travel agent or not

[seahorse]

I'm confused by this. Do you charge your potential customers a fee before you talk to them? Or do they just get charged a fee if they book with you.

 

If you charge before you'll even talk to them, I think you are going to discourage a lot of people who think they might be interested in cruising but want some info before they decide for sure.

 

If you only charge the fee to people who book with you, is it fair to charge the people who do give you business extra to make up for the people who shaft you?

 

I do more travel then cruises. A customer walks in, or calls, we start having a conversation........I qualify them on their travel needs before I give them my expertise (value).

 

I give them my qualifications and tell them what I can do for them (I sell myself at this point).......If they wish to use my services I tell them my scale of fees....it all depends on the difficulty of the booking.

 

If they want me to continue with my services they pay an up-front non-refundable fee that will go toward their final payment. That is the key......it will go toward their final payment.

 

I don`t get shafted and my clients don`t get shafted. I also give incentives to my loyal clients and give them referral incentives.

 

It is a win-win situation all around. They value me........I value them and I don`t waste my time with people that want to "use" me.

[ChrisConnolly]

Any Travel Agent that wants to charge you a non refundable upfront fee before or after booking is not one that you want to do business with.

 

Before reading this post , I had not even heard something like this existed in the travel industry....

 

I use a TA and certainly have an allegiance to them , but be assured they will certainly match or come close to any price I can find. If I have to cancel a vacation before final payment is due, I get all my money back.

[seahorse]

Any Travel Agent that wants to charge you a non refundable upfront fee before or after booking is not one that you want to do business with.

 

Before reading this post , I had not even heard something like this existed in the travel industry....

 

I use a TA and certainly have an allegiance to them , but be assured they will certainly match or come close to any price I can find. If I have to cancel a vacation before final payment is due, I get all my money back.

 

Excuse me.......Obviously you don`t know the Travel Business very well. Most travel travel related business DOES charge a fee and a cut-off for penalties.

 

I do not want to do business with a person that does not value me, so I would not deal with you.

 

Have a nice day:)

[DroopySails]

We've heard from several TAs on this thread. Based on attitude, communication skills and customer focus (not to mention fee policy), which type of TA would you guys want to deal with if you decide to use an agent?

[newmexicoNita]

Ok, all of you, let me throw a few things in here: First, I want to say, I agree with Seahorse 99% of the time, but not this one. She is right about charges, although I do not think the majority of agents charge a fee, it is becoming more common. The company I worked for in Texas had started charging a fee for clients who came to our office, but the charged was applied to any vacation they took as long as they did book. The company I work for now: a major cruise company allows us to decide if we will or will not chage a fee. I choose not to as does my boss. My reasoning, it's like being a real estate agent, I have the responsibilty to find you what you want at a price that you are willing to pay. If I can not do this, for any reason then I have not earned a fee. This is just my way of looking at things. Of course I lose customers for all kinds of reasons, some just tick me off. One time last summer I probably spent 20 hours looking for a cruise to meet my clients needs, they booked with someone else and ended up with a cabin similar to what I had held for them. I was disappointed and really ticked, but then I have the client who finds the cruise, calls me with the price, I book it, he takes insurance as well, I have his CC number so I just enter that, and we are pretty well done. This guy cruised 3 to 5 times a year. To add to all this he brings me gifts from all the places we ventures to. I also have a client that books Vegas once a year, she is so cheap that we get her the cheapest room in the lowest season and I am lucky to see $40 from her: she also sends me clients right and left. For me it balances out, not to mention we do have to compete with tihe on line agencies so it is important to keep our prices down as much as possible. There is no right or wrong answer to this, I just don't think a charge up front is called for. NMnita

[Host CMLA]

If they want me to continue with my services they pay an up-front non-refundable fee that will go toward their final payment. That is the key......it will go toward their final payment.

When I think about this, I don't think you're that much different than many online agencies that charge a fee to cancel. You just call it something different. And I'm not saying it's a bad thing. If I took up your time having you find me the perfect vacation and then had you take care of any issues involved with it, I wouldn't begrudge you a fee if I canceled unless I canceled for something like a medical emergency, etc. In that case, I'd hope to not be charged a fee because I'd probably rebook for another time. So you call it an up front fee that goes toward final payment and online agencies call it a cancellation fee that goes toward final payment if they don't cancel. I'm OK with that. In certain situations I'm willing to pay for someone's expertise. I pay more for my fancy hairdresser when I could pay a lot less for Cost Cutters, etc. I pay more for The Palm or Morton's when I could pay a lot less for McDonald's. While neither of those charge a cancellation fee or an upfront fee...I'm talking about paying for quality and expertise and the value I place on it.

