Do You Think I is Fair???

[sail7seas]

Yesterday, we booked another set of back-to-backs (Yes!!!) on "MY" Maasdam with our regular brick and mortar TA who we have dealt with for years.

Last night I was looking through some on-line cruises sites and found a $700 difference in the price of ONE of the cruises we booked. This morning I called my TA; I e-mailed her a link to the site and requested they match that price. Within one hour she called back and agreed to match that lower price AND told me that she would watch that site I gave her to see if the other cruise posted at a lower rate in the future.

Do you think that was fair of me to do or should I expect to pay more as I get more service and that agency has to have higher expenses being a brick and mortar?

She was very pleasant about it and did not have any 'tude' whatsoever.



(I have tried three times to Edit the Title of this Thread. Seems to be a
verb problem. :o Each time I try to correct it, nothing happens it remains the same. Sorry for the poor grammer.)

[Krazy Kruizers]

GET THOSE LOWER PRICES!!

I am always on the watch for lower via the "other" sites. And whenever I see that 10% difference, I write down the price, time, and where I saw it. Then I call our TA and she in turn calls HAL - and so far we have always gotten the lower quotes that we have seen.

So far our TA doesn't seem bothered by it - afterall - she knows that within a few months we will be booking another cruise.

SO - will you be going out of Norfolk for your back-to-back cruises on the Maasdam?

[marco]

$700, be it per per person or couple is a LOT. Usually, when a TA contacts the line and says, "My client can get the cruise for $XXXXX" they will match the price for your TA, and then your TA will earn whatever commission based on the new price. I would have to expect QUITE A LOT OF SERVICE to pay $700 more!!!!!

[jking757]

Sail, a $700.000 dollar difference is nothing to toot at....I think you should send ME the site info...Lol

[sail7seas]

GET THOSE LOWER PRICES!!

I am always on the watch for lower via the "other" sites. And whenever I see that 10% difference, I write down the price, time, and where I saw it. Then I call our TA and she in turn calls HAL - and so far we have always gotten the lower quotes that we have seen.

So far our TA doesn't seem bothered by it - afterall - she knows that within a few months we will be booking another cruise.

SO - will you be going out of Norfolk for your back-to-back cruises on the Maasdam?


I glad you do not think I was being unreasonable. Like you, KK, our TA knows we shall be back again and again as long as she continues to take good care of us.

We booked Boston to Montreal and will stay aboard for Montreal back to Boston. NO FLYING!!!! Gotta love that!!! We found out a very good friend of ours is scheduled to be aboard and we very much want to sail with him. "MY" Maasdam, a very good friend aboard and sailing from Boston......That has our name all over it. :) Was too good to pass up.

[cactuslady]

The travel agents, HAL, the trip insurance companies, and all the rest are in business to make the most money possible. As consumers, our business should be to save ourselves the most money possible. The business people, for the most part, understand that and do not expect us to give them any special favors at big expense to our bottom line (especially not at the cost of several hundred dollars, only a small part of which, if any, the TA would see). Those that don't understand probably have trouble dealing with our system of capitalism.

If your TA has been especially helpful and gracious and you want to reward him or her, a small gift of an item that would be helpful or look good in his or her office might be nice (or one that would taste good). Best of all would be to refer another good customer, and to speak highly of your TA (as you have done).

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Sail, I also agree that you did the right thing. I am sure there is still a lot of room for her commission. I have always done that with our TA and usually she can come really close with the exception fo that unbelievable price on got for the S Suite on the Oosterdam Oct of 2005. That one was $1000 per person cheaper than she could get so I booked on line.
I think TA's have the ability to work HAL also on price at least this is my guess. If they tell HAL that their long time client has found this price much cheaper I think HAL offers it less plus, I know that my TA claims they she called HAL to get the price down and always tells them I am a Mariner and have several cruises booked with them. I think it is always wise to check out several on line agencys for their prices before I book with my TA so I know what is available for pricing. My TA always askes me what price I have come up with before she calls HAL so she too is prepared.

