Several Romanian tourists complain that they were tricked into buying low-quality, often counterfeit products, for which they do not even receive guarantees or quality certificates. And most of the time they are sold by other Romanians, who apparently have an understanding with the traders.
Image from Antalya. PHOTO: Pexels
A Romanian woman complains that she was tricked in Antalya into buying products of dubious quality, and the one who insisted and convinced her was actually a Romanian woman. What’s more, she says, the guides weren’t interested in helping her return the products or find a solution to the problems either. The woman reported the incident on a Facebook group dedicated to Romanians who spend their holidays in Antalya, and her post went viral.
According to his words, but also of other netizens, it seems that in Antalya there are real networks through which tourists are tricked into buying products of questionable quality at high prices, and often the tour guides and drivers are on the side of those who trick them on people. The problem is that such occurrences are becoming more frequent, and cleverly laid traps leave many without money.
“I want to tell you about a problem encountered while on vacation in Antalya 2 weeks ago. We purchased a stay through the agency, which recommended a trip to a leather and fur clothing factory. The problem is that we were met there by a lady Ildiko, from Turda, who desperately tried to sell us products, and she succeeded… at an overpriced price. Only after I paid and arrived at the hotel did I read on the Internet that that factory, Feron, are scammers, that in fact they don’t even have a factory, but only a store, that they sell low-quality products for thousands of euros. And that’s when I noticed that I had no invoice, no warranty certificate in hand, no certificate of authenticity or anything to write the types of materials/maintenance, nothing, but also that Ildiko on social media has a different name. In addition, the winter jacket I asked to be altered because it is too big for me and I can’t wear it. While we look around the store, thinking they were altering the jacket, they wrapped it up and left it at that“, the woman wrote.
Later, she tried to return the products, but was struck by the attitude of the guide, who tried to discourage her and refused to help her.
“The problem is that even though we told the tour guide that we wanted to return the products (3 jackets) and get our money back, they shrugged their shoulders and simply told us that there was nothing they could do, even though they sent us to that store. At the same time, they said that they did not know what the legislation was in Turkey and they could not guide us so that we could make a return. On my own I got the invoice from them, I had paid by card anyway and I had proof. I would like to know if anyone else has fallen into their trap, or if there is anyone who lives in Antalya and knows what to do in this situation. Anyway, I don’t recommend Feron, the internet is full of bad reviews and they all say they are scammers”she added.
She was not the only victim
That’s how she found out that she was not the only one who fell into this trap and that several compatriots were guided to buy the products of the company in question, without realizing that they were being deceived.
“And a friend suffered the same”said a lady. “I am hand in hand with the guides and the agents”, someone warned. “You won’t be able to return the jackets, they’re on one hand”another confirmed.
“Just like us two weeks ago! I told the lady at the gold counter that we had no intention of coming in here and we weren’t interested in buying, she didn’t take care of us anymore! I don’t know what’s with this new mafia in Turkey, you take a trip and they put such stops on your neck, I’ve been there before about 6 years ago, but it wasn’t like that. At the Turkish shop, Mrs. Ildiko tried for two minutes to fit me into a black jacket. We told him we didn’t intend to buy and he lost his cool, he even told us where the exit was after we finished seeing all the fakes. Even they, the guides, have a commission. And the driver, even if the guide speaks ill of everyone he works with“, someone wrote.
They are understood with thieves”
“The guides are in cahoots with the thieves. I also had new offers to go where leather clothes are made..goodbye Turkey. Because of the guides from the agencies, swindlers beyond measure, they asked for “tips” for the “captain-driver” of the bus that took us to the hotel. It’s local customs to be kind and beggar!”said another.
“All agency tours take you to these two locations, plus carpets! Excruciating moment! You can avoid it by sitting in the coach. But does your heart fail you? Turkey is beautiful, everywhere and worth seeing!”, was another idea.
Others were a little more fortunate and although they were tempted to shop at the same place, they resisted the temptation. “We went there too, they also had a fashion show and gold shops, but we didn’t buy anything and never went again“, someone told.
“Almost all the factories in Antalya do the same: they sell furs and gold at very high prices. I didn’t fall into their trap because they asked me 30,000 euros for a mink fur coat that you can buy in Romania for about 2,000. And for jewelry with precious stones, they do the same, being much cheaper at Teilor”someone else wrote. “30,000 euros?“, asked a lady in amazement. “Yes”, came the reply.
“Our guide recommended a trip to the jewel, ok we went. I found a flour bracelet, he told us the price, but when we asked about the weight, he couldn’t or didn’t want to tell us, that they have a price per piece, not by weight. It doesn’t seem normal to me, but fine“, wrote another.
“The reviews are read before and not after, they won’t give the money back, it’s not like in Europe. Unfortunately, there are also advantages and disadvantages. Same with accidents, you fix your own car being their fault, that’s it”, was another point of view.
I wouldn’t buy even if they give me 5 for the price of one
“We were also taken there. From 1,200 euros a jacket. but he ended up selling it to me for 400 euros. I showed them that I only have 200 euros and they said to give it like that with 200 euros and the rest when I get home and send my coat by mail. I left as I came. I think it’s a total embarrassment to go to such a store and pretend that they’re giving you the best offer and that they’re giving it to you for free. Where do you put it that the boss comes to the negotiation to cut some more zeros. Then another stop at the gold shop. You said I was a princess there, tea, coffee and something sweet. It takes you to the level where you can’t find anything under 10,000 E and you get to silver where nothing is under 100 euros. And so the boss calls to cut more zeros. He says he gives you a guarantee, that here and beyond. I left the same way I came. I wouldn’t buy even if they give me 5 for the price of one, all the best and I hope you can sort it out!”someone else wrote.
“They are not all fake, I bought very good things in Istanbul and at a good price”, came a reply.
The golden rule
“The golden rule: trips to Turkey are not bought from the agency you go with (normally they have a commission from what they sell and they have an interest in selling as expensive as possible). Excursions are purchased from local agencies. Just ask and you will see the price difference. Example: pickup at 8.30 from the hotel to Kemer port, boat cruise on the Mediterranean, various stops for swimming and photos, guide in 4 foreign languages, lunch, entertainment, return to the port and transfer to the hotel, arrived at 18.30 – price 20 euros per person (we were 6 people). The same at Christian Tour 175 euros per person”was another piece of advice.
“We paid 70 euros per person… The guides from Bessarabia-Republic of Moldova are scammers, the Germans and the British went with 50 euros per person by coach, the Romanians by minibus where an idiot driver in the heat of the moment made advances to all the women. callousness“, someone wrote.
“That’s how it works regardless of whether you go with an agency or on your own. He picked us up like this in Kuşadası when we entered Ephesus, we took a taxi thinking he would take us to the goal, but he took us by magic and first took us to a small fur factory, but we knew the trick. I just took a look and left. That’s their pitch to take you to the factory, but often there is no factory, prices 3-4-5 times more than they do etc.” said another.
“I have been to Antalya more than 10 times, never on guided shopping trips. If I wanted something minor, I hit the road and went straight to the store I had studied before or to the ones where I wasn’t risking anything. But everything is fake in Antalya, they don’t buy things more expensive than 10 euros”someone else wrote.
