To help an 'acquaintance' or not...

[Mickey1Fan]

I am a part time TA and specialize in Disney. I just received an email from someone I know who is aware I do the TA thing part time telling me they have booked a trip to WDW at the end of January and now she has about 50 questions that she would like answered.

I am annoyed she did not book the trip through me and I really don't want to answer any of her questions. Am I wrong???!!! I want to charge her the $50 that would be charged pretrip for my work, just in case the client goes somewhere else.

I will probably end up answering some if not all, I just needed to vent - thanks.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

If being a TA is your profession, whether part time or full time, I think it is not reasonable for someone to ask you questions.

You are not wrong and ..... you are right to vent. Now have fun answering her questions! Don't let the rest of the planet get you down!

 

[Tinkershelly]

Well, you could answer a couple of short, easy questions for her and send her a list of websites, like the Dis of course, that she can use to research the rest of her questions in depth. You could explain that some of her questions are more personal taste and preference and if she did some research she could answer them best for her family. That might get you off the hook without too much work on your part.

Good luck, and I agree she's out of line. Now if you were a relative.........

 

[dancin Disney style]

I don't work for free.

Since this person is only an aquaintance I would let him/her know that you charge for this sort of thing.

 

[Gigi22]

Here's a thought, since your acquaintance didn't see fit to book her trip with you, just tell her that because she is an acquaintance, you will answer 2 questions for her. She can get her remaining questions answered by her TA, or take the time to find her own answers.

 

[modegard]

How about if you respond back - 'Can your TA not answer these questions for you? They get a commission on your booking after all.'

If they did not use a TA, well I guess they can research on their own just like everyone else. That is why we have Google after all, isn't it?

 

[Disney Addicted]

I think she's out of line expecting you to answer a ton of questions when she didn't book through you.

Perhaps you could answer a few questions and work into your reply something along the lines of "I'm sure your TA would be happy to answer any questions you have or are you transferring the reservation to me?" If she has a TA maybe she'll take the hint. If not, perhaps she would take another hint & transfer the ressie to you for answers & help.

BTW, if she booked it own her own & did transfer it to you - would you still receive commission from Disney?

 

[Mickey1Fan]

Thank you everyone for your insight.

I will think carefully on my reply. I will most likely answer a question or two and refer her back to her TA and suggest she buy a book for planning.

 

[HeatherLassell]

I don't work for free.

Since this person is only an aquaintance I would let him/her know that you charge for this sort of thing.

Agreed! I manage a portrait studio but I'm not going to take my equipment to your house and do free portraits either!

Tell her you are busy but tell her about the dis and she can come ask all her q's and learn everything here!

I'm so glad I found this website!

 

[stefanospops]

I have the same challenges as you outlined in my business. I am a real estate salesperson and find that everyone who knows what I do will ask me tons of questions even when they are working with someone else. However, I happily answer all of the questions. I got into this business to help people make good decisions in real estate. I recognize I need to earn a living, but I have always felt that if I give them my honest opinion whether I earn something from them or not that in the long run I will be taken care of. I will usually end any conversation or email along the lines of, "And even though you aren't working with me, if you like the advice I have given then please tell your friends."

I sometimes feel like a "schmuck" for giving away advice but I still feel good about it. All this said, I would still start any response in a case like this with, "your travel agent should be able to tell you everything I am about to." When I know someone is working with another salesperson I never want to give the impression I am trying to steal them. I just want them to remember me the next time they hear of someone looking to move, etc. Good luck!

 

[LSmith]

I have the same challenges as you outlined in my business. I am a real estate salesperson and find that everyone who knows what I do will ask me tons of questions even when they are working with someone else. However, I happily answer all of the questions. I got into this business to help people make good decisions in real estate. I recognize I need to earn a living, but I have always felt that if I give them my honest opinion whether I earn something from them or not that in the long run I will be taken care of. I will usually end any conversation or email along the lines of, "And even though you aren't working with me, if you like the advice I have given then please tell your friends."

