Exchange Rate at Alfreds

[MoFromMonroe]

Use Ja $$. Just there last week with another couple. Got separate bills. The bills came in Jamaican. We had Ja $. The other couple did not. I told them to just give $100 to $1 plus tip since the exchange rate was 107. The waiter came over as we were leaving and asked if we knew what the exchange rate was. I told him yes. He said "no I mean "our" exchange rate. It's 95 to 1. Told him he had plenty of money and walked away. Fish & chips were not as good as they use to be. Kind of greasy. Don't think we will run right back there.

[Shaggy]

Well, that was just ridiculous to have their "own" exchange rate. Agree about the fish and chips. We usually look forward to them and they were not that good when we were there in Feb.

[Seveen]

I had this happen at another well know establishment in Negril ---- didn't exchange the money and have never been back . . . not sure how it's justified

[nutz4travel]

This is why we use JA $. They have every right to set whatever rate they choose and most will make money on the exchange. You won't find much different if you try to use USD around here

[Oncedeported]

Here in Canada all restaurants ,shops etc. accept American, but they all set the rate they want to charge. After all the recognized currency is the J not the US$ . They are charging you for the privilege of using US and therefore can charge you anything they want. You don't have to accept it. You can always use Jamaician money.

[Westenders]

In the UK, Euros are accepted in many places in the same way, and each individual establishment charges their own exchange rate.

I agree that it is better, more straightforward and cheaper to use JA dollars.

Aren't fish and chips supposed to be greasy ?? In the UK they are served on grease proof paper because of this.

[Shaggy]

Alfreds is one of favorite places to eat and i agree that last reach the fish was not as good, did not used to be that greasy, its not the same fish they used to serve for fish and chips and we were also disapointed, But the rest of the food we had there was excellent as usual. They should go back to the fish they used to have, it was much better

[Lola]

Okay, good to hear comments from different countries that the establishment rate is a 'standard practice' when accepting non-local currency!

[sunray]

To put this in perspective, say the other couple's bill was $5000 JA, (hopefully it was much less than that), if they pay the bill at an exchange rate of 100 JA to 1 US, it cost them $50 US. If they pay at the rate the waiter told them Arthur's charges; 95 JA to 1 US, the bill would have been converted to $52.63 US. A difference of $2.63 US (on an example bill of 5000 JA).
Had the other couple exchanged their US $ at a cambio, bank etc. at an exchange rate of 107 JA to 1 US, and paid the example 5000 JA bill in the National currency of Jamaica it would have cost them $46.73 US.
Maybe the waiter may have been trying to say, are you sure you want to pay in US? (because our exchange rate isn't really that favourable to you). In the big picture, a difference of a couple bucks more for lunch, if one chooses not to use the Jamaican National currency in Jamaica, (NOT local currency as many people call it, but National currency), then perhaps they shouldn't be overly concerned about how a beach restaurant sets their exchange rate.
....When in Rome.....

[nh420er]

Well Said sunray