Well, that didn't last long.
The latest version of the timeshare/holiday club/call it what you want outfit in Puerto Alcúdia has closed. Or at least the office is closed at the moment. That office is what was the AIC and Casabonaire estate agencies near to the Magic roundabout. It goes under the name of Sun & Sea Resorts. Go try googling that and see where it gets you, just like the previous incarnation - To Holiday - would have produced thousands, millions of possibilities. You have to ask why the choice of name is so vague.
I am only guessing, but something that happened on Thursday may have to do with this apparent closure. Tourism was in town, as in the tourism ministry inspectors. They were checking on registrations and documents. Whatever the outcome may or may not be if one is unlucky to be taken in by the scratch-cardists, the basis of the business is meant to be the sale of holidays. This being the case, as far as I understand it, there has to be a licence to act as a travel agency, one that is issued by the government. But I am only guessing. Maybe just a coincidence. Don't be surprised if the operation re-emerges, with the "consultants" hanging around on street corners with their cards inside Burger King literature. One trusts that Burger King is suitably impressed, and one has to ask another question - why try and disguise what you're doing?
While the signs on the doors to the office say Sun & Sea, peer inside and you can see the name Interval. It's very difficult to know, but the Timeshare Council includes a couple of Intervals on its black list. And this highlights one, just one, of the problems with these operations; you really don't know who you are ultimately dealing with. The web is very tangled.
And also tangled would appear to be the web surrounding a multi-million pound racket that has been the subject of police action. Based in Mallorca, the swindle has been investigated in a joint operation by the Spanish national police and Scotland Yard, and offices in the south of the island were raided on Thursday. With links to Switzerland, the fraudulent operation promised returns of 30 per cent. In the report from the "Diario" it says that fictitious companies were created related to gold, fuel or travel.
A general strike is still on the cards. Originally it was planned for 20 May, then 2 June was mentioned. It is still not clear when it might be staged. 8 June is now a possibility, but whenever it takes place, assuming it actually does, some businesses are expressing their concerns. A general strike of public sector workers would include the police. There is talk, apparently, of security firms being hired for the day or of closing for the day. This may all be an over-reaction, but some are obviously taking the potential threat of no police on duty seriously.
Any comments to andrew@thealcudiaguide.com please.
Showing posts with label Scratch cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scratch cards. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Scratch, Scratch: The holiday club allergy
Well, well, well. There we were thinking that the mid-season flight of the scratch-cardists last year was the last that Alcúdia had seen of them. Wrong. Or so it would appear. There is an office near to the Magic Roundabout that looks very much like the same sort of operation. Just a different location. I'm not sure I'm bothered any longer. If the tourism ministry, town hall, police or whoever can't or won't step in and prevent these operations from emerging, why should I care? I've got other things to worry about. Let 'em go fleece some mugs.
This said ...
Whatever it might be called, the operation is always much the same. The scratch-card system works thus: It is always a couple that is approached, verification is made as to where they are from. The UK or Ireland are spot on. But the Netherlands or Scandinavia will do nicely, too, so long as the people speak English. Why is it a couple and not someone on his or her own? Because the couple each gets a card. One is always a loser, the other is always a winner. And the winner will get his or her holiday or whatever prize is in offer.
The street scratch-cardists go under differing exotic titles. Outside Promotions Consultants, for example. Consultant, my arse. They get commissions for each couple they entice to the presentation, so long, that is, if the suckers who have gone along stay for a specific length of time. Otherwise, normally, no commission. Some of those who are approached do go for a short time, just to let the "consultant" get his or her money. Very altruistic. And potentially dangerous if you let yourself get pulled in more and more. They will be like dogs with bones once you're inside. Not the "consultants". They've done their bit. Now it's the salespeople.
So many thousands will get you a lifetime of holiday deals. This may get reduced if you refuse. There may be finance deals. There may be further reductions, just to get you to hand over your credit or debit card and start the slippery ball rolling, despite the fact that there should be "cooling-off" periods.
Timeshare, holiday clubs, call them what you will, they all amount to the same sort of thing - something that you do not want and certainly do not need. The apparent attractiveness of future holidays on the cheap has been exposed enough times as being no better than were you to book the holidays yourselves. But by now you might be in for several thousands of pounds or euros, and you might find it hard to get out of.
The consultants will often be quite pleasant, which is why you might want to go along with them in order to let them earn their commissions or why you might just be taken in - period. It's when they are less than pleasant that some problems arise. And this was the complaint a couple of years back. Abusiveness and being hassled. Pleasant or not, don't be taken in. Or you end up with something that you don't want. That you had never thought about having. And yet you might find yourself being in for a four-figure sum. If you are, well, go figure.
