BYE BYE T.A's

Gee that name just seems sooooo appropriate.

George in NY
CRUISE NEWS & MORE updated daily
http://pages.prodigy.net/georgehny

RaRa Retard wrote in message
<22470-36...@newsd-231.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...

Renaissance Cruises nearly does the same sans TAs and boy do the TAs
not like it. I say what is good for the customer is the priority....

oh gosh, here come the flames.

Shale

June

I hear lots of complaints about agents who are "just order takers", and provide
no knowledge, experience, or service -- while selling at the same price one can
get from the cruise line.

That type of agent can certainly be replaced by an order taker from the cruise
line.

For now, however, if you want service and a better price, you still need a TA.

Bert Scott, CLIA ACC

RaRa Retard <f-j...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:22470-36...@newsd-231.iap.bryant.webtv.net...

You got that right!!!

Tom
>
>
--
Posted via Talkway - http://www.talkway.com
Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email -- always at Talkway.

look to the airlines with their commission cuts etc. the Customer Now Pays
More....but you can go direct you deserve the extra service.....

as for the Bitter attitude ?? Why ? what is your problem ? What do you
do for a living ?? or are you rich and stupid both......lets call you names
just because you do the work you do whatever it is [if you do ]..!!! Dont
be Envious of a travel agent just because we enjoy it, we [and especially
me] dont want anything from you....and not the NG really as we have our own
clients and a LIFE...... this my play time NOT WORK as some make it..
making a booking and a commission on the NET is not really very exciting.

But I am curious WHAT has a travel agent done to you to make you so bitter
???? you must know no one in any service business... you have never
purchased anything from anyone then ?? if you are in the service business
are You the BedMaker at the Holiday Inn...?? you sound smart enough to
do the work....

BILL MORAN
[CANT WAIT TILL THIS ASS COMES CRYING ABOUT THE ITINERARY CHANGED WITH
DISNEY]

PROUD TO BE A TRAVEL AGENT

Bill is como...@dconn.com
MEN On The MOVE
a travel company
http://www.cruisentours.com

Well, I don't know what you expect. Will they provide a better discount
than a travel agent? Why don't you check out an airline's on-line booking
and see what kind of "discounts" they give you that you won't get from a TA.

Or maybe you don't like TA's for another reason?

My TA's have all provided excellent suggestions (not to mention a bottle of
champagne in my cabin) that have saved me real $$$. I've booked my last four
cruises via TA's on the internet, and have saved money on travel insurance,
airfare, and hotels. BTW, none of which was offered by the cruise line
directly. Based on the direction the cruise lines are going, they would
rather not include airfare, pre-post stays, transportation to the ship. I
expect that the prices they quote for these services will continue to go up.

Personally, I would like to see the cruise lines provide more info online -
like cabin layouts/photos (all ranges), details about embarkation/debarkation
(maps to the cruise terminal/airport), and port times. This not only reduces
their costs in phone consultation, but can reduce the number of brochures they
send out. How about a downloadable "PDF" version of their brochures? (Are
you listening RCCL, Princess, HAL, Carnival, etc???)

(Thank you, Princess for finally getting a web page up. Welcome to the 20th
century.)

My $0.02.

Doug Tao,
Not a travel agent. (But thank the ones I've used)

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

Bryant, don't you love living in America, where competition in business
actually lowers the cost for a consumer. In case you missed it, airlines,
hotels, cruise lines and just about all travel suppliers already deal directly
with the general public?

I actually thank God, that cruise lines have web sites where clients can check
cruise lines full retail prices and then check or site or call our business for
our 10% discount off their prices. It is great and I really agree with you. It
will bring our company more business.

Craig Pavlus
www.cheapertravel.com
Pavlus Travel 800-704-0385

The only thing I do book on my own now is air...

Just had to add my 2 cents worth.
Dolores

Secondly, the rez agents could care less about the client--they know that if
you have problems it's not going to hurt them at all. They are just doing
their jobs, booking cabins---period!! It makes the whole system
de-personalized, and I for one don't like that and the biggest percentage of
people will agree.................Monica
iKate wrote in message <28876-36...@newsd-232.iap.bryant.webtv.net>...

Lee Lindquist wrote in message <36e27505...@news.newsguy.com>...

