14 Nov 2024
* Bring cash and small bills for restroom usage as well as shopping*
Pros:
- Driver was on time. Saw the beauty of the land. Greater appreciation for the cultural and people.
Cons:
- No informational gems or other unique facts about the Taj or Forte..(All that was told could've been googled)
- The lunch was not ready when we got to the restaurant..The food was meh to ok at best.
- There are 3 "preferred" shops that we were delivered to which squeezed in on your time (read as waste your tour time) selling their Silk, Marble and Souvenirs...The prices are equal to or more than the other random vendors and the store owners are very unwilling to bargain despite being
" preferred or better quality". Example: Taj Fridge Magnet at Taj =50rupees.
Identical fridge magnet at the vendor shop was 150 Rupees.. I mentioned this and they offered me 10 rupees discount (eyeroll) claimed better quality....hmmm for a fridge magnet?
Having visited over 35 countries and just as many tours on 4 continents, we're somewhat used to the hustle...but this was different, boring and unpleasant at best.
We have no issues with paying fair price or having "involuntarily stops" (simply consult me or list on the tour details) . Its a hustle and open secret on kickbacks...but make it worth it...While rupees amount to pennies in most western currencies, my time is far more precious and would prefer to spend more time at the sites rather being whisked away to be pitched..
We mentioned 2x what we wanted to stop for ( 1 scaf and salwar for loved ones back home) both times given that brush of yes after these ( their) places.. So we obliged in being delivered to these vendors to be pitched on things we don't want- also wasting their time! Guess what, now its time to go back to Dehli (3hours drive) and there will be traffic so now, let's make hurry for the things we wanted and random non kickback place..
Recommendatiions To Tour Operators:
1) Tone down the rinse and repeat template for all guests. Never assume every guest just wants pics for Instagram .Ensure the guides are more versed, knowledgeable ( example: At the Taj, we overheard 2 different local guides at different times relaying info my guide never mentioned..maybe it was fake or maybe not idk) ..Every customer is different
pleasd ask .some of us come to learn, some to shop, some to admire and some to immerse themselves..apply slight tailoring.
2) If you're offering up vendors( and discouraging random stops at other shops, stalls) ensure they know customer service and there is price parity..Understandly, you don't control the private business but if the prices for items in shops are the same as they were at the tourist trap- save your gas and allow us to buy at the closer one with the same price.
- No offer to take our photos using our cameras...Yet we were asked on several occasions to tell the "photographers" at the sites no...so all we have are few selfies instead of proper photos.
- Be mindful of our wait times at each site after we are done touring...Not cool having to wait for the driver to comeback around to pick us up at each of the stops...in the heat
- Ask relevant questions..There was no shopping at our leisure for things we wanted...Not everyone wants to see or buy a marble table. 3 stops at 25-45mins each amounted to more time than what was spent at Taj and the Forte.