Travel Agent rip off or shall we say over pricing/full rack price

[RickT]

Travel Agent rip off or shall we shall over pricing or paying a premium for their service.

Like most, im very in touch with online shopping, price comparison's for flights, holidays and generally anything...

Speaking to the mother in law tonight, who i may add bless her is not IT ready we was taking about holidays and her up coming summer trip they book every year with the same local travel agent.

Granted, its a 5* hotel, all inclusive and is pure lux, i found out how much they charge for this service of booking this tour operating holiday as the price has increased another £250 this year... Got talking figures and found out the cost they are paying is £2700 per person for 14 nights all inclusive!

I wont go into details on the hotel, flight company etc as its irrelevant, but if i booked the same trip today, its £1154 cheaper pp online! (6 months away)

Yes, its her money but i don't like to see anyone get overcharged more so family... i have not disclosed how much cheaper i can book it for, but said next year before booking anything, lets spend an evening looking over prices together.

It makes me mad (not tarring all with the same brush i may add) that these independent agents are taking the advantage or shall we say charging full rack price to the older generation who are not internet savvy and solely trust these companies, and used them for years !

Bit of a rant really... but you get my drift...

[scoobydooby]

Can’t you get her to cancel and rebook it for her at a major saving. I’m sure she would forgo her pride and a small cancellation fee for a significant saving.

[RickT]

Originally Posted by scoobydooby

Can’t you get her to cancel and rebook it for her at a major saving. I’m sure she would forgo her pride and a small cancellation fee for a significant saving.

See more...

Thought about this long and hard this evening, but its not that simple on this occasion... there's half a dozen of them all booked onto multiple bookings, all paid in full and all of similar position of IT skills etc..

While i would love to get involved, this booking with all rooms next to each other, flying in from different airports and transfers both UK and away would be too complex for me to start wading in at this stage.

My view point is its been going on for years, (group of widows who all go on their senior girl holiday) so i will ensure i prevent the overcharge next time.

Think thats all i can do at this stage really as any element of suggesting changing things will cause panic. (its been booked since last summer.)

But yes... if i could i would be in the agent giving them a roasting... but the price was presented and they agreed their own quotes...

just ≈≈≈≈≈≈es me off.

[TerryYa]

I'm a bit in two minds over these sorts of things.

The travel agent has sorted out a holiday that all the people involved are happy with and at a price agreed by all. I'll presume that they've always delivered what they've promised before as your MIL and friend keep coming back.

You've stated that it would be complex to arrange due to different
airports, adjacent rooms etc. This is where the time, contacts and experience of the TA pays off.

I'd want to sort it out DIY and enjoy spending the time looking for the same holiday at much cheaper prices.
Other people prefer to have someone else do the leg work and just enjoy the holiday.

I don't really think it's a top rip off, just paying a premium price for a premium service.

[Bouncing Tigger]

Prices go up and down so it may have been the same price online at the time your mum in-law booked. Now 2020 is on sale, a lot of 2019 prices have been reduced.

[keith1973]

Originally Posted by TerryYa

I'm a bit in two minds over these sorts of things.

The travel agent has sorted out a holiday that all the people involved are happy with and at a price agreed by all. I'll presume that they've always delivered what they've promised before as your MIL and friend keep coming back.

You've stated that it would be complex to arrange due to different
airports, adjacent rooms etc. This is where the time, contacts and experience of the TA pays off.

I'd want to sort it out DIY and enjoy spending the time looking for the same holiday at much cheaper prices.
Other people prefer to have someone else do the leg work and just enjoy the holiday.

I don't really think it's a top rip off, just paying a premium price for a premium service.

See more...

I’d say paying 1500 odd pound more is more than a premium price especially if they are doing that for each booking.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Bouncing Tigger

Prices go up and down so it may have been the same price online at the time your mum in-law booked. Now 2020 is on sale, a lot of 2019 prices have been reduced.

See more...

You are right it could well be this. I've seen trips to Disney costing 2500 p/pwith virgin hold and then sale comes round and exactly the same trip is 1200

Ultimately in the OP position I'd be miffed that the agent was maybe making a killing, but I'd also be glad my elder relative was getting exactly what they wanted at a price they are comfortable paying. Also knowing that if something goes wrong it's an agent that will get it in the neck and not me...

[sully301]

i try and avoid travel agents as i have found that their terms and conditions are a lot worse for the customer than doing DIY. I also find it more flexible. I know some people feel safer doing this but i would never travel without the back up funds to get myself back home in an emergency anyway.

[3disneykids]

Originally Posted by keith1973

I’d say paying 1500 odd pound more is more than a premium price especially if they are doing that for each booking.

See more...

Yes definitely seems to be taking advantage of the more 'vulnerable' members of society who have worked hard for that money.

[JLH]

Originally Posted by 3disneykids

Yes definitely seems to be taking advantage of the more 'vulnerable' members of society who have worked hard for that money.

See more...

Or maybe as someone else said it was that price when they booked and the price has since gone down . I looked at my prices and they had gone down so it does happen .