>Bill, I know you're cheesed-off, but I'm always puzzled
>by the comments that the customer doesn't pay the
>commission. Of course they do.
>
>How much would you make if the customer stayed home? Q.E.D.
>
>I really have nothing against TA's, but when they insist that they
>cost nothing, I'm always worried that I'm getting exactly what I pay
>for.
>
>WRT rccl online-bookings, internet-savy customers should be able
>to use this facility to watch for fare changes, and alert their
>professional travel agents to re-price a booking.
>
>
> - Lee Lindquist
>
> {lastname}@ibm.net One whistle, captain.

Hi Kate,

If I may, I would like to point out that in your cited example, you
obviously were not using the best TA you could find. If they were the
cheapest, then maybe that description of your troubles is typical. As a
consumer, you have not had the pleasure of dealing with inexperienced
cruise line reservation agents who misquote you and after you have a
booking, find out they were wrong. There is nothing you can do then but
inform your client and look unprofessional.

There are many consumers who are of the same opinion as you, that
dealing with the cruise lines is the sure fire way to get all the
answers immediately. I can only assure you that many of us know enough
to call the cruise lines numerous times to get confirmation that the
info given out was correct. Even this is not always proof that the
answers given are correct. The famous "20 minute booking" that was
discussed here earlier is a myth. The majority of bookings require at
least two or three phone calls of indeterminate length just to settle
mundane matters. Problems and special circumstances require more time
and more calls. You won't know this is the case until you start booking
direct. Selling travel isn't hard labor but there are plenty of jobs
where you are compensated for your time. This is one of them. And of
course, with internet shopping, 800 numbers so easily accessible, and
other ways of getting the best price, there are a lot more people doing
a lot of work and losing bookings for no compensation.

I think I speak for many in the industry when I say we are not that
concerned with these new methods right now. Of course, things can
change. I do appreciate your pointing out the fact that even frequent
travellers need some good information now and then. Maybe in the long
run, that will keep the travel agents alive and healthy.

--
Regards,
Fred Lanyard
CRUISE VALUE CENTER
(888)735-SHIP Residence:(732)636-0938

Gordon

It has been that way since the beginning......... is it so hard to grasp a
concept of commissions ? I sold Yachts YES Big Yachts for a number a years
and got commission when I did that too BIG COMMISSIONS !!!]
Bill

My daughter worked for the airlines as a Reservations Agent. She said
they were told to start with the highest fares and book them quickly.
In fact, they were timed. She said that if customers knew the right
questions to ask, they could get cheaper fares quoted to them.

I always call airlines direct before calling a TA. Guess what? The TA
has always been able to offer a lower price. TA's usually purchase a
"block of tickets" at a discount. Therefore, it's the airlines that
have technically paid the commission to the TA. Then it is up to the TA
to determine how much of his commission from the airline he/she will
forego as the savings to the customer.

Whenever we planned a cruise, all TA's were within $20/per person. We
decided on the TA that provided us with service, i.e., returning phone
calls, etc., not to mention how long they have been in business and if
they belonged to CLIA. Let's face it, discounts are given for "repeat
business" and the quantity of bookings. Whom do you think would receive
a bigger discount - an individual or a TA with several bookings?

Not only do TA's do all the work comparing prices to offer a customer
the cheapest fares (otherwise a customer will go to another TA), they
also handle problems that may arise. For example, a franchised car
rental agency went out of business in Florida that we had prepaid. We
called our TA from the airport who sent us to another car rental agency
and the TA paid the additional cost. If we had booked the cruise, car
rental, and hotel ourselves, guess who would have experienced the loss
of the prepaid car rental AND the additional cost of renting from
another car rental agency.

Since I am not a travel agent, if any of this information I have stated
here is in error, please feel free to correct me.

You should be Happy to have ANY sales person be honest enough to say they do
not KNOW everything and be considerate enough to get back to you.....
There are plenty of agents who do know more than the Cruise reservation
person you talked to.. the difference ? you can find your travel agent
again, can you find the Disney res. agent you talked to ??? NOT !
But we dont care what you do......go direct ........just dont ever say
anything about an agent you will never use anyhow...I am sure the cruise
line and airline will stop everything to help you get the insurance or hotel
and the flight YOU Want.......anytime.........
......snip.....

ignorance. "..........snip
After all the information and help you all recieve from travel professionals
on this NG to make a remark like this says something about your Intellect >>
HOW RUDE. I f you do not want to use a TA ...Dont !! but do not prove how
rude you can be .......This NG is the only place I have ever run into such a
negative attitude as yours...
Bill

business with any TA that responded rudely to this posting, for TA, and

Daa678993 wrote in message <19990306143244...@ng-fr1.aol.com>...

