Arrgghh!! Booking frustration with colleague

[Gillsfan]

Over the past few years ive picked up lots of planning tips from you guys, the missus and friends, so when I was asked to help plan a colleagues trip to the land of the mouse I jumped at the idea.

I came up with a few package ideas, so they could kind of see where the potential savings were.

So, my best package was 2 weeks in early Sept, flying with Airtours, staying in ASM with a ten day pass inc water parks, Free Disney Dining plan, Universal 2 days inc shuttle, Discovery cove with dolphin swim, for two people for a total of £1952.

I was going to help them book it all, but in the end they went with a travel agent and got 2 weeks, comfort Inn international, with a four day flex ticket, discovery cove dolphin swim ( Dont ask me why you would need a flex ticket, when youve already got access to sea world with the discovery cove pass Especially as they wont be going to Busch as they wont drive out there), for a £2100 ish.

ARRGHHH!!

Dont get me wrong, im only offering advice, I dont want them to think mine is the only and best option, but I cant understand why people choose to go to a travel agent and pay over the odds, when you can make your own package for less.

Nevermind, rant over...

 

[wilma-bride]

I can see your frustration. It's really annoying when people ask for your help, then throw it back in your face. The way I see it, though, is it's their money. I don't know whether your 'package' entailed booking everything separately. Maybe they wouldn't have felt comfortable about that and wanted the security of booking a 'true package' with a TA. But, yes, I can't understand why they wouldn't have wanted to save money.

Anyway, be happy with the knowledge that they will probably return home complaining that they overpaid and had far more tickets than were necessary

 

[wayneg]

I totally understand how you feel, there is not a day goes by without me giving advice on Florida, either on here, in my shop or on other discussion boards. It is so annoying when you know something is right for someone then they go do something totally wrong but we are all different, like different things and it is their money.
I can understand them staying offsite rather than ASM, we did not enjoy ASM, but I would find somewhere better than their choice.
It does seem a lot of money for Sept for 2 weeks but its not your problem, just hope they enjoy it.
Last package I put together and compared with TA was £2,000 difference , DW has told me to stop even bothering with them, I just get wound up with their prices.

 

[angel659]

Oh hun, how frustrating. You worked on that for weeks. Looked at everything and everywhere. Priced bits and pieces up for her. I know why your upset really you wanted your free pen as commission

Well dont worry about it. Just rub it in her face when we come back from our November trip saying how much money we saved by the way we did ours.

One tip: Some people cant be told!

 

[natalielongstaff]

One tip: Some people cant be told!

so very true !!

 

[AliceGardner]

I totally understand how you feel, there is not a day goes by without me giving advice on Florida, either on here, in my shop or on other discussion boards. It is so annoying when you know something is right for someone then they go do something totally wrong but we are all different, like different things and it is their money.

DW has told me to stop even bothering with them, I just get wound up with their prices.

One tip: Some people cant be told!

Agreed with all of these...

I am afraid that there are only really two things that you can do:
- Firstly not get so involved in the first place - make some suggestions, but let them find their own way (less investment of time, effort and thought from you means less for them to throw back in your face...).
- Secondly if/when things like that do happen - take a deep breath, count to 10 and say (under your breath) "idiots, oh well, their loss...".

This is a very common occurence - both in real life and on forums. Sometimes, no matter how right you are, people just wont listen to you... Not much you can do, just don't let it upset you or wind you up...

If they want to spend more money and get less in return, that is up to them (even if it is insane ).

Alice

 

[Gillsfan]

Agreed with all of these...

I am afraid that there are only really two things that you can do:
- Firstly not get so involved in the first place - make some suggestions, but let them find their own way (less investment of time, effort and thought from you means less for them to throw back in your face...).
- Secondly if/when things like that do happen - take a deep breath, count to 10 and say (under your breath) "idiots, oh well, their loss...".

This is a very common occurence - both in real life and on forums. Sometimes, no matter how right you are, people just wont listen to you... Not much you can do, just don't let it upset you or wind you up...

If they want to spend more money and get less in return, that is up to them (even if it is insane ).

Alice

Yeah, your all right really. I think its just that I hear a few people complaining about florida saying they had a wonderful time, but was too expensive to visit more than once in a lifetime, which I know for a fact isnt true, they just did it completely wrong.

Next time, I think I will just give them a link to this board to save hassle.

Its probably better for then staying on Int drive anyway. I just see the disney hotels ( even the budget ones ) as a little more special.

