Travel agents..waste of time

isplumm

Hi,

I've just seen these advertising in the Daily Mail ... no idea whether they are any good .... seem to have some good deals ...

or call 0845 460 6040 8am-11pm

I have no contection with them ....

Mark

gabyjane

richardw wrote: »

Sounds a lot of money for an October holiday in the Med.

Not really, we were married on the boat by the captain and the certificate alone was £1k of that!

gabyjane

Just wanted to add that i didn't have a prob with any of the prices as such just the fact that i had sat in somewhere for ages getting completely the wrong info..what on earth is she there for? (and she used a calculator!)

Calvinandhobbs

gabyjane wrote: »

Just wanted to add that i didn't have a prob with any of the prices as such just the fact that i had sat in somewhere for ages getting completely the wrong info..what on earth is she there for? (and she used a calculator!)

Maybe, she just made a mistake?? Obviously none of the rest of us have ever done that in our lives :rolleyes:

photome

gabyjane wrote: »

Just wanted to add that i didn't have a prob with any of the prices as such just the fact that i had sat in somewhere for ages getting completely the wrong info..what on earth is she there for? (and she used a calculator!)

So she made a mistake and wasted your time? Or were you wasting her time getting a qoute from an agent you werent going to buy from anyway.

She gave you a fantastic price (all be it the wrong price) but you still went somewhere else

duchy

I used to be a travel agent so I do understand where the agents are coming from -however I simply won't touch most travel agents nowdays. I can find better deals on-line and I don't end up sitting in front of someone who knows less than me about where I want to go. I actually did a mystery shop this week for a well known travel agent-it was AWFUL -despite the fact the agent had actually been to where I "wanted to go" and I was almost leading her at some points she took forever to get anywhere near the very clear requirememnts I gave her and had zero enthusiasm. There were no other customers and the other staff just sat around chatting when they could have helped her out. I know what a hard time this company gives their staff for a poor mystery shop so really wanted her to "get there" but it was hopeless.

For a cruise like the OP wants I'd suggest packaging it yourself -or going to a cruise specialist. I used to work for a company that did this and we'd book the flights sperately-and it was consistently cheaper that way. Check out some of the specialist cruise forums on the net for which specialists to use or use an agent prepared to package it for you. Someone mentioned Co-op travel earlier-They are the only big name agent I'd use now as they can sell everything and their staff aren't chastised for not booking their company's "own brand" as all the others are owned by holiday companies with their own products to sell. There are some excellent self employed travel councellers out there-I know some I used to work with and they are usually experienced travel agents who got sick of the restrictive practices of agents nowdays and are generally better informed and far more motivated as they are self employed.

So my advice is -if you have the time to research on-line -go that route -or try an agency not tied to a restrictive range of products either on the high street or through a recommended councellor

Reggie_Rebel

I've also been a travel agent and to be honest I'm surprised that agents are able to recruit staff.

Most of the kids on the counter are expected to work for little more than minimum wage. They see very little commission, rather they get 'incentives' for selling certain operators, and the days of guaranteeing a cheap or even free personal holiday are long gone.

Training, if it exists, consists of learning how to close a sale, no mention of building up a relationship and getting trust with your clients so that you can find them a holiday you know they will enjoy.

Reggie_Rebel

duchy wrote: »

I used to work for a company that did this and we'd book the flights sperately-and it was consistently cheaper that way.

But very dodgy if you are selling it as a package

duchy

Not if you do it right ! (and yes I've had to sort out right messes when it's done wrong so I take your point )
I do agree with you to a point about training -but my experience with this very well known name was dreadful-made more so by the fact there was no teamwork or support for this girl. I've done some of their training myself (before I quit in disgust when my manager wanted me to lie to customers) and building rapport is covered at length-this girl couldn't even manage eye contact.

littlegirllost

can i just remind everybody DIY bookings is not always the way to go.
What happens when you book flights and hotel separately and the flights
email you 3 weeks before departure to tell you they have canx/changed flights.

You are now left to try and sort out the accomm on your own as you booked
"DIY" or vice versa. I know people think travel agents are a waste of
time but some times its better, so they can resolve these problems
for you
I know everybody thinks DIY saves you a fortune but you are left stranded
if one section has problems