Rip-Off culture, biassed commenting or reality?

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
24/11/2010 17:57

Pipie posted :-

Elkiton You appear to fail to grasp that the mentality of rip off culture has contributed to the fact that it has put off many people including me who do not wish to venture in to residing full time in North Cyprus .We also have to look at many folk that have left the TRNC as the rip off culture could have contributed to there departure.I do not agree with you stating me '' repeated hearsay'' ''dressing up facts''A certain rip off culture is a proven fact to me through experience and has just contributed on a decision not for me to live out there. To me a FACT !!To me and others I feel this is an important factor to consider if moving to another country. Cyprus 44 is full of threads backing up certain experiences and examples of certain rip offs. Back to your opinion.

Pipie, I don't think the TRNC has a "Rip-off" culture as you profess. I live here and don't see it.A fair proportion of Ex-pats all over the world come and go usually because of personal circumstances,no

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
24/11/2010 18:39

Hi Tony

Yes there are some as a recent experience proved.

My backwash tank of 3 tonnes keeled over when the rains early in the year washed the soil from under it.

Obviously needed a proper foundation. So 2 guys who had been doing the garden said they would quote a price.

2pm - price quoted £300. answer no thanks forget it, shake head etc. They go away.

Went for a pint

4.00pm returned to find they have dug out ready to concrete.

Tried to explain NO.

4.30 pm their friend more conversant with English arrives and says OK £200. No thanks again. Tell them to go away .

OK £150, no thanks £100 , no thanks



£80 - OK this is about what 2 men for 2-3 hours labour + 2 bags of sand and a bag of cement are worth.



Another example. I was charged £75 to change a pump which didnt last 1 year next guy who we still use charged £35 for a better job.



I am not saying everyone is bent, far from it. But it happens sometimes when I assume they think it is fair game to overcharge.

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
24/11/2010 18:40

I think someone here is being a bit naive. Of course there is a rip off culture here, you would have to be blind not to see it.



When I go to the Wednesday market I stand behind other customers and wait for the stallholder to tell them how much something is, it is always less than they would ask of me, actually, in fairness, this is history and they are mostly pricing things now.



Also my TC neighbours know about it because they have told us if we want anything or a job doing to let them organise it so that we get it at the 'real' price not the 'price for the yabanci'



Its up to us to stop the practice, and it is very easy to laugh at them and tell them 'not a chance in hell of me paying that amount' I always do what the locals do now and ask for the last price!! Try it, it works. and if it does not then you can always go elsewhere, there are still lots of honest folk here.



Our experience has been that its the Brits you have to watch for the rip-off stuff!!

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
24/11/2010 18:49

The other well used ruse is to quote in £ and if found out say you meant TL.

This also happened to me with a wall built before handover. I had obtained an estimate from a qualified surveyor of about £700.

At 10.30 the phone rings as I leave hotel. Quote £1700. No thanks, I won't bother.

At 10.35 phone rings again. Silly me I meant lira which equalled about £720. OK go ahead with that then.

I didnt mention I was leaving the hotel to go to the site where I arrived 40 mins later to find the wall half built which must have been started at least 3-4 hours earlier!

Conversley the electrician / plumber mentioned above is the nicest most honest guy you could ever meet and I dont ever ask beforehand how much it will cost.

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
24/11/2010 18:54

well even if they say lira its a con tell them no thanks get a real quote to your face if your happy with it go for it otherwise say NO

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
24/11/2010 19:06

The real problem started just prior to the 2004 referendum when expat TC's returned home from Oz, USA, UK etc 'giving it large' in excessive show off behaviour and the huge influx of nouveau riche English speaking people who thought that a quick buck could be made on the property market not wanting to understand or read about Cyprus History and its peoples mentality. This started off the concept of greed and rip-offs, everyone trying to shaft everyone else!

I'm going back to the gin bottle!



Richard

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
26/11/2010 20:30

Tony E posted on another thread





Geoff,



No, not a self appointed TRNC expert, just one who lives here and therefore has a far better working knowledge of the TRNC than many of the other posters.



