So....I need to fire my Travel Agent/Old Thread...New Update

[ga9497]

All I can say is WOW!!!

As a travel agent I can't believe how this person spoke to you and to a DCL rep. I know Raj pretty well and she will go over and beyond the call of duty to help you out and I can just imagine her shock at the way she was spoken to.

I would be worried that this agency would go out of business with their attitude and has your money.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

What's sad is that I seem to remember several threads over the years here on the boards about TAs holding the money and customers not being able to make their excursion reservations because of it.

Perhaps DU can chime in here and offer a resolution for you?

 

[Nezgrrl]

After working for years in the rental car business and now as a travel agent, I can tell you a lot of travel agents do not care at all about their clients. I can't tell you how many times I would get calls from customers in absolute panic or shock when their travel agents had booked the wrong car, the wrong date, or the wrong time. When I would talk to agents, they often had a "whatever, just book it" attitude. This was a common enough occurrence not to just to be a few bad apples in the bunch. My mother still works for a rental car agency, and she *hates* when travel agents call.

I'm sorry to hear this happened to you, but I am not surprised.

 

[Megand3779]

Wow, I am sorry for you and having to deal with this situation. Although I have no advice to offer, I must admit as I read the response letter to you from the TA, I was getting ticked off and ready to yell. I can't even imagine your frustration level.

I hope everything works out for you and that despite this, you all have a wonderful time on your cruise!!

 

[DCLLVR]

Wow, really sorry to hear about this. All the more reason to use a Travel Agent who is an official "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner". I know that little tidbit is a bit too little too late for your current situation, but there are some really, really good TA's that specialize in Disney vacations, the sponsor of this board is one of them of course, but there are other really good ones as well ... we use Allseastravel.com Outstanding service ... and you will definately not run into a similar situation with them.

 

[outahere]

I would suggest contacting an attorney, first thing this morning. They should be able to contact the agency and demand that any money you have paid them be immediately sent to DCL. When speaking with the attorney, I would discuss what other legal options you have, including a possible lawsuit.

I would also contact the CA Attorney General's office and file a complaint with them and with the BBB.

You might also consider writing a letter to DCL, explaining the situation and suggesting that the agency be banned from doing business with DCL (I think I would send it directly to Tom McAlpin - the president).

I am not a TA or an attorney, but I have to believe that holding your money, in their account, is highly unethical, as well as dangerous for you if they go out of business.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Wow, his response would have me seing RED. What a jerk, I cannot believe how they treat their customers. I hope you can switch your reservations and get away from them.

 

[Joel110]

I would be worried that this agency would go out of business with their attitude and has your money.

With out agency if a guest wants to pay by check we have them make it out to DCL and mail it directly so that their money is always with DCL. NO agency SHOULD BE HOLDING MONEY that is wrong and scary because if they are no longer around then your money is gone

That's my assessment. HUGE red flag that this agency may be in survival mode by floating their client's money and not having the cruise paid off on time. This should be illegal, if it isn't already. It's illegal in other businesses, such as insurance and financial services. The agency's response seems to add to the concern of pending bankruptcy/closure because their response was certainly edgy and distressed and the agency going off on the DCL rep and refusing to make a payment is another red flag that this guy may be nearing the end of his career in the travel business.

If it were me, I'd completely feel my money is at risk, but the agency has it. Requesting a TA change won't do any good because the money is at this TA AND DCL requires the existing TA to release the reservation, so I'd try to reapproach the agency again and firmly state that my payments must be applied today, either via overnight check (with tracking number) or credit card. If the response is still hostile, I'd start calling the state licensing department, self-regulatory agency and BBB.

I hope it all turns our alright for the OP.

 

[HiddenMickeys]

A dangerous situation indeed. In reading his response to you, and his comments to DCL, he seems down right spiteful. Well, having dealt with some EXTREMELY spiteful Sons of a........gun (lol) in my lifetime, there is NOTHING keeping this idiot from paying DCL at the very last second. There's NOTHING keeping him from sending you your docs at the very last second. I am not trying to stress you more, but if they have your money I would go down there again and have it resolved 1 of 2 ways:

1. Said idiot calls dcl with you standing there and pays them in full

OR

2. He gives you your money he is holding and you pay DCL with your debit card.

His Choice. But I wouldn't leave until 1 of the 2 was done. IF he refuses to do either, call down a local police officer to have a "little chat" with him and get the situation rectified. A police car outside, and officer and an irate customer inside, is not good for business. That should get the ball rolling on the solution pretty quickly.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

A dangerous situation indeed. In reading his response to you, and his comments to DCL, he seems down right spiteful. Well, having dealt with some EXTREMELY spiteful Sons of a........gun (lol) in my lifetime, there is NOTHING keeping this idiot from paying DCL at the very last second. There's NOTHING keeping him from sending you your docs at the very last second. I am not trying to stress you more, but if they have your money I would go down there again and have it resolved 1 of 2 ways:

1. Said idiot calls dcl with you standing there and pays them in full

OR

2. He gives you your money he is holding and you pay DCL with your debit card.

His Choice. But I wouldn't leave until 1 of the 2 was done. IF he refuses to do either, call down a local police officer to have a "little chat" with him and get the situation rectified. A police car outside, and officer and an irate customer inside, is not good for business. That should get the ball rolling on the solution pretty quickly.

