Do the donkey work myself or?

ferf1223

fincsher wrote: »

What does the real definition of the title, "Do the donkey work myself or?" I don't really much understand.. Could anyone explain it to me briefly?

Donkey work = "hard" work.

So "Do the (hard) work myself or?"

Donkey work being looking at options and pricing for the holiday, etc.

Which I don't find to be hard work at all - I enjoy it myself...others feel differently...I prefer to be the master of my own destiny in these things - so if I am going to look up hotels and their reviews and all that...then I may as well book it myself. To me it would be a waste of time using a TA as I would have to check everything that they said to confirm I agreed with their evaluation of the various parts of the holiday. No way on this earth I would just sign up for a holiday on the recommendation of a stranger. I wouldn't do it if the advice came from someone I knew, let alone someone I didn't. I always check myself...find it odd that people walk into a high street shop and just take the TAs word for things and sign up then and there. Totally bizarre to me, especially with the wealth of information available online. OK, some people aren't online, but will likely know someone who is who could check reviews of hotel XXX before any committment to the holiday is made.

I don't see any additional protection/security/safety in using a TA for the types of travel we do, but suppose that some don't feel as comfortable doing it themselves and want to have a support system there for when things go worng. Me, that would be the worst option- sitting around waiting for someone else to do something on my behalf.

I think the other thing is the way things are booked (i.e. actual package, or separate elements)...my impression from reading posts here is that TAs are not always up front about what is a package and what is not (online sites as well)...so to someone who doesn't know the right questions to ask - they may well think they have booked a package and assume that they have this additional 'protection' when they didn't and they don't...in which case they may as well have done it themselves.

cgk1

I always do the work myself but that doesn't always mean that booking everything seperately works out cheaper - last year, we booked our own flights and hotel and that worked out cheaper than Thompson, this year we are going back to the same place and after doing all the research, Thompson were cheaper as a package - it might work out differently next year. I guess we might get a bit of hard sell on the coach transfer but I can put up with that for a saving of £200.

duchy

ferf1223 wrote: »

No way on this earth I would just sign up for a holiday on the recommendation of a stranger. I wouldn't do it if the advice came from someone I knew, let alone someone I didn't. I always check myself....

It's a trust thing-there was a time when the assumption was that the travel agent was the only and a reliable source of knowledge. They really were travel consultants not travel agents...... nowdays not so much.

BTW you mean you checked up on my advice before signing up for AAdvantage Jen.......I'm shocked :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

ferf1223

duchy wrote: »

BTW you mean you checked up on my advice before signing up for AAdvantage Jen.......I'm shocked :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Ah, but in that case I knew you had personal experience you were speaking from on the challenges...in fact, I'd read most of what I could then asked you for help as it was all slightly confusing to me...you cleared it up, made it make perfect sense and I'm still grateful for it...especially for the completely unexpected business class upgrade at the gate from LHR to ORD.

bagby

I booked a three centre holiday last year to America for seven people, booking all the hotels, flights, hire cars, transfers - everything all went to plan - no hiccups and saved quite a bit of money. The hard work is finding out where you want to go. Also go through quidco for even more savings. First time I booked independently was a bit apprehensive but since then have booked all holidays this way. Go for it.

poet123

I have always booked independently, and really enjoyed doing it.

Follow the golden rules, pay by credit card, get a good ins policy, and do some research. Out of interest, I went to a TA last year for a last minute package deal, they quoted me £2100, DIY it came in at £1400 for a better room, better flight times. No contest for me.

LoopyPrune

Wow Im amazed at all the responses. Many thanks to all posters as you have all given me plenty of food for thought. Whatever I do I will pay by credit card for start off. As for booking individual elements that bit is still alittle undecided. In my next few days off work Im going to goto every agent in my home town and show them the hotel I want to stop at and see what they can do. The prices/benefits offered will decide my outcome.

poet123

Why not give us the details on here, hotel, dates, and airport.