Las Vegas

Las Vegas: Rip-off tip-offs

Las Vegas Insider

Exterior of Binion's Horseshoe Casino

Watch out for these rip-offs and scams to make the most of your time in Las Vegas.

'Taxi!'

Not so much a scam as it is a pain in the butt is the fact that you cannot hail a taxicab on the streets of Las Vegas; you must call for one or pick it up at a casino or hotel. It's unclear whether it's for safety's sake (to keep people away from the busy and unpredictable streets) or just to get you (and more importantly, your wallet) just that much closer to a gaming table or slot machine. Where possible, utilise concierges and front desk attendants to call cabs for you.

Phoney-baloney club passes

Not that many clubs still use them, but that's immaterial to the kind of swindler who would happily sell you a phoney club pass. Backing up just a bit, many clubs print out thousands of shiny, pretty UV-coated passes for free entry, front-of-the-line privileges, etc. Some do so with the intention of honouring them, some with the intention to let you get close enough to the prize only to hear that the pass isn't good that night but that they'll "cut you a deal, since you waited so long" for your free entry or skipped the line expecting to pay half (a scam in and of itself).

But the real hurt comes when you find that the passes for free club entry (say, US$20 ($31) value each) you just purchased off a cabbie for US$10 ($16) each were bogus. So no buying passes in cabs. If you're going to get taken, at least get taken for real by the club — don't pay for the privilege.

Nice pad

"Hi there! How long will you be in Vegas?" You are minding your own business, crossing the casino floor when you are approached by a pleasant woman in a black suit with a too-good-to-be-true smile and the slight twang of a southern accent.

Do you (a) Smile and reply "Through the end of the week"; (b) Say nothing but listen intently to her pitch about timeshare options in the Las Vegas area and hand her your wallet; or(c) Accept her offer of two free hypno-magician-burlesque-revue tickets, if you would just kindly attend her timeshare seminar at 9am the next day. The answer is (d) None of the above. Cut and run. If you really wanted a condo you'd own one already, the show will almost assuredly be a dud, and counting the seminar, that's more than three hours of your life you will never get back.

Do you know any other rip-offs in Las vegas? Have your say using the comments form below.

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User comments

I want to go from Las Vegas to Hollywood see all the attracatons ...car rental is 27 a day and for us to take tour bus its 180 per person...however I don't want killed cause i ws trying to be cheap ...any suggestions

You nailed number 3. Stay far away from the time shares. NO MATTER WHAT ANY OF THEM SAY. You will regret it, believe me. I used to convince people to go on those tours, and they always came back only to despise me. It's awful what they do when they get you out there. The cab thing is not anyone's idea, but the cabbie's. It's more lucrative for them to pick up from cab stands. They only pass you by when you're trying to hail them, because they don't think you're a lucrative fare. They do stop, though. When they want to. Believe it or not, the cabbies have a lot of power in Las Vegas. They get paid, per head, for bringing people to strip clubs. Before it was capped, the strip clubs were in a war to get all the cabbies, and were paying over $100 per head. Frank G www.bluntdinerz.com Hey Aussie from Brisbane, Las Vegas isn't slimey. You should apologize for that..

This company is scamming people on their cakes!!!! They are real rip off artist.

I found my trip to Vegas not as bad as any other major tourist destination in the world. Just use your common sence.

Disclosure - I'm a Las Vegas Club Promoter. Free entry passes are almost always honored by the clubs. Just arrive early (10pm is best) and you'll be fine. The only time you'll have trouble is when a celeb is hosting or if there is a performance. Also, don't expect them to get you in on major holidays. Most do not say "Line Pass" and should not be used as such. They are Free Entry, and that's what you should expect. Do not pay for passes, ever. They are given out by promoters that are hired by the nightclub. Anyone charging you doesn't work for the club, and can't speak for the club as far as events and best time to arrive. If approached ask for a business card. The best way to get into a Vegas club is Guestlist. Ladies are free and gents usually pay reduced cover to skip the line. Check out my website at FreeVegasClubPasses.com. Feel free to call or email with any questions. Always happy to help. Chris Hornak 845.641.3880 Chris(AT)FreeVegasClubPasses.com

Don't get ripped in las vegas!!!!!!! Easy! Just stay away from the slimey place

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