While traveling on business or pleasure internationally, it is quite possible you may want or may need to have a service done. Perhaps your hair needs cutting or coloring, or maybe you have a watch that needs fixing. Sometimes these services may work out well and other times they may not. I’ll share some experiences to help you contemplate which services may be worth taking the risk on and which may be best done at home.
On my recent business trip to India, I had a crack in one of my eyeglass lenses, and I needed to have it fixed. A local employee at my company walked me down the street from our office to a local spectacle shop. Not only was I able to get my lens repaired, but also I ended up getting an eye exam and buying another pair of frames and lenses at less than half the price that I would have paid at home ($189 USD actual expense versus $500 USD in the United States). I could not believe how good of a deal I was able to get and what a professional and comparable service I received. I was a very satisfied customer.
On the other hand, a colleague of mine wanted to have her hair dyed before going on vacation after her three-week business trip. She decided to book an appointment at our 5 star hotel’s salon to get the service done. While she did bring her own hair coloring from home, the salon staff talked her out of it and recommended a local color instead. Let’s just say that my colleague did NOT walk away a happy customer. The shade of henna red hair color was far away from what she had in mind.
My rule of thumb on purchasing services overseas is that basic tasks such as repairs of items (watches, glasses, mending torn clothing etc) are simple and straightforward and are likely to be done to your satisfaction. However, more personal and intimate services like getting your hair cut or colored, or having clothing tailored, may be best suited to vendors you know and trust at home.
As always, I wish you all the happiest of travels!
