Advice needed-weird request from tour guide

[DrSarah]

I've booked a zipline and cave tubing tour with Dennis and *********************** for next week and he has emailed and called me in a very timely manner. He had a weird request, though, that I'm trying to decide if I should be concerned about and thought maybe someone here has used him and has advice.

 

He asked me to buy and activate a prepaid phone for him and bring it. He said he will discount my trip price by the amount. Does that sound weird? I'm guessing maybe they are hard to buy in Belize, but still... Has this happened to anyone else? :confused:

[psbtrvlr]

I've booked a zipline and cave tubing tour with Dennis and *********************** for next week and he has emailed and called me in a very timely manner. He had a weird request, though, that I'm trying to decide if I should be concerned about and thought maybe someone here has used him and has advice.

 

He asked me to buy and activate a prepaid phone for him and bring it. He said he will discount my trip price by the amount. Does that sound weird? I'm guessing maybe they are hard to buy in Belize, but still... Has this happened to anyone else? :confused:

 

Strange! In all my travels, I've never had anyone make any kind of request like this. Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable with it.

[gail811]

I have a friend I use for tours when I go to Belize; he took us cave tubing our first time to Belize. I keep in touch and over the years he has asked me to buy him a camera, binoculars, a camera battery charger, and wart remover for his daughter. I think it is harder for them to get things at a good price there. He either pays me cash, or deducts the difference from our tour. If you are uncomfortable with the request then don't do it. I don't know the person you are speaking of, but it could be a simple request for something he can't afford to get there.

[cruisejunkie2]

What we pay pennies for here they pay an arm and a leg for there. If you buy it get a cheap one and make sure you get that much off of your tour- you could always use the phone yourself.

[Addictedtwo]

I've booked a zipline and cave tubing tour with Dennis and *********************** for next week and he has emailed and called me in a very timely manner. He had a weird request, though, that I'm trying to decide if I should be concerned about and thought maybe someone here has used him and has advice.

 

He asked me to buy and activate a prepaid phone for him and bring it. He said he will discount my trip price by the amount. Does that sound weird? I'm guessing maybe they are hard to buy in Belize, but still... Has this happened to anyone else? :confused:

 

 

I wouldn't have a problem buying a cheap phone but how do you activate and in who's name.

[Theicom1]

Strange request indeed.

 

As far as I am aware there are no pre-paid service providers in the USA that allow international roaming anyway.

[DrSarah]

Thank you all for the advice. It's much-appreciated. I also had thought that maybe it was due to prices, but he did ask me to then activate it in his name and I just don't feel comfortable with the situation. I am really excited about the tour though and will leave a review here for others to see. It's the first tour I've ever taken that isn't through RCCL. The cruise leaves on Monday though so depending on Gustav we might not even make it to Belize!

[wadethegringo]

Phones and all electronics demand a high Tax in Belize 25-40%. I'm sure there was nothing fishy about his request. Most locals are not shy about asking friends returning to Belize to bring in small items for them. I am not sure if I would do it for a unknown person. you may be stuck with a phone you don't need.

[wadethegringo]

No Phone will work in Belize without purchacing a new sim card for about ...$50.....