Living in the UK, or being a tourist visiting a couple of times a year to Cyprus does not equip them in any way to make pseudo authoritative statements about living in the TRNC, which in the best cases are misleading and in worst cases downright dangerous.



It's the small handful of these idiots who cannot keep their hands off the keyboards that cause the trouble, and should leave the commenting to those who do know the score. Discussion and opinion yes by all means, but don't dress up innuendo as fact, as can be seen from several other threads running earlier in the week.



Point taken on the discussion on the South, Pipie, and I imagine your horizions are so narrow that understanding their financial status woud be like asking you to appreciate a Monet!







TonyE

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
26/11/2010 20:40

Could you state exactly what members have posted re ''cases that are misleading and in the worst cases downright dangerous.''







Can you tell me what authority or right you have to call posters idiots ?







Bearing in mind you do not know me, Can you tell me how your imagination regarding my horizons come to any conclusions ?

billybob


Joined: 29/03/2008
Posts: 576

Message Posted:
27/11/2010 09:33

Is there no end to the women's talents, reread some of your own posts, you have the cheek to ask people to answer EXACTLY when you have never answered a straight question with a straight answer in your bliddy whole history on here, and then youll see what he's getting on about, thats why you start all the threads you start, you talk a load of wishwash and never think before you start hammering away at your keyboard, thats why most people dont even respond to your taunts cos you can NEVER BE WRONG

See you next tuesday

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
27/11/2010 19:10

Message 4 Breezeboy ! could you tell who "well known surveyor" was please if not on forum then to my EMail address ! could be interesting thanks regards barry

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
27/11/2010 21:41

Pipie, msg 7/8.

I created a new thread here to discuss rip-off culture, because I don't believe this is the reason people leave. Try reading some expat articles on line. No Pipie, I will not get into a slanging match re yourself and other posters, but having followed your posts from "early days" back at the Glenco saga, right up to now, my impression is that you have to go into print just for the sake of it, even when your knowledge is sketchy or faulty. Like adding an ethernet switch to a non functioning net! Where I try to contribute information, you often make meaningless statements. Do you do this just to see your name in print? Don't you see the scenario presented on this forum re the TRNC is generally one-sided, a stirrers paradise, and many rational people who could redress "the idiots" don't or won't post because of the vicious "ganging up" that is more akin to a school playground? Post only when you have something useful to contribute is a good test before hitting Send

TonyE

Lazy days


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 847

Message Posted:
27/11/2010 22:01

TonyE

Probably like you and many other people here and indeed many people who utilise this and other bulletin boards, we enjoy the lifestyle we are afforded in the TRNC, we do not feel trapped by over extending ourselves in the property investment fields, we did not jump on to a bandwagon seeing the TRNC as a vehicle for making a 'quick killing' nor did we bite off more than we could chew, 'metaphorically speaking', we integrated with the locals, we did not try to tell them that they were wrong and we were right, we did not expect little England and we are glad that we made the move to this lovely place, we are also glad that others didn't when you see the undignified way that they reproach the locals.



But there again there are no cowboy builders or rip off merchants in the UK are there ?

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
27/11/2010 22:05

Breezy,Yes I have several too...Quoted for having a wall built,first quote was 2 x the second one, by the 3rd one we arrived at a fair price. I don't call this a rip-off, maximising their profit is more like it ! Local gardener£4K for a bunch of plants,asked around,eventually did the landscaping myself with labour assistance,whole show cost less than this.Faulty house,my problem for not getting a proper survey done. I think there is generally a lot of buyers remorse. When people call it a "Rip-off", surely it is only that if anyone is a mug enough to pay an exorbitant price and find out about it later. Drinks in 5* establishments are not "rip-offs", they are just expensive. I have never heard Harrods called that, even though in my opinion their prices are ridiculously high.So are people really leaving the TRNC because it is a rip-off culture, or is this an excuse for more denigration of the North? Very interesting article in the Cyprus Mail re expats leaving the ROC, it's on topic too

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
27/11/2010 22:17

Tony E.



Not needing a slanging match either so I agree there no problem !! However you do need correcting .