That sounds good in theory, but unless you ask a TA to check they are not
going to be constantly rechecking the price. I am not sure that they should
really be expected to.

The post was an obvious troll and you fell right in.

That sounds like an interesting theory but I have called the cruise lines
directly with questions and only one time, which was a call to Celebrity,
was the contact easy. For example just before my last cruise I realized that
I needed information on how to have someone contact me on the ship in case
of emergency. The RCI rep kept telling me how I could call from the ship. I
kept explaining that I wanted to find out how someone could get a message to
the ship. Went around an around.

I'm afraid you can't be absolute about this comment -- there ARE agents who
regularly check for price reductions. Trust me, I know.

Bert Scott, CLIA ACC

Charles <fo...@his.com.nospam> wrote in message news:36e1b...@news4.his.com...

re: your post on checking.......WE DO check.....every Month seems to be a
good period and a MUST Check is a couple days after Final is DUE.........why
Not be a hero ?? it does not cost us anything.....I do it regularly and
just got a $100 reduction for a client on a 4 day Ensenada....and that
cruise is not much to start with..
Bill

Charles wrote in message <36e1b...@news4.his.com>...

That is pretty good.

Bill [has never seen envy like this before]

Lee Lindquist wrote in message <36e3b4c8...@news.newsguy.com>...

>Not hard at all. Perhaps you can enlighten us as to how the
>travel suppliers pay you commission without customers.
>No customer, no sale, no commission.
>Is that so hard to grasp?

What I have found out in the real world are a lot of travel agents who are
very disorganized. They always seem to be on another phone line. They don't
return calls and they forget or lose the notes of what you discussed with
them. It almost seems like you have to force them to call the cruise line
and find out what is available. If you are not on the line with them or in
their office they do nothing. When the documents arrive at their office they
may not give you a call either, they expect you to call and find out if they
are in. When you call them again after you have already booked a cruise with
them, I would also expect that they might consider that an indication you
are a serious customer, but no, you practically have to stand over them to
get them to call a cruise line. They are not like the agents in this
newsgroup, or rather what the agents in this newsgroup claim they are like.

I have a feeling though, that dealing direct with RCI might also give me a
tired feeling.

I just booked a cruise, and it was pretty short notice, because I just found
out I could get the time off from work at the end of April about a month
ago. I did have some particular requirements, cruise line wise and
pricewise. Still I feel like it took to much work on my part. And it should
have taken days not weeks. The day I was going to give it up for this time
period a travel agent came through.

On Sat, 6 Mar 1999 20:51:27 -0500, "L G Randall" <ran...@erols.com>
wrote:

Sandra, a Most Extraordinary Person
"Love isn't something you look for. Love is something that finds you."
-me
"...........Don't be afraid when people taunt and insult you." Isaiah 51:7

So what? Are you saying I did not read my cruise brochure? If it had been in
the brochure or documents I would not have had to call the line. I read
these things down to fine print. In the past this information was included
in the cruise documents. But they did not include it, nor was it in the
cruise brochure.

harles wrote in message <36e1f...@news4.his.com>...

Tina Johnson wrote:

> I know that travel agents
> are fabulously wealthy -- they spend their mornings reviewing their
> private placement portfolio with their private banker, then lunch at
> the country club, and perhaps polo in the afternoon.

Well, Lee as long as you are in a truth telling mode, I must confess
that after a three martini lunch at the country club, checking prices
becomes very difficult. But of course, I muddle through every client I
have anyway. Since prices can change daily or even hourly sometime as
the ship sells, a good TA should do this more than once a day,
preferable before the martinis. <vbg>

Second at least under current systems, direct purchase via cruiseline
results in a higher price than buying via a TA. Simply because the cruise
lines currently give you the same price they use when quoting to a TA
INCLUDING the full TA commission. Since most TA's discount that price by a
percentage of their commission you actually wind up paying more than you
would from most TA's.

Currently cruiseline reservationists are minimum wage call takers the
majority of which have never even seen a cruise ship much less sailed on
one. New res centers are located in midwestern states in some cases as well
so you are not even dealing with someone that might at least get to visit a
ship.

