Threats from Colaba Hotel Touts

x2bate · Mar 1st, 2007, 10:12

On 02/24/07 2230, I was looking for the Hotel Regency Plaza on the main road in Colaba. When I arrived and headed up the stairs four young local guys followed me up yelling that the hotel was full, and that I shouldn't even attempt to check. The door to the hotel was locked but, having called ahead, I went to press the buzzer when one of the guys grabbed my arm, yelling " I told you it is full!!". Pulling my arm away, I said I had called ahead and had reservations. The door opened and the manager let me in to the small lobby. The four guys came in demanding a comission even though they had not brought me there. They pushed their way to the counter and forced the desk guy into a corner. I made my way between them and pushed them back away from the manager. They became very agitated and one took a swipe at me!! Being tired from my train ride and gettnig a little freaked out I shoved with everything my 6' 2" 240lb body could give sending all four out the door and two or three down the stairs. They yelled threats up the steps and left.
The desk man said they are street kids that extort money out of small hotel owners with the threat of damage to the owners or their property, while the cops look the other way.
I hadn't thought the commision guys were such a sinister crowd.
Any other run-ins with this lot?

PeakXV · Mar 1st, 2007, 10:22

Our business Chauffeur/Taxi driver was going around (after-the-fact) trying to extort commission/baksheesh money out of shops that he was being well paid to take us to (we had a word with him once we found it out) - anything is possible in India.

Generally as the hotel rating increases - the chance of running into those type of thugs decreases - but again, anything is possible in India.

julesa · Mar 12th, 2007, 11:10

we had a guy approach us in the fort area as we got out at CST station, trying to convince us to go to Hotel City Palace (the one over the road from the station, i think that's it). we already had a reservation, the guy understood this i believe, but had a shot at getting a commission anyway by following us up to reception.

they wouldn't give him one and he became quite agitated, carrying on. they just walked him off.

capt_mahajan · Mar 12th, 2007, 11:22

Many hotels and shops around tourist haunts in India will give a commission to just about anybody who claims he brought it in; hence this mess. They will get more aggressive with a foreign tourist, and also what looks like a small city Indian tourist.

The best thing to do is ignore them, any conversation may result in claims for a commission later.

Peak, I understand what you are saying. But I wonder if those shops had already charged you extra, keeping in mind that they would have to pay commission to the driver.

Analogous to this... somebody once offered me a bribe in Chennai. When I didn't take it, he asked me what I could do if he pocketed the amount and told his boss I had actually taken it. That statement foxed me completely.

PeakXV · Mar 12th, 2007, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Peak, I understand what you are saying. But I wonder if those shops had already charged you extra, keeping in mind that they would have to pay commission to the driver.

This scenario is always possible in India. But the business that caught him were good business/social friends(of our company) and had no incentive for that type of treatment.

Nick-H · Mar 12th, 2007, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

... ... ... somebody once offered me a bribe in Chennai. When I didn't take it ... ... ...

Obviously not a Chennai native, then!

capt_mahajan · Mar 12th, 2007, 21:42

There are often wheels within wheels

Taxi drivers etc who take people to shops or ask for commisions are just touts with a captive audience.

ps nick, lets say one of us wasn't a chennai native

ChrisJ · Mar 12th, 2007, 22:44

I had a similar experience in Colaba. The Manager wasn't stainding for any shenannigans though. Out came the stick and off he jumped over the reception counter!

cyberhippie · Mar 12th, 2007, 23:24

A wee word, whilst I'm not doubting this was VERY intimidating, it's good to bear in mind that it's all a game. These people will back down very quickly if challenged, stand your ground and tell them to Piss off. In most cases this will be enough.

On the subject of touting, let's not forget that this is a perfectly valid way to make money (providing it's not too pushy) and touts will often find you a far better deal than you would do on your own.
Myth has it that touts get x amount of money for bringing you there and it gets put on your daily bill. In most cases this isn't true. The tout is paid a small one time commission, which runs to about 10-30 rupees. The hotel will pay this out of their own pocket (remembering that Hotel owners have a part to play in all this, as they use touts when times are lean to fill their rooms)

Whilst I fully understand people being uncomfortable with touts, as it's such and unfamiliar situation for us whities. I've used touts and ricky drivers to very good effect over the years. Some real gems have been found for me by these guys and it didn't cost me a penny!!

Where employment is at a premium you'll find all sorts of oddball ways of making ends meet. Whether you choose to use them is up to the individual but remember they're just trying to make a buck.
Having said that there is no reason at all, to put up with rude pushy behavior!

kmalik · Mar 13th, 2007, 00:00

Very interesting point, CH! I am one of those who hates dealing with touts. I almost never answer their queries or otherwise engage in conversations, partly as I hate being jumped on. Now, the punch line is that I am terrible in getting any kind of deal - hotel, rickshaw (tour operator

) you name it. Perhaps touts are the way to go

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 00:01

They are of course a mixed bag Kmalik, but I've had at least as many good experiences as bad.

PeakXV · Mar 13th, 2007, 00:11

I understand touts are just out to make a living and they can manifest themselves in many ways: kind, passive, aggressive, belligerent, & downright rude ....

BUT; the beauty of traveling India, IMO, is the freedom of exploring it all and to make each segment of the journey your own personal quest. Touts, for the most part, seem to think that you have put no thought process at all into your quest and would like to show you, the uninitiated, exactly what (they think) you have been searching for.

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 00:13

My personal quest takes a back seat after 40 hours on a train I'm happy to get a good recommendation and fast

I should add I only use touts for hotels, they've been very helpful up to now!

