Post by T. Wedd on Jul 8, 2003 1:45:20 GMT -5
This scam is called twining, and basically it involves using deception and sleight of hand when purchasing a cheap item. The idea is making the cashier believe they gave you incorrect change. It's an easy scam and works surprisingly well.
The most vital piece of advice is to watch the cashier serve a few customers from a distance. Ensure they do not count the money in to the customers hand.
I have been doing this since 95/96 and have never been caught. It's basically foolproof unless you are an idiot.
Do not do it at places like McDonnalds, KFC, large department stores etc. I have tried them all and it's nothing for them to shut the register down, send the cashier to another register and have the manager do a till count.
I have been lucky on a few occasions like this where the till is out a few dollars and they gave me the benefit of the doubt.
There is a confusion method floating around where you change 10 X $1 notes etc etc but this isn't as effective as my way.
The method is basically this...
Buy a cheap item for a few dollars like a drink etc and pay with a $50. Then you get 2 X $20 a $5 and some coin. Slip the $20 as you turn to walk away, then turn back and enquire about the price of the item, the change and how much you gave them initally. Tell them you have the wrong change. The customer is always right, and %90 of the time they just apologise and correct "their" error, making you $20 richer.
The way you speak and your manor helps complete the scam. Also when the cashier is serving you, be talkative and ask something like "what time do you close on fridays" this will destract their attention and get other numbers going through their head.
Another method i used to use in summer when long sleeves arn't an option, is carry a plastic bag from another store. If you go shortchanging all day you will end up with a bag full of under $5 items anyway, trust me.
When you turn, slip the shortchanged $20 in to the bag. And if they ask "sure it didn't fall in your bag" just lift a few items up a bit in the bag like your looking for it, then place the items back down on the note effectively further hiding the $20.
There are alot more tricks to pulling this scam off, the first few times you may be a bit nervous just don't let it show. After a few dozen places you will have it basically mastered and learn to improvise from store to store as you go along.
The most vital piece of advice is to watch the cashier serve a few customers from a distance. Ensure they do not count the money in to the customers hand.
I have been doing this since 95/96 and have never been caught. It's basically foolproof unless you are an idiot.
Do not do it at places like McDonnalds, KFC, large department stores etc. I have tried them all and it's nothing for them to shut the register down, send the cashier to another register and have the manager do a till count.
I have been lucky on a few occasions like this where the till is out a few dollars and they gave me the benefit of the doubt.
There is a confusion method floating around where you change 10 X $1 notes etc etc but this isn't as effective as my way.
The method is basically this...
Buy a cheap item for a few dollars like a drink etc and pay with a $50. Then you get 2 X $20 a $5 and some coin. Slip the $20 as you turn to walk away, then turn back and enquire about the price of the item, the change and how much you gave them initally. Tell them you have the wrong change. The customer is always right, and %90 of the time they just apologise and correct "their" error, making you $20 richer.
The way you speak and your manor helps complete the scam. Also when the cashier is serving you, be talkative and ask something like "what time do you close on fridays" this will destract their attention and get other numbers going through their head.
Another method i used to use in summer when long sleeves arn't an option, is carry a plastic bag from another store. If you go shortchanging all day you will end up with a bag full of under $5 items anyway, trust me.
When you turn, slip the shortchanged $20 in to the bag. And if they ask "sure it didn't fall in your bag" just lift a few items up a bit in the bag like your looking for it, then place the items back down on the note effectively further hiding the $20.
There are alot more tricks to pulling this scam off, the first few times you may be a bit nervous just don't let it show. After a few dozen places you will have it basically mastered and learn to improvise from store to store as you go along.