Walmart and there 90% rule..

[ToriB]

So I was told tonight that Walmart Gran Plaza has officially started using the rule Walmart Centro has been in enacting when I tied paying with USD : ( That rule blows. I can not word it correctly, but wanted to get the news out there for everyone....especially TJ. We know his passion over this topic.

[Jamie]

Is it that you can not get more than 10% of the money you pay with in change?

Like if your bill is $71 you cannot give the clerk more than $78 to the clerk, in other words you can't try and pay with 4 20's?

Jamie

[ToriB]

Why is this so hard. My bill in USD was $32 and I gave the cashier a $50 and that was not good.

This has been going on for some time, this location is just the newest addition to the pain in the ass problem

[Jamie]

That sucks....

Jamie

[bobby slack]

how bout you are in another country? not your own

[ToriB]

Excuse me!!!! This is an ongoing discussion for those that live here and some of us have USD that the store DO take.
Was there a need for your nasty response?

And, my boyfriend, whom is Mexican, uses dollars as well. Best exchange rate!

[Canadian Dos Equis fan]

Originally Posted by ToriB

Excuse me!!!! This is an ongoing discussion for those that live here and some of us have USD that the store DO take.
Was there a need for your nasty response?

And, my boyfriend, whom is Mexican, uses dollars as well. Best exchange rate!

Sometimes we wander in when we see a new topic show up on the facebook feed, but I understand your pain Tori. Sounds like a pain in the ass to my ears on the 10% thing.

I can't say I have noticed if there is tax added at the register but perhaps it could help to carry around a small calculator and figure out what you can use? If you are just over the limit get a bag of chips, extra paper towels etc to get back under?

But just sounds like another good reason for tourists, like myself, to use the peso while in Cancun so those who make money off of tips etc don't have to deal with hassles like this.

And Merry Christmas to everyone in Cancun by the way!

[ToriB]

The problem is not the math, it's that the Walmart that all the tourist go to started this many months ago. Last night I went to one that has not used this rule in the past and only went with $50 USD cause they were one of the good ones. Cashier Supervisor informed me they stated this about one month ago. I did this as I am out of pesos and Walmart's exchange rate is better then any banks.

I don't mind people coming in and contributing, whether you live her or not. But to post about something you know nothing about...like the angry post...I take issue with the person attack. It is a Living in forum, I live here, and I was giving my fellow residents a heads up...whom also use USD when out shopping.
I go to the Temp and Spring Break forums daily. I like to give knowledge, where/when it is appropriate. And also bit my tongue when my response could cause heat.

[Cancun Fun]

Tori, I didnt read that response as a personal attack. You ask why is this so hard they gave you an answer. I don't think they meant it the way you took it. However, I agree that it does suck when you try to use dollars, but nothing we can do about it.

Thanks for letting everyone know that is the "new" policy at Gran Plaza now.

[ToriB]

The poster had an angry face and a bunch of ????? Then went on to say Since I am in another county I should be using pesos. Not Jamie's response. He is one of my closets friends. He'd never piss me off.. I <3 him

[mc1234]

I agree with ToriB it sucks that they aren't taking the USD anymore. My BF who is also Mexican uses USD quite frequently and I have found that in a lot of places it's the norm.. There has actually been a few occasions where his pay was even in USD!!! lol

[TraceyUk]

I cant use pounds sterling in Spain ! I think its great that so many places here accept 2 currencies- its not the "norm" around the world.Our local store loves a US dollar- still give a rubbish rate though .

[BruceWedding]

Is it 90% or 70%? I was told at the Walmart, 70%. In any event, Costco will take a $100 bill for a pack of gum and gives a good exchange rate.

[BruceWedding]

Originally Posted by TraceyUk

I think its great that so many places here accept 2 currencies- its not the "norm" around the world.

In my experience (Mexico and much of South America) It is the norm in areas which see a lot of Americans. They've learned they can make an extra 10-30% by screwing you on the exchange.

Here, Oxxo pays a reasonable rate, around 12.70 today, while Extra pays 10-1. Guess where I spend my money?

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by bobby slack

how bout you are in another country? not your own

In case you didn't know, lots of countries use USD$ interchangeably with their local currency. Mostly in the Caribbean but they are out there. The Bahamas for example in on a one for one exchange rate and accepts both. Mexican tourist locations also readily accepted USD$ until the last year or so.

However the change over hasn't been applied consistently so it really sucks when you head to the store expecting USD$ to be accepted without restrictions and get there and find out differently. Kind of like if you went to the grocery store expecting to use your VISA card only to find out that they only accept MasterCard now.

Might want to understand the situation better before less than supportive responses.

