Threats from Colaba Hotel Touts

PeakXV · Mar 13th, 2007, 01:37

Look, the fact of the matter is if you make a habit of consistently dealing with touts - you're going to get burnt sooner or later. The OP had a really unfortunate experience dealing with (possibly) some "drugged up" accomodation touts and the moral of the story is to preplan/prebook your itinerary as much as possible if you at all feel vulnerable/uncomfortable dealing with these sorts.

capt_mahajan · Mar 13th, 2007, 01:41

I don't like touts for another reason. They are in your face, often shifty, take away your privacy and space, and you know they want to gyp you whenever possible. Why would I want that?

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 02:01

Not my experience AT ALL cap'n I personally know loads of guys who work as touts for lodgings, their just out to make a buck. Nothing shifty about them and like I said a guy's got to make a buck somehow.
I've also met a few unsavory characters as peak has pointed out (lost the rag with one or two) but knowing quite a lot of shoeshine guys,chaiwallahs, touts and the like I'm bound to say they're just like you and I. Trying to make ends meet. It's the assholes who make a valuable service look shifty and dangerous, as in all walks of life all the fingers aren't the same.

I take on board your complaints about your personal space etc. The pushy ones rarely get as much as a nod from me.
However the nature of the work entails being a bit upfront and talkative. A bit like telesales people!

It's also in how you deal with them. There was was much laughter and merriment in Mt Abu when I told them all to simmer down, line up and talk one at a time. They all did and I got a really good deal too.

capt_mahajan · Mar 13th, 2007, 02:09

CH, you got a lot more patience than I do!
You're right about the making a living thing, though. As long as they don't try to cheat you and do that, I have no problems.

hey, I don't like telesales people either

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 02:22

Yeah when I look back at my postings on this kind of stuff I realise I must just be a glutton for punishment

I've been a gypsy ALL my life maybe that helps explain my tolerance (or stupidity)
I've often equated the tout, with all those unwanted telephone calls I get around tea time, trying to sell me................ That irks me no end, however I always hold the thought they're doing a crappy job, for little money.

However lest I'm painting myself as a saint here, I've "lost it" on several occasions with touts. One memorable time in Shimla, when a porter followed me for 25 minutes

He only left after I suggested a very quick way to get back to the plains, with which I was only too happy to help

For reasons not fully understood even by me, I've spent a lot of time with the street folk of India (excluding beggers, who are a secretive lot) this has helped me in my personal dealings with touts.

Like Peak says, if you don't think you want to be bothered by all of this plan carefuly and pack your most disinterested face

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 02:25

You know some places issue tout coupons now in Delhi!!!

Jorge Reverter · Mar 13th, 2007, 02:39

My two cents for the touts. I agree absolutely with CH, I've also got some very good deals through touts and they have solved sometimes difficult situations.

Jorge

noflylist · Mar 13th, 2007, 03:34

Leave it to cyberhippie to find the best deals, if it is left to me and the touts we'll muck it up together!

Touts in Mt. Abu? Must be a lean year up in them hills! My tout got mad at me because I said I was booked and then I asked the price of his hotel anyway!

cyberhippie · Mar 13th, 2007, 03:43

Cyberhippie = Best deals, is an equation that just isn't me

X years experience and still happily being burned

tony · Mar 13th, 2007, 07:44

My own 2 cents.

Arrived katmandu, confronted with a small army of touts at the airport, one grabbed my bags and took me to the pilgram hotel - $8 per night double room, top floor, direct access to the roof - what a bargain.

My point ? I was lucky.

One day I'll go back to the airport and thank the tout.

I agree that with some IM's that (some) touts can serve a purpose and depending on the circumstances, can be a blessing in disguise.

Tony

noflylist · Mar 13th, 2007, 08:00

Let me see, I am reaching Bombay Friday night, and Sat or Sunday I will visit Regency Plaza like a tourist, I will have a local guy more like a local goon) keeping watch for me. It would be interesting to see What happens

not normal · Apr 30th, 2007, 13:47

My funniest tout moment was arriving in Macleod ganje. Me and my two companions were swamped with hotel touts and we were indecisive so easy prey. One said his hotel was 3 mins down the road. I said 'really?', then another says 'sir, sir, mine is 2 and a half min down the road', then i asked of everyone ''has anyone got a hotel 2 min down the road' and they all said y'es yes mine mine!'.

ranjan154 · Apr 30th, 2007, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by not normal

My funniest tout moment was arriving in Macleod ganje. Me and my two companions were swamped with hotel touts and we were indecisive so easy prey. One said his hotel was 3 mins down the road. I said 'really?', then another says 'sir, sir, mine is 2 and a half min down the road', then i asked of everyone ''has anyone got a hotel 2 min down the road' and they all said y'es yes mine mine!'.

Since you have taken this in your stride already. These small things keep on happening, only you have to know how to deal with them effectively.

ranjan154 · Apr 30th, 2007, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by noflylist

Let me see, I am reaching Bombay Friday night, and Sat or Sunday I will visit Regency Plaza like a tourist, I will have a local guy more like a local goon) keeping watch for me. It would be interesting to see What happens

Go ahead, have heart you will gain something as a life time experience. Share with Indiamikers.Wish you a good luck.

ranjan154 · Apr 30th, 2007, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony

My own 2 cents.

