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

[carole88]

Tom,

I wish I had a solution to your problem. At this point I probably wouldn't want to get them angrier than they already are for fear that they would mess with the reservation.

I was really upset after reading your post. You are such a nice person and make those great nametags without asking for anything in return. Hopefully a little pixie dust will come your way!

 

[andriade]

I was so irate when I read this earlier today. All I can say is that I really appreciate my travel agent now. I thought she was wonderful before but now I think she is the greatest thing ever. It's unfortunate that this agency can't get it together. It's hard enough for travel agents these days with people booking so many vacations on their own. Customer service is everything in their business. They are there to help us. It's part of their job. It's sad that this agency hasn't learned this. How do they stay in business?

I hope this gets resolved. Someone who booked that many cabins must be quite a commission! You would think that they would be bending over backwards to keep your business!

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your cruise! Don't let them take that away from you!

 

[cats mom]

Yikes! I can't believe the response you got from the TA.

Don't successful TA's rely heavily on referrals and repeat business from loyal customers?

Seems to me insulting someone who has a group of 6 cabins booked for an upcoming cruise, not to mention the way he spoke with the folks at DCL, speaks volumes about his character... or lack thereof.

It's too bad one of the cabins has already been paid in full. Otherwise I'd ask the TA to release all the bookings back to DCL. You might still be able to do so with the remaining 5 cabins, but that sure stinks for the folks who are stuck with the bad attitude TA.

Please tell me you're at least getting onboard credits, or stateroom gifts, or something from the TA.
6 cabins and 15 cruisers is a substantial booking!

BTW, I think the folks at Disney might be interested to read the bit about cruise run shore excursions. Bet your TA didn't learn that in the training they received to become an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Yep. They want to sell you the excursions that they sponsor.

Plus, it wouldn't have been "extra work" if they had done what they were supposed to in the first place. I was doing all the work by booking the excursions myself on the DCL website.

Did you get the mailing from DCL telling you about being able to book excursions in advance? I am wondering if they held that mailing hoping you wouldn't knwo that you could even do that. Therefore, you'd book excursions not through DCL so they could make extra commission on the deal.

 

[got2travel]

Don't you have to be paid in full at the 90 day mark or DCL will release your cabin? Why would a TA hold onto your money after the final payment date? How can that benefit the traveler if they end up losing their cabin?


Sorry this has happened, but my lesson would have been learned after the first experience.

 

[disneypoor]

We had a bad experience with AAA (not nearly as bad as yours though ), and I made AAA transfer all of our ressies (and there were 26 of us cruising) back to DCL. DCL told me people don't usually do that, but I decided I'd be in the minority. After our experience, I decided that I'd only book through Disney from that point on. I appreciate being able to call at any time with questions and getting a friendly and knowledgeable answer from the other end of the line.

Good luck with this and keep us posted. I, too, was seeing red after reading your TA's response. I loved the idea of all of us DISers having a meeting in our lime green shirts in front of your TA's office. That would be priceless!

 

[global_mom]

This is stunning. I did not read all the pages but am just horrified that any TA would act this way. Our agency follows the guidelines set forth by DCL and I cant comprehend why a TA would behave this way.

I am so sorry that this is happening but you may have solved the puzzle when you said that they may have spent your money and now need someone else's money to come in so that they can pay your cruise.

Please know that there are really great TAs out there and that this agency is not an example of your typical Disney Specialists.

Good luck!!!

 

[karibritt01]

You had to go there.

I'm trying to find a smiley that's kicking its own behind.

Sorry... my train of thought has left the station! If you find that butt-kicking smiley, I'm sure I could find lots of use for it!

 

[MODisneyfan]

My main worry with escalating the dispute before your cruise is they could get really spiteful if they chose. What if instead of returning your money and releasing the ressie, they canceled it. You can't get your current ressie at the same price you did months ago, and may even have trouble getting all 6 rooms. We have used AAA for all WDW trips with no issues. This is our first cruise, but so far no hitches. My TA will email me all excursion info a week before I can book, so we have time to look it over. There are great TA's out there... sorry you got the jerk you did. Although, I have to admit, I wouldn't have used them a second time after if my first experience had been like yours.

