credit cards

dv8

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Sep 27, 2006
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most larger places do. but even then some will not take american express (something about the charges). so it is wise just to make sure. visa and master are most commonly accepted.
 

LTSteve

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Jul 9, 2010
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I have used credit cards at selective spots in locations that I am familiar with. If you do use credit cards many locations will tack on additional charges to cover their costs, so ask first to avoid a hassle. Unless you are paying a bill for a hotel or another large amount use a debit/credit card and pay with cash.

LTSteve
 

Givadogahome

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Sep 27, 2011
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I pay for my shopping, bills and alsort with a credit/debit card, have done for about 6 or 7 years. Never had an issue this side. I was paranoid and didnt for quite a while, but after moving to the big city i realized the amount of money i can go through does not make it realistic to pay for everything with cash. How I avoid issues is I shop at La Sirena, Plaza Lama, Bravo. Established shops in the big malls. I never ever pay for restaurant bills (unless I'm paying a stupid amount or which is easy in the capital) gas, or smaller establishments with any cards. Infact I lie, I did have an issue with PriceSmart around Xmas, they double taxed my credit card, but it was put back on within 10 days.
 

dv8

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Sep 27, 2006
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our visitors frequently use credit cards from their respective countries here (poland, austria, UK, USA). no one ever had any problem. admittedly we monitor that use and we let our guests pay only in places we consider reliable. so far so good.
 

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
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I pay for my shopping, bills and alsort with a credit/debit card, have done for about 6 or 7 years. Never had an issue this side. I was paranoid and didnt for quite a while, but after moving to the big city i realized the amount of money i can go through does not make it realistic to pay for everything with cash. How I avoid issues is I shop at La Sirena, Plaza Lama, Bravo. Established shops in the big malls. I never ever pay for restaurant bills (unless I'm paying a stupid amount or which is easy in the capital) gas, or smaller establishments with any cards. Infact I lie, I did have an issue with PriceSmart around Xmas, they double taxed my credit card, but it was put back on within 10 days.
I've had 8 cards compromised in 5 years here.

You live a charmed life.
 

Salsafan

Bronze
Aug 17, 2011
924
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I pay for my shopping, bills and alsort with a credit/debit card, have done for about 6 or 7 years. Never had an issue this side. I was paranoid and didnt for quite a while, but after moving to the big city i realized the amount of money i can go through does not make it realistic to pay for everything with cash. How I avoid issues is I shop at La Sirena, Plaza Lama, Bravo. Established shops in the big malls. I never ever pay for restaurant bills (unless I'm paying a stupid amount or which is easy in the capital) gas, or smaller establishments with any cards. Infact I lie, I did have an issue with PriceSmart around Xmas, they double taxed my credit card, but it was put back on within 10 days.
That's the way to go. And be aware of the big differences when you need cash: fees of Banco Popular at counter for visa 4,5%, fees of Banco Progreso at ATM = 0 (not even the usual 1,5%).
 

La Profe_1

Moderator: Daily Headline News, Travel & Tourism
Oct 15, 2003
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The last time I used a credit/debit card here, was my first visit to La Sirena in Puerto Plata -June of 2009 and my card was cloned. Have never used a card since.
 

Givadogahome

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Sep 27, 2011
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I am not speaking specifically about anyone on this forum, but I do think a lot of people put blame on certain companies firstly rather than secondly. Yes ultimately the company is to blame, but the individual still has to be responsible enough to use good judgement on where and when to use the cards and if it is even necessary.

La prof- -If your card was genuinely cloned and proven that staff had cloned the card, what followed? That would have created a small storm would it not, La Sirena is not exactly a small boutique that may be dismisses with a slap on the wrists.
 

Casino127

Member
Jan 13, 2012
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I use credit cards (visa & master) quite often in large stores, gas station, furniture store and i never had a problem. Once the bank close my account, they taugh someone was using my card since i was using the card in different countries. After a phone call to the bank everything was again set for the best. There is only a 2 to 3% on the exchange.
 

La Profe_1

Moderator: Daily Headline News, Travel & Tourism
Oct 15, 2003
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I am not speaking specifically about anyone on this forum, but I do think a lot of people put blame on certain companies firstly rather than secondly. Yes ultimately the company is to blame, but the individual still has to be responsible enough to use good judgement on where and when to use the cards and if it is even necessary.

La prof- -If your card was genuinely cloned and proven that staff had cloned the card, what followed? That would have created a small storm would it not, La Sirena is not exactly a small boutique that may be dismisses with a slap on the wrists.

Oh, it was cloned, all right!

My bank called me to inquire about purchases made using my card at various retailers in the US such as Avon and a seller of birdseed. The bank blocked the card and I had to wait about two weeks to get a replacement. I figured that the problem wasn't La Sirena itself, but the Card Net employees since this debit card carried a Visa imprint, so I never did anything with the retailer.
 

Givadogahome

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Sep 27, 2011
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That doesn't even mean it had anything to do with La Sirena. I once got charged out of the blue for purchases on a Thompson flight, I'd never even flown on a Thompson flight or any flight for almost a year at the time, and the only time I'd used that particular card was at Heathrow airport even prior to that. These clones are clever, they will let your card sleep for a while and then start milking it hoping you don't notice.
 

La Profe_1

Moderator: Daily Headline News, Travel & Tourism
Oct 15, 2003
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That doesn't even mean it had anything to do with La Sirena. I once got charged out of the blue for purchases on a Thompson flight, I'd never even flown on a Thompson flight or any flight for almost a year at the time, and the only time I'd used that particular card was at Heathrow airport even prior to that. These clones are clever, they will let your card sleep for a while and then start milking it hoping you don't notice.

I never said it was the fault of La Sirena. In fact, I actually said that I never followed up with them because I didn't think that they were responsible.
 

malko

Campesino !! :)
Jan 12, 2013
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The year I got married, 2011, went to pick my aunts up at pop airport. Tried to get cash at atm at airport. Did one false code, blocked my card. My bank in france said it wasnt blocked, all the banks and la sirena told me it was blocked. Never lived with such little momey for 3 months. great savings. got back to france, went to bank, put card in machine and it worked, so go figure......