Kandy hotel transfer wants a quick gem-shop detour before check-in — smile and refuse or get out?
Prepaid transfer from the station. Driver was friendly, then halfway said his cousin has a gem place with no pressure and it is on the way. Bags are in the boot. I do not want stones and I do not want a fight in the van. Is a firm no enough, or do people actually hop out and PickMe the last stretch?
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3 Answers from travellers
Smile, say no thank you, and repeat the hotel name. A legitimate transfer does not need a commission stop before you have the key. If he keeps circling toward a shop, ask to be let out at a busy junction and finish on PickMe — keep your bags in sight while you reload. Share the plate with the hotel WhatsApp before you move. Soft voice plus a fixed destination beats arguing about gems you never asked for.
Same script in the Triangle. If a guest says hotel only, hotel only. Commission stops are optional for them, not for you.
Said hotel only twice. He laughed, skipped the cousin, and we checked in. Still messaging the hotel about the pitch.
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