any travel agents out there please?

[mckenzie]

I have been dealing with a lady in Thomas Cook a little over these last few weeks. She has priced about 3 or 4 holidays for us and given me a few ideas about cruises. We have now chosen our holiday (from a recommendation on here, not from her) and hse has priced it for me. Trouble is, I can get it a bit cheaper elswhere. Now I feel really torn. The end holiday is exactly the same just slightly different dates. Do I pay the extra to give her the business or do I go for the cheaper option and just offer her my thanks and apologies?

TIA

Could you ask her to match the price?

Tell her you can get it cheaper elsewhere and ask if she can match it for you.

okay, I figured as it was a big chain that they would be pretty stuck on the price but that's not the case then huh?

She may not be able to price match. But I would give her the details and see if she can. She may ask who the flights etc are with to see if she can do it or not.

Don't forget a package holiday is no the same as buying all the bits independently (not the same protection) and also check you have resort transfers included.

thanks again. I'll call her first thing tomorrow and ask. Do travel agents work mainly on commission?

No they work for peanuts like the rest of us.

I have no idea how each Agent works. But they need to make some profit.

I asked for the fuddleduck huh?

I should have asked do travel agents work purely on commission or would the Thomas Cook agent receive a salary and then this would be topped up with small commissions?

I don't knowhow TC agents work TBH. I expect salary and performance, monthly targets by each staff member have to be met.

Its the last day of the month tomorrow, even car sales men have targets to hit. So give it a go and ask (don't mention the last day of the month thing, it will put their backs up I'm sure of it).

But I expect it is demoralizing to loose any sale, especially if you are not given the chance to match or better the price on different dates and hotels.

Ask to waiver the credit card fee on a booking that could swing it. Some companies charge up to 2.5% on bookings, and in this day and age people are more confident to book on a cc. Price is king, but service says a lot about a company.

thanks FP, all booked now, with the nice lady at TC. And yes, she waived the cc fee.

Ahh good, I am pleased she was able to book it for you. And she will remember you and do her best for you next time too, unlike a computer memory file.