IMHO I feel that the Travel Agency business is very much like the Car Dealership industry that I know all too well. I think there is the MSRP/Suggested Retail Price which in the Travel Industry I think a lot of people pay because they are not aware. Then there is the the Price they give you for being a good customer and give you a small discount. Then there is the bottom line price that still gives them the mini commission or a flat fee for booking it. If you are a frequent customer who refers lot of clients to them they should always give you the bottom line price, but unless you do research ahead of time as good of friend that they may be it is still a profit business and unless you ask they will still want to make that bigger profit on you.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, CactusLady.

We have indeed referred friends/acquaintances to her and she has done a good deal of business through these referrals....through all the years we have dealt with her.

We also give her a lot of business each and every year ourselves. :)

[jazzsea]

You know that I am a TA and I am glad that you forwarded the website to your agent.

Believe it or not, we don't always know what the best prices are. I only sell 5 cruise lines. Imagine what it would be like to keep track of 10 or 12. Five is enough and even then I'm constantly checking and rechecking.

You did yourself and your TA a big favor by sending the new price promo from the other agency.

[Vicar]

I think you were perfectly right to bring the price drop to her attention, Who wouldn't want to save money(especially a decent sum like that) if they could?

From the side of the TA, lowering the price and promiseing to watch that site for you is just good business. I am sure that she doesn't want to risk looseing a good customer of many years.

Take the $700 you saved and buy something special for yourself when you are back on your Maasdam. :)

[jhannah]

I found a price that was $350 PP less, and I notified my TA. She called HAL. "No way" was the answer. But my TA asked me to give her a little time. About a month later she came back with a price that was $800 PP less! Don't know what changed ... and I don't care. It's just another reason I'm inclined to stick with this agency.

[bepsf]

If it was a small difference - $50 or $100 - I doubt that I would care or go to the trouble.

But $700? Definately you did the right thing. Take the dinero and buy yourself something pretty...

[localady]

Absolutely it's fair S7S!! As many here agree it is just part of the capitalist system. I think your TA would rather have you notify her then to do a slow burn about the price then consider using an online agency next time solely based on price IMHO!:eek: :cool:

[Spender Nui]

My question is why you had to contact the agency and they didn't contact you. Makes you wonder how many times we don't notice the big price spread and never knew what was out there.

[Nliedel]

Stop feeling guilty.. I think you absolutly did the right thing.

[jhannah]

Take the $700 you saved and buy something special for yourself when you are back on your Maasdam. :)There's nothing in ship boutiques that's worth anywhere near $700! (Oh ... sorry ... that's another thread.) :eek:

[Nliedel]

Oh if you're really feeling guilty you can buy your hard working TA a small gift while on board.. Something she will use and nothing with the ships logo on it since she is probably up to her bottom in stuff like that.. (I was a TA for years).

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sail, no question ... you were absolutely fair. And with all the business you give her, I'm sure she thought you were fair as well. Stop kicking yourself and be glad you were on top of it.:)

[dakrewser]

We booked Boston to Montreal and will stay aboard for Montreal back to Boston. NO FLYING!!!! Gotta love that!!! We found out a very good friend of ours is scheduled to be aboard and we very much want to sail with him. "MY" Maasdam, a very good friend aboard and sailing from Boston......That has our name all over it. :) Was too good to pass up.
Based on an emailing I just got, the dropped price only occured late yesterday so your TA may have been totally up to date when you booked and also been able to re-book at the lower price when you asked. And heck, it never hurts to ask. I'd be willing to bet that had your TA offered to rebate $600 of the $700 you would have gone for that, too. And I'll bet your TA knows that also, so its to their credit that they met the lower price spot on.

Bon voyage!

[sail7seas]

My question is why you had to contact the agency and they didn't contact you. Makes you wonder how many times we don't notice the big price spread and never knew what was out there.

I do not think it reasonable to expect my TA to spend her time monitoring the very many websites that sell cruises to seek the best price. She would have absolutely no time left to do anything else if all her cruising clients expected that.

