[Idyllchat] Exchange rate in Europe

[pandjking at sbcglobal.net]

Dear Idyllchatters,
    Jane and I just got ripped off on the exchange rate at the Frankfurt, Germany, airport and I thought I should alert you.
    We were returning from Russia and had a short layover in Frankfurt.  I decided to buy a Coke and a beer for us to enjoy while killing time, so I went to a nearby concession stand.
    I had no Euros, but there was a sign by the cash register that said they "welcome" dollars and British pounds.
    I expected to pay airport prices for the beer and Coke, and I did:  E 3.00 for the Coke and E 3.30 for the beer, so that was no big deal, albeit expensive.  
    I handed the girl a $20 bill.  She gave me back E 5.70 in change, which I though was lots less than it should have been, so I scrutinized the receipt.  There was an item posted that said "12.00"  
    I didn't have a clue as to what it was so I asked her.  She said, "Well, this is Euros.  $20 U.S. equals 12 Euros."
    I couldn't believe it.  $20 U.S. would have been 14.50 Euros at the current exchange rate.  No wonder they "welcomed" dollars and pounds.  They jacked up the exchange rate by 20% and sweetened their profits.
    I should have walked away, but my taste for a cold beer won out.
    Watch out for the exchange rate thieves.  I didn't think they existed anymore, but they sure do.  There is more than one way to get your pocket picked, as I just found out.
    Phil King
    Spring Lake, MI
    
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