Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,
I hate spending more money than I have to … whether it’s on a litre of diesel or a night a van park. I ask for a discount on everything, and you’d be amazed at the cash I’ve saved. Over our three years of full-time travel it adds up to thousands of dollars. I’m happy to spend if I’m getting good value, but I’ve worked too hard to give my money away to the over-charging conmen who try to fleece the unwary grey nomad. But, while I’m happy to fight a dozen mini-battles with different businesses every day, my wife, Letty, reckons I’m taking it too far and am getting ‘embarrassing’. So, should I let the rip-off merchants win to keep the missus happy or should I continue to fight the good fight because I know I’m right?
Al
No one likes paying ‘X’ amount for diesel at an Outback roadhouse or ‘Y’ amount for bread at a remote general store, Al. And, there are no shortage of grey nomads who simply hate paying $40 plus for a night at a ‘family’ caravan park. But we don’t always know all the facts behind why these businesses charge what they do … and would you want to trade places? We all want value for money but true ‘value’ comes in different forms. A positive and cheerful interaction with a struggling shop owner or van park operator in an isolated Outback town has got be worth more than a five-minute argument with the same businessmen … regardless of whether you save a dollar or two along the way. It’s a trip of a lifetime. Don’t spoil it to save loose change!
Jaclyn
The fact you’ve been able to get so much discount just by asking for it tells you all you need to know, Al … some businesses are trying it on! If any ‘overly polite’ traveller wants to waste their money paying rip-off prices, then more fool them. But the more meekly we pay ‘over the top’ for diesel or a van park site the more likely the hucksters are to hike prices yet again. You’re not just complaining and arguing for yourself, Al, you’re doing it for the thousands who will follow in your footsteps. Your wife may be embarrassed by your tactics but there’s many who’ll thank you. We may be labelled ‘tight-fisted grey nomads’ but, we’re still the customers and we don’t owe anyone a living. Let them earn it, the same way we did!
Heidi
