Travel agent sold me holiday that is £600 more than quoted online

endemoniada_2

I normally avoid "package deals"- this is a delayed honeymoon because I've been sick since we got married 7 weeks ago. We both just need a rest and this looked ideal.We did look online lots before but really truly believed that the travel agent would get us a bargain.

Thanks for all your advice

logie28

why would you check online after you have been to the travel agents? its obvious the overheads of running a shop need to be covered, hense higher walk in prices!

Surely if you thought you was being ripped off in the shop you would of compared else where?

Nordictat2

The OP was looking at the hotel...I would do the same...I always like to see WHERE I'm staying!

endemoniada_2

I was looking at the hotel on the Thomas Cook website as we were excited about it all.

I really didn't think I was being ripped off- at the time I thought it was a fair price for the holuiday which is whey we bought it.
We hadn't checked priced for Tunisia before we went so had no comparison.

It was suggested because of the daytime flights which were important to us as we have a nine year old child.

All in all it's down to ethics, something I see little of in this forum. What I do see is forumers waiting to pounce on those who are simply looking for advice

Valli

what do you mean 'ethics'?

we CANNOT advise you that you have been overcharged or diddled or cheated or scammed because you haven't.
You were shown a holiday at a price. You accepted that price. Unless the travel agent has a price match promise advertised you are probably stuck with that price although they might choose to price match or they might offer you a refund but they are quite within their rights not to. It's buyer beware TBH and up to all consumers to shop around before making their purchases, whatever they are buying.

But well done for paying with a credit card as you will benefit from the extra protection!

endemoniada_2

ethics= driven by the right thing not for unreasonable financial gain or as I see on this forum "self righteousness"

Valli

ah I see where you're coming from. Thanks for clarifying!

(You do mean OUR ethics as opposed to the travel agents?) -The travel agents have the expense of running a store, paying wages, and business rates which can be astronomical. But in the end it's always the customer who pays, through prices. OT rant here - if EVERYONE did choose to shop online our town centres are going to turn into ghettos. And not everyone can access the internet ...

well were I in your shoes I would smile sweetly and ask nicely - and maybe add a bit about continuing to use travel agents because you appreciate the personal service.

endemoniada_2

Thanks, that's my plan as I did actually appreciate the personal service and probably would not have found those more manageable flight times. It's the system that I will be questioning armed with the screen prints of the prices.

Note I did not seek the prices online as I would not have thought it fair to compare. The only way to look at the hotel details was to search Thomas Cook's site ( I knew they were the operator) When I saw the lower price £230 or so compared to £450 per person we had paid I then decided to look at the XXXXX travel site to see if there was a mistake.

I will be asking nicely and asking questions about the system .

If we have to stick with the deal, we will enjoy it as it is worth it to us


edit: yes, I do understand the whole internet/high street argument and think it is driving a wedge.

Doshwaster

This is one of the reasons I haven't used a high street travel agent in over 10 years. They may have their uses in specialist niche areas but for most travel online is always going to be cheaper, provide more information and have more options.

pelirocco

endemoniada wrote: »

I was looking at the hotel on the Thomas Cook website as we were excited about it all.

I really didn't think I was being ripped off- at the time I thought it was a fair price for the holuiday which is whey we bought it.
We hadn't checked priced for Tunisia before we went so had no comparison.

It was suggested because of the daytime flights which were important to us as we have a nine year old child.

All in all it's down to ethics, something I see little of in this forum. What I do see is forumers waiting to pounce on those who are simply looking for advice

Oh you mean when someone asks a question then gets an answer they dont like?