I sometimes feel like a "schmuck" for giving away advice but I still feel good about it. All this said, I would still start any response in a case like this with, "your travel agent should be able to tell you everything I am about to." When I know someone is working with another salesperson I never want to give the impression I am trying to steal them. I just want them to remember me the next time they hear of someone looking to move, etc. Good luck!

I feel the same way.

Don't most of us have jobs or expertise where our families, friends, neighbours, acquaintances, etc have asked for our advice? In my circle there are doctors, nurses, lawyers, hairdressers, police officers, mechanics, pharmacists, teachers, chefs, computer techs, painters, contractors, bankers, electricians, real estate agents, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, etc.

We try to help each other without hestitation or expectations.

We are at each other’s beck and call for advice and never begrudge any of it.

 

[jennipooh]

As a TA myself I would have a hard time w this especially if she has booked through a different TA. Perhaps I'd say "I am so glad you are going to Disney. I would have loved to help you plan your trip and answer your questions. There are often so many that come up. As a professional courtesy it would not be appropriate for me to help you at this time. I assume the TA you are booking w can help....." something about wishing booked w you and really want to help next trip.

 

[roxysmum123]

Personally I'd answer a reasonable amount of questions and then redirect her to places like the Dis. If you all out say "no", that's what she's going to tell people when they ask her about Disney and will prob lose you future business. Remember word of mouth travels fast and while you may not have made this sale, the way you handle her questions now could mean a number of future sales.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

I've read lots of interesting information. I know she came to be because of my love of Disney so that makes it really hard to not help. Having said that, I will answer several questions and suggest she buy a book to answer the questions that are of a personal opinion, such as where should she eat in Magic Kingdom. Ask ten people and you get twenty answers

I'll also refer her to DISboards - of course. I can't tell her my user name right now - LOL. There are also a few questions her TA should answer.

I'll also remind her again that I am a TA and would appreciate further bookings coming my way. Right now I am ignoring the email but I'll have to address it on the weekend.

Thank you everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

 

[roxysmum123]

I'll also refer her to DISboards - of course. I can't tell her my user name right now - LOL.

Good call!! lol!

 

[stefanospops]

Personally I'd answer a reasonable amount of questions and then redirect her to places like the Dis. If you all out say "no", that's what she's going to tell people when they ask her about Disney and will prob lose you future business. Remember word of mouth travels fast and while you may not have made this sale, the way you handle her questions now could mean a number of future sales.

I believe this certainly rings true.

Mickey1fan: I think you hit the nail on the head though with your last post. You love Disney and would love talking about it with anyone whether you get to earn some money on the arrangements or not. I am the same way when it comes to real estate (and Disney!) which is why the quoted post really helps people like us. We don't do it for the future business, we do it because we love to talk about it. However, the result is that it usually helps the future business.

And maybe don't refer them here until after this thread has been buried! I will shut up now and stop bumping it up. Besides, I still haven't packed and my flight leaves for the World tomorrow morning at 8:15! Yikes!

 

[laura001]

As a TA myself I would have a hard time w this especially if she has booked through a different TA. Perhaps I'd say "I am so glad you are going to Disney. I would have loved to help you plan your trip and answer your questions. There are often so many that come up. As a professional courtesy it would not be appropriate for me to help you at this time. I assume the TA you are booking w can help....." something about wishing booked w you and really want to help next trip.

That is exactly what I would say. And if she booked it all herself, I would still let her know about the services you usually provide to your client and basically leave it at that. I have never had anyone not book a disney trip through me, but I have had a few book other vacations without me and it is really disheartening, and not easy to forget!

 

[Susan2771]

Did she book the Disney portion of her trip with another travel agent or direct? If she booked direct all might not be lost. Maybe she needs assistance with booking flights, car rental and travel insurance. Maybe you could interest her in the other parks in the Orlando area and book those tickets for this person. I would show her the benefits of working with a travel professional such as yourself and your value and wow this person. If she did not book through a travel agent, you could discuss with the person having the booking transferred to you and how you would be thrilled to help her with the rest of the details every step of the way and any questions that will no doubt come up between now and the trip. You can offer to keep an eye on her booking in case a better discount comes up and have it applied to the booking.