and have the money converted to EC smaller currency and denominations.
Prior to leaving for a visit to Dominica or other West Indian islands I usually go to the foreign exchange office to purchase some EC currency; not much of it. I would not want a $100 and $50 bill nor accept them. The norm is to get at least a $20, $10 and $5 in EC currency. If this foreign exchange gives $1 or $2 bills, I will also accept a few.
I purchase a sufficient amount to be used when travelling via other West Indian islands in the event I need to pay an airport worker to as much as help with my luggage at the airports, and for tips, and if I wish to purchase food or other items at the airports during in-transit and for when I arrive at the airport in Dominica. When I arrive at the West Indian destination I can later go to the bank for extra EC currency.
I have noted that in Toronto, the two ATM preferred bank machines which are convenient for me to use, one gives a few $50 bills. The other gives only $20′s. This is satisfactory for me. I only accept a $50 bill from the bank cashier/ATM machines.
I thought that the banks check the bills for counterfeit. Even then I have heard that the bank does not do so. I was surprised. I have not yet asked the bank manager but will do so in time. I have no idea if this applies to all banks. It would be interesting to know about this.
A few years ago when counterfeit scanners newly came into effect, one Saturday morning I went to the ATM and got some money which were in $20 bills. Then I went into a small store and purchased an item and paid with one of the $20 bills. The store checked the bill and the scanner rejected it. I was most surprised. I took it right back to the bank which was also near where I reside and informed the cashier about it. I was given another one. I do not joke about those matters.
I always say if I get counterfeit money from any ATM’s, I will return to the bank and it will have to exchange it. The banks must also be careful that customers do not get those bogus bills. Innocently, customers could be immediately arrested and charged if they give counterfeit bills to the stores.
Yes! There are some stores which will pass on the bogus money to customers. This also happened to me that a convenience store owner gave me a bogus $5. I went to another store nearby and the $5.00 was rejected. I went right back to the convenience store and informed the man that he gave me that $5. He exchanged it for another. If he had not, I would have called the police station about it.
I also do not accept “torn-up dollars”. Some of them are in the habit of giving customers torn up dollars. I have informed them that I do not want it. This also happened at a West Indian grocery store in Toronto – believe it, some of them are not respectful to their West Indian customers and could lose their business. Then they turn around and state that West Indians do not patronize their stores. Well, there is a reason as stated. I had to inform one of the owners of that store about “respect for customers” and losing my business. I am very polite to them but I expect courteous business and will accept no less. When you frequent stores you automatically become friends, be it business ones.
If I notice that the bill has even a small tear, I will inform them that “I DO NOT WANT IT!”; give me another one. For principle sake, customers should not be given worn-out and torn-up dollars. This is my principle. Nothing but the best for me. Specifically in a big country, if we do not respect ourselves, have respect for ourselves as we accord others same, they will not have respect for us. Treat others as we expect them to treat us and vice versa. Likewise, do unto them accordingly.
I would not purchase items in a smaller store such as a convenience store and pay with a $50. I use a smaller denomination. I would rather use it in a bigger store. In this way, too, I will avoid relevant arguments. Those stores are skeptical and suspicious about big denominations. I do not blame them for there is a lot of counterfeit money in circulation.
The big stores have scanners to detect counterfeit money. In fact, I do not like accepting $50 bills.
Customers who go to the bank cashiers will be asked what denomination they would prefer. The bank cashiers do not just offer $100 or even $50 bills. I do believe that it is the policy of the bank to ask the customers their preference in $ bills. Therefore, common sense should be utilized that if Dominican residents of all present a $100 bill then this should be treated as suspicion.
I would also advise those store owners to put up a conspicuous sign that large denominations as $100 and $50 bills are not accepted just as some will put up a sign “No Credit”. Therefore, customers cannot state that they were not previously advised. The owners are within their rights to do so.
I concede that a pen to detect counterfeit bills is easier and quicker and should be utilized for this purpose. Does Dominica have such pens? They will have to be ordered from overseas and promptly so considering the length of time it takes to order them and to arrive in Dominica.
On the matter of lawyer representation, the man gave a counterfeit $100 US Bill. The lawyer knows that he committed a crime. Therefore, why should the lawyer defend him “in denying it”? This is a lost case for the lawyer.
If people commit crimes, murders and/or other crimes and they know they are wrong they should be honest (sadly they are not) and not even try to get lawyer representation to defend them and to help them be acquitted. Lawyers are liars. How many will go to Heaven as they profit from their false representations in most case and do their utmost to acquit criminals who return to the streets and become a menace to society and continue with their evil works.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his (her) soul?” This is mortal and spiritual food for thought.
Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
Now …that’s some long monotonous, gooblygook, psychobabble if I evr read any; as well meaning as this person intended it. Can you wright this piece in English now, or think about it and come again with some words of caution?
Read slowly and patiently as you would a book and also as you view a 2 hour or more movie and talk for endless hours on the telephone.
