to think a specialist travel agent should give you a quote based on what you requested?

[MichelinWoman]

We are planning a very exciting trip next year and have been in touch with a specialist travel agent for that part of the world, which comes highly recommended.

Our plans are quite specific in some aspects which I thought I'd made absolutely clear. The quote has arrived. So AIBU to think that:

1. If you say you want to go on BA from Heathrow, that does not mean Virgin from Gatwick (flights definitely available from both and there's not much in it price-wise).

1. If you say you want a medium family car like a Vauxhall Astra, that does not mean a great big Range Rover type thing.

1. If you say a budget chain hotel like a Premier Inn will be fine for some stops, that does not mean a penthouse apartment overlooking the beach costing £££££££

I feel quite upset because I was really looking forward to getting the quote and it's obvious they either haven't listened or are trying their luck with options that look amazing on the basis that we'll be too wowed by the photos to argue. (This is what DH thinks they're doing).

FFS. Is this common practice in the travel industry?

Yanbu but yes. Go back and tell them what needs changing and that you are annoyed at having to reclarify your requests. Or book it all yourselves and tell them why thus losing them ANY commission whatsoever.

YANBU. But if you book it yourself you won't get ATOL protection.

I think they often miss details.

I planned a multi-stage trip a few years ago that included a visit to a friend in Australia. Instructions to the travel agent included 'X to Sydney, then Sydney to Y - must have at least 3 days in Sydney and arrive in Y no later than ....'. Quote came back with the flight to Y leaving Australia on the correct date, but total time in the country was 5 hours in Brisbane!

Go back and ask them to correct the mistakes, but if they mess up a second time find a different agent.

And make sure you put all your requirements in writing - don't just tell them verbally and rely on them noting down the correct points as being important.

Why not book it yourself directly with airplanes and hotels as you are quite specific about what you want? What will the travel agent add, particularly if they can't listen to clear requests?

We live overseas and book a lot of travel

I usually book things myslef, but had a particularly complicated itinary this year, due to dd15 being on a different flight due to a school trip, dd18 being one way only as she was staying in the UK for uni rather than returning with us etc etc

Explained it many many times to an agent who wasn't listening (and put it all in an email so she had it all down in front of her)

She didn't get it all, and I finally lost patience when she booked (and charged me for) dd15 on a leg that had already been ticketed as part of her school trip.

As I said to her manager, I know it was complicated which was why I was using a recommended agent, but it wasn't that complicated for people who supposedly do this for a living.

Went to another agent and got everything booked, paid for, and e-tickets issued three hours after I first contacted them.

Some people are just not that good at their jobs, I'm afraid

Where are you going? If it's somewhere Audley travel go to I highly recommend them.

Send your original email to another specialist and see what they come up with. For such a major investment I would do this anyway.

Get a few quotes from different people. Agents often get kickbacks from companies if they book them into the more expensive options.

Also calculate what you think it should cost, we did this & challenged the agent who immediately knocked £500 off.

I would recommend Audley for this kind of thing as well.

If you know what you want, and you're using services as easily bookable online as they would be if for the UK, why are you using an agent? They will only quote you on the services for which they can maximise their commission.

If you wanted a luxury off road safari experience in South Africa with specifically Catalan speaking guides, then maybe an agency might help, but I think you'll be okay as it is.

YANBU, it's lazy. I used to work in a very reputable travel agency and it's not acceptable to ignore the details. I would complain (a bit).

And I don't agree that an agent will 'only quote for services that maximize their commission', not everyone is that unethical!

Oh god. No this is not common. Go somewhere different. I work in this industry and love it when customers come in knowing exactly what they want. I would never do what this person has done. If I could get you better hotels within the same budget I would offer them, but always have the prices for the others too. It sounds weird tbh. Did you tell them my budget is £x amount? If so, they are probably trying to upgrade hotels etc to try and get you to spend as much as poss. As a poster said above, it is all commission based.

Some people just don't listen very well and then fill in the blanks with what they think you'll want later.

We had this when house-hunting- yes, lovely houses in popular areas, but useless for us because you couldn't walk to the station in ten mins from them. No, I don't want to view it- I won't buy it, what would be the point?

I would also recommend Audley - great service.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I think I'll give them a chance to requote - given that we've had several recommendations from people who think this agent is bloody marvellous - and possibly try Audley as well. Often it comes down to the person you're dealing with I guess.

I'm nervous about doing it on our own, partly for financial protection aspects like one poster said, and partly because it's good to have someone to ring if there are any problems when you're there.

Please do remember that travel is one of the worst paid jobs and the very low salary is usually supplemented by commission. However, they should stick to the brief unless they have a good reason to stray from it, such as an amazing deal which should then be communicated to you. Did you advise what your budget was? Often the amazing beach front hotel can be only a few quid more than the budget chain and the agent just wants you to have the best holiday possible.