To date being in Batam, i often get rates like, eg 10100/SGD, 10500/SGD, 10700/SGD, but i have never got rates like 10101.5/SGD, 10501.5/SGD nor 10701.5/SGD. Not sure how you guys manage to get rates with the last few digits in it,hehehe...
Just curious.[/QUOTE]
There are about 4 or 5 money changers in Batam Centre Ferry Terminal and the staff in these shops are eagerly completing for business after the visitors exited from immigration. You get better quotes as you move away from the first shop to the next, even revisiting the previous shop begets you a better rate which is keyed and displayed on the calculator. The 500 IDR is given to entice you to their shop.