The travel product for which I paid too much
I had one day to spend in Marrakesh, so I hired a guide to show me around.
Why that travel product was such a poor value
The guide was supposed to take me on a half-day tour of the city, the marketplace and provide lunch through a special arrangement he had with a restaurant.
It turned out everything I saw that day was by "special arrangement" with one of his friends. Instead of seeing the city, it was a tour of merchants with whom he had a deal to get commissions off of whatever I bought. After about the third such stop, I told him I wasn't interested in any more shops. He became quite irritated and acted as if I had offended him.
Lunch was a similar deal where the basics were provided, but there was pressure to "try" various dishes at high prices. When I declined the extra charges, he again acted as if I had embarrassed him in front of his friends.
I paid $75 USD for the "privilege" of being led around by this guy. I could have seen the city (which I had never visited before) with a guidebook and my own instincts rather than being led by this tout. Big waste of money and time--it was the only day I could spend there.
What I'd Do Differently
- Should have researched for a guide that came recommended rather than one that was listed with a guide service.
- Should have bowed out of his "tour" earlier and saved some time for my own explorations.
