Shop Steering
Shop-steering” visits are undisclosed or dubious time-wasting, impromptu Cruise stops usually at retail shops or factory sites that make & sell tourist goods: souvenirs, diamonds, leather/silk clothing, & even occasionally illegal or immoral options. PIK: Asian factory pots. when I ind it again
Dishonest companies or guides gets kickbacks on your purchases,
but often visits just waste your time or worse.
Anecdote: Estonia cruise ships: immediately transported weguests directly to main square packed with shops & restaurants, then a pseudo Shore Excursion to even more shops. Most guests (100s) just milled around the stalls buying overpriced gewgaws & nearby overpriced restaurants, while I immediately scrambled into the backstreets on my self-guide walking tour of exploration. Tourist stalls are 'cruising', while back-street-wandering is 'travel.' ➩➩➩➩➩
Viru Gate, historic entry
thru 14th Century medieval fortifications into
Tallinn's Old Town near "Town Hall Square."
Anecdote: Pristina, Kosovo: One gracious young man whose invitation to his restaurant I accepted. Another guy, so belligerently and physically in my face, I finally yelled at him & physically shoved him aside. Foolish tout & owner.
Anecdote: Bangkok tuk tuk driver suggested silk suit shop: I knew he was ‘shop steering’ me, but I wanted the experience. I was curious. Friendly, no high pressure, BUT me in a silk suit would be the proverbial ‘overdressed pig.’
NOTE: If you REALLY want to buy a silk suit, blouse etc, Google search where they are commonly sold & visit several shops bargaining for your best price. [pplk: Safe: Soft - Bargaining]. to/from links
Cruise Company’s careful examination of Shore Excursions will have undoubtedly eliminated this possibility. If not complain & report.
Beware of Shop Steering [jlk: shop steering] [plpk: sub-pil” xyz Kinds of (B) Guides) to/from links
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