I said ''



We also have to look at many folk that have left the TRNC as the rip off culture could have contributed to there departure, and I stand by that



So please try and contribute on a truthfull note, if you need to quote me please quote my post correctly.



As for the rest of your post it is has nothing to do with the thread,



Try and keep on track Tony if you can , otherwise raking up the past becomes repetative and boring.



Have a good evening !!

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
27/11/2010 23:38

With regards rip off culture, my father went in a petrol station one day, asked for 50tl of petrol and was given 5tl of petrol. The bloke took the 50, no change so obviously understood what had been asked for. We always check the amount on the pump now.



He went back and ended having an argument with the cashier inside who told him that the person who put the petrol in was not authorised to do so (as if my dad was supposed to know that.) He ended up with 45tl back anyway. (Eventually)

pg2464


Joined: 18/07/2010
Posts: 42

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 00:33

Our Vila is almost done, yet, our builder ran off with a large amount of money that was intended to complete the project. The electrician wanted £1800.00 to run electric from the power pole to the house, when he was unable to run the power to the what he thought was the electrical conduit he could not, and found another way to connect the power, the distance was half as far as he had quoted yet, he still requested £1800, we refused and settled on a much lower amount. We later discovered that he had been trying to run the electrical cable through the dishwasher waste pipe????. We still are waiting for the electrical panel covers to be installed. When the electric was finally turned on numerous interior lights did not work, he had wired the lights incorrectly and we had to hire another electrician come in and correct his mistake. Again how can a vehicle worth £4,000, have a tax liability of £9,000 in the TRNC. We are considering not residing in the TRNC.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 00:36

Mike.

Thank you. I think it is good to post examples such as this to help raise awareness of the reality of how folk have tried to be ripped off.



On a personal note nine times out of ten when I go shopping no price is tagged on goods for sale in TRNC shops, a good opening here for the buyer to be ripped off if not carefull, again a reality ,'' beware'' !!!

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 01:52

Messege 13

Tony E



You using the term maximising their profit'' yes maximising their profit in order to rip folk off !!

Lazy days


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 847

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 09:07

Why dont you grow up, these things go on everywhere, for every example you bring up to show a rip off in the TRNC the same amount of examples of similar things can be brought up in the UK.

Quite simply put amateur wannabee property speculators who thought they could make a quick killing by jumping on a bandwagon and buying a few cheap flats (described as luxury apartments ) should perhaps have kept their rubles tucked under the mattress for the rainy days such as now , then all and sundry would not have to suffer the constant barrage of inuendo and mis truths on offer.

While we all feel sorry for those who have ''really suffered" at the hands of the unscruplous, EG Gary Robb, there are those greedy individuals who are currently squealing like stuck pigs, because they have apartments stuck where the sun doesn't shine, they have to maintain them but use every trick in the book to avoid doing so.

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 09:40

If I was looking to move to TRNC and read this forum I would run a mile, talk about putting a place down. What is wrong with some people, did anyone really expect the place to be perfect, is anywhere perfect, of course not, there are con merchants and rogues wherever you go.

I know that some people have got major problems with their property and I feel for them but I can only speak as I find. I have a lovely home,well built by a highly recommended builder, it was built on time, to my specifications and we got our kocan four months after completion. We live amongst local people who couldn't be kinder or more helpful and to be honest moving here was the best thing we ever did, but I won't knock the UK, that has it's faults but it offered us the opportunities that enabled us to fulfil our dream. Try looking for the good here for a change instead of constantly dragging the place down.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 10:04

Can I just remind members that thread was started in response to this .





''Also take into account if you are a foreigner you are expected to pay more for everything, with just a few exceptions !! Pipie.



hattikins.



I agree with you the locals are very helpful and lovely folk. I do see the nice side of TRNC hence why I am a frequent visitor.

However I stand by what I said, and all need to be aware. Realility I am afraid !!



Lazy days.

Read the thread through keep on track, trying to bring up situations that have nothing to do with the title of the thread only shows you to be wanting to continue to cause trouble.

All can do without your negative input !!