Of course, this year's operation may be different. The tactics have varied over the years. One that was being used last year was to approach people in the pretence of performing some sort of market research. Maybe scratch cards have been replaced with something else. Whatever, it will become known. And this knowledge will be used to tarnish the reputation not of the operators of the system but of the resort.
It is a surprise, if indeed it is the same sort of operation, that it has returned. The stories last year were that the operation closed because trading was poor (and you wouldn't think it would be any better this year) and that the fines were mounting up. The police do actually intervene if unlicensed street "selling" is being performed. But whereas the street selling of the lookies is pretty harmless and relatively inexpensive (harmless, save for when something illicit is being offered as well), the holiday club, or whatever it is, is on a wholly different scale in terms of cost. You might just find your holiday suddenly got very much more expensive than you had budgeted for.
* I would acknowledge a comment left on the Holiday Watchdog Holiday Clubs and Timeshare forum for informing some of the above. This forum is probably the best source going for information on holiday clubs.
Any comments to andrew@thealcudiaguide.com please.
This said ...
Whatever it might be called, the operation is always much the same. The scratch-card system works thus: It is always a couple that is approached, verification is made as to where they are from. The UK or Ireland are spot on. But the Netherlands or Scandinavia will do nicely, too, so long as the people speak English. Why is it a couple and not someone on his or her own? Because the couple each gets a card. One is always a loser, the other is always a winner. And the winner will get his or her holiday or whatever prize is in offer.
The street scratch-cardists go under differing exotic titles. Outside Promotions Consultants, for example. Consultant, my arse. They get commissions for each couple they entice to the presentation, so long, that is, if the suckers who have gone along stay for a specific length of time. Otherwise, normally, no commission. Some of those who are approached do go for a short time, just to let the "consultant" get his or her money. Very altruistic. And potentially dangerous if you let yourself get pulled in more and more. They will be like dogs with bones once you're inside. Not the "consultants". They've done their bit. Now it's the salespeople.
So many thousands will get you a lifetime of holiday deals. This may get reduced if you refuse. There may be finance deals. There may be further reductions, just to get you to hand over your credit or debit card and start the slippery ball rolling, despite the fact that there should be "cooling-off" periods.
Timeshare, holiday clubs, call them what you will, they all amount to the same sort of thing - something that you do not want and certainly do not need. The apparent attractiveness of future holidays on the cheap has been exposed enough times as being no better than were you to book the holidays yourselves. But by now you might be in for several thousands of pounds or euros, and you might find it hard to get out of.
The consultants will often be quite pleasant, which is why you might want to go along with them in order to let them earn their commissions or why you might just be taken in - period. It's when they are less than pleasant that some problems arise. And this was the complaint a couple of years back. Abusiveness and being hassled. Pleasant or not, don't be taken in. Or you end up with something that you don't want. That you had never thought about having. And yet you might find yourself being in for a four-figure sum. If you are, well, go figure.
Of course, this year's operation may be different. The tactics have varied over the years. One that was being used last year was to approach people in the pretence of performing some sort of market research. Maybe scratch cards have been replaced with something else. Whatever, it will become known. And this knowledge will be used to tarnish the reputation not of the operators of the system but of the resort.
It is a surprise, if indeed it is the same sort of operation, that it has returned. The stories last year were that the operation closed because trading was poor (and you wouldn't think it would be any better this year) and that the fines were mounting up. The police do actually intervene if unlicensed street "selling" is being performed. But whereas the street selling of the lookies is pretty harmless and relatively inexpensive (harmless, save for when something illicit is being offered as well), the holiday club, or whatever it is, is on a wholly different scale in terms of cost. You might just find your holiday suddenly got very much more expensive than you had budgeted for.
* I would acknowledge a comment left on the Holiday Watchdog Holiday Clubs and Timeshare forum for informing some of the above. This forum is probably the best source going for information on holiday clubs.
Any comments to andrew@thealcudiaguide.com please.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Blue Orchid
Once and for all, but probably not, we seem to be heading towards something like a definitive ruling on the most sensitive aspect of the planned golf course on the Son Bosc finca near Playa de Muro. The environment ministry has made it clear that the rare orchid on the finca should be protected by an area of 150 metres around where it grows. By coming up with this restriction, the ministry has, in effect, given its blessing to the project, though it has also stated that the eighth hole of the course cannot be sited where it was originally intended as it would interfere with the orchid's natural habitat. The ruling, if one can call it that, is now being presented to the various interested parties, one of which - the environmental pressure group GOB - will doubtless have a finca-full of objections. Others, like the hoteliers' association in Playa de Muro, which has backed the project from the off, will probably be only too happy to spin the whole thing as their being environmentally conscientious - a golf course that preserves the natural rarity of a species. One can almost read the literature now. Presumably, the eighth hole will go somewhere else, unless the course is to have a unique selling point in being the only one on Mallorca with seventeen holes.