This is a civil dispute. I've had two friends call the police because a moving company refused to unload their stuff unless they paid several hundred dollars in cash. Looks like theft, sounds like theft. Nope, civil dispute.

Anyway. I REALLY think you need a lawyer to find out what your rights are and possible damages as a result of holding your money. Maybe one phone call is all you'll need.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

When I went down there on Tuesday, I was hoping there would be a customer or 2 in the office while I spoke with them. Instead I had 6 or 7 travel agents staring out me. I was way outnumbered.

 

[mishoe01]

I am sure that someone will have a better solution, but I just wanted to say that I am sorry you are being treated this way. I would put a 'stop payment' on each of your checks and have your reservations transferred elsewhere. You will probably incur fees for the stop payment but it is better than letting these loonies hold on to your money. I would also contact better business bureaus and disney and maybe they can lose their DCL/WDW planning accrediation if they have one.

I agree with this 100%. I am a TA (and have been since 1992) and my mouth dropped when I read Craig's response. How in the world does he expect to keep doing business if he reacts this way?? And to have him "go off" on the DCL rep is unexcuseable.

The only issue I can see that could be sticky is whether or not Craig would release your res back to DCL (it requires a fax on company letterhead w/ your res info stating that the agency is releasing the res back to DCL). This can only be done prior to final being posted. If he is willing to do this, and if you do want to go w/ a TA you can then get the other agency to take over your res. Do you think Craig would do anything to mess w/ your reservations?

Another thought is to just go w/ Craig for this cruise and then NEVER use them again - and certainly tell all your friends and family not to use them too.

I'm sorry you have to go through this.

 

[lillygator]

OMG! I can't believe that letter, what a jerk!
Sorry you are having problems, hope you get everything worked out.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

The only issue I can see that could be sticky is whether or not Craig would release your res back to DCL (it requires a fax on company letterhead w/ your res info stating that the agency is releasing the res back to DCL). This can only be done prior to final being posted.

Well, I guess I can't "fire" them, because we have 6 cabins total and at least 1 of them is paid in full (per DCL). It might cause more problems than it's worth trying to transfer the res away from them.

 

["Ginger"]

Tom have you given any thought to calling your local news station and explaining your situation. I would think they may want to make a news story out of the way this company does business. Do you have community news paper where you can run an ad protesting this TA.
Let the public know how he does business. Get him where he's got you, in the pocket.

Good Luck!

BTW, I've got to ask, if you had a problem with this company in the past why would you go there again?????

 

[mishoe01]

A dangerous situation indeed. In reading his response to you, and his comments to DCL, he seems down right spiteful. Well, having dealt with some EXTREMELY spiteful Sons of a........gun (lol) in my lifetime, there is NOTHING keeping this idiot from paying DCL at the very last second. There's NOTHING keeping him from sending you your docs at the very last second. I am not trying to stress you more, but if they have your money I would go down there again and have it resolved 1 of 2 ways:

1. Said idiot calls dcl with you standing there and pays them in full

OR

2. He gives you your money he is holding and you pay DCL with your debit card.

His Choice. But I wouldn't leave until 1 of the 2 was done. IF he refuses to do either, call down a local police officer to have a "little chat" with him and get the situation rectified. A police car outside, and officer and an irate customer inside, is not good for business. That should get the ball rolling on the solution pretty quickly.

Good ideas.

 

[HiddenMickeys]

This is a civil dispute. I've had two friends call the police because a moving company refused to unload their stuff unless they paid several hundred dollars in cash. Looks like theft, sounds like theft. Nope, civil dispute.

Anyway. I REALLY think you need a lawyer to find out what your rights are and possible damages as a result of holding your money. Maybe one phone call is all you'll need.

I agree it's a civil dispute. But sometimes nice officers WILL get involved. Wife had a similar situation with a previous employer and her belongings. No one was budging, but soon as the police showed up and asked what the problem was, inside of 10 minutes everything was solved. Just saying it's worth a shot. In any event, I wouldnt go alone (take family and friends) and wouldnt leave until it was resolved. They have your money, and since your checks were cashed by them back in MARCH, you would like your money with DCL immediately. Either they can send it, or you can send it once they hand it over. Simple as that.

 

[HiddenMickeys]

[QUOTE="Ginger";24847164]Tom have you given any thought to calling your local news station and explaining your situation. I would think they may want to make a news story out of the way this company does business. Do you have community news paper where you can run an ad protesting this TA.
Let the public know how he does business. Get him where he's got you, in the pocket.

Good Luck![/QUOTE]

Another great idea. Most fox affiliates (as well as other stations) have a consumer reporter that deals with people getting "bad deals" from local businesses. I think this is an excellent idea.

 

[Michelle2]

I feel so sorry you had to go through this. I am also a TA and the way they replied back to your letter and how they treated you simply astounds me!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Another great idea. Most fox affiliates (as well as other stations) have a consumer reporter that deals with people getting "bad deals" from local businesses. I think this is an excellent idea.

If anything I'll contact the ABC affiliate, since their owned by Disney, and so far Disney looks good in this.