What is it like to be ripped off when traveling to Qingdao?

It is a common problem in almost all well-known tourist cities that scenic spots are being ripped off. Especially in the Yunnan area, I have personally experienced it. Now I will talk about how to avoid minefields.

1. Be cautious about talking too much.

As you said, I spent 60 yuan to buy two skewers. If the woman had asked how much they cost before grilling them, she wouldn’t have bought 60 yuan skewers (of course, Personally, I feel that the price of Chongzi’s skewers is not a rip off).

The summary is to ask before eating, so that the probability of being fooled will be greatly reduced.

2. Beware of yin and yang menus in restaurants.

My friend once went to Gulangyu Island for vacation, and he encountered something. Some of the restaurants above have Yin and Yang menus. Even the prices of the dishes marked at the entrance of the store are different from the menus presented by the waiters, and the prices are also very different.

For example, if you see a dish of steamed yellow croaker at 35 yuan a piece at the entrance of the store, and then when you enter the store, the menu the waiter brings out does not have this dish, but instead has a dish of braised yellow croaker for 100 yuan a piece.

Similarly, the price of yellow croaker is completely different. They also clearly mark the price, so people who don’t care about face will bite the bullet and order.

If you encounter this kind of situation, you can consider using the first method above. Just ask if there are any dishes on the door menu, and you can order those dishes (or the menu on the store wall). Those dishes with clearly marked prices are also acceptable), take photos as evidence when the dishes are served (the photos must be taken to the restaurant table). To prevent the store from cheating.

3. Be cautious about stores outside scenic areas or unlicensed stalls

Some people usually think that although the prices of vegetables in scenic areas are clearly marked, they are single. If they choose a store outside the scenic area, the result will be The Qingdao prawn incident occurred.

It is difficult for the supervision department of stores outside the scenic area to supervise them, so they have become a place outside the law. Even if you call the police when they rip off customers, it is difficult to tell clearly. Generally, you can only pay and leave.

Unlicensed stalls generally do not rip off customers, but steal customers. For example, if you buy fruits, which are all fresh and affordable, they will give you a black bag. After you pick it, he will secretly return the rotten fruits to you while you are on the scale, without you even noticing. There is a way to crack it, bring your own characteristic transparent bag instead of his black bag (some people will stop doing business with you after seeing this trick).

4. Beware of lottery tricks

This type of scam is a scam, and usually people who are looking for small gains will fall into it.

It usually appears in large boutiques. When you finish buying, it will tell you how much you spent in the store (I was 5 yuan at the time, and I thought it was a pie in the sky, but luckily I have seen it before) TV knows the tricks) and you can draw a lottery once.

No need to look, you must have won the special prize or first prize. Then the trick comes, saying it’s free but you need to charge you processing fees or handling fees. In fact, the prize is worthless.

There is only one way to deal with this kind of routine, and that is to give up the prize.

5. Monks giving gifts

Isn’t it a good thing for monks to give gifts? The problem comes, they are not real monks, they are just liars dressed in monk clothes.

Their general strategy is to give gifts, say that this or that is enlightened, build good relationships, and then trick you into donating money.

This kind of situation will happen in temples. The way to solve it is to ignore it. Each temple has a special merit box. If you need to donate money, you can just donate the money to the merit box.

As for the consecration, it’s even more nonsense, don’t believe it.

6. Be cautious when making recommendations from drivers or “locals”

Many drivers who drive taxis or ride-hailing services in scenic spots have the habit of making extra money.

Their usual routine is to ask you if you have booked a hotel? If you don't have one, they will recommend an expensive one and they get a kickback.

If you have booked a hotel, they will say that your hotel is not good, that is not right, and even someone died, making you so scared that you have to get on the pirate ship.

There are also recommendations for restaurants, fruit shops, tour groups, etc. The same principle applies: they are expensive because they receive kickbacks.

In addition to drivers, there are also some so-called "locals" who generally follow the same routine as the drivers.

The way to crack it is if they tell you what they say and you don’t listen.

7. Wild tour guides need to be cautious

If you need to book a local one-day tour, it is best to go to a formal platform, at least someone will supervise it (although some platforms do not care).

Their routine is to have shopping items on the way or add items on the way. If you participate, they will drop you off halfway and leave you in a place with no store in front of you. They were informal anyway.

The way to crack it is not to join any tour groups. Even if you want to join a tour group, it is best to go with an acquaintance, at least the acquaintance will not dare to trick you too much.