Clear blue water (or maybe not) - Puerto Pollensa
Pollensa's mayor may not have been flavour of the past several months in Puerto Pollensa, but the other day he was able to appear in more favourable light and to announce that the long-lasting problems with water - of different types - have pretty much been solved, up to 60 million euros having been spent over the last eight years to arrive at the solution: four pumping stations have cost 40 million alone. This upgrading of "sanitation" is, according to the mayor, more important than the general beautifying of the port, though there is some suggestion that the frontline and the church square will be given a facelift - at some point. However, projects for doing so will have to await financing, which suggests that there may be a bit of a wait. Having spent 60 million on getting the water right, there may not be a lot of spare cash sloshing around, albeit "The Bulletin" is indicating that the flower beds in the square might be for the chop. Strange, I should have thought that flower beds, kept tidily, would make the place quite appealing. And unlike drainage systems, they wouldn't cost a shedload.
Scratch cards
The scratch-cardists are back. There we were thinking that that "for rent" sign on the office in Puerto Alcúdia's Calle Maristany opposite the small parking area meant that they might be no more. But no.
I don't really wish to go into all of this, well not yet anyway. The point to make, though, apart from the hassle and sometimes verbal abuse that those in the street subject tourists to, is that anyone approached should be very, very wary. It's best to just say no and walk away. Don't be taken in by what is usually a nice manner. The company involved is called To Holiday, which appears to also be Real Liberty; both names are on the office.
For the time being, here are a couple of links, one from Holiday Watchdog, the other from "The Independent":
http://forum.holidaywatchdog.com/Timeshare-&-Holiday-Clubs-To-HolidayElite-Holiday-Roya-Travel-Real-Liberty-1-Holiday-Clubs-Thread-12203.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/property/if-the-holiday-club-rep-drops-by-your-sunkissed-resort-be-on-your-guard-883613.html
QUIZ
Today's title - husband-and-wife but claimed to be brother-and-sister duo.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
Clear blue water (or maybe not) - Puerto Pollensa
Pollensa's mayor may not have been flavour of the past several months in Puerto Pollensa, but the other day he was able to appear in more favourable light and to announce that the long-lasting problems with water - of different types - have pretty much been solved, up to 60 million euros having been spent over the last eight years to arrive at the solution: four pumping stations have cost 40 million alone. This upgrading of "sanitation" is, according to the mayor, more important than the general beautifying of the port, though there is some suggestion that the frontline and the church square will be given a facelift - at some point. However, projects for doing so will have to await financing, which suggests that there may be a bit of a wait. Having spent 60 million on getting the water right, there may not be a lot of spare cash sloshing around, albeit "The Bulletin" is indicating that the flower beds in the square might be for the chop. Strange, I should have thought that flower beds, kept tidily, would make the place quite appealing. And unlike drainage systems, they wouldn't cost a shedload.
Scratch cards
The scratch-cardists are back. There we were thinking that that "for rent" sign on the office in Puerto Alcúdia's Calle Maristany opposite the small parking area meant that they might be no more. But no.
I don't really wish to go into all of this, well not yet anyway. The point to make, though, apart from the hassle and sometimes verbal abuse that those in the street subject tourists to, is that anyone approached should be very, very wary. It's best to just say no and walk away. Don't be taken in by what is usually a nice manner. The company involved is called To Holiday, which appears to also be Real Liberty; both names are on the office.
For the time being, here are a couple of links, one from Holiday Watchdog, the other from "The Independent":
http://forum.holidaywatchdog.com/Timeshare-&-Holiday-Clubs-To-HolidayElite-Holiday-Roya-Travel-Real-Liberty-1-Holiday-Clubs-Thread-12203.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/property/if-the-holiday-club-rep-drops-by-your-sunkissed-resort-be-on-your-guard-883613.html
QUIZ
Today's title - husband-and-wife but claimed to be brother-and-sister duo.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
Monday, September 08, 2008
Our Only Goal Will Be The Western Shore
British politics may be about to cross the Rubicon of taboo by debating, sensibly, the issue of immigration. The Labour MP Frank Field has an idea for caps for non-EU immigrants. For years, ever since Enoch Powell and his "rivers of blood", immigration has been the subject that barely dares speak its name in politics, save for the extremist views of the far right. This reticence to position immigration at the centre of the political dialectic has helped to spawn the xenophobia of the BNP, which has been only too willing to address the issue through its one-eyed perspective. But now, this may be about to change; one trusts that reason and nuance will prevail, rather than hysteria and myopia.