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 10:09

pg2464



A perfect example re the extortion charge of import duty on anyone who wishes to bring a car into the TRNC. How on earth can this amount of import duty be justified !!

johndp


Joined: 08/09/2009
Posts: 497

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 10:26

At the risk of being branded once again as a disciple, for daring to have a different point of view may I say that many of the rip off merchants are Brits as is being shown on these boards daily just now.

Pipie why do you once again attack lazy days she didnt even mention you, do you think you are the only person with apartments stuck up there lol

Was just reading a Brit paper this morning where, a builder started an extension job for somebody in Sussex, they paid him £12000 18mths ago, the founds are in and the builder has disappeared, nuff said

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 10:51

johndp.

so who was lazy telling to grow up ???



I think this thread was geared up for debate on TRNC, seems pointless to bring in examples about the UK.



However yes I do agree in the TRNC even the Britts will have a go at ripping others off as I found out to my peril so yes in agreement with you in that one 100% !!

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 11:05

can I remind you that you're in the Middle East and, on top of that, what goes on here is pure pre-1960s British. Reminds me of walking down Petticoat Lane in London in the 1950s. My Dad ran a stall there once and opened my eyes to the ways that people (all nationalities) persuaded you to pay more money than you should for less than you thought. That's the downside but the reason I live here is that there are far more upsides and really nice people.

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 11:47

How about Brits ripping off Brits.



Example-Brit plumber walked 10 yards over to my house after finishing a job in my neighbours house and wanted to charge £20 call out charge for quoting for a job.



Now that what I call a rip off or should I say an attempted rip off.

Lazy days


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 847

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 12:04

There is no point of debating anything with you pipie as you are incapable of seeing other peoples points of view, you have a perverted sense of right & honesty, and anybody who dares to offer sound advice based on their considerably more knowledgable qualifications to see what the TRNC and Turkish cypriots are like, suffers verbal abuse from you.

I would dare to suggest that most of what you say regarding nice T/C eighbours etc, are things gleaned from your continuous reading and rereading of the various forums and have little or no bearing on what you have 'actually experienced'



Perhaps if you took a deep breath and looked at 'facts' you would see that by placing high tax & duties on importing vehicles is in fact protecting the local economy.



The majority of people who have lived here for some time have lovely lifestyles and can for the most part afford them, so maybe as well you decided against moving.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 12:13

Fine by me L/D no problem with us not debating !! Let us keep it that way.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 12:29

its not called "devil's island" for nothing...................

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 13:15

Funny think is when we get a good reliable local supplier - there are ex-pats who post utter CRUD abut the real experiences about how they 'nearly got ripped off, found a cheaper supplier' but neglect to mention that the missus has called the 'rip off' supplier asking them to put the job right that the cheaper guys 'boshed up' , eh NN ? ....

fosterscan


Joined: 27/02/2010
Posts: 541

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 13:51

You get what you pay for cheaper job with inferior products wont last. Everyone want a bargain but at the end of the day only pay what your happy to pay you can always so no thanks.

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 13:59

''ok'' everyone.

Can we just stick to the thread.



So far I think it has been established that it is a reality that in the TRNC there is a culture to expect Britts to pay over the odds.



Some very apparent rip offs have taken place which is realility.

If all have been made aware of this it is down to the person them selves to either prevent it happening or allow it to happen.



For those that have not experienced being ripped off in any way then I congratulate you. However for me dressing the words up in saying to be ripped off is ''maximising a profit'' these words could may have been learnt from a training programme in the training room, for me these words do not justify the act !!

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 14:07

What I am trying to do here is to redress the balance for the TRNC.My impression, and I suspect L_D shares this, is that Brits go abroad with the wrong expectations, or are exceptionally naive, or have very little experience in dealing with any other than fellow Britishers. I spent a while in Germany working, learned the language, and then discovered that I had been buying wholesale goods at retail prices.They did not consider it a rip-off, (just) taking advantage of somebody who was actually prepared to pay top-dollar.A Brit sold me £265 of waterfilters, useless for Cyprus, great for the EU...that makes me a mug-punter as I bought in my own ignorance. This is a "non-state" the alarm bells rung when my (original) solicitor answered the question as "yes it's 99% safe".I speculated and got lucky.Luck and speculation are bedfellows, so are tears. I think Brits get (their words not mine) "ripped-off" because they are inexperienced and greedy for a cheap bargain. They set themselves up.

