Having spent a lot of time on Tailor made itineraries after asking all the right questions before requesting Tour operators to spend their time and energy for potential customers is all part and parcel of the job that we do as travel agents and in the name of customer service we try to go that extra mile. But over and over again I have been asked flippantly to just provide the names of the airlines as either partner is checking the price on the internet or give them the name of the tour operators.
Recently Paul from Sunset Faraway has been fantastic with giving me advice on Boutique hotels in Caribbean for a client and Kier from Sunvill was marvellous with his assistance in trying to find that elusive hotel that the client asked for specifically. Their ground handlers in Costa Rica were informed that the hotel does not deal with the Tour operators. After being in touch directly and finding out that their policy has changed with regard to the travel agents. I went back to the client with revised itinerary only to be asked for the name of the airline as his wife was checking the prices. I told him that one of the first questions, amongst others was if he had any particular airline that he did not wish to fly with, and he categorically replied that as long as it was not a low cost flight. I informed him that most transatlantic flights were scheduled so he should not fear of low cost airlines.
This is not the first time and it certainly will not be the last time however this was the last straw. Now I have a policy which states that for any tailor made long haul holidays we will charge minimum £15 at the outset to cover our expenses and if they booked their holiday with us that charge will be taken off the final cost. This policy does not apply to repeat customers obviously. I'd rather lose so called potential customer who are never going to book with us than keep hoping that one day they will make a booking knowing full well that there are undercutter Tour Operators who will have no qualmsabout selling directly instead of refering the customer to the travel agent. Here is the list of companies who have the bare cheek to undercut travel agents still sending us e-shots asking for higher prices from the customers for the same holiday. As Cosmos Director Said that there are different customers for the same holiday. I know which holiday I would go for, so do the customer and the Tour operators. Furthermore it is patronising and insulting to the travel agents when such tour operators say such things bareface.
I have started to rid my shop of these suppliers’ brochures. I'd rather deal with a few good suppliers who may sell directly because they have to but do not undercut the travel agents. Goodbye Libra,Olympic and cosmos.
With Multiples I can take it or leave it. They have their own shops and they do not need us so if a customer request for a Thomson or Thomas cook holiday and it is available at the same price on view data as their website then I will sell it but I will not waste my time and efforts to make just a pound to fill other people’s pockets and I do not.
It is time to stand up and be counted. I may go bust but at least I would do it on my terms. These Tour operators have ruined too many lives by wanting to use our shops for shelf space but not willing to give an inch. If only there were low cost suppliers with the same ethics as Collette, Cadogan and Classics, these undercutters will come begging to us with hats in their hands to be given the space with increased commissions.
What do you think about charging an initial £15 fee for a consultation?
This thread has been picked up by readers of travelhub's sister site Travolution - read their responses here
We have a system in place which allows us to charge fees only to those 'clients' who appear to be seeking advice and reasurance without any commitment.
Basically we ask them to complete a simple form to become 'registered' clients. (this will get you the name and address and possibly credit card details.)
On the reverse of this form we have our terms of business which includes service fees and to which our 'registered' clients are obliged to sign an agreement. Once registered you can provide help, information and advice happy in the knowledge that you have the option to charge service fees as and when necessary. Should clients refuse to accept these conditions the chances are they are just looking for free information and advice!
Try it - it works for us
Hi Old Dog
I am new to the business and am on a huge learning curve. Any help would be greatly apprecaiated. Can we talk please? I like your idea and would like to discuss it.
New tricks
sure -
what do you want to know?
Everything
that could be a long conversation!.....
let me have an e-mail address and I will contact you
Thanks. It is enquiries@travelmystique.co.uk.
Hi, please do not take this the wrong way, however you need to get your web person to re-direct http://travelmystique.co.uk./ to http://www.travelmystique.co.uk./ as Google sees them as two different sites. If someone links to your site not using the www at the front of the URL, you will miss out on link juice. For instance http://cruisegle.com/ and http://www.cruisegle.com/ both end up on the page without the www.
Also I would get them to remove Homepage from the Meta title tag.
I have created many websites, including for cheap cruises, cruise deals and a new one attacking cruise holidays.