In Spain, there has been more openness on the subject, even if to raise it can result in accusations of racism. Just this happened to the failed Partido Popular presidential candidate Mariano Rajoy who, moreover, was accused of hypocrisy in suggesting limits when it had been his party that had encouraged immigration. And now? The socialist government of Spain is to impose a freeze on non-EU immigration where it affects jobs that could otherwise be done by Spaniards (or indeed, one presumes, those from the EU). Economics can change political rhetoric and posture, for the economic situation and unemployment are behind this move.
The Spanish immigration drive was founded on the need to augment the labour force. Construction was booming and workers were required. Over the course of a decade, the immigration population of the country grew by 800%. Now the boom has led to bust and the immigrant workers are superfluous. The Spanish government is offering incentives for these workers to leave - up to around 18,000 euros worth of incentive, so long as they don't come back within three years. The vast immigrant workforce has served Spain well, and it has not been that expensive - 1,200 euros per month for construction labourers - while it has been a net contributor to the social security system. Until now.
Eastern European, African and Caribbean workers may have been a temporary and opportunistic group of "guest workers" that the Spanish government was only too happy to embrace, but there is a wider dimension to the immigration debate, which is that of population. Recent predictions from Brussels indicate that, by the middle of the century, not only will Britain's population have increased substantially so too will Spain's. There was a map that showed densities of future population. In the case of Mallorca, the island was one single, unbroken blob; high density, in other words.
A government's management is similar to a company's in that it is a case of managing resources. When the company hits bad times, it lays workers off. Spain Inc. is doing the same, while also making the qualification for employment tougher. Discrimination it may be, but Spain is doing no more than many other countries. Try getting into Australia, for example. Population growth is another aspect of resource management. There are clear benefits from immigration, but there are also downsides, not least in terms of housing and urban crowding.
Immigration is regularly pinpointed as a top concern among the local population in Mallorca. The argument that immigrants take jobs away is largely spurious, but there are other facets, such as the alteration to the way of life. There is, though, no going back on the cosmopolitanism of Mallorca, certainly not while EU mobility laws apply. Besides which, the change to that way of life began the moment that mass tourism took off, together with the immigration and land ownership that occurred even before the liberalisation of movement. But the management of immigration from the point of view of living accommodation and its support elements, e.g. schools, hospitals etc., at some point becomes critical. As a foreigner in a not so large part of a foreign land, I am not unaware of that fact. However, the question is what would constitute a critical point. 2 million, a doubling of the current population of Mallorca? Less? More? Does anyone really know?
TIME SHARE - TIME OUT
September is here and the scratch-cardists of time share, sorry holiday clubs, have called time for the season and pissed off back to Gran Canaria. That's the good news. It seems a little odd to close down in Alcúdia and Pollensa whilst the richer pickings of September are circulating, but maybe there are even more to be suckered in in Maspalomas. The less good news is that they'll be back. One bar-owner tells me his gaff may be their new morning meeting-place from next season. Nice additional work if you can get it maybe. I hadn't realised how many of them there are. Enough to fill a smallish terrace, that's for sure.
QUIZ
Yesterday's title - "Don't Give Up", Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl1rRxG251s). Today's title - where does this come from? Immigration!!
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
In Spain, there has been more openness on the subject, even if to raise it can result in accusations of racism. Just this happened to the failed Partido Popular presidential candidate Mariano Rajoy who, moreover, was accused of hypocrisy in suggesting limits when it had been his party that had encouraged immigration. And now? The socialist government of Spain is to impose a freeze on non-EU immigration where it affects jobs that could otherwise be done by Spaniards (or indeed, one presumes, those from the EU). Economics can change political rhetoric and posture, for the economic situation and unemployment are behind this move.
The Spanish immigration drive was founded on the need to augment the labour force. Construction was booming and workers were required. Over the course of a decade, the immigration population of the country grew by 800%. Now the boom has led to bust and the immigrant workers are superfluous. The Spanish government is offering incentives for these workers to leave - up to around 18,000 euros worth of incentive, so long as they don't come back within three years. The vast immigrant workforce has served Spain well, and it has not been that expensive - 1,200 euros per month for construction labourers - while it has been a net contributor to the social security system. Until now.
