Originally Posted by
sirip
I just got scammed last evening. Same old style: so called students walking along with you, taking you to a tea tasting shop and at the end pulling up 1000s of RMB bill. Didn't realize I was being fleeced and paid only my part 575 RMB on Amex. Got back to hotel, googled, and figured the whole thing is a scam. So, went back to the same shop this evening along with my two chinese coleagues, we argued with them about their scam, threatened them we'll report to the license authority and call the police. They got scared and returned my 575. We didn't have to yell at them, just a threat at normal tone level. I'll also dispute the credit card charge and if I am lucky, Amex will ding them even more. .......s! they deserve it.
So, don't feel stupid for falling for the scam and keep quite. Go back, preferably with a chinese friend, threaten them and get your money back.
I disputed the charge with Amex as soon as it appeared online. They gave me credit while inquiring. Apparently, they give 30 days to the merchant to respond for the query. I am sure that the ...... place won't respond as they don't want any small inquiry to expose their ..... That's what I am banking on.
To cpx: I realized it was a scam on my ride back to the hotel about an hour later itself as I vaguely remember reading something similar. Googled immdly at the hotel and bam you go!
To the other gentleman/woman who doesn't believe in disputing or complaining: Starbucks wouldn't have given my money back as it is legitimate business. The fact they gave it back (oh btw, that was in exchange for my credit card receipt) says theirs is a shady business. So, don't pity them please. If most of the people do go back and fight, they'll figure the scam isn't working and hopefully stop it. And that's why I took time to register all the forums I could find and posted to them.