Disappointed with ABD REsponse - as in it made no sense

[scottmel]

I had wrote a letter to ABD last AUGUST when I got home when our BSM ABD soCal trip. Trip was great but I had a lot of issues with the Vacationistas. I would call with questions - they promised to look into it, never heard back. Two weeks before trip I got REALLY sick and my Dr. advised postphoning the trip. (I had vacation insurance thank goodness!). So when I called ABD to explain that if I was not on the July trip they of course could keep ALL the money I paid since I woudl have to cancel the trip - but could I rebook it for 3 weeks out? Paying same rate? Plenty of room on trip. Oh no can't do that....There are 18 people on your booked trip, we never allow people booking last minute -no way. Can't do. Only thing they could offer me was CHINA in August. REally? China? I am trying to go to California.

Long story short, with no other option, we went on the trip with my Dr. advising me to rest and visit the ER if I felt my ear drums burst. Ended up being fine after few days (good thing we arrived 3 days early!) but I was still so irritated by the response from ABD. Considering their were 21 people on my trip. NOT 18 - the extra 3 were a last minute switch from another trip. Hmmm thought that was impossible?

So I wrote THREE letters to THREE different people - never heard a word. Sent an email and got a response the next day. All the man would say is sorry they weren't more sympathetic to my plight. He read the notes and saw the issue and was sorry sounding. When I stated my biggest frustration was booking so far in advance for the lower rate to then need to rebook due to illness and be told my trip would go up by 750 PER PERSON that was a hard pill to swallow. He assured me rates don't go up from booking - they don't want guests to talk about differnt rates paid on a trip and for anyone to feel upset that they paid more for the same experience. the ONLY time they raise the rate on a trip is when transporation goes up. Ummm I was booked on Back STage Magic with ONE bus taking us places? Hard to believe the bus rate went up 2k for 3 people. THAT was the big explanation as to why they raise their rates thru the year......

 

[OKW Lover]

Did you book through a TA? If so, I'd ask the TA to go to bat for you. They often carry more weight when dealing with a supplier.

 

[Bobo912]

I had wrote a letter to ABD last AUGUST when I got home when our BSM ABD soCal trip. Trip was great but I had a lot of issues with the Vacationistas. I would call with questions - they promised to look into it, never heard back. Two weeks before trip I got REALLY sick and my Dr. advised postphoning the trip. (I had vacation insurance thank goodness!). So when I called ABD to explain that if I was not on the July trip they of course could keep ALL the money I paid since I woudl have to cancel the trip - but could I rebook it for 3 weeks out? Paying same rate? Plenty of room on trip. Oh no can't do that....There are 18 people on your booked trip, we never allow people booking last minute -no way. Can't do. Only thing they could offer me was CHINA in August. REally? China? I am trying to go to California.

Long story short, with no other option, we went on the trip with my Dr. advising me to rest and visit the ER if I felt my ear drums burst. Ended up being fine after few days (good thing we arrived 3 days early!) but I was still so irritated by the response from ABD. Considering their were 21 people on my trip. NOT 18 - the extra 3 were a last minute switch from another trip. Hmmm thought that was impossible?

So I wrote THREE letters to THREE different people - never heard a word. Sent an email and got a response the next day. All the man would say is sorry they weren't more sympathetic to my plight. He read the notes and saw the issue and was sorry sounding. When I stated my biggest frustration was booking so far in advance for the lower rate to then need to rebook due to illness and be told my trip would go up by 750 PER PERSON that was a hard pill to swallow. He assured me rates don't go up from booking - they don't want guests to talk about differnt rates paid on a trip and for anyone to feel upset that they paid more for the same experience. the ONLY time they raise the rate on a trip is when transporation goes up. Ummm I was booked on Back STage Magic with ONE bus taking us places? Hard to believe the bus rate went up 2k for 3 people. THAT was the big explanation as to why they raise their rates thru the year......

Am I reading this right? He said they don't raise the rate as more people book? What BS! The Scotland trip went up $1000 in one week after it was announced. That was because transportation costs went up?!!! And how could one date be more expensive than another that is just a week or two earlier or later? Wouldn't the transportation cost be the same? I must be misreading this because I can hardly believe anyone representing Disney would say something so ridiculous.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Every vacationista I have ever had has freely admitted that the rates go up. I wonder if the OP only talked to one person? Maybe trying multiple people would have gotten better results?

 

[scottmel]

Am I reading this right? He said they don't raise the rate as more people book? What BS! The Scotland trip went up $1000 in one week after it was announced. That was because transportation costs went up?!!! And how could one date be more expensive than another that is just a week or two earlier or later? Wouldn't the transportation cost be the same? I must be misreading this because I can hardly believe anyone representing Disney would say something so ridiculous.

Yep you read that right. The supervisor at ABD actually told me rates only go up when transportation goes up on trips. Well on the BSM trip we had ONE coach bus...ridiculous sounding. But he said they don't want to raise prices, ideally everyone pays same, but when internal transportation goes up they then raise the rates. Ummm more like soon as someone books the trip they feel as though they can ask for more and rate goes up instantly for next group booking same trip. Hence why his explanation made ZERO sense to me

 

[scottmel]

Every vacationista I have ever had has freely admitted that the rates go up. I wonder if the OP only talked to one person? Maybe trying multiple people would have gotten better results?

I am the OP and it was the head supervisor at ABD that told me this....they dont' want to raise rates and try really hard not too but when internal transporation costs go up they raise the rates then. Zero sense. As I said in above post, they raise it soon as they get one group to join!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Rates increase as the number of guests increases.

The only time this isn't true is when it involves DVC, as they are guaranteed opening day pricing.

Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[Rapunzellover]

scottmel- I am as boggled as you are. I don't understand this at all.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Anyone who has worked with Disney (any area of Disney) understands that if you want a different answer, ask a different Cast Member.

You were given misinformation, plain and simple.