This writing could be read in a few minutes, if not a few seconds if one has the intelligence and expertise to do so.
Consider this: Your writing has typing errors. You are not perfect and far from that. Yet, you expect others to read it. Can you not do a better job of it?
The problem with some of you is that you lack God’s patience and to see the point and sense of a writing. You criticize when you lack perfection.
This has proven to be a test for you that you are incapable of concentrating on what you are read.
Have you heard that patience is a grace – from God? God tests us all the time for our love and patience. You have failed in this respect.
Before criticizing others take a good look at yourself and your writing and no doubt, your manner of speech. You need to learn appreciation.
this article is RIDICULOUSLY ILLOGICAL, with all due respect.
US dollar bills are accepted all over the world, i travel with US bills when i go to many caribbean countries, in fact the stores in these countries are often happy to get US…why should someone be suspicious of US 100 dollar bills if you use them in a small store…i mean obviously if u go to buy icecream with that , u really formin d royal…but if u go into a 7 -11 with that, i really dont see a problem…
Money in DOminica finishin so fast- for u to say that ‘generally’ people with 100 EC dollar bills go tot he bank to get that changed….makes me wonder what you do with your money…
u go to kfc u spendin 30 bucks for somthing decent…clothes start at 40….a pair of good shoes is more than 100…u go to a show drinks for u and ur gurl at least 25….100 cant fill your tank…why in the world would you change a 100 EC in a bank…who has that much time…?????????? who does that?
the fact that you cant sign your name to a simple article like this says a lot.
heres some advice…u should use a visa card more often like the rest of us, an use less cash since its causing u so many problems…. you have no statistics or facts to substantiate any of your arguments…
to me asking why a lawyer should defend a person who committed a crime is like asking why a doctor should cure someone with an STD or why a police officer should rescue a woman who stays in an abusive relationship?
i cant believe DNO would publish something like this…
@ DOMINICAN DIVA
There is nothing ridiculous about the article written above. It is in reference to the previous news articles, that informed people in Dominica about counterfeit ( fake) EC $100 and $50 bills being circulated there at this time. A man was sent to prison for giving a gas station Attendant a (faked) US $100 bill for payment of $20 worth of gas.
That person received about $250.00 worth of good money, of change for his fake US $100 bill. The owner of the gas station was the victim–he suffered the loss. If I was the gas station Attendant, I would become suspicious about a customer handing me a bill that is worth $275.00 for payment of $20.00
The writer above expressed his/her views about this situations to help both customers and merchants stay on the alert. I have had a few of the experiences which the writer mentioned. I witnessed a merchant reluctantly accept a very dirty and extremely whithered $5.00 bill from a customer; and she immediately handed it back to me as change, because I was the next customer she served. I was lucky that another merchant accepted that $5.00 bill from me, but that is all because God protected my innocent in accepting that bill from the first merchant without contention.
I would have ignored your comment. But I am a Dominican as well. That is why I would like the world to know that the majority of us have a much, much, higher level of wisdom and intelligence than you have portrayed on our behalf.
what is intelligent about going to abank to change a 100 EC dollar bill.
I suppose it also comes across as intelligence when your beloved author argues that a lawyer is a liar and lawyers shouldnt represent persons whom they think are guilty.
I daresay a more empty headed remark could nto have been made.
you sire have jus made your self out to be a complete idiot because you said ‘nothing is ridiculous’ about this article, and you havent challenged a single one of my arguments. all you have done is given another sad story just liek the author.
my respons to you is- who cares? we could all give arguments based on a single personal experience. Or we can think objectively and argue reasonably.
Clearly you aren’t ready for that challenge. So u couldnt possibly be speaking on behalf of all dominicans.
Who cares whether you have recieved torn up bills? i didnt say anything about torn up bills in my comments.
Whenever people speak and/or write sense, there are some who will downplay them denounce and criticize them. Utilize your common sense and good judgment. I do hope you possess same.
Lizavier 4 Jesus is correct. We speak from experience and offer advice to others. This advice is called food for thought and practice.
I recall reading in a church bulletin: “Learn from the mistakes of others. You do not live long enough to make them for yourself.” I smile at this. Each one of us has different experience which is wise to pass on to others in the hope that it will help other people.
The man who used counterfeit money to pay for gas and received that amount of EC currency in return is a thief. I reiterate that while every one is entitled to lawyer representation, I wished that those who are guilty of crimes and murders should admit their crimes rather than going through a lengthy court process with lawyer representation, some of which is paid by taxpayers and utilizing the time of judges and magistrates who are also paid through taxpayers’ money. I realize that this is an impossibility in a democratic society. I, personally have heard and read enough about the wickedness of those criminals and what they have done to people, not only in Dominica but specifically in big countries such as the one in which I reside. I have no compassion for them. I pray to God to protect me from them and so should you and all law-abiding citizens.