Eastern European, African and Caribbean workers may have been a temporary and opportunistic group of "guest workers" that the Spanish government was only too happy to embrace, but there is a wider dimension to the immigration debate, which is that of population. Recent predictions from Brussels indicate that, by the middle of the century, not only will Britain's population have increased substantially so too will Spain's. There was a map that showed densities of future population. In the case of Mallorca, the island was one single, unbroken blob; high density, in other words.
A government's management is similar to a company's in that it is a case of managing resources. When the company hits bad times, it lays workers off. Spain Inc. is doing the same, while also making the qualification for employment tougher. Discrimination it may be, but Spain is doing no more than many other countries. Try getting into Australia, for example. Population growth is another aspect of resource management. There are clear benefits from immigration, but there are also downsides, not least in terms of housing and urban crowding.
Immigration is regularly pinpointed as a top concern among the local population in Mallorca. The argument that immigrants take jobs away is largely spurious, but there are other facets, such as the alteration to the way of life. There is, though, no going back on the cosmopolitanism of Mallorca, certainly not while EU mobility laws apply. Besides which, the change to that way of life began the moment that mass tourism took off, together with the immigration and land ownership that occurred even before the liberalisation of movement. But the management of immigration from the point of view of living accommodation and its support elements, e.g. schools, hospitals etc., at some point becomes critical. As a foreigner in a not so large part of a foreign land, I am not unaware of that fact. However, the question is what would constitute a critical point. 2 million, a doubling of the current population of Mallorca? Less? More? Does anyone really know?
TIME SHARE - TIME OUT
September is here and the scratch-cardists of time share, sorry holiday clubs, have called time for the season and pissed off back to Gran Canaria. That's the good news. It seems a little odd to close down in Alcúdia and Pollensa whilst the richer pickings of September are circulating, but maybe there are even more to be suckered in in Maspalomas. The less good news is that they'll be back. One bar-owner tells me his gaff may be their new morning meeting-place from next season. Nice additional work if you can get it maybe. I hadn't realised how many of them there are. Enough to fill a smallish terrace, that's for sure.
QUIZ
Yesterday's title - "Don't Give Up", Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl1rRxG251s). Today's title - where does this come from? Immigration!!
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
Saturday, July 12, 2008
You're My Best Friend
A month on. 12 June I spoke about the scratch card malarkey in Alcúdia; here we go again.
I despair of some people. One of the scratch-cardists' sites is on the corner opposite New Pacific in the port. I wandered past the other day. Some buffer had got himself engaged in conversation with one of SC-ists. There was something about the old dictator; an old buffer giving it large with his vague knowledge and believing his interlocutor was in some way a mate. Some tourists need a slap. Everyone becomes a mate or best friend - and in some cases (bars for example) they sometimes do become so - but many are anything but. They want your money - period. The SC-ists more than most. Engañabobo. That buffer. The SC-ist could have seen him coming, happy to listen to what old twaddle and buffery was on offer in exchange for the potential handing over of a four-figure credit-card remuneration. One born every minute, and one born every minute who is prepared to serve himself up on a plate. Let's have a nice chat with this nice young man, and now let's pay for something we don't want and can't afford. Engañabobo.
The people who can afford to hand over a Mastercard in return for some holiday club deal are precisely the people who do not get suckered. Probably because they have their own villa anyway. It is those who cannot afford who get mullered. Frankly, some of them deserve little sympathy. All the talk of lack of tourist spend, and then some guy takes you to the side and entices you into a situation in which you can hand over maybe four or five times what you have budgeted to spend for your two weeks. Perhaps some other businesses could learn something from the SC-ists, because they surely are doing something "right" or they wouldn't still be around.
A translated copy of the letter that was sent to "The Bulletin", which was the same as the email which I received that sparked all this off back on 12 June, is doing the rounds at the town hall, which means the police as well as the tourism department. The tourist office people know, as the police will and many others, where the main centres of SC-ism occur. If you don't, let me tell you. Opposite New Pacific, by the Alcúdia Garden and at the top of The Mile.
I have been unsure about the status of the SC-ist operation. Perhaps others are similarly unsure. But when the person who sent me the email tells me that when the police put in an appearance and the SC-ists scatter and then return later in different clothing, one has to ask why they might do this. I've said before, and will say again, there is no issue with people looking to earn a kosher euro or more, but that ain't the case if tourists are being given grief, hassle, bother and abuse, even if some of them, some of these tourists, can be seen coming.