I use to work for AAA Carolinas...

 

[mousecraszy]

wow...quite a story...soo sorry for should be an absolutely happy time as you near your sailing date. What an idiot to put it all in writing just for YOUR documentation. In our state, our Governor's Office has a Department of Consumer Affairs. Here, you can submit formal complaints in writing and each and every complaint IS investigated and the "defendant" must respond in writing to said department. The state will then determine appropriate action(s) and in turn notify the "plantiff". Reporting to the BBB is just that...reporting, they have the good, the bad and the ugly. Hopefully, your Governor's Office can help with said service. I'm sure Arnold would love to TERMINATE this dirt bag!! Good luck...legal counsel may not be a bad idea in this particular situation.

 

[Joan1]

I just read through this thread and all I can say is WOW

My question to the OP is this
Why would you go back to this agency if you had a problem with them before. If you wanted to give them another chance I can understand but I would have been 100% on them to make sure that the problems you encountered before wouldn't happen again. Since you had previous experience with them I would have definitely paid by credit card. I guess I just don't understand why you would put yourself in another similar situation

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Did you get the mailing from DCL telling you about being able to book excursions in advance? I am wondering if they held that mailing hoping you wouldn't knwo that you could even do that. Therefore, you'd book excursions not through DCL so they could make extra commission on the deal.

We got it, but I think we got ours around 2 weeks after all the people in my DIS meets group.

 

[dredick]

Tom, I'm so sorry your going through this! You helped me out w/some name tags, so i thought i would cheer you up w/some smiley's..no kicking themselves in the butt, but you should still get a laugh! Hope it works out for you and you still have a magical cruise!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Tom, I'm so sorry your going through this! You helped me out w/some name tags, so i thought i would cheer you up w/some smiley's..no kicking themselves in the butt, but you should still get a laugh! Hope it works out for you and you still have a magical cruise!

Thanks.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Tom!!! What a horrible experience.

I am a couple of hours north of you but if you want any moral support you let me know and I will come on down and stand in their office with you. I will do my best to look fierce and menacing.

After reading all of this I am still in shock. His response is ars in nine. gotta keep it clean I am questioning the Authorized Disney label on this TA. Maybe your best bet is to deal directly with Ms. Lyons the "Disney Specialist". Bypass Mr. Sunshine completely.

And never, never, never, never use this TA again.

Thanks for all you do to spread the Magic here on the DIS. I hope this all gets resolved QUICKLY!

 

[Coach Rick]

FWIW, I will add my disgust to this TA. Maybe you should print out a copy of these responses and deliver it to the office. I really wonder if he knows how ridiculous he sounds.

I guess there is a difference when a person works for the sake of having a job, and someone who genuinely does a job because they love what they do. Sounds like this is a job to this guy, and that's it. Really too bad. Yet there are home based agents who get chastised daily from people like this, yet would probably do a much better job at taking care of you.

Anyhow, here's to you getting this resolved quickly!

 

[libpetersen]

Just glad to know the C*** A** TA was was not Cruise Authority, which is great. I'm so sorry for your troubles. Good luck!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Tom, I have just started researching for our first Disney cruise and ran across your thread.

I cannot believe the attitude of your TA!

How dare he try to discourage you from trying to book an excursion with DCL. Too much trouble for them????? Wouldn't DCL like to get that little tidbit of information! Authorized DCL agent, my foot!

I had no idea, if you used a TA, they could hold onto the money and not pay the vendor right away. Good information to know and now I will make sure if I do go with a TA they are paying the vendor pronto!

I hope everything works out for you.

TC

 

[ivet]

Sending you some Pixie DUST!!!! Maybe we can overwhelm them and all call to make "dummy" reservations and then cancel. Oh did I say that out loud. Maybe there is something we can all do collectively?

ivet

 

[ededmd]

I just wanted to add my voice of support for your trouble.
Please let us know how this plays out.

Lifting you up...