 

[Gillsfan]

Oh.. and yes, a pen for commision would have been lovely! ha ha.

 

[angel659]

Oh.. and yes, a pen for commision would have been lovely! ha ha.

I will get you one when I go away with Claire in August. For thanks for letting me go away with the girls. If its only a pen you want then great more money for cocktails

 

[carolfoy]

Can I just say that as a travel agent our prices are NOT always more - admittedly when you take into account frequent flier deals/miles plus money etc that can save the individual a portion of a regular package cost, but when you take into account the number of unbonded holidays that fail each year and the thousands of travellers who lose money and their holidays through dodgy companies, it sometimes pays to ensure you're protected.

 

[AliceGardner]

Yeah, your all right really. I think its just that I hear a few people complaining about florida saying they had a wonderful time, but was too expensive to visit more than once in a lifetime, which I know for a fact isnt true, they just did it completely wrong.

Next time, I think I will just give them a link to this board to save hassle.

Its probably better for then staying on Int drive anyway. I just see the disney hotels ( even the budget ones ) as a little more special.

I know what you mean... but many people are often determined to live their own lives THEIR way - even if it is harder, more expensive or less fun . Wierd, I know!

Giving a link to here is a good idea: you have helped them out (if they really want it) AND have spread the effort of helping them (i.e. it is not all on you).

Alice

 

[AliceGardner]

Can I just say that as a travel agent our prices are NOT always more - admittedly when you take into account frequent flier deals/miles plus money etc that can save the individual a portion of a regular package cost, but when you take into account the number of unbonded holidays that fail each year and the thousands of travellers who lose money and their holidays through dodgy companies, it sometimes pays to ensure you're protected.

I think that there are good travel agents out there, just that they are few and far between. I assume that you are one of the good ones

Personally, I have not had much satisfaction with travel agents. They have generally not proven competitive and the one time something did go wrong - I was booked through Thomas Cook - they refused to take responsibility for it and really didn't help me out... Was not impressed.

That doesn't mean that "all travel agents are bad", it just means that they don't suit me.

Definitely wouldn't recommend booking through "dodgy companies" if you book independently, but (providing you are certain of what you want and aren't going to want changes later) Expedia, Opodo, Lastminute.com are all very good. Booking direct with airlines/hotels/cruiselines is also good (and can give you a lot of felxibility). Some other travel companies (such as Dreams Unlimited) generally have good reputations and many recommendations. I think that booking independently you have to have done your research and know exactly the terms of your purchase - as always, "buyer beware"...

Alice

 

[Gillsfan]

Can I just say that as a travel agent our prices are NOT always more - admittedly when you take into account frequent flier deals/miles plus money etc that can save the individual a portion of a regular package cost, but when you take into account the number of unbonded holidays that fail each year and the thousands of travellers who lose money and their holidays through dodgy companies, it sometimes pays to ensure you're protected.

Totally agree there Carol, its purely people who walk blindly into a travel agents and just book the first package they can see. If your lucky, there are the occasional knowledgeble travel agents who know the best way to tackle a florida holiday, but most of my expriences with agents are that theyre just booking agents that call up prices on a screen. Although, it certainly helps to have the piece of mind that a package holiday offers.

Anyway.. the saga continues..

I have to stress that I am in no way making my frustrations clear to my colleague, I just smile politely and agree, but today im approached again for advice, theyve found they have 14 day flex tickets.

This time, its... "where we have access to four parks for 14 days, do we really need to bother with Disney?" and "shall they just pay on the door rather than getting passes as they only intended to do around two days there".

You can imagine what I thought, I just explained it was up to them. I dont think you can really go to Orlando and miss Disney.

I think the reason they are thinking of avoiding Disney is the cost. If they had tackled the holiday the way I suggested, I worked out that it would have been around £700 cheaper. Well, as weve all said, its not my money. Its just frustating and needed to rant to people who understood.

The worse thing now is helping come up with an itenary that spends nearly all their time in Uni.

Also, they watched that Holiday Showdown last night and thats really put them off Disney, with all the crowds, and plastic rides!! My goodness, I have to stop trying to help people, its far too stressfull.

Nevermind, got my November trip to plan Least I know how to plan mine! If the missus doesnt get in the way and book everyday up before I get a chance that is.

 

[angel659]

Nevermind, got my November trip to plan Least I know how to plan mine! If the missus doesnt get in the way and book everyday up before I get a chance that is.

