How to deal with vendors on your vacation

If you’ve ever been on vacation and were bothered by a local beach vendor, it’s an experience that can sour your vacation experience. Most Caribbean countries have public beaches even on resort locations. This means beach vendors are free to engage with the vacationers about selling items or island activities. Resort security will intervene if the vendors get too intrusive. Sometimes there are situations where you want to look at what they are selling and there are other times you just want to be left alone. Here are four tips to help you when encountering beach vendors.

1. Avoid Eye Contact

   • Avoiding eye contact is your first defense. Wearing sunglasses also helps. When a beach vendor is waving or yelling to get your attention, a blank stare away from the vendor will cause them to realize your are not interested. Vendors know when they are wasting their time on an uninterested individual and will move on. But, if you show any interest, they will fully engage you.

2. What To Say

   • When a vendor asks you anything simply say “no thank you”. If they ask again, say “no thank you” again. If you show any interest or weakness at all, they will pursue you. They realize that vacationers have a sentimental weakness to be nice and this can be exploited. Saying “no thank you” twice in a row has worked every time for me.

3. What Not To Say

   • Never say “maybe later” or “not right now”. If you show any interest at all, it shows you display the weakness of being nice and may be able to be pushed into a corner into buying what they are selling.

4. How To Respond to a Greeting

   • This one is the most difficult because most of us try to be friendly with everyone we meet. If a vendor greets you on the beach, respond with as little a response as possible. If they ask “how is your day going today sir?” You should respond with a smile and a head nod. Any verbal response will strike up a conversation you do not want because it will quickly turn into a sales pitch. If they wave at you, it’s best to pretend you did not see them. This is where sunglasses come in to play. If you wave back, it will once again encourage an interaction.

I always encourage my clients to bring extra cash to buy from the locals which not only helps individuals and their economy, but it also helps you remember your vacation by admiring some of the hand-made things made by those who share their home with you. I do not recommend going on excursions sold by beach vendors. Always go through the resort for finding reputable companies to book excursions. The resort can also find you reputable taxi drivers as well.

There are those times where you don’t have cash or just want to relax for the day. In those times, remember these tips to help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

The Best Kept Secret when Traveling to Jamaica

Anyone who has ever traveled to a foreign country knows what it’s like to arrive at the airport excited to start your vacation only to encounter a line of hundreds and hundreds of tourists waiting to go through customs. This process can sometimes take hours.

At Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and Kingston Norman Rogers Airport in Jamaica, there is a solution to this problem … Club Mobay.

Club Mobay is a service that can benefit you upon arrival as well as departure. Here are three reasons why you should use Club Mobay the next time you travel to Jamaica.

1. Skip to the front of the line at customs on arrival

   When you arrive at Sangster International Airport or Kingston Norman Rogers Airport, you will be greeted by a Club Mobay associate with your last name on a sign. Your Club Mobay associate will ensure all your paperwork for clearance into the country is properly completed.This person will escort you past the lines to the front of the line at customs. They will also escort you to your baggage carousel.

2. Relax in the private lounge

   Club Mobay has a lounge with WiFi, bar, and food that is included as part of the service (please remember: tips are always recommended for staff). This lounge is much more relaxing than trying to find a seat where all your family can relax in the main airport. You are free to come and go if you want to explore the airport shops or dining options.

   On arrival, you can wait in the lounge until your transport arrives.

   On departure, wait in the lounge until your flight is called over the PA and head up to the airport just in time for boarding.

3. Skip to the front of the line of security on departure

   Club Mobay will take you directly to the front of the line when you arrive at the airport to leave Jamaica. They will escort you through security quickly and will also escort you to the front of customs. This can save lots of time and minimize anxiety so you can sit back and relax in the Club Mobay lounge and enjoy some food and a cocktail until your plane arrives.

Contact us at Absolute Vacations and we will walk you through every option to make your vacation as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.