The best source for information remains actual passenger reviews located on
many internet pages. A TA that is a cruiseaholic themselves and sails
frequently.

I have no doubt that recent press releases by RCI concerning direct booking
and Carnivals franchise type sales agents are an attemp to preempt TA
bookings. Whether this will benefit the consumer remains to be seen. If the
cruise lines must train their res people taking direct bookings in cruising
then additonal costs will probably be claimed. infrastructure for computer
booking, same thing additional costs. I think the methods of booking may
change but that the pricing will not reflect any savings to us the cruiser.
It will more than likely just mean more profits in hands of the
corporations running the cruiselines. In the meantime the public will suffer
the loss of those agents that really know the product and there are many
that do. Sadly there are just as many that don't as well.

The TA detractors here appear to consider TA's mere ticket orderers and in
some cases this is true. Others are far more. Just like selecting an
insurance person or a Doctor it is up to the consumer to make a selection
and determination if the service person has any idea of what they are doing.

George in NY - a cruiseaholic with a good TA

business with any TA that responded rudely to this posting, for I would

ignorance. Im a frequent traveler on cruises and when I booked with a

Bill

However, as we all know from the many posts we read here, the world is
full of "bad" T.A.'s who just don't add any value to basic order
takers at the airlines, etc. And then when someone posts their travel
fiasco, someone lamely posts "if you had a good T.A. . . .".

Problem is, where is the average consumer going to find a "good" T.A.?
How do you know if the T.A. is "good"? Do they post a sign on their
door? Does just posting a usenet message on rec.travel.cruises saying
"I am a good T.A. and would do X" mean that this particular T.A. is in
fact good or would do X? My experience says no.

I suppose, you could say "repuation". That doesn't cut it for me. I
have used dozens of T.A.'s over the years for booking flights,
cruises, etc. and I have NEVER, repeat NEVER, had a T.A. call me back
to give me a lower price. So, if I haven't encountered the proverbial
"good" T.A. after using dozens, just how many will I have to use
before I find ONE "good" T.A.? Hundreds? Thousands? This just isn't
practical for most people.

If the service a particular T.A. is providing is so fantastic, I'm
sure they will attract a loyal following. Same as a good restaurant
with outstanding food and service will also attract a loyal following
regardless of whether someone can just cook the same meal at home.
And these restaurants don't have to post usenet messages saying "but
our food really isn't bad. It's good. You just have to have the
right attitude. What did I ever do to you?" Somehow that doesn't
entice me to patronize either a particular restaurant or a particular
T.A.

"Monica" <msm...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:

As for price reductions...it is more rare in the cruise business than
in airline tickets (we have the automation that sweeps airline
reservations for lower fares every night, I do about 4-5 re-issues a
week), it does happen...but it's more rare these days when people
seem to do far more late-booking cruising than far-in-advance
cruising, with the exception being Alaska, Europe, exotic, etc.

There is never an excuse for unreturned phone calls. It may be a
couple of hours, but phone calls are returned....and I keep a spiral
notebook with all my notes about what was quoted to whom, etc. I'm not
the most organized person in the world, but I certainly don't care to
go back and look everything up all over again.

Part of the problem in the travel industry is staffing. Because of
the environment forced upon us by airline commission cuts and people
like Sam's Club and south-florida-fly-by-night stuff, lots of
old-timers are getting tired of the stress and uncertainty in the
industry and are moving on to other things...and fewer people are
getting into it. I recently heard from one of our local travel schools
that normally graduates a class of 25 or so this time of year...their
current class is 3! There are too many agencies out there who are so
desparate they'll hire anyone, and much the same is true at the cruise
lines, as it is rare you'll find anyone on the phones who has a clue
about anything and can barely give an accurate quote. I'm quite happy
that more and more automated information is becoming available to us.

Boy, that was long-winded! :)

I'm beginning to think that some of these folks think that the internet is
the thing that makes all the money for the T.A. owners------Well guess what
Guys, it's not. If you have to depend on your livelyhood coming entirely
fron this site then I think you are one of 2 things. 1. You must have the
personality of a jellyfish and cannot handle true confrontation and have
zero skills in sales, or 2. You are a complete Ogre and add number one.

Too many people do not realize that there is an "art" to closing a sale.
And people that are really gifted at closing the sale don't need the "Net"
to do it for them.

