Paying our dues - you have to despair!
08 May 2019 | Naoussa, Paros
Maggie Fowler
The marina's been a great asset during the bad weather?
We've had a lovely time in Naoussa marina, availed ourselves of the free power and water and been able to leave the boat knowing that it was safe. Now we must pay! Yes, it all helps this cash strapped country get back on its feet.....
Not so fast, we’re talking about Greece - there's an ongoing dispute (at least 3 years) between the municipality and a former manager, and because of this they cannot formally charge. Instead they ask for 'donations' a suggestion of €10 a day - sounds very reasonable. But they can't take cash, and no, they don't have credit or debit card facilities. You must go to the bank and make a transfer.
Do they not realise the banks are only open mornings, 5 days a week (less actually as there's been a bank holiday) and yachts come and go every day? Do they not realise that even those yachties with a willingness to contribute, when they're ready to go, just want to leave - not go and queue at a bank? Well, I think they probably do, because I would guess that of the 40ish boats that were in during the bad weather maybe 2 or 3 paid. We did, but it wasn't easy.
First attempt was at the National Bank of Greece. They have an 'air lock' door system that works on presentation of your bank card. If you don't have one, you have to wait to be admitted. Once in, I queued for 15 minutes only for the cashier to look at the bank details I'd been given by the marinero and say 'you cannot pay this money in here, you must go to Piraeus Bank' as if I was some kind of idiot! I had been told by the marinero that I could pay in at any bank in the town - a fact I relayed to the cashier without effect. I held my hands up in horror, announced that the system was mad and I was giving up and flounced out - or would have done except I had to wait for someone to open the door for me!
2nd attempt. We found the Piraeus bank on one of our bike trips - about half a mile out of town and I relented. After successfully negotiating their air lock, and queuing again, I got to the cashier who duly took the cash as well as my name, boat name, telephone number - I think I’m due a phone call to say thanks!
Over the last few years we've seen even the smallest businesses in Greece accept credit card payments - it's so frustrating to see a government owned business loosing out like this!