We had the misfortune of doing Manayunk last weekend in Philly. We had a friend recommend it and failed to do other research. Sales were small but steady. We were relieved to get out with a small profit....or so we thought. Went to take the cash to the bank and the hundreds were apparently "good counterfeiters" which the bank confiscated. The bank said "sorry we can't give it back and we can't compensate you in anyway." In fact they charged me another $6 for the pleasure....We have gotten some pens for marking bills which shows if the paper is real. We alerted the show to let them know this happened and we wanted to let other people know so they could take precautions!
Invest in a UV cash checker, use the counterfeit checker pens, get the smart card reader, ask for picture ID, take customer photo for any high price sales. What the dollar threshold you want to set for these precautions is going to be different for all of us. There are lots of options on Amazon for the UV checkers but I found this that operates on battery power is cheap enough that you could buy 2 and keep the extra for a back up. It also checks credit cards and travelers checks. Hate to see any of us get ripped off by the sharks. Times are a pot boiler for these thieves. https://www.amazon.com/Products-Ultraviolet-Counterfeit-Detection-3...
Great idea Len.....simple and you are right....they sure don't want any evidence....And Anne-Marie? That is so "$#$%$" up! I am so sorry it happened to you.
Several weeks ago I was in the check out line at my local Aldi's (in New Jersey) and the young man in front of me tried to pass off a fake $20. The cashier caught it immediately and I think the customer was fully aware of the bill being bogus because he wasn't a bit upset and didn't even seem surprised. I don't know why the store manager didn't call the police.
I once saw a bunch of cops gather around and I asked what was up. They said it was fake bills and after talking to the cop they said fake 100's are more rare than smaller bills like a $10. I think because most businesses check big bills but don't bother with small ones.
Either way, get those pens out! I got one of those UV light things, but the cheap thing had the UV light blow out.
What a cautionary tale, Anne-Marie...so sorry it happened to you but thanks for giving the rest of us the 'heads up' and the tools to protect ourselves, so appreciated.
I love that posing with art for picture. I will say its for my blog and ask permission. I have had customers want to take MY picture with the art they just bought. Hmmm.
Comments
Invest in a UV cash checker, use the counterfeit checker pens, get the smart card reader, ask for picture ID, take customer photo for any high price sales. What the dollar threshold you want to set for these precautions is going to be different for all of us. There are lots of options on Amazon for the UV checkers but I found this that operates on battery power is cheap enough that you could buy 2 and keep the extra for a back up. It also checks credit cards and travelers checks. Hate to see any of us get ripped off by the sharks. Times are a pot boiler for these thieves. https://www.amazon.com/Products-Ultraviolet-Counterfeit-Detection-3...
Great idea Len.....simple and you are right....they sure don't want any evidence....And Anne-Marie? That is so "$#$%$" up! I am so sorry it happened to you.
Several weeks ago I was in the check out line at my local Aldi's (in New Jersey) and the young man in front of me tried to pass off a fake $20. The cashier caught it immediately and I think the customer was fully aware of the bill being bogus because he wasn't a bit upset and didn't even seem surprised. I don't know why the store manager didn't call the police.
That sucks.
I once saw a bunch of cops gather around and I asked what was up. They said it was fake bills and after talking to the cop they said fake 100's are more rare than smaller bills like a $10. I think because most businesses check big bills but don't bother with small ones.
Either way, get those pens out! I got one of those UV light things, but the cheap thing had the UV light blow out.
What a cautionary tale, Anne-Marie...so sorry it happened to you but thanks for giving the rest of us the 'heads up' and the tools to protect ourselves, so appreciated.
Anne-Marie, thank you so much for sharing this information. No pun intended, but it is priceless.
I love that posing with art for picture. I will say its for my blog and ask permission. I have had customers want to take MY picture with the art they just bought. Hmmm.
Thank you so much for the heads-up! That would devastate me. I'll look for them at Staples tomorrow (and hope they have them).
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