And that's my opinion................Monica

Bill wrote in message <7bsicl$nqs$1...@remarQ.com>...

I think that was a really good overview about what is going on in your
industry. Also something that you don't really mention is the $$$$$$. A
new, young TAis generally paid a salary and a minimal one at that. In the
area I live (Tampa Bay) a person who works for a legit. travel agency only
makes about $6.00 an hour. Or they can go to work for one of these fly by
night places that sells these SCAMS to people for $500-$600 a week and just
work taking orders, after about 3 months the office moves to another
location, changes names, re-organizes and off they go.

I think many people have been burned by these companies-employees but mostly
consumers, and folks are starting to get a little gun-shy of T.A.s....Monica

Ian wrote in message <36e6b8bb...@news.visi.com>...

Regards
Michael

Lee Lindquist wrote:

> Am I a net flake? Is that your suggestion, Bill?

> Envy of what?

Certainly they've made mistakes in the past in supplying accurate information but this new medium of the internet gives them the oportunity to deliver rock solid info in real time to their core market.  Rather than trying to exempt a salesman from his comission, by cutting the middleman I think they make their product more accessible.  TA's (like all sales reps) fill a need.  It's a need not all travellers have and it's nice to be able (for the experienced traveller) to dial 1-800-someline or click www.whatever.com and make reasonable arrangements easily.  Sure it may hurt some TA's at first but in the long run I believe making travel more accessible will increase travel overall and the TA's willing to adjust to the times have the most to gain.

I like your reference to insurance and medical...They both are relevant here.  I'd have no problem buying auto,  major medical or life insurance direct via 800# or the net  because I'm experienced and informed enough to know what I want and need.  Perhaps you feel the same. Some people choose not to be and use an agent.  Likewise with doctors, I feel competent to deal with the "first available" while some prefer a more personal touch.  So it really boils down to choice, and I believe strongly that the more options the better.  It's really a situation where everybody wins except those who refuse to play.

As to the effect on pricing, nothing , that is NOTHING, will ever (barring government interference) change the basic supply/demand pricing structure of any business.  In closing I suggest that this is the only goal of the lines...To increase the demand.

Chuck <thinking we're really not that far apart on the subject>

GEORGE M HALL wrote:

On Sun, 07 Mar 1999 22:57:39 GMT, "Monica" <msm...@tampabay.rr.com>
wrote:

The advent of the internet is great, and there are people who do want to use a
TA and would prefer booking direct with the cruise lines. That's the beauty of
the modern age, CHOICE.

However, I will point out that maybe 5% of all cruise line bookings are made
direct, and I think that's a generous estimate.

Cruise lines have taken difect booking prior to this, but in almost every case,
they will try and refer you to a TA or turn your booking over to a TA unless
you object. The same will hold true with internet bookings.

Additionally, the internet is a great source of information, but I would guess
very few consumers are comfortable with typing in their Visa, MC, Amex etc; on
the net for a muti-thousand dollar purchase without having someone to ask
questions of.

I dont see the internet as the end of TA's, I see them working with each other
and complementing each other.

Vive le difference!

--Tim

I found this NG about 2 years ago ? and THOUGHT it was great..!! yes I
lurked for some time as I did not know how to do a post with my old Windows
3.1 I was lucky just to read the posts.

With my travel experience [not so much traveling, but Travel Business] it
seemed as if I could offer some ideas, suggestions, or answers that would be
appreciated. There is steamship [yes steamship] experience with Matson
Navigation for three years 1950 -53 followed by Pacific Airlines Asst...
Station Manager LAX and Manager of Operations LAX and Manager Avalon Ctalina
office...with my first travel agency in 1958...
and my most recent activity over the last ten years. That is a little
experience...

when I finally started posting for FUN there were some good experiences here
and a some inquires for information on travel.....and more inquires
......and more....BUT NEVER A THANK YOU for taking your time and
effort......NO RESPONSE !! just take the information and RUN......take the
information to go direct or whatever...a CHEAP BUNCH OF FLAKES that post
regularly and would have the NG believe how NICE and how RICH they want
everyone to believe they are. On the net you can be who you have always
wanted to be..
My company is on the west so I am out of the area for many but the only
Business has come from my site NOT the Cruise NG.. None from the NG...Only
requests for my service FREE and without a thank you...I did NOT come on
here to GET business but I let it be known that my background and profession
was travel as a validation.

