As we were staying in CT for 28 days this time we brought out a small DVD player to plug into the apartment TV, and some DVDs, chosen by my wife, and CDs for those 'nights in (with a bottle of Bermejo)'. Unfortunately there was only one socket by the TV so a multi plug adaptor was necessary. The nearest shop where I thought I could buy one was the camera shop inside the Las Cucharas shopping complex (I know, I know, but I wasn't buying a camera so what could be the problem?). The Asian male said he could get me one, left the shop and returned a few minutes later with a small 3 way adaptor, which wasn't even in any form of wrapping. Putting it on the counter he showed me the price label on it. 15 euros! I told him I wasn't paying that and he said it was for two plugs. I then told him I only wanted one so he brought the price down to 10 euros, then 8 and then 5, at which point I left in disgust, biting my tongue in case I said something I would be sorry for. I subsequently found the Hiper Dino sold them for one euro 40 (packaged) (perhaps I shouldn't have bothered really as the DVDs my wife chose were all rubbish - chick flick films with no one getting shot, stabbed or beaten up and no bare bosoms anywhere!). Anyway, I honestly fail to understand how these so blatant con artists are still operating? The little handbook given me on arrival mentioned that the majority of complaints are about purchases from the camera/electronic shops in Lanzarote, so why aren't the authorities doing something about it? We love Lanzarote, always have an enjoyable time and will keep returning there for the foreseeable future but such little incidents like this, and some are not so little, put a dampener on things.
Sorry, that's my little rant over. Can't wait for our next trip to CT (and more Bermejo Seco).

This is a long running saga!

Maybe the shops pay the councillors to look the other way. Lots of shops try this, but please, use VISANTA.

Maybe we need a thread to Name and shame the rogues? Anyone with a bad experience put up the name!

Maybe then make it a sticky topic so the first thing you know about Lanza is not to trust most of the Indian/Oriental Electrical shops.

Well I don't think this was a scam- -like the ones where they give you a counterfeit item - more a case of trying to make a fast buck. He obviously didn't sell such things so rushed around to a ferreteria or Hiperdino and bought one, deciding that if you didn't thing to try there, why should he tell you. Frankly, I wouldn't by an adaptor in Dixons but go to a pound shop for the same reason!

We're getting a right splurge of these posts just now. Our Asian friends must be working overtime. Good for them. A hard days toil and all that.

con artists!!! sell their own granny for an inflated price if they could, i find it so frustrating that even after all the adverse publicity people still continue to use these shops for anything!!?? you will NEVER get a good deal and will ALWAYS get ripped off! and unless people complain thro the right channels,eg the police or council offices they will continue to get away with it.
if you are dissatisfied with their service request a complaints form in the shop,by law they have to have them along with a book for reimbursments,if not threaten with the police, or better still, DONT GO IN THE SHOP IN THE FIRST PLACE!and with any luck they wil start to leave the island.

Think they could all be struggling for business now, as video cameras were there bread and butter, but with the improvement in mobile phone technology they are dropping so much in price and not being sold in the volumes they were 5/10 years ago.
Shame eh?
Dont know if it has been mentioned before, but watch out if you are using these shops to change money, as last year I was nearly 'done' in 2 seperate stores by them trying to short change you.

Plus think along these lines ......you are out shopping in the UK and an Indian gentleman invites you into his store to look at his cameras etc. You wouldnt go in, at least I would'nt, not when we have Currys, Comet, Tesco, and the internet available. Wait until you get back home, they are just as cheap, if not cheaper, they are the real deal, and are returnable.
The independent electrical dealers in the UK died out 30 years ago.
I would not trust these 'salesmen' in ANY independent electrical store as far as I could throw them.

You are right in everything you say, but, frankly it has been done to death as a subject. It's not just the Canary Islands, it's Worldwide. Anyone who has experience of countries anywhere from the Near East to Hong Kong will have stories of the "Rolex" watches that work until the beetle driving it dies, etc. They trade on mugs, have done from the dawn of history, and will do until the end of time. Ever heard of holy relic salesmen in the Middle Ages selling thousands of nails from the true cross?

Good point Walker, I suppose their is a mug on every corner,and these people know it, 1 in every 100 customers for them, and big profits are made