TE

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 14:19

elkiton, absolutely right! We're stupid believing things like: "that kocan with your name on means you actually own the field you built your house on." What sort of mug-punter would fall for that? It's good to know that you didn't fall for that line while in the TRNC and went and bought a property in Bahçeli. They got me, I have to admit.

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 14:19

Pipie, always one for the "dig" at others.Actually quite clever in your own way, and have almost (only almost) perfected the art of the superior put-down. Don't try to be insulting by intimations about training courses, anyone who has (really) been in business and reads this thread will put my words into context, and will know exactly what I mean.

I still disagree that "It is a culture where Brits are EXPECTED to pay over the odds"...it's not at all. They are free agents offered a price, if they don't know the real price / values of an item (now there's a subject for discussion) and they are foolish enough to pay over the odds, they are mugs, not victims as too many people here try to make out. Change yourself, not other people is the homily here.

And, do you not agree that these people should stay in the UK where they are in a (relatively) safe environment, looking at EU price tickets before they spend their pennies in Sainsburys / Aldi ??

Rabbits and Headlamps springs to mind.

TE

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 14:27

Caveat Emptor.

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 14:30

Perhaps a culture where not just the British are expected to pay over the odds?



http://www.londragazete.com/yazar.asp?yaziID=5222

Dusterbruce


Joined: 03/08/2007
Posts: 1125

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 17:22

Msg6



I first visited TRNC in 1981 and can assure you that the rip-off society was alive and kicking even back then!

halffull


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 17:29

Easy answer, integrate into the community and talk to your Turkish/Cypriot neighbours/friends and get their advise and assistance, before paying for anything. That's what we do and they are always helpful and full of advice and knowledge and negotiate a good deal.:=)

fosterscan


Joined: 27/02/2010
Posts: 541

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 18:19

Its not a rip off culture no different than any where else in the world no one pays over the odds for anything they dont want to. Think twice spend once

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 19:50

Absolutely Halfful, Fosterscan.

Dusterbruse, I was stationed here in '69 as a young man and remember well that dealing with the "natives" was an artform, we used to joke about "counting your fingers" after a handshake so, true, if it has not changed in 40 years then it's the culture of the people to ask a high price, and if they get it, well that is the punters fault.



It's not a hobby horse of mine, just that there is too much "slagging off" by people who should know better. This board is a lot like the rag the Daily Mail has become of latter years, raucous headlines and regurgitated stories whenever they run short of news.



Rip-off Culture ? Nah... British Mugs with buyers remorse !!



Best Regards

TonyE

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 20:03

T/E







It pleases me to see you have acknowledged the fact that I can challenge and defend myself if need to,nothing clever or superior in my eyes, however if you choose to call me clever and mention me in a superior way that's ok by me !!







However you fail to grasp that some folk who are innocent victims come into play here, innocent victims who purchased property in all good faith only to be told '' er sorry you have actually purchased zilch !! get out do not argue as all we were doing was ''maximising our profits'' no harm in that hey T/E







Or other folk that did not have on their contract the added costs to supply elec/water connections and were told, pay up or simply you do not get these connected leaving these innocent victims with no choice than to pay added extra costs in order to for these innocent victims to live in their residencies, allowing these unscroupulas developers to ''maximise their profits'' no harm in that, hey T/E









cont/

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 20:12

Or some of the innocent victims that paid Advocates an agreed figure to carry out the purchase of their properties only to be told by these advocates that extra monies was needed to carry out the stamp duty/deed process. Just maximising their profits !!



No harm in that hey Tony E.







Now if you agree with all of the above Tony E and you beleive that foreigners are not expected to pay over the odds then you are one nieve soul. But please do not insult these folk by calling them mugs.







And yes I am very pleased I reside in a very safe enviroment and long may it continue. However do not ask me to change I am perfectly happy thank you. I also like the fact that I can see prices on the tickets.