Arrived katmandu, confronted with a small army of touts at the airport, one grabbed my bags and took me to the pilgram hotel - $8 per night double room, top floor, direct access to the roof - what a bargain.

My point ? I was lucky.

One day I'll go back to the airport and thank the tout.

I agree that with some IM's that (some) touts can serve a purpose and depending on the circumstances, can be a blessing in disguise.

Tony

Exactly ! It is the another facet, thanks for sharing.

Mar 13th, 2007, 01:37	#16
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,401	Look, the fact of the matter is if you make a habit of consistently dealing with touts - you're going to get burnt sooner or later. The OP had a really unfortunate experience dealing with (possibly) some "drugged up" accomodation touts and the moral of the story is to preplan/prebook your itinerary as much as possible if you at all feel vulnerable/uncomfortable dealing with these sorts. __________________ 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?

Mar 13th, 2007, 03:34	#23
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	Leave it to cyberhippie to find the best deals, if it is left to me and the touts we'll muck it up together! Touts in Mt. Abu? Must be a lean year up in them hills! My tout got mad at me because I said I was booked and then I asked the price of his hotel anyway! Last edited by noflylist : Mar 13th, 2007 at 07:51.

Mar 13th, 2007, 07:44	#25
tony Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: sydney Posts: 30	Good experience with touts My own 2 cents. Arrived katmandu, confronted with a small army of touts at the airport, one grabbed my bags and took me to the pilgram hotel - $8 per night double room, top floor, direct access to the roof - what a bargain. My point ? I was lucky. One day I'll go back to the airport and thank the tout. I agree that with some IM's that (some) touts can serve a purpose and depending on the circumstances, can be a blessing in disguise. Tony

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Mar 13th, 2007, 01:41	#17
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,602	I don't like touts for another reason. They are in your face, often shifty, take away your privacy and space, and you know they want to gyp you whenever possible. Why would I want that?

Mar 13th, 2007, 02:01	#18
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Not my experience AT ALL cap'n I personally know loads of guys who work as touts for lodgings, their just out to make a buck. Nothing shifty about them and like I said a guy's got to make a buck somehow. I've also met a few unsavory characters as peak has pointed out (lost the rag with one or two) but knowing quite a lot of shoeshine guys,chaiwallahs, touts and the like I'm bound to say they're just like you and I. Trying to make ends meet. It's the assholes who make a valuable service look shifty and dangerous, as in all walks of life all the fingers aren't the same. I take on board your complaints about your personal space etc. The pushy ones rarely get as much as a nod from me. However the nature of the work entails being a bit upfront and talkative. A bit like telesales people! It's also in how you deal with them. There was was much laughter and merriment in Mt Abu when I told them all to simmer down, line up and talk one at a time. They all did and I got a really good deal too.

Mar 13th, 2007, 02:09	#19
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,602	CH, you got a lot more patience than I do! You're right about the making a living thing, though. As long as they don't try to cheat you and do that, I have no problems. hey, I don't like telesales people either

Mar 13th, 2007, 02:22	#20
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Yeah when I look back at my postings on this kind of stuff I realise I must just be a glutton for punishment I've been a gypsy ALL my life maybe that helps explain my tolerance (or stupidity) I've often equated the tout, with all those unwanted telephone calls I get around tea time, trying to sell me................ That irks me no end, however I always hold the thought they're doing a crappy job, for little money. However lest I'm painting myself as a saint here, I've "lost it" on several occasions with touts. One memorable time in Shimla, when a porter followed me for 25 minutes He only left after I suggested a very quick way to get back to the plains, with which I was only too happy to help For reasons not fully understood even by me, I've spent a lot of time with the street folk of India (excluding beggers, who are a secretive lot) this has helped me in my personal dealings with touts. Like Peak says, if you don't think you want to be bothered by all of this plan carefuly and pack your most disinterested face

Mar 13th, 2007, 02:25	#21
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	You know some places issue tout coupons now in Delhi!!!

Mar 13th, 2007, 02:39	#22
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,224	My two cents for the touts. I agree absolutely with CH, I've also got some very good deals through touts and they have solved sometimes difficult situations. Jorge

Mar 13th, 2007, 03:43	#24
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Cyberhippie = Best deals, is an equation that just isn't me X years experience and still happily being burned

Mar 13th, 2007, 08:00	#26
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	Let me see, I am reaching Bombay Friday night, and Sat or Sunday I will visit Regency Plaza like a tourist, I will have a local guy more like a local goon) keeping watch for me. It would be interesting to see What happens

Apr 30th, 2007, 13:47	#27
not normal Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: australia Posts: 46	My funniest tout moment was arriving in Macleod ganje. Me and my two companions were swamped with hotel touts and we were indecisive so easy prey. One said his hotel was 3 mins down the road. I said 'really?', then another says 'sir, sir, mine is 2 and a half min down the road', then i asked of everyone ''has anyone got a hotel 2 min down the road' and they all said y'es yes mine mine!'.

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