In Reply to: expectations of drivers/guides posted by Jenni C. on Saturday, 10. April 1999 at 13:41 Bali Time:
With one of the drivers I would agree with your statement--I believe his intent was to please. But one of the reasons he was selected was that he was said to know the "outlets", instead the selection was to the large (often great quantity but not great quality) places clearly devised for tour groups. Another guide--not from the Forum-- was however clearly steering and looking for where he got a commission--to take an extreme example--a carved mask in a store he "pushed" was marked $900 !!!, the mask was inferior to almost identical (but better carved) masks we saw for $80 initial price. We did not buy that one, but we did buy a hanger for 90,000 (negotiated down from 275,000); there also another day we saw a slightly better one (same town) where the starting price was 40,000.