Rose coloured specs comes to mind

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
28/11/2010 20:16

Ooops sorry spelling I meant ''naive'

Lazy days


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 847

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 08:54

Some of the utter garbage that is written on here is beyond belief, however some of it is wise, let us all face it there are "rip off merchants" aplenty, everywhere in the world, so those that point the vitriolic finger of hate and poison at the TRNC, are only those that have been "stung" so to speak, a very wise sage (Elko2) wrote on this very board some time ago, when two people get together and agree a price for something then the bargain is sealed.

So then if at a later date the person finds out that Joe Bloggs says he could have done it cheaper, "Oh dear it's a rip off", sorry but it isn't it is your own fault - end of.



*Message 39 well said*



The problem with some is that they are currently sitting watching their "investment" (nobody held a gun to their greedy heads) doing absolutely sweet nothing, except deteriorate and cost them more money in upkeep, hell mend them I say, perhaps if they had been a bit more amicable in the past, then things might be better today.

halffull


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 10:02

I spent half my life travelling the world and we used to have an old saying, if you negotiate a price and are happy with what you paid and what you got then you can't have been ripped off!! If someone got a better deal then that was their good fortune.

As with my apartment, I paid less than my neighbour, but he negotiated more extras, we are both happy with the outcome and both feel we had a good deal.:=)

Lazy days


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 847

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 10:30

Exactly Halffull, in our case we are so lucky to have quite a few "real" T/C friends who help us so much, in fact we deliberately keep away from the ex-pat hang outs, and try to integrate with the locals as much as possible.

For us and I assert "for us" we have no wish to live on a large complex surrounded by mostly ex-pats, who more often than not end up drinking in the local on site pubs, getting sozzled, sometimes resulting in drunken frolics round pools late in the evening. We came here to escape that, however we appreciate that many of the people who bought on these large estates bought for holiday purposes and they are entitled to their enjoyment, so hence the reason we purchased in a small village with very few other ex-pats close by, and those who are neighbours feel exactly as we do, so I suppose we are lucky.

We feel secure, safe & content and definitely not "ripped off"

Them to theirs us to ours

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 10:35

Agreed guys, Pipie, I think the problem is, and I read this in your postings, you primarily talk about those people who have found their land mortgaged, the Aga Saga, Kulak..whatever #5, and so on. This is a very emotional subject, with victims and on-line supporters, and the "no-so-independents" who pick up a wooden spoon and pop any anyone and everybody, especially the authorities.This does not make the TRNC a rip-off culture,any more than the Phishing scams,Ponzi and Pyramid schemes that abound in the EU necessarily make Europe a rip-off culture.What we do have here, and this will get up many noses,is too many people who should never have ventured out of their nice safe pile of bricks in the UK,grousing because NC is just not for them. Listened to one chap bleating when renewing my TempRes, you could believe he was forced to come here. Rent first, don't buy outright is the rule!!!

I think there are far more happy people here than the vociferous small percentage of disaffected.

To

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 11:37

I do not doubt your assumption that more happy folk live in the TRNC than unhappy ones. It is a lovely place.

However the title of your thread needed challenging and I stand by what I have said in all my posts !!

Now the following brought just a liitle smile to my face.



Tony/E you yourself re your renewal of residencey. This is what you posted on another forum.



To charge 50 TL for 2 letters in Esentepe is scandalous & he should be reported. (member)



Tony /E

Hi, Agree it's scandalous, but not prepared to get into an argument when residency renewal is 2 weeks away lol...discretion being the better....



Now Tony/E Here you mention the word scandalous ???? Could I ask you to explain here please your true feelings ?