 

Having said all that...the internet has made many of us into personal travel agents. We no longer absolutely have to have a TA to book travel. But I'm glad they're still out there in case I want to book a trip that I need help with. And if I do need help, I wouldn't mind paying a fee that will apply to my final payment. But that's just me.

[ChrisConnolly]

I do not want to do business with a person that does not value me, so I would not deal with you.

 

The "value" a travel agent recieves is the commision paid by the cruise line. Simple as that.

 

Upfront fees, just so someone will help you, answer questions, or use there computer to get a rate quote is unbelievable.

 

Cut off fees, or as I call them cancellation fees are charged by the cruise line, Imposing your own cancellation fees in addition to the cruise lines , in my opinion, is unfair to the customer.

 

If someone comes into my business with specific questions or needs advice. I help them, no fee involved...They keep coming back because they "value" our expertise and we "value" them as customers.

 

When it comes down to it, the product you are selling is a cruise (or other travel) and you are paid by the cruise companies to sell cruises (through commision). In my opinion charging people just for the right or ability to purchase a product does not make great business sense.

[angel4487]

Thank you for your replys, I just got off the phone with TA, I did all the research and knew what I wanted, but this way if there is a problem or question I can just give her a call. We are now booked for our first cruise :D on the Majesty out of Boston next Sept. for our 20th anniversary. I can't wait to start packing!

[ceallaigh]

I do more travel then cruises. A customer walks in, or calls, we start having a conversation........I qualify them on their travel needs before I give them my expertise (value).

 

I give them my qualifications and tell them what I can do for them (I sell myself at this point).......If they wish to use my services I tell them my scale of fees....it all depends on the difficulty of the booking.

 

If they want me to continue with my services they pay an up-front non-refundable fee that will go toward their final payment. That is the key......it will go toward their final payment.

 

I don`t get shafted and my clients don`t get shafted. I also give incentives to my loyal clients and give them referral incentives.

 

It is a win-win situation all around. They value me........I value them and I don`t waste my time with people that want to "use" me.

 

As a somewhat experienced cruiser (will be on my 9th cruise and fourth cruiseline shortly) and a very savvy consumer, I have to say that the idea of walking into a travel agent and having to be 'qualified' by the agent and listen to their self promoting qualifications speech,would lead me to walk away from that agency very quickly.

 

In my personal experience, anyone that has to 'sell themselves' has a reason for that need. I have a travel agent that I love. She doesn't charge any fees, she is incredibly helpful, she gives way more than I could ever expect or hope for from a travel agent, and....she's never had to sell herself.

 

I think qualifying customers and self promoting speeches should be left to used car salesmen.

 

Kelly

[seahorse]

When I think about this, I don't think you're that much different than many on line agencies that charge a fee to cancel. You just call it something different. And I'm not saying it's a bad thing. If I took up your time having you find me the perfect vacation and then had you take care of any issues involved with it, I wouldn't begrudge you a fee if I canceled unless I canceled for something like a medical emergency, etc. In that case, I'd hope to not be charged a fee because I'd probably rebook for another time. So you call it an up front fee that goes toward final payment and on line agencies call it a cancellation fee that goes toward final payment if they don't cancel. I'm OK with that. In certain situations I'm willing to pay for someone's expertise. I pay more for my fancy hairdresser when I could pay a lot less for Cost Cutters, etc. I pay more for The Palm or Morton's when I could pay a lot less for McDonald's. While neither of those charge a cancellation fee or an upfront fee...I'm talking about paying for quality and expertise and the value I place on it.

 

Having said all that...the internet has made many of us into personal travel agents. We no longer absolutely have to have a TA to book travel. But I'm glad they're still out there in case I want to book a trip that I need help with. And if I do need help, I wouldn't mind paying a fee that will apply to my final payment. But that's just me.

 

The difference between on-line travel sites is service. Case in point.......the hurricanes in Mexico. The large on line sites left their clients with no way to get home for many days. The clients could not get in touch with them. The smaller agencies had the caring and expertise to facilitate their rescue. Some of my wholesalers even sent their own private flights to get them home, or out of there and put them up until they got home.

 

Some honeymooners didn`t even KNOW there may be a storm coming. Small agencies will alert their clients.

