Comments on Rick Steves travel store?
May 22, 2005, 4:10 pm
#1
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Comments on Rick Steves travel store?
I'm thinking about buying a few items from the Rick Steves travel store (money belt, locks etc). Anyone have negative experiences with them or suggestions for better online stores?
May 22, 2005, 5:00 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 72
I have only good things to report about Rick Steves' store. My parents bought rail passes from Rick some time ago, with no problems. I was about to buy a money belt, but was concerned about shipping time. The customer service staff sent a very kind reply to my e-mail, even though I was not yet a customer. They offered to pack my order immediately and get it out the door the same day. In the end, though, the UPS delivery estimate was too long, and the item would have arrived after my departure. Overnight shipping by UPS would have exceeded the price of the item by a factor of three.
Side note: Some newer money belts are thick and heavy, which can make them unpleasant to wear. In a local store I saw a belt from PacSafe that was made of thick, plastic-like fabric; had many pockets, some of which were too small to be useful; and had a cut-proof metal strap. If someone is reaching under your clothing with a knife, protecting your money belt becomes the least of your worries.
Rick's belt is still reasonable in terms of thickness and weight. However, I ended up with the smallest, lightest, simplest, and most comfortable money belt I've ever worn: the Women's Waist Stash by Lewis N. Clark. It has just one, large pocket, which makes it very thin. The "soft lingerie fabric" really is "lightweight and comfortable against skin". I don't mind that the product is marketed for women: it doesn't look different, and no one will see my money belt anyway. You can get one for $12 from REI, a reputable company with an online store and a network of local stores.
Whatever the package says, no money belt is sweat-proof. Unless your money belt is endorsed by NASA or something, use a Zip-Loc bag to avoid soggy money.
For locks, think deterrence. If you are checking luggage, a TSA-approved lock might be worthwhile. If not, use the metal rings that new keys are distributed on (the thin, disposable ones, not the thick ones that serve as permanent key rings). These cost nothing, are easy to open when you want, and deter casual thieves just as well a lock. A serious thief would cut your suitcase open, pry it apart, or just take the whole thing, anyway.
If my candor ends up costing Rick a sale, then please order a travel guide or video from him instead. There's no substitute for those!
Paul Marcelin-Sampson
Santa Cruz, California, USA
Side note: Some newer money belts are thick and heavy, which can make them unpleasant to wear. In a local store I saw a belt from PacSafe that was made of thick, plastic-like fabric; had many pockets, some of which were too small to be useful; and had a cut-proof metal strap. If someone is reaching under your clothing with a knife, protecting your money belt becomes the least of your worries.
Rick's belt is still reasonable in terms of thickness and weight. However, I ended up with the smallest, lightest, simplest, and most comfortable money belt I've ever worn: the Women's Waist Stash by Lewis N. Clark. It has just one, large pocket, which makes it very thin. The "soft lingerie fabric" really is "lightweight and comfortable against skin". I don't mind that the product is marketed for women: it doesn't look different, and no one will see my money belt anyway. You can get one for $12 from REI, a reputable company with an online store and a network of local stores.
Whatever the package says, no money belt is sweat-proof. Unless your money belt is endorsed by NASA or something, use a Zip-Loc bag to avoid soggy money.
For locks, think deterrence. If you are checking luggage, a TSA-approved lock might be worthwhile. If not, use the metal rings that new keys are distributed on (the thin, disposable ones, not the thick ones that serve as permanent key rings). These cost nothing, are easy to open when you want, and deter casual thieves just as well a lock. A serious thief would cut your suitcase open, pry it apart, or just take the whole thing, anyway.
If my candor ends up costing Rick a sale, then please order a travel guide or video from him instead. There's no substitute for those!
Paul Marcelin-Sampson
Santa Cruz, California, USA
Last edited by marcelin; May 22, 2005 at 5:11 pm
May 22, 2005, 11:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 546
Originally Posted by marcelin
If my candor ends up costing Rick a sale, then please order a travel guide or video from him instead. There's no substitute for those!
After meeting Rick Steves in person, I can say he's really...tall.
May 23, 2005, 12:14 am
#4
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Originally Posted by RJSachs
I'm thinking about buying a few items from the Rick Steves travel store (money belt, locks etc). Anyone have negative experiences with them or suggestions for better online stores?
Just order the d**ned things, already!
Of course, there are lots of online travel stores that sell generic things like money belts, locks, etc. (Magellan's comes to mind, for example.) I don't know that one store is necessarily better than another for stuff like that.
Rick Steves' strengths lie more in his travel books, videos, custom-designed items, and tours. OK, OK, OK, and money belts, too; I think his are custom-designed (and reasonably priced). Just go for it. @:-)
P.S.: He also has a very helpful "Guide to European Railpasses" section on his website to help you decide whether a pass will work for you (and if so, which one), and sells railpasses as well.
But, if all you wanna buy is locks and money belts, well, so be it.
Last edited by KathyWdrf; May 23, 2005 at 12:18 am
May 23, 2005, 2:23 am
#5
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Nothing but positive experiences dealing w/Rick Steves.