Mmmmmmmmmm now I have another word for scandalous looking at this converasation and it is not ''maximising ones profits '' Have a nice day Tony !!

clairegordon


Joined: 18/11/2010
Posts: 105

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 13:28

Reading all of this really makes me smile, I also read the forums and have been following many threads of interest to me over the past year or so and the last poster has avoided most questions asked and has changed with the weather at almost every turn 'a little like blowing in the wind'

Not to be seen as picking on anyone

Only my opinion of course and dont wish to be drawn further

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 14:17

In a restuarant with 8 other couples, having studied the menu, a few individuals decided that they wanted some chips to supplement the salad which came with the meal. A small saucer full of chips was duly placed in the centre of the long table. When 9 separate bills arrived for 18 meals a charge of 10 lira for each meal was on every bill for the chips. ie 180 TL for one large potatoe ! Further, a 10% service charge, which was not published on the menu displayed at the entrance was also added to each bill. Is that not a scam and how many could anticipate that it would happen ? Incredulous that the business could be so short sighted. Some wanted the police called I wanted a riot

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 14:57

Pipie, you really do love convoluting the discussion, are you more interested in trapping posters than constructively discussing the topic? and please ease off the Hmmmmmmmm's ??????? and trite sign-off comments, we have seen them all before and it wastes good scribing space!

Just to level the argument, yes I used the words "agree it's scandalous" as previous posters indicated they had paid 10tl for the same item. Did I complain about being "ripped-off" no, I said that I chose for expediency to pay it. If I had objected I would have gone to the Mayor, not started a bleat on this forum looking for support, and if you remember my thread was an informative one, on what was the required paperwork / protocol to get TempRes,if you lived in Bahceli.

It would be more constructive to ask me, just how much I would have been prepared to pay for the Letter, but you have missed your chance now.

DDawg, sounds almost surreal, did you all actually pay for the chips?

TonyE

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 15:20

T/E



I am not in the habit of trapping anyone. but seeing as you have mentioned this can a add I am not in the habit of ganging up, raking up the past, plotting against folk I have never met or blantently hounding folk or joining in the hunt.



However I am in the habit of defending myself and will cross all measures to confirm this, as you and others will see !!!



Now getting back on thread I beleive you also posted the following .



I wonder if the Esentepe Mayor knows how much his man in Bahceli is charging and would endorse what I could describe as profiteering if asked?



I have to add that when face to face and he told me 50tl or £20 for the two letters and I shrieked "How Much?" in his face, for I moment I thought he might let guilt win, and drop the price...but he recovered smartly lol

_________________

Best Regards

TonyE



Now Tony other posts have been posted by you on other forums along these lines.



con't

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 15:22

To me it is a little pot calling the kettle black here !! Not sure why but let me see how you wriggle out of this one !!

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 16:50

Elkiton. My Wildebeest (bless her) paid as this wizened old fart was trying to to start a fight with half a dozen waiters and Wilde was certain I would not even best one of them !

elkiton



Joined: 15/03/2009
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 20:06

Hi DD, Discretion being ...



Pipie,

Your histronics serve no purpose, neither does your delineating of your own previous posts when it suits you, then quoting those of other posters when it's to your advantage.



Your problem, and yes it is a big problem you should face, as seen by just about every post you have made, is that you don't know very much about your subject, you dress up 3rd hand information as fact, and when on a losing streak you try make it personal.



Drop it love, the discussion is over.



This is not a "Rip-off" culture, the board just has more than it's fair share of victims.



TonyE

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
29/11/2010 20:27

Tony E you posted messege 53 on another board, which shows all reading here that you yourself insinuated you were being ripped off yet you refuse to admit this, you choose to wriggle'' yet to still attack when you have clearly been caught out.

Now let us see how long it takes the rest of the pack to start hounding !!



''ok tony '' no probs, subject dropped at your request . Have a good evening !!

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
30/11/2010 01:11

Prior to having my villa built I AGREED A PRICE with the builder, (giving him a long list of all the requirements to be be INCLUDED into the build). During the build he informed me several times that " To do this/that will be EXTRA !!" I knew that if I didn't agree with the STATEMENT he was making at the time, the "EXTRAS" he was referring to, would not be fulfilled, (even tho' they had been agreed on) so I said, "of course PROCEED with the fitting/extras. (!)" On completion of the build he asked me to go his office to discuss all the "extras" he had put into the villa. I produced my list of "requirements prior to the price being agreed" and refused to pay one penny extra ! Our agreement, included ALL the extras he wanted me to pay extra for. A rip-off that was prevented by setting the requirements prior to the build with a total agreed price. I was fortunate to live on the site whilr the villa was being built, thereby supervising and correcting, shoddy workmanship as it happened

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
30/11/2010 10:10

birdman .