And some rather unpleasant news. A stabbing. Place: Sabor Latino, part of the Bells empire. Don't know the end result, but it wasn't pretty by all accounts. Rather more pleasant, though not totally pleasant, as will become clear, something that just suddenly appeared. Where was the photo op in "Ultima Hora" with the mayor and other worthies? When did it happen? Two to three weeks ago, according to Marina at the paseo tourist office in Puerto Alcúdia. Can't say I'd noticed till yesterday. What is it? In fact it is a they. Toilets. Public lavs. A wooden privvy place near to the tourist office. Marina was somewhat concerned about the cleaning arrangements. Once a day, it would seem. And the loos are only open when the tourist office is open, not that its management has anything to do with the tourist office. So, if you get taken short on a Sunday or at night, you won't be able to use the loos. To be honest, having peered in and got something of a whiff, I would advise paying for a coffee or something and continue using the nearest bar. I suppose it's good of them to have put some public loos in place, though I'm not sure they exactly do anything for the paseo.
Finally, and it just shows what a free gift of a bottle can do, word up for the arrival of Homer's favourite beer at Vamps. Yep, Duff Beer makes it to Alcúdia. And I shall be partaking of the bottle on finishing today's entry. Not actually sure what the whole deal with this is as Matt Groening has said he would not license the name, but there is a Cerveza Duff website, so ... or should that be ... doh. And oh ... what would happen to the Duff brew if they brought in beer price controls? Nope, I don't know either.
QUIZ
Yesterday's title - the controls were set for the heart of the sun, Pink Floyd, and here it is, all ten minutes of it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5_0iZQ-TuA). Today's title - easy.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
I despair of some people. One of the scratch-cardists' sites is on the corner opposite New Pacific in the port. I wandered past the other day. Some buffer had got himself engaged in conversation with one of SC-ists. There was something about the old dictator; an old buffer giving it large with his vague knowledge and believing his interlocutor was in some way a mate. Some tourists need a slap. Everyone becomes a mate or best friend - and in some cases (bars for example) they sometimes do become so - but many are anything but. They want your money - period. The SC-ists more than most. Engañabobo. That buffer. The SC-ist could have seen him coming, happy to listen to what old twaddle and buffery was on offer in exchange for the potential handing over of a four-figure credit-card remuneration. One born every minute, and one born every minute who is prepared to serve himself up on a plate. Let's have a nice chat with this nice young man, and now let's pay for something we don't want and can't afford. Engañabobo.
The people who can afford to hand over a Mastercard in return for some holiday club deal are precisely the people who do not get suckered. Probably because they have their own villa anyway. It is those who cannot afford who get mullered. Frankly, some of them deserve little sympathy. All the talk of lack of tourist spend, and then some guy takes you to the side and entices you into a situation in which you can hand over maybe four or five times what you have budgeted to spend for your two weeks. Perhaps some other businesses could learn something from the SC-ists, because they surely are doing something "right" or they wouldn't still be around.
A translated copy of the letter that was sent to "The Bulletin", which was the same as the email which I received that sparked all this off back on 12 June, is doing the rounds at the town hall, which means the police as well as the tourism department. The tourist office people know, as the police will and many others, where the main centres of SC-ism occur. If you don't, let me tell you. Opposite New Pacific, by the Alcúdia Garden and at the top of The Mile.
I have been unsure about the status of the SC-ist operation. Perhaps others are similarly unsure. But when the person who sent me the email tells me that when the police put in an appearance and the SC-ists scatter and then return later in different clothing, one has to ask why they might do this. I've said before, and will say again, there is no issue with people looking to earn a kosher euro or more, but that ain't the case if tourists are being given grief, hassle, bother and abuse, even if some of them, some of these tourists, can be seen coming.
And some rather unpleasant news. A stabbing. Place: Sabor Latino, part of the Bells empire. Don't know the end result, but it wasn't pretty by all accounts. Rather more pleasant, though not totally pleasant, as will become clear, something that just suddenly appeared. Where was the photo op in "Ultima Hora" with the mayor and other worthies? When did it happen? Two to three weeks ago, according to Marina at the paseo tourist office in Puerto Alcúdia. Can't say I'd noticed till yesterday. What is it? In fact it is a they. Toilets. Public lavs. A wooden privvy place near to the tourist office. Marina was somewhat concerned about the cleaning arrangements. Once a day, it would seem. And the loos are only open when the tourist office is open, not that its management has anything to do with the tourist office. So, if you get taken short on a Sunday or at night, you won't be able to use the loos. To be honest, having peered in and got something of a whiff, I would advise paying for a coffee or something and continue using the nearest bar. I suppose it's good of them to have put some public loos in place, though I'm not sure they exactly do anything for the paseo.