I have never heard of any that do that. I have, however, heard (and my TA has done it) that when they learned of a lower price through a special offer or whatever means, they contact their client and advise them of the saving.

[sail7seas]

You know that I am a TA and I am glad that you forwarded the website to your agent.

You did yourself and your TA a big favor by sending the new price promo from the other agency.

Thank you for being supportive of my seeking the reduction, Jazzsea.
My thinking when forwarding her the link to the promo price was to 'evidence' that lower price really did exist and was for exactly what I had booked. While I know she 'trusts' me, she should see for herself I am not mistaken.

I do not understand another reason why "I did myself and her a favor". What am I missing? What difference other than 'evidence' did it make?

Thanks, Carol.

[sail7seas]

Thank you all for your responses. Seems to be pretty unanimous that you think I did an 'inappropriate' thing. I don't think in all our years of cruising I have done that before but now know that I would do it again. There have been times when I noticed a reduction on HAL's own site and have called about that, but this is the first time I called her about a lower price on another site.

I definitely would NOT have called for something under about $100 but for $700, I felt I really had to. I could not let myself pay that much more than necessary. It simply was too big a difference.

(The worst that I feel awful about is that last night when I was looking at the site, the second cruise was reduced $1,000 but it had disappeared by this morning. I did not print it out; I Blew It!!! :( But I shall continue to check regularly to see if that price shows up again.

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate it.

[OCruisers]

(I have tried three times to Edit the Title of this Thread. Seems to be a
verb problem. :o Each time I try to correct it, nothing happens it remains the same. Sorry for the poor grammer.)

S7S .... Let's face it! Neither you nor I have a grammer problem. We just can't type worth a darn!!! :D

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :p

[CruisinNana]

If I were your TA, I would be so thankful for the loyal, regular business you give me that I would be delighted to match a published price. I have a feeling that is exactly how she felt when you called.

Have a wonderful time on YOUR Maasdam. We certainly did!!!!! :D
Dee

[gliles]

Is it grammer or grammar? I guess I have a problem because I always thought it was grammar! :eek:

[sail7seas]

Whoever heads to their dictionary first, will let us know which is correct. :)

Thank you.

[Lisa63]

Grammar.... but who cares, really? I'm here to have fun. :)

sail, is your cruise for 2004 or 2005? We're considering 2005, and our TA told us that prices are considerably higher than they were this year. If you've planned for next year, did you find that to be the case? Of course, they can surely come down, as you noted.

[gliles]

I didn't care either, you know I was just razzing you Sail, right?

[tommy]

What extra services are you getting when you find a lower price,then you call your ta to ASK them match the lower price.You are joking right? TOM

[sail7seas]

What extra services are you getting when you find a lower price,then you call your ta to ASK them match the lower price.You are joking right? TOM
No, Tom. I am not joking. Perhaps I do not clearly understand your post???
I am quite serious about what I have posted.

[sail7seas]

I didn't care either, you know I was just razzing you Sail, right?

:D Yes, Gretchen. I did (hope) so. ......I did not run off to my dictionary to 'look it up'. Didn't seem anyone really, truly cared all that much. ;)

[Lisa63]

I didn't care either, you know I was just razzing you Sail, right? Gretchen -- :D

[sail7seas]

Grammar.... but who cares, really? I'm here to have fun. :)

sail, is your cruise for 2004 or 2005? We're considering 2005, and our TA told us that prices are considerably higher than they were this year. If you've planned for next year, did you find that to be the case? Of course, they can surely come down, as you noted.



Lisa....The cruises are for 2005. Quite surprisingly to me, the price (even before I found the additional discounted rate) is lower than what we paid for July 2004.

We thought the price was quite high per diem for the July 2004 as compared to most other cruises we have taken and stayed in the exact same cabin. We did totally enjoy ourselves...obviously, or we would not be eager to return for back-to-backs. The brochure rates are very high and I don't quite understand why they are higher even than Europe. For 2004, we held off booking for several months as we refused to pay the pricing we saw for a long time. Then, the price dropped some and that is when we booked.