PeakXV · Mar 13th, 2007, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

My personal quest takes a back seat after 40 hours on a train I'm happy to get a good recommendation and fast

That's exactly the demographic they prey on the most.

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 00:18

It makes not a jot of difference to me, I'm not paying for their time and they're WAY better than the guide books!

Mar 1st, 2007, 10:12	#1
x2bate ...you are only in your mind. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan - By the lake Posts: 7	Threats from Colaba Hotel Touts On 02/24/07 2230, I was looking for the Hotel Regency Plaza on the main road in Colaba. When I arrived and headed up the stairs four young local guys followed me up yelling that the hotel was full, and that I shouldn't even attempt to check. The door to the hotel was locked but, having called ahead, I went to press the buzzer when one of the guys grabbed my arm, yelling " I told you it is full!!". Pulling my arm away, I said I had called ahead and had reservations. The door opened and the manager let me in to the small lobby. The four guys came in demanding a comission even though they had not brought me there. They pushed their way to the counter and forced the desk guy into a corner. I made my way between them and pushed them back away from the manager. They became very agitated and one took a swipe at me!! Being tired from my train ride and gettnig a little freaked out I shoved with everything my 6' 2" 240lb body could give sending all four out the door and two or three down the stairs. They yelled threats up the steps and left. The desk man said they are street kids that extort money out of small hotel owners with the threat of damage to the owners or their property, while the cops look the other way. I hadn't thought the commision guys were such a sinister crowd. Any other run-ins with this lot?

Mar 1st, 2007, 10:22	#2
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,045	Our business Chauffeur/Taxi driver was going around (after-the-fact) trying to extort commission/baksheesh money out of shops that he was being well paid to take us to (we had a word with him once we found it out) - anything is possible in India. Generally as the hotel rating increases - the chance of running into those type of thugs decreases - but again, anything is possible in India. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Mar 12th, 2007, 11:10	#3
julesa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: melbourne australia Posts: 291	we had a guy approach us in the fort area as we got out at CST station, trying to convince us to go to Hotel City Palace (the one over the road from the station, i think that's it). we already had a reservation, the guy understood this i believe, but had a shot at getting a commission anyway by following us up to reception. they wouldn't give him one and he became quite agitated, carrying on. they just walked him off.

Mar 12th, 2007, 11:22	#4
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,753	Many hotels and shops around tourist haunts in India will give a commission to just about anybody who claims he brought it in; hence this mess. They will get more aggressive with a foreign tourist, and also what looks like a small city Indian tourist. The best thing to do is ignore them, any conversation may result in claims for a commission later. Peak, I understand what you are saying. But I wonder if those shops had already charged you extra, keeping in mind that they would have to pay commission to the driver. Analogous to this... somebody once offered me a bribe in Chennai. When I didn't take it, he asked me what I could do if he pocketed the amount and told his boss I had actually taken it. That statement foxed me completely.

Mar 12th, 2007, 21:42	#7
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,753	There are often wheels within wheels Taxi drivers etc who take people to shops or ask for commisions are just touts with a captive audience. ps nick, lets say one of us wasn't a chennai native

Mar 12th, 2007, 22:44	#8
ChrisJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 182	I had a similar experience in Colaba. The Manager wasn't stainding for any shenannigans though. Out came the stick and off he jumped over the reception counter!

Mar 12th, 2007, 23:24	#9
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	A wee word, whilst I'm not doubting this was VERY intimidating, it's good to bear in mind that it's all a game. These people will back down very quickly if challenged, stand your ground and tell them to Piss off. In most cases this will be enough. On the subject of touting, let's not forget that this is a perfectly valid way to make money (providing it's not too pushy) and touts will often find you a far better deal than you would do on your own. Myth has it that touts get x amount of money for bringing you there and it gets put on your daily bill. In most cases this isn't true. The tout is paid a small one time commission, which runs to about 10-30 rupees. The hotel will pay this out of their own pocket (remembering that Hotel owners have a part to play in all this, as they use touts when times are lean to fill their rooms) Whilst I fully understand people being uncomfortable with touts, as it's such and unfamiliar situation for us whities. I've used touts and ricky drivers to very good effect over the years. Some real gems have been found for me by these guys and it didn't cost me a penny!! Where employment is at a premium you'll find all sorts of oddball ways of making ends meet. Whether you choose to use them is up to the individual but remember they're just trying to make a buck. Having said that there is no reason at all, to put up with rude pushy behavior!

Mar 13th, 2007, 00:00	#10
kmalik Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 447	Very interesting point, CH! I am one of those who hates dealing with touts. I almost never answer their queries or otherwise engage in conversations, partly as I hate being jumped on. Now, the punch line is that I am terrible in getting any kind of deal - hotel, rickshaw (tour operator ) you name it. Perhaps touts are the way to go

Mar 13th, 2007, 00:01	#11
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	They are of course a mixed bag Kmalik, but I've had at least as many good experiences as bad.

Mar 13th, 2007, 00:11	#12
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,045	I understand touts are just out to make a living and they can manifest themselves in many ways: kind, passive, aggressive, belligerent, & downright rude .... BUT; the beauty of traveling India, IMO, is the freedom of exploring it all and to make each segment of the journey your own personal quest. Touts, for the most part, seem to think that you have put no thought process at all into your quest and would like to show you, the uninitiated, exactly what (they think) you have been searching for.

Mar 13th, 2007, 00:13	#13
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	My personal quest takes a back seat after 40 hours on a train I'm happy to get a good recommendation and fast I should add I only use touts for hotels, they've been very helpful up to now!

Mar 13th, 2007, 00:18	#15
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,013	It makes not a jot of difference to me, I'm not paying for their time and they're WAY better than the guide books!

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