My Travel Agent Is Mean

  • Thread starter Thread starter joviacdan
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joviacdan

Original Poster
I booked my trip a few months ago through a travel agent I found online. At first she seemed pretty nice, but lately, has been quite nasty.

Hey, things come up and certain changes need to be made to vacation itineraries at times. I mean, isn't that a travel agent's job?

At my job, if a customer calls to make a change to an order (which happens about 25 times a day) I do it. It's my job.

I don't want to turn this into a psychiactric thread or anything, but seriously, this person has made me feel like crap because I asked for some changes. I changed my mind on certain things, and I noticed great savings, so I'm taking advantage of it. Is that so wrong of me?

Anyone else ever had a problem like this?
 

wannabeBelle

Well-Known Member
This does happen more often than you think. It is part of the reason that I use Pam of Kingdom Konsultant. She pretty much knows my game plan and can make suggestions because she actually loves Disney as much as the rest of us do. If this agent doesnt choose to earn your business, then I say leave her!!!! Changes do happen, but she shouldnt get all crazed over it! Belle
 
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joviacdan

Original Poster
I've heard that about Pam. I think I am going to start using her from now on.

When you are a true Disney fanatic, you know that one of the fun parts, is actually booking the trip. I shouldn't be made to feel as though I'm inconveniencing her by asking to change things a bit.
 
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SpongeScott

Well-Known Member
Sounds like it's time for a new travel agent. You're unhappy, she seems unhappy; make the change. It's her loss. Try Pam of Kingdom Konsultants. I don't know of anyone here that has used her services and not been happy.
 
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barnum42

New Member
It happens all the time with regards to flights. Unless you pay way over the odds flight tickets are "use it or lose it". The booking conditions stipulate NO transfers and NO refunds.

The only airline I know of that willingly gave a rain check on an economy ticket was Virgin Atlantic.
 
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barnum42

New Member
On the subject of Airline insanity, here's an old gag that shows what would happen if you had to buy paint from an airline:lol:

Customer: Hi. How much is your paint?

Clerk: Well, sir, that depends on quite a lot of things.

Customer: Can you give me a guess? Is there an average price?

Clerk: Our lowest price is $12 a gallon, and we have 60 different prices up to $200 a gallon.

Customer: What's the difference in the paint?

Clerk: Oh, there isn't any difference; it's all the same paint.

Customer: Well, then I'd like some of that $12 paint.

Clerk: When do you intend to use the paint?

Customer: I want to paint tomorrow. It's my day off.

Clerk: Sir, the paint for tomorrow is the $200 paint.

Customer: When would I have to paint to get the $12 paint?

Clerk: You would have to start very late at night in about 3 weeks. But you will have to agree to start painting before Friday of that week and continue painting until at least Sunday.

Customer: You've got to be kidding!

Clerk: I'll check and see if we have any paint available.

Customer: You have shelves FULL of paint! I can see it!

Clerk: But it doesn't mean that we have paint available. We sell only a certain number of gallons on any given weekend. Oh, and by the way, the price per gallon just went to $16. We don't have any more $12 paint.

Customer: The price went up as we were talking?

Clerk: Yes, sir. We change the prices and rules hundreds of times a day, and since you haven't actually walked out of the store with your paint yet, we just decided to change. I suggest you purchase your paint as soon as possible. How many gallons do you want?

Customer: Well, maybe five gallons. Make that six, so I'll have enough.

Clerk: Oh no, sir, you can't do that. If you buy paint and don't use it, there are penalties and possible confiscation of the paint you already have.

Customer: WHAT?

Clerk: We can sell enough paint to do your kitchen, bathroom, hall and north bedroom, but if you stop painting before you do the bedroom, you will lose your remaining gallons of paint.

Customer: What does it matter whether I use all the paint? I already paid you for it!

Clerk: We make plans based upon the idea that all our paint is used, every drop. If you don't, it causes us all sorts of problems.

Customer: This is crazy!! I suppose something terrible happens if I don't keep painting until after Saturday night!

Clerk: Oh yes! Every gallon you bought automatically becomes the $200 paint.

Customer: But what are all these "Paint on sale from $10 a gallon" signs?

Clerk: Well, that's for our budget paint. It only comes in half-gallons.

One $5 half-gallon will do half a room. The second half-gallon to complete the room is $20. None of the cans have labels, some are empty and there are no refunds, even on the empty cans.

Customer: To hell with this! I'll buy what I need somewhere else!

Clerk: I don't think so, sir. You may be able to buy paint for your bathroom and bedrooms and your kitchen and dining room from someone else, but you won't be able to paint your connecting hall and stairway from anyone but us. And I should point out sir, that if you paint in only one direction, it will be $300 a gallon.

Customer: I thought your most expensive paint was $200!

Clerk: That's if you paint around the room to the point at which you started. A hallway is different.

Customer: And if I buy $200 paint for the hall, but only paint in one direction, you'll confiscate the remaining paint?

Clerk: No, we'll charge you an extra use fee plus the difference On your next gallon of paint. But I believe you're getting it now, sir.

Customer: You're insane!

Clerk: Thanks for painting with us ... next person in the line, please.
 
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AEfx

Well-Known Member
This is why I don't use an agent, at all.

It's really not that hard to book your own trip - and you have ULTIMATE control. When you call someplace to change something, YOU are the one who made the reservation/etc., and you won't hear, "Sorry, we only talk to agents", or, "This needs to come from the agency that put your package together."

I'm someone who finds it fun as well - I love calling CRO and making all my own PS's, etc.

That said, I have heard excellent things about Pam from Kingdom and if I ever DID choose to use an agent, or know someone who was, I'd assuredly send them her way. She is always offering great advice and information, even to those of us that haven't used her servcies.

AEfx
 
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Kingdom Konsultant

WDWMAGIC Board Sponsor
Premium Member
WDWMAGIC Sponsor
Wow.... :o You're making me blush. :lol:

I change things constantly on my clients reservations. Especially if it's going to save them money. I hate to say it, but there are a lot of agents who only look at the $$$. I'm so sorry that you have had this bad experience.

As far as the airlines go...they establish the guidelines and unfortunately many of the cheaper rates are non-refundable. You can still use them though. Many airlines ask for a $100 change fee. I too feel that this is a lot of money. And thank goodness I haven't had to change anyone's airlines ticket because I would feel horrible telling them that the airline is going to charge them $100 per ticket to do it.

I too have had my share of travel agent tragedies. I had my disney tickets sent to the wrong hotel when I went when I was younger. (before becoming an agent) I had to buy a one day pass out of pocket.
I also wanted to be booked in the Polynesian, but instead they booked me aboiut 30 miles away in a Polynesian knock off resort that had COCKROACHES!!!

Anyway, please don't feel that all agents are the same. I do it to save people money and to do everything that I can to make their trip special.

Good Luck

Pam
 
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