Some months ago or actually approximately a year ago I read, probably on this Website that a woman gave a bus driver a $50.00 one morning which he was not happy about. I read the comments pro and con. Those of you who read about it and have a good memory will recall this incident including your comments on the Website.
There are times people at work will ask “Do you have change?” If I do I will change the money. What I do find with some people, they could be negligent and are always asking for change. They will never consider keeping change especially that they purchase items, also for food, even more so than others. Specifically if one resides in a big country, it is always wise to keep small denominations and change.
The stories and experience are many. One evening after work I went to the grocery store. As always, we may purchase more items than previously planned but they are ones which we may have forgotten to put on our list. The grocery is not very far from where I reside but far enough when considering carrying heavy bags. I had not planned to take a taxi. I decided to take one. I gave the taxi driver a $20.00 as I did not have a smaller denomination. He took the amount for the cost of the fare and “his tip, if you please”. He did not wait for me to offer him a tip. What was worst, he did not even want to assist me with the bags to put them in the taxi and out of the taxi. He did not want to get out of the driver’s seat. What a man!
I made no fuss with him. I wrote down the taxi number. However, my intention was to telephone the Taxi Cab Association and report him. As time went by I got busy and forgot. It is never too late to report him.
Let me inform you further. There are some considerate and helpful taxi drivers. Whenever I take one and they are helpful, I give them a reasonable tip and wish them well and good luck.
This taxi driver was not a so-called black or white person. It is important to state that he is a man of either Middle East/Asian descent. I concluded that he is a greedy and inconsiderate person and could be considered a thief as well for giving himself a tip “from my money”. In fact, helping himself to it. This is not business ethics. He got away with it. This is another reason why it is important to carry small denominations.
Criminals will always try to get away with their wicked acts. Lawyers represent them as murderers and because of their skillful legal arguments those criminals and murderers could be acquitted. They are hardly rehabilitated. The public stands to lose as they also live in fear of them. I say, throw them all in prison if they need to spend prison time for whatever length of time it is necessary. Those who murder especially in cold blood/pre-meditated murder, for my part, they should be hung or executed. Society could do very well without them.
People especially those who comment on this Website must be fair and just and less critical, the latter if not at all. Do not uphold and defend criminals and what which are not correct. It is sin to do so. Keep in mind St. Paul’s teaching as inspired by The Holy Spirit: “…For no murderer will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” This includes thieves and those who “murder from the heart – hating others.”
God’s protection and peace!
I feel sorry for you!
Dominican Diva you are so right.But what bothered me was the comments made about Lawyers,also he needs to get his facts right about the Banks policy regarding counterfeit monies and their diligence in combating counterfeit money. As to you @ Lizavier4Jesus and your comments i will tell you this arrogance diminishes wisdom.
I truly agree with you that this article is a somewhat off. The fact that you can ask whether Dominica has counterfeit pens tells me that you’ve been gone too long. If we can present a bus driver with a $50 for transportation fare worth $2.00 why can’t we present the same to a gas station, as you rightly pointed out, $100.00 won’t fill your tank. I think it’s important that everyone safeguard themselves against counterfeit in the best way possible. I simply disagree with most of what is written in this article but there’s no reason to attack the messenger, it’s simply his/her opinion.
You must live in your own utopia and not travel much to say some of the things that you are saying.
It sort of borders on OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
As for lawyers, there are always good and not so good in all professions.
I use hundred dollar bills all the time when shopping. I find it ridiculous that you say stores should be suspicious of anyone using $50 or $100 bills. Dominica does have the counterfeit pens. Most major stores here use them on US $ 20 or larger. I think this is more of a problem for small shop,snackette, & street vendors. They should invest in the pen.
Also, bankers are trained to look for counterfeit money as they except cash from their clients. It is not scanned for. Most will be surprised to know the most commonly counterfeited bills are US $10 & $20. This is the time of year when you will see most counterfeit money. If you do receive counterfeit US $, it is important that it is turned in to the police so the Secret Service can be notified.
I agreed with everything you say, except the fact that Lawyers are liars. Being in the legal profession myself, I take offence.
I strongly believe that all sin is sin and no man is above another. Having said that, the legal system works. It’s a matter in criminal cases of beyond a reasonable doubt. There are many reasons for murder…. and neither the jury nor the lawyer can 100% prove what happened. They can infer from the evidence…but as i always say …there are 3 versions of the truth..in this case – defence, prosecution and the truth.
The defence of a murderer has nothing to do with what the lawyer’s personal belief. It’s the defence lawyers job to simply create that reasonable doubt… give the prosecution the burden of proof. Remember, the defendant doesn’t have to prove its case, the prosecution does. The defence needs to cast doubt based on what the prosecution is trying to prove.
So to say all lawyers are liars…hmm..that’s a strong statement. The system works…it’s a matter of who best can tell their story, their version of events. In the end, yes there can be a freed murderer…but this murderer got justice because if his defence successfully provided that reasonable doubt, that’s all that matters.
His conscience will be his and God’s to deal with, nothis and his lawyer.