LEE and others like that have taken every opportunity to knock a TA or the
industry but have never stated Their lack of courtesy or abuse given to
agents by them....well I am speaking out now on the group who Do put down
agents......They will chisel, lie about they intentions, and go behind your
back to chisel [not save] a penny [for less or no service] when in most
cases they dont get anything for less and can only afford a on way 1 day
ferry ride to to Joiesy to begin with.

My posts will not be pretty all the time or without bitterness but will be
posted because I want to.....not for business,,not for a popularity
contest,,,but because I want to...!!

Business will come from my clients and other local referrals not even to be
accepted from the NG..my SIG. has the URL removed but the validation of who
I am remains.. a TA .
Sorry Michael this seemed like a place to put my $2 worth...but is not
addressed to you

Bill Moran [Monica, Thanks for the nice words..]

Michael Stapleton wrote in message <36E324CE...@splatnet.com>...

Bill

Dan & Connie wrote in message <36E2E1...@reborn.com>...

All TA's don't suck, all direct purchasing doesn't suck.
A lot of TA's a great at what they do... HELP.
No direct purchase HELP's they take orders:
What Day, What Cabin.

If you don't mind what you pay, if you don't research it yourself, then
go with the Direct Purchase. If you want someone to help you, you don't want
to do the research, and you don't know how to get the best price for your hard
earned money, then you are not thinking clearly if you don't seek out a GOOD
TA.

Just my thoughts,
Mark "Just chillin waiting for June 9 Cruise Weekend" F.

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

Big snip of whining

Many people have gone so far as to call me a cruise line apologist and a T/A
apologist but THIS is something I can't let just go by. Bill, I would never
book a cruise through your agency nor could or would I recommend you based
on your ranting as of late. May I highly suggest that you get out of the
business as you certainly don't seem to like dealing with people. Being a
T/A is a SERVICE type of business and you must earn your keep and not expect
Joe Public to bow down and think you are something special and that they owe
you for allowing them to speak to you. You are doing a disservice to your
profession with this attitude. Hell guy, you aren't even always right all
that often. There has been more than one instance of you providing
inaccurate information. Either chill out, or find another job.
Jim <--loves cruising and most people.

Bill, you are terribly sensitive to criticism. And you fall right away for
the obvious trolls. As to, Lee, it seems like you are accusing him of
somehow being among a group of people who abuse and chisel agents. I hope I
am misunderstanding you but if that is what you mean, I think you may be in
the wrong business. I am not surprised you have not received any business
from the newsgroup, because you do not leave a good impression When I read
posts from Ray, George, Lori, Fred to name a few, they inspire confidence,
that they would be a good TA. I suspect they have received business from the
newsgroup because of the good impression of their posts leave.

Yes I have made some good friends and clients off my Web my site, but this
is NG Web stuff..., and not in my office ......You have no right to
interpret what my clients think or how my company is run.

I did notice that you have not stated your occupation and placed yourself on
the line.

I will not contest your "error" statement as I no doubt have made some, as
anyone does, but I will also rush to correct a mistake or error as soon as I
am aware of it !!!.......my batting average is OK and I work to improve it
also..

Bill

Jim wrote in message <7c1mmj$4l8$1...@remarQ.com>...

Lee Lindquist wrote in message <36e55ab7...@news.newsguy.com>...

>How would you recognize one?

Bill [did not come on for the business...started with a review to Ken
and enjoyed every minute of it ]

portner wrote in message ...
>Bill,
>
>You don't know me, I semi-lurk here but do post occasionally, but...
>
>What the hell are you doing participating here if you feel this way????
>
>With an attitude like you just displayed, you are demonstrating that it
>certainly is not fun for you
>to be here, so it can't be for personal enjoyment.

On Mon, 8 Mar 1999 18:30:29 -0500, "Jim" <rob...@aug.com> wrote:

>Big snip of whining

And that same ranting tells the group that you aren't doing it to "give
back" something to
the cruise customer base (as I "give back" to the mobility imparted
customer base with my
web site on wheelchairs). You don't have to get customers here to want
to share your
knowledge and experience (but your post sure makes it sound like that
is why you are
here).

Many (all but the trolls) of the non-TAs here are here because we enjoy
discussing cruising.
Most of the TAs here are for the same reason.