Finally, and it just shows what a free gift of a bottle can do, word up for the arrival of Homer's favourite beer at Vamps. Yep, Duff Beer makes it to Alcúdia. And I shall be partaking of the bottle on finishing today's entry. Not actually sure what the whole deal with this is as Matt Groening has said he would not license the name, but there is a Cerveza Duff website, so ... or should that be ... doh. And oh ... what would happen to the Duff brew if they brought in beer price controls? Nope, I don't know either.
QUIZ
Yesterday's title - the controls were set for the heart of the sun, Pink Floyd, and here it is, all ten minutes of it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5_0iZQ-TuA). Today's title - easy.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
One Born Every Minute
I learned a new word yesterday. "Engañabobos". It's something of a derogatory term. Initially, I didn't know what it meant. It came up when I was chatting with someone about "tarjetas" (cards). It was all a bit lost on me. So I went off and happened to go into Little Britain. By the way, I asked, do you know what "engañabobos" means? They did know, well knew the literal meaning. Cheat and gullible. Now it was becoming clearer. Yes of course. Engañar, yes I did know that after all; I'd spoken to someone only recently and it had come up in the context of Cristiano Ronaldo. Bobos - the sort of word I should have known: idiots, stupid people. And it all really did start to become very much clearer. In English I suppose it might be mug or sucker, perhaps. It's better translated as an expression - "there's one born every minute". There's a Harry Enfield character, the one who sells stuff he's picked up from places like rubbish tips at enormous prices to gullible yuppy types who hand over ever more money or just write out a blank cheque. "I saw you coming" or something close is the name of the sketch; I saw you coming could also be engañabobos.
And what was all this about? Scratch cards. The holiday club scratch cards. Again. I suppose if there is one born every minute, then it's fair game for those doing the promotion, though there is always the "charm" of the sales pitch which can change to abuse and harassment, as I have reported earlier. What has to be borne in mind is that any PR or "tiquetero", call he or she as one may, operates under the same sort of conditions. Commissions depend upon getting the punter or the one born every minute through the doors, so harassment can be part of the game if that's how to earn a crust. And the fact is, notwithstanding the actual status of the scratch-cardists and also whatever the town hall's position on the whole matter, there are presumably sufficient engañabobos to make it all viable. But the harassment is the real objection. If the operation is all perfectly above board then so be it but, as was pointed out on 12 June, if people are subject to abuse and aggression this gives Alcúdia a bad name.
Meantime, the ongoing campaign to create the legend of the star of "The Runaway Train", Dimple Diamond from Derby. The youtube counter has shown a satisfying upward trend, but let's keep it going folks, a kind of Rick-rolling without the Rick and without the rolling. Remember to visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84DmeutIAr4
QUIZ
Yesterday's title - The Monkees (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzHtO9quFQc). The video shows just how bad The Monkees' show could be. And a sort of chain question - what's the link from this song to "Sweet Caroline"? Today's title - pretty poor record by which leading exponent of Britpop.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
And what was all this about? Scratch cards. The holiday club scratch cards. Again. I suppose if there is one born every minute, then it's fair game for those doing the promotion, though there is always the "charm" of the sales pitch which can change to abuse and harassment, as I have reported earlier. What has to be borne in mind is that any PR or "tiquetero", call he or she as one may, operates under the same sort of conditions. Commissions depend upon getting the punter or the one born every minute through the doors, so harassment can be part of the game if that's how to earn a crust. And the fact is, notwithstanding the actual status of the scratch-cardists and also whatever the town hall's position on the whole matter, there are presumably sufficient engañabobos to make it all viable. But the harassment is the real objection. If the operation is all perfectly above board then so be it but, as was pointed out on 12 June, if people are subject to abuse and aggression this gives Alcúdia a bad name.
Meantime, the ongoing campaign to create the legend of the star of "The Runaway Train", Dimple Diamond from Derby. The youtube counter has shown a satisfying upward trend, but let's keep it going folks, a kind of Rick-rolling without the Rick and without the rolling. Remember to visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84DmeutIAr4
QUIZ
Yesterday's title - The Monkees (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzHtO9quFQc). The video shows just how bad The Monkees' show could be. And a sort of chain question - what's the link from this song to "Sweet Caroline"? Today's title - pretty poor record by which leading exponent of Britpop.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Club Tropicana, Drinks Are Free
Well it has started to bite - the lorry drivers' strike and blockades. At the local Eroski, the problem with tourists not knowing how to weigh their fruit and veg is less of an issue as there is less to weigh. The fresh-meat part of the supermarket was closed. Not good. Apart from local folk, those tourists on a self-catering basis are going to start wishing they'd booked all-inclusive, though quite how well the hotels are catering (or not) I'm not sure.
