West Lake's Black Guides: Can't *Anyone* Shut These Scammers Down?!
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Those unlicensed tour guides aren't even locals. I'm a local, and one day, because I was wearing a backpack, one of them—speaking with an Anhui accent—stopped me to ask if I wanted a West Lake one-day tour. My home is right beside West Lake, why would I need a tour? So I asked her if the tour included 'Golden Drum Cave' and 'Silver Drum Cave.' She'd obviously never heard of them. I told her I wouldn't join if those weren't on the itinerary, and she just slunk away.
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Let me tell you something: the woman who solicited us right after we got off the bus was local, the tour guide was local, and so was the person collecting the money. Both the guide and the woman said they were locals. Plus, I grew up and went to school in Zhejiang, so I know the accents. I could tell where everyone on our boat was from just by their accents.
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You should call 12345 to report this.
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Okay, I'll report it then.
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Currently on the 'getting scammed' leg of the tour, at the tea shop.
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Same place/company for me too!
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My complaint was successful!
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Congrats!
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That's why you should never just go for the cheapest option. Our official, customized guide services are 800 RMB a day for a pure sightseeing experience with no shopping stops.
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Seriously? Tell me, what at West Lake would even cost 800 RMB? If you exclude Songcheng Park, do the paid attractions even add up to more than 200 RMB?
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I've been to West Lake countless times, through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You really don't need to join a tour at all...
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The ones who get ripped off are usually middle-aged and elderly tourists from out of town who are on short trips. They don't know how to plan their own itinerary, aren't familiar with the area, are scared of scams, and opt for these tours for convenience. Our entire bus was filled with such tourists, mostly aged 40-60; I was the only younger person.
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I just finished one of these tours today, and the whole routine was identical. I managed not to buy any tea, but when we went to 'pay respects at the temple,' I couldn't get out of buying a bouquet of flowers.
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Exactly, right?
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Getting scammed as we speak.
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And there's the incense offering too!