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

[thecooley]

Have you considered posting this on ripoffreport.com? Seems right up their alley.

Although I think your local consumer advocates will be able to get results more quickly, your story needs to be seen by as many people as possible.

Sending pixie dust your way!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Update:

BBB-no reply yet
local ABC station-no reply yet
Chris Elliott-says he will help, but wants to wait a few more days to see if DCL responds
Fresno Bee newspaper-won't help, referred me to BBB and Atty General

 

[zulaya]

I guess I'm wondering what Chris Elliott is waiting for.

You said DCL said they can't do anything without the TA signing the ressie back over to them.

Is he wanting to see if DCL cancels your reservation so your story has a bit more hype for his column?

Not surprised about the newspaper. BBB probably isn't going to do much on your behalf, but will log your complaint for people to research.

So hoping you have a local TV consumer reporter who will get your story on the air.

 

[dylan'smom]

This is available to you, if it doesn't get resolved by tomorrow. Your TA is from Calif. I have to put this at the bottom of every receipt/itinerary I send out:


"If you are a resident of California, this transaction is covered by the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. Eligible passengers may file a claim with TCRF if the passenger is owed a refund of more than $50 for transportation or travel services which the seller failed to forward to a proper provider or such money was not refunded to you when required. A claim must be submitted to the TCRF within 6 months after the scheduled completion of travel. Documentation is required and some restrictions apply. You may request a claim form by writing to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA 94977-6001; or by faxing a request to (415) 927-7698."


So sorry you are getting this lack of service & headache!

 

[pixidustmom]

OH man I'm holding my breath this all works out.

 

[monkeygirl]

My fingers are crossed for you!

 

[TiaMaria]

Tom,

The Fresno Bee refering you to the States Atty General is a great suggestion - your TA does not want to be contacted by them. That's when it turns from bad customer service to a criminal complaint. Yes, holding your money and not paying the vendor is criminal.

Our States Atty General (Missouri) really goes after businesses that do not play by the rules. In fact, he is the guy that started the No Call List - before it went nationwide.

If that money has not posted by morning, go to the California Atty Generals website - http://ag.ca.gov/ - and contact them with any and all correspondence, cxld checks, etc. I would be willing to bet you will not be the first to go to them about this guy - but hopefully - you will be the last.

Nail this sucker.

 

[neonurse]

Keep us posted Tom.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

The AG's office had a nice little form to fill out. Made it very easy.

 

[tinkryansmom]

Tom just checking in! Fingers are still crossed here for this Mungary guy to do the stand up thing and take care of this ASAP.

Still available to drive down and look menacing should you need any back up!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Wow, I've only read the first page and last page- and not sure if I'm missing any pertinant info but it appears not...
I'm completely amazed at the attitude you received from the TA in that reply email to you- and then for them to go off on DCL too when they called? Wow... just wow...

The TA we use DOES state in some of their emails about the pymt/etc. that they generaly send pymt to DCL later UNLESS YOU CONTACT THEM that you want it sent in earlier (in order to book excursions/etc.) To have your money held ransom- not release your reservation back to DCL and hold the money causing you to not be paid in full yet and not able to book excursions early is bad enough- then to have ATTITUDE ABOUT IT?

Well I'd ask what TA this is so I can avoid them.. but I wouldn't use them anyway since I"m pleased with our TA we're using for the 2nd time now. But gosh.... that really stinks! I hope you get it worked out but basicaly it appears like they hold the cards and they know it- hence the attitude. I wish you could post here (unless you already did in previous pages I haven't read yet) who it was to give them bad advertisement- because they sure deserve others to know how they behave!

 

[zulaya]

If your AG is anything like MN, you should be in good hands. The one we have now is firm and does go after people, just a little less flamboyantly than her predecessor. That guy was a mad dog when it came to protecting consumers. He was fabulous in that regard. I hope your AG jumps on this and runs with it.

Let us know if DCL has any news today.

 

[TiaMaria]

Wow, I've only read the first page and last page- and not sure if I'm missing any pertinant info but it appears not...
I'm completely amazed at the attitude you received from the TA in that reply email to you- and then for them to go off on DCL too when they called? Wow... just wow...

The TA we use DOES state in some of their emails about the pymt/etc. that they generaly send pymt to DCL later UNLESS YOU CONTACT THEM that you want it sent in earlier (in order to book excursions/etc.) To have your money held ransom- not release your reservation back to DCL and hold the money causing you to not be paid in full yet and not able to book excursions early is bad enough- then to have ATTITUDE ABOUT IT?

Well I'd ask what TA this is so I can avoid them.. but I wouldn't use them anyway since I"m pleased with our TA we're using for the 2nd time now. But gosh.... that really stinks! I hope you get it worked out but basicaly it appears like they hold the cards and they know it- hence the attitude. I wish you could post here (unless you already did in previous pages I haven't read yet) who it was to give them bad advertisement- because they sure deserve others to know how they behave!

The name is posted on some pages by some clever posters who figured out Tom's clues. That's something else the TA does NOT have in common with Tom. Tom had class by not outing them outright on this thread from the get-go. The TA is simply a no-class crook!

IMHO, of course, lol!

 

[dredick]

but where does that leave you now?

 

[global_mom]

Tom - I have been worrying myself sick for you. Will you know the result today? You are several hours behind us so I would assume that there is not yet a way to know if the funds posted to DCL. I am also a TA so this just makes me double sick.

Cross fingers tightly!

 

[karibritt01]

Hi Tom. I'm hoping today brings good news for you. If payment has not yet posted, I would speak with upper management to see what you can do to insure that your cruise doesn't get cancelled. The lower CMs may tell you they can work with you, but not really have the authority to do anything for you. Get it in writing if at all possible. But hopefully payment has posted, and you have no worries!

 

[SueEllen]

i am amaxed at how many of you internet savvy guys still use Travel Agents! We book direct with DCL, have made several room changes, all of which was accomodated without fuss online. The customer service team are fantastic. The prices are the same...somethime less (out of interest we had a quote for our upcoming cruise from DU and it was cheaper to do it direct- much cheaper than the room credit offered!)...so why involve 3rd parties?

Just a note about this--if you booked your cruise some time ago, then priced the same cruise with any travel agency (whether it be Dreams or another agency) of course your pricing is likely to be lower. DCL pricing is tiered, and based on the date you booked it, so it could be that the rate tiers have increased since you booked and the date you checked pricing with another agency.
It should not EVER be less expensive to book through DCL direct than through a travel agent (when comparing pricing at the same booking date.)

To the original poster, I truly hope you are able to get an amicable solution to your issue. This is terrible customer service, no matter what business you are in. Good luck!!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Well, good news, bad news, worse news.

Good news: I heard from the TA, of course Craig didn't call. He had one his flunkies call.

Bad news: She is reconciling the payments on our six reservations, which means they lied (duh). They haven't mailed in the payments.

Worse news: There is a $750 payment on our reservation from 09/03/07 that never got charged on our credit card and they're just discovering it now!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Well, then that leaves me with this question...

Just what qualifications do you have to have to be an authorized agent for DCL???

Wow, a $750 payment that you were never charged for? I would have noticed something that big, but regardless, they completely dropped the ball on this vacation. I hope the AG checks into this agency.

TC

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Well, then that leaves me with this question...

Just what qualifications do you have to have to be an authorized agent for DCL???

Wow, a $750 payment that you were never charged for? I would have noticed something that big, but regardless, they completely dropped the ball on this vacation. I hope the AG checks into this agency.

TC

I kinda knew that was going to happen. I never saw it come out of our bank account (debit Visa), so I was hoping maybe it hit one of our other credit cards and I just missed it.