 

It is true anyone can book travel.......the motto in my profession is "Without a travel agent you are on your own"

 

Every client is treated as an individual. If you had a problem and had to cancel and wanted to re-book of course the SMALL FEE would be held in escrow. I do emphasize SMALL FEE. We are not talking about hundreds of dollars. Just enough for good faith.

[seahorse]

As a somewhat experienced cruiser (will be on my 9th cruise and fourth cruise line shortly) and a very savvy consumer, I have to say that the idea of walking into a travel agent and having to be 'qualified' by the agent and listen to their self promoting qualifications speech,would lead me to walk away from that agency very quickly.

 

In my personal experience, anyone that has to 'sell themselves' has a reason for that need. I have a travel agent that I love. She doesn't charge any fees, she is incredibly helpful, she gives way more than I could ever expect or hope for from a travel agent, and....she's never had to sell herself.

 

I think qualifying customers and self promoting speeches should be left to used car salesmen.

 

Kelly

 

You know your agent and that is good. Most new clients do want to know my qualifications and I do want to know what their needs are when it comes to travel. I would not dream of selling a Seaborne cruise to a Carnival client, or visa versa. Qualifying a client is one of the first rules of salesmanship in travel. That is good business. I couldn`t begin to tell you how many people say "Have you been there, have you sold that destination" "How long have you been in business" etc.

 

Would you go to any professional and not know their qualifacations?? I am dealing in dreams and large dollars, I better be qualified.

[cruisingfromMN]

As a somewhat experienced cruiser (will be on my 9th cruise and fourth cruiseline shortly) and a very savvy consumer, I have to say that the idea of walking into a travel agent and having to be 'qualified' by the agent and listen to their self promoting qualifications speech,would lead me to walk away from that agency very quickly.

 

In my personal experience, anyone that has to 'sell themselves' has a reason for that need. I have a travel agent that I love. She doesn't charge any fees, she is incredibly helpful, she gives way more than I could ever expect or hope for from a travel agent, and....she's never had to sell herself.

 

I think qualifying customers and self promoting speeches should be left to used car salesmen.

 

Kelly

 

I have never used a travel agent for cruising but I have to say that I have been very lucky in not having any problems. Because we have gone on several cruises, I feel quite qualified to continue to book direct. But I look back and am shocked we had the nerve to plan our first cruise without assistance, especially because we never even searched the internet, or books and we knew absolutely nothing about cruising. Scary huh but it all worked out! However, if we were to plan a large scale cruise, perhaps the Baltics or something more complicated than the Caribbean, we would select an agent as it is outside of our scope.

 

Twenty some years ago, we used an agent to plan our first trip to Hawaii. We wanted top-notch, we wanted a couple of islands, we were going for two and a half weeks, and basically knew nothing, we were young and this was our first major vacation together. In this case, we sought out an agent walked in and asked for qualifications. We were trusting her in helping us to plan a huge vacation with spending ALOT of money and in order to trust her in helping us to plan the perfect and expensive vacation, we definitely asked for her qualifications. She thought nothing of it and provided her experience with travel and specifically Hawaii. So, I do believe that there is a time and place for asking or an agent providing his/her qualifications.

[seahorse]

I have never used a travel agent for cruising but I have to say that I have been very lucky in not having any problems. Because we have gone on several cruises, I feel quite qualified to continue to book direct. But I look back and am shocked we had the nerve to plan our first cruise without assistance, especially because we never even searched the internet, or books and we knew absolutely nothing about cruising. Scary huh but it all worked out! However, if we were to plan a large scale cruise, perhaps the Baltics or something more complicated than the Caribbean, we would select an agent as it is outside of our scope.

 

Twenty some years ago, we used an agent to plan our first trip to Hawaii. We wanted top-notch, we wanted a couple of islands, we were going for two and a half weeks, and basically knew nothing, we were young and this was our first major vacation together. In this case, we sought out an agent walked in and asked for qualifications. We were trusting her in helping us to plan a huge vacation with spending ALOT of money and in order to trust her in helping us to plan the perfect and expensive vacation, we definitely asked for her qualifications. She thought nothing of it and provided her experience with travel and specifically Hawaii. So, I do believe that there is a time and place for asking or an agent providing his/her qualifications.

 

Thank You:D Have you priced priced a Hawaii vacation lately:eek: ?

