clubsiam Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 So, the TAT say this is their number 1 complaint but then go on to say, there is nothing they can do about it. Lame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 "It is impossible even for a qualified gemologist to tell the difference between genuine and fake gems without the proper equipment. If you buy gems without getting them tested independently, you are buying solely on the word of the salesman or store." "What's more, the value of gem stones can vary tremendously, according to cut, clarity or origin - and unlike gold, the prices are not standardised across the world." The above is exactly why I can't get too worked up about this issue. As has been stated before, it is basically the greed of the buyer that gets them into trouble. If one rushes into buying something they know nothing about without doing due diligence, then, frankly, som nam na. Regards, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 "It is impossible even for a qualified gemologist to tell the difference between genuine and fake gems without the proper equipment. If you buy gems without getting them tested independently, you are buying solely on the word of the salesman or store." "What's more, the value of gem stones can vary tremendously, according to cut, clarity or origin - and unlike gold, the prices are not standardised across the world." The above is exactly why I can't get too worked up about this issue. As has been stated before, it is basically the greed of the buyer that gets them into trouble. If one rushes into buying something they know nothing about without doing due diligence, then, frankly, som nam na. Regards, SD SD, The other variation on the gem scam is you are shown high quality gems. Then when you make the purchase inferior gems are substituted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Heh, that reminds me of a similar scam. You go to one of those nice pick out your own live seafood in the tanks restaurants, then head to your table while they cook them up. That's when they throw your selections back in the tanks and substitute them with some lower grade dead stuff or skim your quantity. Som nom na? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Central Scrutinizer Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Well, good to see the BKK Post pick up on this and do the article. Maybe it will help a few tourists to not be taken in. But only in the papers one day. It does need to be told in a more wide-spread manner, but how? The TAT doesn't seem to care (and they are pushing tourists to 'buy gems'). The cops don't care. The security guards at these tourist traps don't care, and may even be somehow in on it. And the government does not care really or they would place warning signs at many of these areas and in the airport as well. Cent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clubsiam Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 At the end of the Bangkok Post story, they recomend tourists contact the Tourist Police here: http://www.tourist.police.go.th/ I'm guessing 99.9% of the tourists don't read Thai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Central Scrutinizer Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 All the government would need to do is place signs at the usual tourist traps in English saying, "Beware of strangers offering gem deals and other 'too good to be true' deals. If it is too good to be true it probably is a scam." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 All the government would need to do is place signs at the usual tourist traps in English saying, "Beware of strangers offering gem deals and other 'too good to be true' deals. If it is too good to be true it probably is a scam." Probably??? No it IS! Didn't their mommy & daddy teach them that when they were 15 or so? I mean really, if they *need* babysitters, then they should stay home. Oh, well, that won't work either... Regards, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paillote Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Probably??? No it IS! Didn't their mommy & daddy teach them that when they were 15 or so? I mean really, if they *need* babysitters, then they should stay home. Regards, SD Did your mommy really tell you that? What is really your point? We should not try to prevent scamming because a) People get scammed because they are greedy They should stay home anyway as they need babysitters I am sure most people buy gems not with profit in mind, but get tempted into buying something they know nothing about because the deal sounds very good. Who in the world is not a sucker for a good deal? That they should have known better is no reason to gloat, which seems to be exactly what you are doing. Paillote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clubsiam Posted February 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 The TAT Official says the Gem Scam Con is their number one complaint... but then goes on to say there is nothing that can be done. If I were the TAT governer...I would have a plan to eliminate my number one problem. Someones being paid to ignore this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now