I have done the following transactions with Rick Steves:
1. Went to his Seattle area (Edmonds, WA) office & bought a 45 min consulation for Italy trip in 1997. Advice was excellent & really added to my experience. Bought first backpack while I was there.
2. Went to his store a couple years ago. (I was doing the UA great offer flying 8 segments SAN-SEA). Bought backpack #2, day bag & a variety of other stuff.
3. 2 yrs ago, I ordered a Swiss Transfer Pass about a week ahead of time. Rick Steves overnighted the pass to me & included a couple of small freebies.
4. Met the Rick Steves crew at the Los Angeles travel show earlier this year. They gave me a free 2005 Italy book after I mentioned that a bookstore at the show didn't have it in stock.
Bottom line: I had NO negative experiences & everyone I know also had NO negative experiences. Nothing but positive! ^ I would have no hesitation in recommending his books, goods & services. Rick Steves has been in business for many years. (since the 70's).
1. Went to his Seattle area (Edmonds, WA) office & bought a 45 min consulation for Italy trip in 1997. Advice was excellent & really added to my experience. Bought first backpack while I was there.
2. Went to his store a couple years ago. (I was doing the UA great offer flying 8 segments SAN-SEA). Bought backpack #2, day bag & a variety of other stuff.
3. 2 yrs ago, I ordered a Swiss Transfer Pass about a week ahead of time. Rick Steves overnighted the pass to me & included a couple of small freebies.
4. Met the Rick Steves crew at the Los Angeles travel show earlier this year. They gave me a free 2005 Italy book after I mentioned that a bookstore at the show didn't have it in stock.
Bottom line: I had NO negative experiences & everyone I know also had NO negative experiences. Nothing but positive! ^ I would have no hesitation in recommending his books, goods & services. Rick Steves has been in business for many years. (since the 70's).
May 23, 2005, 4:11 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by travelnutz
I like Rick Steve's travel books. That said, he needs to update his restaurant information in his books. Some of the restaurants are nonexistent!
Restaurants go in and out of business all the time. ALL guidebooks will contain some out-of-date information. That's the nature of print media. @:-)
May 24, 2005, 12:26 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,973
Originally Posted by KathyWdrf
He updates them every year, unlike some guidebook companies.
Restaurants go in and out of business all the time. ALL guidebooks will contain some out-of-date information. That's the nature of print media. @:-)
Restaurants go in and out of business all the time. ALL guidebooks will contain some out-of-date information. That's the nature of print media. @:-)
May 24, 2005, 12:31 pm
#11
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While I don't have first-hand experience, others I know swear by the luggage he has designed and sells on his website.
May 24, 2005, 1:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 481
I've bought items from his site, been on two tours (Turkey and Italy) and have met the man in person on a couple of occasions and I'll pile on the endorsement of his business . He's certainly on the up and up and will go beyond the call of duty on many occasion to make sure the customer is satisfied.
Though he and I differ in approach to travel (I'm more likely to sport my Prada in Florence than my zip off khakis), I highly respect him and the lengths he'll go to bring Americans to the "off the beaten path" parts of Europe (as well as the well trodden ones).
His railpass information is fantastic too.
. He's certainly on the up and up and will go beyond the call of duty on many occasion to make sure the customer is satisfied. Though he and I differ in approach to travel (I'm more likely to sport my Prada in Florence than my zip off khakis), I highly respect him and the lengths he'll go to bring Americans to the "off the beaten path" parts of Europe (as well as the well trodden ones).
His railpass information is fantastic too.
Jun 22, 2005, 5:13 am
#13
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Originally Posted by travelnutz
I was using a 2004 print in early 2004. I guess European restaurants go out of business overnight especially the ones that he recommends.
The 2004 edition would have been updated based on research done in the summer of 2003. (Or was that somehow not obvious to you? You thought that the research was done just a few days before you purchased the book???)
Every other travel guidebook series I have used is less frequently updated than Rick Steves' series. Lonely Planet, for example, typically does updates only every few years.
But, you can often get more recent updates on the websites (Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, and others). However, if you insist on absolutely up-to-the-minute information for your typical printed guidebook price tag of $15-$25, I'm afraid there's no one on earth that will satisfy you.
Jun 22, 2005, 6:13 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,973
Originally Posted by KathyWdrf
"Overnight?"
The 2004 edition would have been updated based on research done in the summer of 2003. (Or was that somehow not obvious to you? You thought that the research was done just a few days before you purchased the book???)
Every other travel guidebook series I have used is less frequently updated than Rick Steves' series. Lonely Planet, for example, typically does updates only every few years.
But, you can often get more recent updates on the websites (Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, and others). However, if you insist on absolutely up-to-the-minute information for your typical printed guidebook price tag of $15-$25, I'm afraid there's no one on earth that will satisfy you.
The 2004 edition would have been updated based on research done in the summer of 2003. (Or was that somehow not obvious to you? You thought that the research was done just a few days before you purchased the book???)
Every other travel guidebook series I have used is less frequently updated than Rick Steves' series. Lonely Planet, for example, typically does updates only every few years.
But, you can often get more recent updates on the websites (Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, and others). However, if you insist on absolutely up-to-the-minute information for your typical printed guidebook price tag of $15-$25, I'm afraid there's no one on earth that will satisfy you.