[sunshine 229]

I have never used a travel agent for cruising but I have to say that I have been very lucky in not having any problems. Because we have gone on several cruises, I feel quite qualified to continue to book direct. But I look back and am shocked we had the nerve to plan our first cruise without assistance, especially because we never even searched the internet, or books and we knew absolutely nothing about cruising. Scary huh but it all worked out! However, if we were to plan a large scale cruise, perhaps the Baltics or something more complicated than the Caribbean, we would select an agent as it is outside of our scope.

 

Twenty some years ago, we used an agent to plan our first trip to Hawaii. We wanted top-notch, we wanted a couple of islands, we were going for two and a half weeks, and basically knew nothing, we were young and this was our first major vacation together. In this case, we sought out an agent walked in and asked for qualifications. We were trusting her in helping us to plan a huge vacation with spending ALOT of money and in order to trust her in helping us to plan the perfect and expensive vacation, we definitely asked for her qualifications. She thought nothing of it and provided her experience with travel and specifically Hawaii. So, I do believe that there is a time and place for asking or an agent providing his/her qualifications.

 

I understand that if you are going to a new specialist, be it a doctor, lawyer, construction contractor or travel agent you would want to check out their credentials before proceeding to do business with them.

 

I'm not sure however what Seahorse means when she says,

"I qualify them on their travel needs before I give them my expertise (value)."

 

Do you mean you check to make sure they can afford to pay for the type of vacation they want? Or that you make sure that the type of vacation they want is one that you are able to deliver or what exactly?

 

I'm just thinking back to when I started cruising. I"d heard about cruising and I was interested but I didn't know enough to even figure out if it was something I would like to do. I had no idea what types of cruises or ships were available or how much those different cruises were likely to cost.

 

If I had had to pay a travel agent before I could even get my questions answered I probably never would have gone on that first cruise.

[seahorse]

I understand that if you are going to a new specialist, be it a doctor, lawyer, construction contractor or travel agent you would want to check out their credentials before proceeding to do business with them.

 

I'm not sure however what Seahorse means when she says,

"I qualify them on their travel needs before I give them my expertise (value)."

 

Do you mean you check to make sure they can afford to pay for the type of vacation they want? Or that you make sure that the type of vacation they want is one that you are able to deliver or what exactly?

 

I'm just thinking back to when I started cruising. I"d heard about cruising and I was interested but I didn't know enough to even figure out if it was something I would like to do. I had no idea what types of cruises or ships were available or how much those different cruises were likely to cost.

 

If I had had to pay a travel agent before I could even get my questions answered I probably never would have gone on that first cruise.

 

I make sure that I can provide the service that they need from me. So I ask them what "type" of vacation or travel they were thinking of. You never presume if they can afford it.

 

As an example, I could never in good conscience sell the Orient or the Sub-Continent. I have never studied about that area...I have no interest in that area. I would refer them to one of my colleagues that do.

 

In no way do you ask for an up-front fee just for sitting down without opening their mouth, that is ludicrous. That is why I qualify in the first half hr. or so. If I can provide them with my "expertise" my business plan is enacted. BTW The "qualification" period is a Q & A session.

[cruisingfromMN]

[quote name='seahorse']Thank You:D Have you priced priced a Hawaii vacation lately:eek: ?[/QUOTE]

No, we have not but I can only imagine. The last time we were there was in 2004 on the Star which was our second time on that same itinerary. Then we have done several land visits before that. It actually is one of our favorite destinations, if we are not cruising. And, our all time favorite place to stay is the Sheraton Moana Surfrider... simply heaven. Gee and now I have to tell you one of my all time favorite great service story. We are sitting poolside at the Moana and I say to my DH, "We've been in Hawaii for 3 days and I have yet to have a good Pina Colada". Little did I know that the pool attendant was walking by. A few minutes later, she shows up with a Pina Colada and says "here, try this one on the house". It was the best one I have ever had and then I proceeded to have at least two a day from then on. Pure heaven!

[Host CMLA]

[quote name='seahorse']The difference between on-line travel sites is service. [/QUOTE] I was agreeing with you and I said that I place value on expertise. I guess that didn't come across.

[seahorse]

[quote name='Host Cecilia']I was agreeing with you and I said that I place value on expertise. I guess that didn't come across.[/quote]

You came across very well, thank you. I just wanted to reiterate my position:D

[KMA0455]

I actually enjoy using my TA, I do the research, I call them with my results, they research, they call me back, I go the there office we work out all details and I sign on.

When I run into any problems...ie docs etc. , I call them and they handle it...period.

Please keep in mind my TA has been around quite awhile and is knowledgeable.. I do use them for cruise and non cruise related getaways. They know our likes and dislikes and that is important when booking for us.