India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [53]
Note: Badly damaged or torn rupee notes (of which there are many) may be refused, particularly in larger cities, but less fuss is made over them in small towns. Check the change you are given and avoid accepting these.
Banks offer good exchange rates, but they tend to be inefficient and the staff lethargic about tending to foreigners’ needs. You run the risk of being ripped off by using unauthorized money-changers; the most convenient option is to use ATMs while you’re in the big cities. Always ask for an encashment receipt when you change cash—you will need this when you use local currency to pay for major expenses (such as lodging and transport, though you should use a credit card wherever possible). You will also be asked to produce this receipt when you re-exchange your rupees before you leave India.
A Transfer Will Save You Time
India is one destination where it is really worthwhile to arrange an airport transfer with your hotel so that you can avoid waiting in long lines at the airport money-changer, dealing with prepaid booths, or negotiating fees with drivers and touts. After a good night’s rest, head to the nearest bank or ATM for a cash infusion.
What Things Cost in India
This is a sampling of average prices you’re likely to pay in India. Bear in mind that big cities generally have much higher prices than smaller towns, and that any place that attracts tourists inevitably attracts rip-off artists.
The Battle of the Haggle
Sure, things are cheap to begin with and you may feel silly haggling over a few rupees, but keep in mind that if you’re given a verbal quote for an unmarked item, it’s probably (but not always) twice the realistic asking price. Use discretion though, because items that are priced ridiculously low to begin with are hardly worth reducing further—either you’re being conned or you’re being cruel. To haggle effectively, make a counteroffer under half price, and don’t get emotional. Protests and adamant assertions (“This is less than it cost me to buy!”) will follow. Stick to your guns and see what transpires; stop once you’ve reached a price you can live with. Remember that once the haggle is on, a challenge has been initiated, and it’s fun to regard your opponent’s act of salesmanship as an artistic endeavor. Let your guard slip, and he will empty your wallet. Take into account the disposition and situation of the merchant; you don’t want to haggle a genuinely poor man into deeper poverty! And if you’ve been taken (and we all have), see it as a small contribution to a family that lives on a great deal less than you do.
Small Change
When you change money, ask for some small bills (a wad of Rs 10s and Rs 20s) for tipping or baksheesh (see “Tipping” in chapter 16, “Fast Facts: India”). At smaller outlets and vendors, you’ll also frequently be told that there is no change for your Rs 500 note. Keep your smaller bills separate from the larger ones, so that they’re readily accessible.
ATMS (AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES)
Getting cash from your checking account (or cash advances on your credit card) at an ATM is by far the easiest way to get money. These 24-hour machines are readily available in all Indian cities and larger towns and at large commercial banks such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, ABN Amro, and Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank; in fact, these days, there are ATMs even in relatively small towns, although some of them may run out of cash or have limits on the amount that can be withdrawn at any one time. Cirrus ( 800/424-7747;www.mastercard.com) and PLUS ( 800/843-7587;www.visa.com) networks span the globe; call or check online for ATM locations at your destination. Be sure to find out your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. You should