I sincerely think the 2005 prices will only rise. If you are thinking about going, you might wish to do some 'shopping now' to see how good a price you can find.

[LoveLifeAtSea]

Sail .... I'm with the rest of the posters.

I think you did the RIGHT thing and I honestly don't think your TA was caught off guard by you doing this. I'm guessing that what you did is becoming more and more common because so many of us are 'online shoppers' when it comes to booking a cruise.

(Regarding grammar .... I usually blame my problems on too much wine!! :p )

[sail7seas]

I like your excuse, LoveLife.....Can I borrow it from time to time?? :)

[LoveLifeAtSea]

Be my guest, Sail :)

[LizB1]

I believe there was a new promo announced by HAL on Tuesday for 2005 sailings which lowered many cruise rates. Your TA may not have been aware of these at the time you found it on on the internet site, but I'm sure she is aware now!

[trubey]

When we booked our cruise (Prinsendam September 20, '04, Lisboa to Piraeus) we wanted to book with our local TA -- a nice lady who speaks English with whom we have done many thousands of Euros of business over 5 years.

She came back with a number that was 15% HIGHER than the HAL book price, and in Euros, not US dollars, to boot!!!!!!

When we brought in a printout of some of the online TAs' prices, she called her office in Lisboa for us.

'Sorry. That's the price.' (!)

So in this case, WE made a mistake in showing her the available prices. She's now in a position where she can either be loyal to her company and not mention other available prices for cruises, or be loyal to her clients and tell them to look elsewhere also.

Tough call.

Lane

[marybeach]

I booked an N guarantee a couple of weeks ago on 11/26 Volendam. I have several sites that send me cruise updates. Yesterday, one came in with an outside guarantee H that was just $30 pp higher. We'd rather have the outside and my TA is off 2 days (til Saturday). I have never used her or the agency before (Vacations to Go). I talked to a manager and he said they could not match the price, but offered no help, and said I would have to talk to her. He also "warned" me about other agencies that are not as "good" as theirs. Final payment is Sunday, 9/12. The other agency is not pushing.

What are your suggestions, group?

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sail, now I know how much this anxiety has affected me. When you said you had a grammatical problem in the title of your thread I sat here trying to figure out what it was:) .

Can you believe it has taken me all this time to see it? How pathetic is that:confused:.

So just for fun let me say, "Yes, you was definitely fair".;)

[sail7seas]

Heather.....You always say the nicest things in the nicest way. Thanks for putting a smile on my face....once again.

[sail7seas]

Good point, Liz. She may not have plowed through her latest batch of e-mails/faxes prior to my call. I think you are very correct that she 'has caught up' on her reading!!! (I would love to be doing the 35 day transatlantics on Maasdam but DH cannot take that much time off. I don't mean to sound greedy ...... I'm thrilled about this booking as we will have the wonderful pleasure of seeing a friend we have not seen for far too long.)

[dakrewser]

I have never used her or the agency before (Vacations to Go). I talked to a manager and he said they could not match the price, but offered no help, and said I would have to talk to her. He also "warned" me about other agencies that are not as "good" as theirs. Final payment is Sunday, 9/12. The other agency is not pushing.
I've never bought anything from V2Go, but do subscribe to their offerings list and use them to judge other's prices. Still, this is a company which just this spring proved to be seriously "geography challenged", when they listed tours to the Republic of Ireland as a sub-choice under "Great Britain Only"!

According to correspondence I had with the CEO, Allan Fox, his defense was that tourists are stupid: "As Ireland is part of the British Isles, many of our customers who may not be as familiar with the area start by searching that area when looking for tours to Ireland." His email address is alanfox@*************.com and if I were you I'd write to him directly demanding that they meet the price/offer.

[marybeach]

Thanks Dave,

I had already sent him a message....it auto-responded that they should contact me within 24 hours. It should be interesting to see what they do. From what I have gathered, I am still able to cancel tomorrow and rebook before final payment due on 9/12.