Tomorrow is a date then we sit down and change the itinery. Make adr's.

 

[Graeme]

Next time, I think I will just give them a link to this board to save hassle.

I don't even bother doing that anymore. Every time I've asked if it was useful I've got, 'Well Dave's brother's uncle's dog's hairdresser went to Disney 20 years ago so I just asked him. He knows what to do!'

Sod the lot of them! the more they spend, the cheaper it keeps prices for those who know where to look and the more smug we can be about it!

Oh and Carol, don't get upset about it, there's a world of difference between a good travel agent and a mass travel company as I'm sure you're aware.

 

[disney-a-holic]

i would like to add that i luked around these boards and found all the hints and tips an absolute godsend when we went last year and i truly believe we wouldnt have managed to do half the things if it were not for these boards... some people do take on your advice, others well there loss!!

i would love to no how you put your packages together op??
i am trying to arrange 2weeks in oct08 for 8 prefer to be on site , and am getting 7day disney and 5 park flexi?? we booked with tcd last year and am thinkin this is my cheapest option, just wanted to no if you have any advice on this.... i would be more than happy to get you a pen!!

 

[Gillsfan]

Yep, this certainly is a decent place for tips. My family have certainly benefitted from our DIS colleagues, so most of my suggestions really come from other people.

Okay... really its down to a lot of searching. From places that offer different types of flights, to different ways of booking the hotels. I find the trick really is to put everything together on some kind of spreadsheet and compare.

For instance, the Hotel prices that Disney offer are very reasonable, especially when you look at the $ rate. Flights can be cheaper if you book one that includes a stop-over, or if you book when theres flight sale on. Sometimes, Flydrive offers some decent prices also. Dont think you will get many quotes at the moment for Oct 08, most scheduled flights are only available to book 10 months before.

As far as tickets go, I look at what we intend to do while we are over there and plan a sort of itenary to get some idea of what tickets we need. For instance, you are going for 14 nights, but you want a 7 day Disney and a 5 park flex ticket. Its asking a lot of yourselves to spend 12 out of your 14 days in parks. You also have to ask yourselves, do I want to see Kennedy Space centre? Or possibly a trip to the Beach at Clearwater? Do you want to Shop or do crazy golf on I-Drive? So many things to think about.
Sometimes Universal do excellent deals on their website when you get free childs tickets or buy one day, get another free, if your doing a Dolphin swim at discovery cove you get 7 days into Seaworld, so it may be cheaper to book tickets seperately rather than the expense of a 5 day flex.
Also, dont for get, if your buying Disney tickets, and you dont intend to visit a waterpark maybe it would be cheaper to get a Magic your way base ticket.

Dreams unlimited offers WDW resort quotes, including tickets and everything, sometimes it can be a good idea to see what they quote.

I will have a look and see what price I can come up with though and re-post later.

Ya know what would be cool? If people had a "Beat my quote" thread challenge, where people can try to find it cheaper they post and potentially the winning quote could get a pen! ha ha.

I think the thing with WDW/Florida is, that for my family personally, we are only on average wages, but we still try to book a WDW hol every other year, (sometimes every year if finances allow). We do it by finding the best ways to maximise our money and by planning everything. To most, it would probably be too tedious/petty to make it worth their while, but I dont want to waste money and I never really put anything on my credit card when im out there.

Will let you know what I come up with. No doubt the missus ( Angel659 ) will give me a hand.

 

[angel659]

Will let you know what I come up with. No doubt the missus ( Angel659 ) will give me a hand.

This ones yours hun.

 

[disney-a-holic]

oh many many thanks

we went last year to disc cove ,seaworld ,busch,universal and ioa plus all disney parks. next year we are returning with my sister and her dh and son!!... but i really cant imagine doin it any other way. ie would hate to be sat around relaxing when i could be on everest!!!!

i guess its hard for me at the moment as i no my sis will want to do it all (ihope) but we may choose not to repeat certtain things!!
but my children will be more than happy to do it all!!!

argh!!!

i have had a headache for 4 days now thinking of for ultimate package to suit us all, as we are simalar to you regarding finances!! and i am quite drawn to atayin onsite again but not sure if finances can stretch that far. at tne moment we are lookin at not including park tickets..on £5348 at pop and 4bed villa £4708????


must thank you in advance for your effort to reply let alone search... a pen is definatly deserved!!!
and what a great idea "quote me magic"

 

[disney-a-holic]

hello to the wife!!