Can't promise this will be as epic as Bob's thread, but hey.....

[okenobi]

I don't normally do the whole "intro" thing on forums as I'm more of a dive-straight-in kinda guy. However, it seemed more appropriate here. I've been lurking for a few weeks and you seem like quite a close bunch of regulars, so here I am.

My name is James, I'm from Cornwall, and I'm gonna be heading out to Lanzarote in 3 weeks. I'm going to be working as an "Overseas Specialist Concierge" for Sovereign, who are part of TUI. I have no idea where I'll be staying, or which resort(s) I'll be looking after, but I'll be there until November. Can't wait!

So I'll be looking to you lot to tell me the best places to go and things to do! 
Given my job will be to become an expert as quickly as possible and pass that knowledge on to my guests every week, I could use the help!

Huge shout to Elle for helping me out incredibly quickly this afternoon with money questions. Really destressed me (for about 5 minutes), as I've got tons of stuff to sort out.

Would appreciate any pointers on what research I should be doing, what threads to visit here, or any questions and I guess I'll see you guys around 

[Ethans-dad]

I'll start off by saying a warm welcome to the forum

They're (some of them anyway ) a very knowledgeable crowd so i'm guessing the info will come flooding in shortly.

Good luck with the job too

[smokie]

Welcome to the forum okenobi, you'll find a lot of the manana attitude here strongly resembles "d'rectly" in Cornwall.
Elle is good, isn't she?
If I were you, I'd skip the jokes and games section and scan through the other parts of the forum looking at the thread titles, there's a lot of info to be had and I assume you'll have seen Elle's relocation website (very good, again)
Any specific things that you can think of, shout up though and there's every chance that someone'll know the answer.

[✈ Elle ☀]

Hey there James love! Glad you found your way in. We've tightened up registration recently to keep out the loons that just want to spam - and it's lucky you were already emailing me... because your username did kind fit the profile of a nutter

Anyway - it was a pleasure to be able to help this afternoon... and I'm usually about if you have any more questions. You'll find everyone in here is helpful too!

Once you're here and settled, I'm sure you'll get stalked by to meet one or two of us too!   

Elle xx

[Josie]

Welcome James!

Whatever is an Overseas Special Concierge? Sounds a bit posh for Lanzarote! 

Not that Lanzarote isn't posh - it is in fact a truly brilliant place where we have an apartment and spend as much time as we can when we're not at work or somewhere else. 

Hope it all works out for you.  Let us know where you're going to be and the locals will give you the inside knowledge.

J x

[smokie]

One important warning is that a lot of the "camera shops" have an appalling reputation for sharp practice and while we all think that we're far too clever to get ripped off, they wouldn't be doing it if it didn't work.
So okenobi, if you are thinking of buying any electronic goods, the general advice seems to be to buy them online or in a reputable store in England, but either way, before you come out here.
You may well see that super duper camera that you've always wanted in the shop window for an unbelievable price, be assured that you (or your future clients) will not be walking out of the shop with either that camera, or anything of a bargain and many people, when surrounded by half a dozen aggressive staff who don't want to refund your money, back down and get ripped off.
The police have achieved nothing towards stopping this scandal, accusations as to why have been made.
Please do your clients a favour by warning them, at the first opportunity, to avoid falling prey to these conmen.
As I say, we all think we're far too smart to fall for it, but these guys are very good and well practised at what they do.

[Josie]

Smokie

May I beg to differ?  The number of dodgy camera shops has reduced by about 50% in the time we have  been coming to PB (nearly 15 years) so that must be a bit of a result! 

You are right to give a warning though Smokie.

There are dodgy money changers on the streets too.   

[Bob Cunningham]

Welcome to the forum James.

[Karen13]

Hi James and welcome - if you need to know anything then this really is the place to find it - if you have time type keywords into the search box and lo and behold you'll find the answer's - oh and a lot of funny stuff too - I'm sure your going to love Lanzarote - we all do xx

[Alan]

Smokie

May I beg to differ?  The number of dodgy camera shops has reduced by about 50% in the time we have  been coming to PB (nearly 15 years) so that must be a bit of a result! 

You are right to give a warning though Smokie.

A heads up on the camera shops is the best advice you could possibly give you future clients. Many a holiday has been marred by these people. Perhaps has J says the numbers have reduced, I don't know - but the percentage that indulge in sharp practices has not. There are one or two exceptions - but the general principle is, avoid them like the plague...

There's a 101 ways they rip people off....

Over pricing cheap models to people who don't know what they are looking for
Stealing from credit cards
Selling VASTLY over priced memory cards
Bullying - they especially prey on older people and make it very difficult for people to leave until they have bought something (see above)
Fake brand names etc etc etc etc...

As has been said, the authorities do little about them - the bast way to get rid of them in the longer term and stop people using them. With no 'victims' they will move on elsewhere.

To add - it's not something unique to Lanzarote, all of the islands, the main land and many other places you will find gullible tourists have them too....

Not to be trusted.

[okenobi]

Thanks for the welcome and the pointers

The camera thing is good to know and I'll be sure to pass it on to my guests. I will also be buying a camera before I leave, although that's just another thing for me to get stressed about at the moment, as I can't decide which one from my seemingly ever-increasing research shortlist! From what I can tell Josie (and it's all been rather a whirlwind to be honest!) my job involves having a car and a phone and looking after a few hotels and/or villas across a certain patch of the island. The guests from those locations are met personally by me and then I'm on hand to arrange/recommend whatever they want 24hrs 

Ostensibly some long hours will be involved whether I'm being called by guests or not, but I get 1.5 days off a week and during this time, my phone is diverted to a colleague. It would appear there are 4 or so guys including me to cover the island. So unlike reps who stay at a resort and look after larger groups in big teams, I've been hired for my more extensive experience and people skills to be a little more personal.

That said, Elle, I am a bit of a nutter! But I tend to keep the same username and avatar for every forum I participate in. As for the stalking, I very much look forward to meeting friendly faces when I get out there 

[Clanky]

Hi James, welcome to the forum and good luck with the job.

When you know which resort you will be in there are loads of good pointers in the resort specific forums on here for great places to eat / drink.

[ALIgator]

Hi James welcome, from one Devoinian to one  Oh I won't hold it against you!!!! lol

[okenobi]

Hi James welcome, from one Devoinian to one  Oh I won't hold it against you!!!! lol

That's really sweet of you Ali. Me either