'Negotiating' your holiday deal

sprinkle_2

After reading many threads on all subjects - I always feel nervous about buying the bigger things now, because I worry that I might get it cheaper somewhere else? Am I the only one?

Over the last few days I have been looking at buying a holiday package - yes I know I could buy it cheaper if I did it all myself and usually I do, however this time I wanted a change with a few of the perks of a holiday company.

I went to the holiday supermarket, they said yes you can have this that and the other - but didn't feel I was getting 'the bargain' I wanted. I then went to try out the internet and get the online booking discount - unfortunately didn't manage to get the system to work how I wanted it so called the company direct (Sovereign).

The first rep quoted a price and even though I said I tried on the internet didn't budge the cost. I went away to think about it. Next rep gave me the internet discount with an early booking discount. The next one gave me a free childs place, the internet discount and early booking discount - I then felt there was no more to give and booked.

I feel happy with the price but sad for those who take the first quote - I would definitely book direct through the holiday company again and ask for all these discounts and for them to check different brochures with different codes to ensure they have the best price.

Hope that helps anyone else booking a package - ie don't take the first quote and ask them to try all these things to get your price down.

Janet:o

cougar_3

I posted this morning pondering how best to do just that.

So you rang the same tour operator three times, directly.

budgetflyer

To me. I read that as they would happily have ripped you if they could have. Only your persistance got you a decent price. Well done :-)

sprinkle_2

Actually, I called 4 times in total, 3 operators and the last one I spoke to twice. Yes I do think I would have been ripped off if I had accepted the first price, after that it was a matter of getting them to keep checking differing flight times, differing dates, differing discounts. I went away to think about the price and to go back to chip a bit more off each time - the other moneysaving tip is to get them to call you back too!