[pogostick]

I have not been able to find a TA that I really like. They all seem to want to book you and be finished! On the rare times I have called about a lower price, they seem to be bothered and not interested in getting me a better price. I would love to know who your TA is and I would book future travels with them.

[marybeach]

I received the following responses: While I do think changing the reservation was in our best interest, I was very disappointed with the agent's attitude and curt note sent with the cancellation. At least Mr. Fox and one of his Asst Managers responded, and apologized for the problem with their service, but it was after the window of opportunity had passed to avoid penalties if I had not changed the reservation. I now consider it a learning experience. In fairness, I wanted to post their responses.


"Thank you for writing. I sincerely apologize that you were disappointed with the service your received from our manager when you inquired about a rate you saw on a competitor's Web site. I will investigate this situation immediately, and someone from our office will contact you as soon as possible. Again, I apologize.

Alan Fox Chairman & CEO Vacations To Go "



"We are in receipt of your e-mail regarding your situation with the Holland America booking, I have just checked with (the agent) and the booking has been cancelled. I would like to know the name of the manager that was not able to help you, it is not Vacations To Go policy not service our customers as matter of fact we strive on customer service.
As a standard policy VTG does not match other agencies rates. Since you have cancelled the booking there is nothing I can do at this time.
We do apologize for the manner that you were assisted when calling in.
Please accept our apologies; if there anything else I can assist you with
please let me know.
Gladys

Gladys Llopis Martinez- Assistant Manager"

[sail7seas]

I have not been able to find a TA that I really like. They all seem to want to book you and be finished! On the rare times I have called about a lower price, they seem to be bothered and not interested in getting me a better price. I would love to know who your TA is and I would book future travels with them.

Pogostick.....I'm sorry but it is against the rules of this board to post TA's names and contact info. I think it also against the rules to offer ones e-mail to communicate privately to "get around the rules".

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wish we could help you about a TA.

Like sail7seas, we only use a personel TA that we can actually go to see and talk to.

But the rules here prevent us from giving you the names of our TA's and where they work.

[sail7seas]

marybeach.....


Thank you for posting the 'rest of the story'. Sounds like he was at least appropriately apologetic which is encouraging. But, like you, I would have cancelled in time to avoid a penalty.

[dakrewser]

I have not been able to find a TA that I really like. They all seem to want to book you and be finished! On the rare times I have called about a lower price, they seem to be bothered and not interested in getting me a better price. I would love to know who your TA is and I would book future travels with them.
The TA we normally used, a real bricks and mortar shop which also has a good web presence allowing on-line reservations, has this guarantee:

"Price Guarantee - If at any time before sailing, you are eligible for a lower price, you will be changed to tde lower price. "

<yes, the typo "tde" instead of "the" in in the guarantee>

-dave

[sail7seas]

My TA always was a brick and mortar only and they have been in business for many years. Thankfully for them (and me....who does not wish to go looking for another TA), they established a web site and also now sell cruises on-line. They have asked me to work with/for them a number of times as they think I have a bit of cruise/ship/HAL knowledge. I have most politely thanked them and said No, Thank You.


I doubt they could continue to thrive if they did not begin to expand by establishing a web presence several years ago. I have never asked the percentage of business from locals (like me) who book with them vs. on line. But, now that I think of it, I am interested to know.

[HeatherInFlorida]

.......They have asked me to work with/for them a number of times as they think I have a bit of cruise/ship/HAL knowledge. I have most politely thanked them and said No, Thank You.
.;) Tee hee hee ... now, Sail, wherever did they get the idea that you have "a bit" of cruiseship/HAL expertise!!! Now that's a puzzlement:D ..... not to mention the hugest understatement of the week ... possibly even the decade!!!!!

You can see I'm totally back in the land of the living ... and happily so I might add;)

[sail7seas]

You can see I'm totally back in the land of the living ... and happily so I might add;)

__________________
.......And we are HAPPY you are BACK!!! :)

(Thanks for the nice compliments....... you're toooo kind!!!)