Just ''Brilliant'' the way you handled your situation. Well done !! However as you say it probably made it a lot easier you living on site. Other folk out there living thousands if mles away put trust into these developers and have nasty surprises when all does not go according to contract, as we all can see.

Nice to hear a postitive coming out of the situation for you.

I congratulate you on the way you cleverley out witted some that clearly out wit others.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
30/11/2010 11:29

Birdman, glad you used a diffuser to knock down the builder's intended fiery scam ! I redrafted the contract with the builder, which made it four pages longer, before signing. Amongst other things, I insisted that the list of specifications and extras be included in the contract and not on separate paper and it all be above the builder's signature on that contract. The advocate and estate agents at the time said "if you spend any more time prevaricating with the contents of the contract we will sell the villa to someone else" so had to stand firm and say "then so be it" but they never did. As you have illustrated, fire prevention is much, much, better than being "burnt" !

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
30/11/2010 13:12

Snakes

Hi Barry

I couldn't e-mail you as your address is hidden.

My surveyor is Stuart Hillard - Compass Cyprus. 05338612330.

Absolutely professional and very helpful.

Mention my name.

Erwin

breezyboy


Joined: 14/05/2007
Posts: 1179

Message Posted:
30/11/2010 13:32

So nobody watches Rogue traders which is full of nice people being ripped off in so many ways. So what do they have in common with TRNC residents / owners.



They are not all stupid.



They do however , mostly, not want an argument over the price before they say to go ahead with the work or supply of goods, food or anything else.



The British do not, in the main, enjoy confrontation.



If you dont care then pay whatever is asked and do not moan about it.



If you didnt get the solid price agreed or didnt ask then it is your fault and dont moan about it afterwards.



If like many on Rogue Traders you are old and suffering from any problem which renders you unable to deal with these bastards who pray on you, then please ask the help of a friend or neighbour in sorting out what you need before agreeing to anything.



Those ripped off by the builders, banks, solicitors and TRNC government are NOT included here. They have my sympathy as in the main they haven't done any wrong.

johndp


Joined: 08/09/2009
Posts: 497

Message Posted:
01/12/2010 07:48

HEY Hey here's one of the pack

Some, naw one of the posters on this thread, thinks she has been shafted soooooo bad but in fact she has nowt to complain about in comparison to some poor sods out there, if anybody cares to read her continued rants, ones that are becoming more disjointed as she bulldozes her way through yet more posters on here, simple fact is she made a HUGE booboo, when she told the lies and blackened someones name, simply because after some considerable time and reams of stupid e-mails, she was told that they couldnt and wouldnt continue to correspond with her, as she was not an owner on the said site. everyone on here can now clearly see what she is like, she cant let anything go - so yeah you guessed it - neither can I LOL

johndp


Joined: 08/09/2009
Posts: 497

Message Posted:
01/12/2010 08:08

Perhaps she will inform us all, some 20 months on from this post of hers what has now been completed, simple answer NONE OF IT



PIPIE



Joined: 05/01/2008

Posts: 3967

Message Posted:

16/03/2009 16:15

Reply Message 27 of 48 in Discussion



Highleygary C'mon we have no maintenanace contract of obligations of what we are paying for ?





We have not got all pools up and running/maintained .





We have no sauna /steam . ?





We have no access to the beach as building materials are still there ?





We have no individual water tanks as promised in contract ?





We have villas built on the complex that were not in original spec ?





Shall i go on ?





Just look at the post from Arnold he/she clearly was put off buying !!!!!

*****



PS Arnold her alter ego



It could also be said that pipie you contributed to the rip off culture by refusing to pay for a service you were getting, EG "maintenance"

apc2010


Joined: 28/07/2010
Posts: 1689

Message Posted:
11/12/2010 20:08

rip off culture exists everywhere ..........................esp where people let it happen to themselves......