Jamie

[ToriB]

I don't want this to turn into yet another discussion about where we are and what we should be using as currency, cause I get in. I am not in the US. Point is, Employers DO pay employees in USD, Stores DO accept USD for transactions and we need places to spend them. I know of landlords whom are Mexican that ONLY take USD's as rent. So instead of places making things confusing and putting all kinds of math as part of their restrictions, how about making a cap amount.... or place the supposed 10% "law" at every shop in Mexico so we don't end up at a store with three bags of groceries in the piss rain with no way to pay for them.

[v8eyedoc]

Originally Posted by ToriB

The problem is not the math, it's that the Walmart that all the tourist go to started this many months ago. Last night I went to one that has not used this rule in the past and only went with $50 USD cause they were one of the good ones. Cashier Supervisor informed me they stated this about one month ago. I did this as I am out of pesos and Walmart's exchange rate is better then any banks.

I don't mind people coming in and contributing, whether you live her or not. But to post about something you know nothing about...like the angry post...I take issue with the person attack. It is a Living in forum, I live here, and I was giving my fellow residents a heads up...whom also use USD when out shopping.
I go to the Temp and Spring Break forums daily. I like to give knowledge, where/when it is appropriate. And also bit my tongue when my response could cause heat.

Amen....give em hell!!! ToryB

[kellyfitz11]

Im confused. When I have USD I immediately go to one of the little exchange rate places that are all over in downtown and exchange my USD for pesos at the place with the best rate (recently got 12.80) to avoid all that hassle. Tor why dont you just exchange your money or is there a reason you want to hold onto the USD

[gbchayctca]

I don't know why ToriB might use Walmart to exchange rather than a casa de cambio, but I can tell you why I do! Sometimes I know I need to go to Walmart anyway, so rather than exchange, I figure I will just buy what I need and get the pesos I need at the same time. If I am not planning on buying stuff there, then casa de cambio it is!

But then again, when living there I never had dollars...only time I would is when my husband would receive them for tips.

[ToriB]

Exchange rate at gran plaza walmart that day was 13.70. Walmart always has the best rate, so why wouldn't I use them. Not that I really needed peso change. When you are commission only, and most of your customers only have USD, then my pay ends up being in USD. I need to get the best bang for my buck. I went shopping with $50 and my change back was 15% of the transaction, not 10%, that is why the said it can't be don't. If the exchange places had a good rate, I'd use them. But they don't.

[BruceWedding]

Nobody is answering my question. Tori, are you sure it is 90%? I'm positive it is 70%, at least at the "tourist" Walmart.

[ToriB]

She said 90%, as if it was lower, my $50 would have worked. Not sure where TJ is, but he is the resident Walmart complaint Dept and knows the answer.

[silverro]

Definetely 90% i tried to pay yesterday with a $50 bill for something that cost $37 and got no go from the cashier, ended up paying in pesos

[BruceWedding]

Thanks. That's strange because I was told 70% and the cash register was even setup to display the amount it must be to pay with a $100 bill. 90% makes it almost useless.

Oh well, as I said, Costco will change a $100 for any amount.

[gabesz]

Originally Posted by gbchayctca

I don't know why ToriB might use Walmart to exchange rather than a casa de cambio, but I can tell you why I do!

Tori uses Wal Mart for exchange since they have the best rates in Cancun. Cambio's are a hit and miss. I do the same thing as she does.

[gbchayctca]

Got it, but as I explained, I do the same if and when I also have a purchase to make at Walmart! And only if Walmart is the most accessible place to me at that time. Which sometimes it's not.

And I can see now (especially with almost all her income coming from USD) why it is so critical...that would definitely add up over time! Whereas, for me, that difference is a bit more neglible.

[T.J.]

Guys and Gals,

The"rule" is that your purchase must be at last 90% of the anoint you tender in dollars. But it is written and posted to the effect that you cannot get more than 10% change in pesos.

bobby slack's post was taken by me the way Tori took it. The polite reply to the smart a#s question is that Walmart has a big sign that advertises their exchange rate for dollars. Their stupid policy is posted at the cash register and by this time you have your cart loaded with your items, so you have no advance notice unless you get info like from this forum. So you can walk out without paying and shop another store, or find close enough to correct change to make your buy. Bottom line bobby, is that by posting the exchange rates, Walmart is inviting you to pay with dollars if you want. Si being in a foreign country had zero to do with this issue. It's just a stops policy, not will thought out, being administered by purple with no basic math skills.

To make matters worse, the clerks and supervisors are often too stupid to interpret the stupid rule. This us what set me off back in Sept when I was loading up for my daughter and her friends. To confuse people even more, sometimes you cam pay with a $ 50, for example, convert your purchase tosay $ 40,& get your change with no problem.

[ToriB]

I do know they didn't have it posted at the registers like they did at the Centro location. Was there today and didn't take notice as I won't be using USD there unless it's a large shopping spree and I have pesos to make up the difference. I just want to take advantage of the very very good exchange rate. Is that too much to ask?