India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [60]
* Street touts Touts operate under guises of initial friendship, wanting to practice their English or making promises of cheap accommodations or shopping. Often (but not always), the initial kindness turns sour when you don’t comply with a suggestion that you buy something or check in at a crummy hotel. When browsing a street or market, you will be accosted by what appears to be the owner of the shop but is in fact one of a host of men to whom shopkeepers pay a commission to bring you inside—“to look, no buy, madam.” Since scam artists know that foreigners rely on hired transport, you also need to be particularly wary when considering car hire, taxis, guides, sightseeing tours, or travel agents. The rule is: Never jump into a deal.
* “Official” unofficial operators Even more annoying than the slippery-tongued con artists of the street are those who operate under the guise of perceived legitimacy by calling themselves “travel agents” or “tour operators”—and a sign saying “government-approved” often means anything but. Before purchasing anything, you need to know in advance what the going rate is, and preferably deal with someone who comes recommended by this book or a reputable operator recommended by your hotel. Time allowing, shop around.
* Dealing with drivers Taxi drivers are notorious for telling passengers that their hotel does not exist or has closed for some reason. Never allow yourself to be taken to a hotel or restaurant unless it is the one you’ve asked to be taken to (specified by exact name and address). Note that any successful establishment will soon have competition opening with a similar or almost identical name. Drivers also moonlight as restaurant and shop touts and receive a commission for getting you through the door. If a taxi driver is very persuasive about taking you to a particular shop, this is a sure sign that you’re about to be taken for a ride. Taxi drivers often have meters that have been tampered with, or refuse to use fare-conversion charts issued by the city authority. Whenever you’re suspicious about a driver’s conduct, ask to be let out of the vehicle immediately, or seek the assistance of your hotel manager before paying the cab fare. When arriving at major airports and train stations, make use of prepaid taxis (the booths are clearly marked) whenever possible. Whenever you hire a local taxi, make sure that no one but the driver is riding with you. Even if you are just one person in the back seat, do not under any circumstances agree to allow the driver’s friend to ride along. Get out and take another cab if necessary.
* Bargains Beware of unmarked wares—this means the goods are priced according to the salesperson’s projection of your ability to pay. Also beware of the ultimate “bargain.” Any deal that seems too good to be true, is. If this all sounds too tedious, head for the government shops, where goods are sold at fixed prices that are not a rip-off despite sometimes higher prices (see “The Battle of the Haggle,” earlier in this chapter). But again, beware of imitations, such as Cottage Industries Exposition, often only marked “CIE,” which are seriously overpriced outlets that cash in on the fame of the good-value government-owned Central Cottage Industries Emporiums.
* Credit card fraud Beware of unscrupulous traders who run off extra dockets, then forge your signature. Never let your credit card out of sight.
* Creating needs Sometimes a trickster will create your need for certain goods or services. One common Delhi scam is run by shoeshine boys who suddenly appear with their polishing equipment and point to your shoes which, when you look down, suddenly have poop on them. Of course he’ll offer to clean it off for you, which you should refuse; the source of the poop is almost certainly the little guy himself or his accomplice.
* Noting your notes Recognizing the insecurity that comes with dealing with an unfamiliar currency, swindlers will switch your Rs 500 note with a Rs 100 note and then claim that that’s what you gave them. When handing out