[serendipity1499]

Perhaps some of us should review the CC Posting Guidelines:

Quote:

Spelling and Grammar Errors:
It is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes at one time or another, and that there are many users who use English as a second language, especially on our Cruise Boards. There are also a number of people who suffer from learning disabilities and who have difficulty noticing their spelling mistakes. Do not make comments on the spelling and grammar of other users. It is simply not a productive expenditure of energies.

Unquote:

S7S..You were absolutely correct in bringing the lower price to the attention of your Travel Agent..I retired after being in the travel industry (international airline) for 28 years & we often were able to meet lower fares offered by other carriers.. I wouldn't hesitate in bringing a lower fare to my Agent's attention...Have a wonderful time & buy yourself something special with the $$$ you saved!

Heather & All Others...Your prayers seem to be helping us here on the Southwest Coast & "Ivan, The Terrible" is supposed to pass off-shore..We still have to say more prayers, for others further north to be spared the "Wrath of Ivan"...I swear, I did nothing to provoke him....

[sail7seas]

Thank you, Serendipity. It was too big a difference in price to 'let it go'. If it had been under $100 or so, I might not have said anything, but that amount was too high to not speak up.


I tried to correct the error but each time I hit Edit and made the correction, the post did not change. I saw the error immediately and it has annoyed me I could not make the corection.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I tried to correct the error but each time I hit Edit and made the correction, the post did not change. I saw the error immediately and it has annoyed me I could not make the corection.
;) ...hehehe ... Sail, was this one on purpose???

Serendipity, it was Sail making fun of herself this time. No one made fun of her grammar. I would never make a comment about someone's grammar or spelling unless that had already made a joke about it themselves.

Glad things are looking good over there on your side! Trouble is it looks like someone's going to get it and I feel so badly about that.

[sail7seas]

Grrrrr......:mad:


You'd think I could check the spelling and such a little more carefully?!?! But I make absolutely no promises I won't make more errors in the future. :rolleyes:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Grrrrr......:mad:


You'd think I could check the spelling and such a little more carefully?!?! But I make absolutely no promises I won't make more errors in the future. :rolleyes:
hehehe:p .... you're fun, Sail, you really are:D .

[trubey]

impossible to split an infinitive in Portuguese.

Wonder why this is in italics? Hm.m.m.m.

LKT

[serendipity1499]

Heather...I wasn't referring to your posts...Know you were kidding with Sail...My reply was to a poster who was correcting others & asked "is it Grammer or Grammar" ... Found out later that he may have been kidding...Perhaps I was too hasty in getting my "nose out of shape" by putting it where it did not belong! Sorry did not mean to offend anyone..

Anyway, happy that "Ivan" is staying off shore, but feel so bad for those folks in the Panhandle...I hope & pray that you all will be safe!...

[localady]

Hay! Serendipity is mi freind and dosen't mnid if I con't speel!!;) :D :eek:

On a more serious vein, our prayers are for all of those in the path of Ivan the terrible. This hurricane season can stop already!!!!:(


Serendipity- I hope you all are getting the damage done by Charley to your place handled little by little. I would imagine carpenters and all construction types are in high demand there. I can only imagine how ready you are for your upcoming cruise. Bob and my best to you all!

[serendipity1499]

Thanks Sher...NAH i DONT CAR HOWE ANEBODDY SPELS....

Yes, getting back to normal now..No damage to our home but have friends who's homes were so badly damaged they had to move out..Those who lost their pool cages & roofs say it will take up to 4 months (that's what contractors are quoting) to replace or repair..If anyone is looking for a job, tell them to come to Fla..We need experienced workers here....Now tropical Depression Jean looms on the horizon.. Just wish it were all over so we can start worrying about clothes & packing...Our patio furniture is in our guest room & thats my Packing room! Regards to Bob & hope you enjoy your up-coming trip..

Betty

P.S.Wouldn't it be nice if these boards had a spell-check! LOL