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sickbag
Joined: 10 Jan 2005
Posts: 155
Location: Blighty
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 Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject: Money in Mexico |
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| What�s with the constant battle to get change in Mexico? Some days it�s the first thing I think of when I wake up - how am I gonna break that 200 to get to work this morning? I have to plan my day around how much change I have in my pocket. It doesn�t seem to matter what kind of shop - supermarkets, malls, taco joints, bars - invariably none of them have change. Is this all just a big game that I�m unaware of? I mean I quite enjoy the day-to-day challenge, but is there a genuine, economic reason for this shortage? |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject: |
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| I think it's simply a matter of the size of denominations. If you try paying for something that costs 10 pesos with a 200 note, you'll be taking away a whole bunch of change from the 'float' (lingo for what a vendor or cashier starts the day with). I find it's easier towards the end of a day, or just before lunch to get change for bigger bills. |
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sickbag
Joined: 10 Jan 2005
Posts: 155
Location: Blighty
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I understand the �float�thing especially early in the morning. And I try to get larger notes changed up in restaurants and larger stores. But even in Liverpool/Walmart (I had to, sorry) they still struggle for change. And don�t get me started on cab drivers.... There just seems to be an overall lack of change in this country, just wondered if there was a reason why. |
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Guy Courchesne
Joined: 10 Mar 2003
Posts: 9650
Location: Mexico City
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| sickbag wrote: |
| I understand the �float�thing especially early in the morning. And I try to get larger notes changed up in restaurants and larger stores. But even in Liverpool/Walmart (I had to, sorry) they still struggle for change. And don�t get me started on cab drivers.... There just seems to be an overall lack of change in this country, just wondered if there was a reason why. |
Yeah, it's always a pain with cabbies. I got em back one day though. Left the house at 6:30 AM intentionally armed with only a 200 note. A 50 peso cab ride became a free ride when he couldn't make change. 
Walmart is my go-to place for change, if there's one nearby. Never had a problem there, unless I'm not buying anything and just asking for change. |
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hlamb
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Posts: 431
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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I have this problem all the time! I try to break 200s at the supermarket but I don't shop there much, preferring the market where I have no choice but to pay in small change. Sometimes the supermarket will tell me they don't have change but when I say I don't either, the cash register is opened and they have lots of change. Every day I try to gather as much change as possible, yet it disappears so quickly!  |
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Perpetual Traveller
Joined: 29 Aug 2005
Posts: 651
Location: In the Kak, Japan
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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This sounds like it could make a good Latin American Olympics event! The Getting Change Before Midday Challenge. 
PT |
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PlayadelSoul
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 346
Location: Playa del Carmen
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| I have that problem, as well. When I first started working in my present position, the salesgirls never had change. Making sure they did was one of the first changes I made (pun intended) |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Guy Courchesne wrote: |
| I think it's simply a matter of the size of denominations. |
The problem lies with the ATMs. If you go to a bank machine and withdraw, say, 500 pesos cash, the stupid thing gives you a couple of 200s. WTF? And if I take out a larger amount, the dang thing starts dishing out 500s. About the only thing I can do with 500 notes is pay my rent. Heck, there have been times when I've bought 150 pesos worth of groceries at a local supermarket, and they've had a hard time paying the change from a 200. |
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PlayadelSoul
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 346
Location: Playa del Carmen
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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| ls650, I am going to be in Hualtulco for 4 days starting on the 30th. Hook up for coffee? |
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tonydicer
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 81
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:20 pm Post subject: Bright side |
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| At least the machines don't kick out the new 1000 peso bills... Enjoy the ride, and look for reasons not to complain. |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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| PlayadelSoul wrote: |
| ls650, I am going to be in Hualtulco for 4 days starting on the 30th. Hook up for coffee? |
Sure. Send me a PM and we'll make some arrangements. |
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