Sorry that I seem to have struck a nerve. I always pay in ja. Remember that not everyone comes with US cash which adds another layer to the conversion. Needing to convert a U.S. price to ja and then the ja to ca for a Canadian perspective IS a bit of a pain. It's just as simple as that.
Last edited by Craig123; 08-20-2015 at 11:42 PM.
Criag123,Originally Posted by Craig123
You are not striking a nerve, I am just trying to correct inaccuracies. In your first post you state some businesses here "insist" on being paid in US$. That is illegal. ALL Jamaican businesses must accept Jamaican dollars. With about 70% of all visitors to the island being from the US$, bills are often presented in US$ as a convenience to 70% of Jamaica's visitors. If the JA$ amount is not on the bill, just ask them for it as you intend to pay in Jamaican dollars. We deal with this often in bars or restaurants in other parts of the island. And yes, they assume Lisa/Bnewb is American.
You then say that if a visitor pays in Jamaican currency they always get the "short end". That is not accurate. If a visitor or local pays in the Jamaican dollar, they never get the "short end". Visitors and locals will always get the best value possible by paying in Jamaican dollars.
Now about this extra "layer" of conversion for Canadians. Lisa is Canadian understands the Canadian perspective intimately. There is no need for any non-American to have any US$ on them at any time. Canadians and visitors from the European Union, Britain, Russia, Japan, Cayman Island, Mexico, Brazil and even Greece (grin), etc. can change their local currency at the cambio or bank into the Jamaican local currency and get the best deal possible.
You admit you always pay in JA$. That is smart advice for everyone to follow as paying in any other currency you will not get the going cambio/bank rate. The exchange rate you get from the bar or restaurant will have a convenience charge as businesses are doing this as service for their clients and not acting as a cambio.
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
Here's what I learned:
1 - Pricing in US dollars = lower price if paying with JA.
2 - There are no exceptions to rule 1
Sarcastic Question - Is that a discount for using JA or a surcharge for using US?
My pet peeve is the pricing in US dollars and that remains. Saying that's because it's the most stable currency is a pretty weak argument. I'm SO done with this topic.
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