It seems like bad news, bad news and more bad news. And I'm going to add to it. I'm afraid that the scratch-card problem is really starting to be an issue in Alcúdia (if you're not aware, this is a means of getting people to pay for holiday clubs or time share). The other day, I got an email from a gentleman of nearly 40 years coming-to-Alcúdia experience who was complaining bitterly about the constant hassle and, moreover, the abuse and aggression from those who try and entice folk with the cards. His email to me is basically the same as a letter that appeared yesterday in "The Bulletin".
Look, I have no problem with guys trying to earn some money so long as the deal's legit and they're not giving people a load of grief. But there is a problem if the resort gets itself a bad name; Magaluf has suffered for some years. Alcúdia has certainly not been immune; just now it seems to have cranked up a gear or two, and Puerto Pollensa also is a target. I don't really wish to dwell on whether there is permission or not for this to happen or indeed the nature of the actual offer, but my understanding is that any street selling or promotion has to be licensed. The agreement is that PRs and owners can "tout" for business right outside their own bar or restaurant; this they can do. But to go along the street or beach or wherever, you need a licence. That is one side of it, but the complaint of abuse and aggression is quite another matter.
This is a flavour of the email I had and of the letter to The Bulletin:
"We were shocked and dismayed by the number of street touts who made our lives an absolute misery every time we walked out on the street. We were approached several times on each visit to the Port area. The touts were abusive and aggressive when we tried to avoid them and even shouted at us as we walked across the street trying our best to avoid them. In fact they seemed to take pleasure from upsetting visitors with one of their women members shouting abuse after us at the top of her voice."
I'll say no more.
And today would not be complete without at least a passing reference to the fact that Freddy Shepherd seems to fancy taking over Real Mallorca. What was all that stuff about him and the women of Newcastle? Maybe he finds the babes of Mallorca a more enticing prospect.
QUIZ
Chain - Denny Laine, once of The Moody Blues, was in Wings. And how do you get from Wings to Maggie Bell? Yesterday's title - Weather Report. Today's title - so easy, I shouldn't even be asking.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
It seems like bad news, bad news and more bad news. And I'm going to add to it. I'm afraid that the scratch-card problem is really starting to be an issue in Alcúdia (if you're not aware, this is a means of getting people to pay for holiday clubs or time share). The other day, I got an email from a gentleman of nearly 40 years coming-to-Alcúdia experience who was complaining bitterly about the constant hassle and, moreover, the abuse and aggression from those who try and entice folk with the cards. His email to me is basically the same as a letter that appeared yesterday in "The Bulletin".
Look, I have no problem with guys trying to earn some money so long as the deal's legit and they're not giving people a load of grief. But there is a problem if the resort gets itself a bad name; Magaluf has suffered for some years. Alcúdia has certainly not been immune; just now it seems to have cranked up a gear or two, and Puerto Pollensa also is a target. I don't really wish to dwell on whether there is permission or not for this to happen or indeed the nature of the actual offer, but my understanding is that any street selling or promotion has to be licensed. The agreement is that PRs and owners can "tout" for business right outside their own bar or restaurant; this they can do. But to go along the street or beach or wherever, you need a licence. That is one side of it, but the complaint of abuse and aggression is quite another matter.
This is a flavour of the email I had and of the letter to The Bulletin:
"We were shocked and dismayed by the number of street touts who made our lives an absolute misery every time we walked out on the street. We were approached several times on each visit to the Port area. The touts were abusive and aggressive when we tried to avoid them and even shouted at us as we walked across the street trying our best to avoid them. In fact they seemed to take pleasure from upsetting visitors with one of their women members shouting abuse after us at the top of her voice."
I'll say no more.
And today would not be complete without at least a passing reference to the fact that Freddy Shepherd seems to fancy taking over Real Mallorca. What was all that stuff about him and the women of Newcastle? Maybe he finds the babes of Mallorca a more enticing prospect.
QUIZ
Chain - Denny Laine, once of The Moody Blues, was in Wings. And how do you get from Wings to Maggie Bell? Yesterday's title - Weather Report. Today's title - so easy, I shouldn't even be asking.
(PLEASE REPLY TO andrew@thealcudiaguide.com AND NOT VIA THE COMMENTS THINGY HERE.)
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