If it's not fun, why be here?

-=Stu=-
To e-mail a reply to this post, please use the link below.
Visit my non-commercial website: All About Wheelchairs at:
http://www.seflin.org/wheels

On Mon, 8 Mar 1999 09:27:11 -0000 "Bill" <como...@dconn.com> wrote:
> <snip>....BUT NEVER A THANK YOU for taking your time and

> everyone to believe they are. <snip>
--
Posted via Talkway - http://www.talkway.com
Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email -- always at Talkway.

Many who have been here for a while know Jim's previous occupation,
and know that in that that field of work he *placed himself on the
line* on many occasions.

Stephan

[big snip]

Wow, Lee,

That is *far* more polite than I could have been....

Stephan

In my office I have the gratification of assisting potential customers.
and at the verry least the acknowledgment of an individuals gratitude by way
of a Thank You....

Bill [adheres to basic courtesy in business dealings]

Charles wrote in message <36e48...@news4.his.com>...

My opinion only, no facts were injured in the formation of this opinion.

Cal Ford
Lido Deck Cruises

Stephan in TO wrote in message <36e4a662...@news.newsguy.com>...

Welcome to the REAL world. Why does anyone owe you any kind of "Thank You"
when you are in the business of making money off of them? I run my own
business, and know very well that if I don't make a sale after putting a lot of
effort into into it, it is only because the perspective client did not perceive
my price to be what he wanted to payin relation to the services I was offering.
That's nobody's fault, it's just the way things are.
Gary
..(Remove XXX spam block from e-mail address)..

Seems that I'm not the only one that questioned your tirade.

>realized there were no "Thanks for the effort" or any other response.

Sorry that you feel so "used" but there are many people out there that do
not have the ethics to stick with a committment when they make one. On the
other hand, if the guy/gal was just asking questions then you have no right
to bitch. I had a T/A once, (not one here BTW) that I asked about pricing a
cruise and he gave me his "best offer". I checked with a couple of others
that I know and settled on the one that not only gave me the most
confidence, but was a low as one of the others and lower than this guy. I
called him back to inform him I would be booking with "X" agency and he lost
a grip and demanded to know what I was paying. I told him and damned if he
didn't call back later with a price $50pp lower! I told him I was not
interested because I had not only committed to this other agent, but this
other agent gave me their true best price right away and didn't try and
fanagle as much out of me as they could like I felt this guy was doing.

I haven't interpreted how your clients think at all. I don't even know your
clients! I DO have a right to state my opinion that you are acting childish
and throwing a temper tantrum and did so. How you run your company is your
business, I just don't have to patronize it if I choose not to.

Oh but I have. Many times.

Yup, we all make mistakes. I know that I do, but, a T/A shouldn't make very
many, if any, when making a public statement. Just pointing out that you are
also not infallable and shouldn't condemn everyone on this NG just because
you have had a couple of bad experiences. You aren't SUPPOSED to be
participating in this NG to "drum up business" but rather to share your
knowledge and experiences and have fun.
Jim <--Sometimes painfully honest towards others as well as myself.

Bill [was raised to say Thank You, and No Sir, & Yes Mam,... so,
Thank You for the thought Sir..]

One important question Jim, what happens today when you pass a donut
shop?

(Can anybody see if Jim is laughing?)...jeez, is that the PBA is at my
door already...of course fellas, here's my check.

With tongue in cheek and utmost respect for Jim's ex-profession,
--
Regards,
Fred Lanyard
CRUISE VALUE CENTER
(888)735-SHIP Residence:(732)636-0938

Fred M. Lanyard wrote in message <36E5A818...@worldnet.att.net>...

All you have to do to e-mail me is remove <nospam> from my address.

Why are the occupations of us those of us who are not TA's of any interest?

Bill
..
Charles wrote in message <36e5d...@news4.his.com>...

Bill

Lee Lindquist wrote in message <36e6f2b...@news.newsguy.com>...

>Don't worry, commode odor, I'm judging you solely on the
>lies you post about me, not on your profession.
>
>BTW, if you proof-read your posts, they might make more sense.

What you should have done first evidently is call the BBB to establish
whether or not there have been complaints about unreturned phone calls.

Geez Ian, don't wet your pants........

Bill, you defamed Lee. And as you say you do not even know him. What you
said was outrageous. You are not exactly taking the heat or apologizing in
the above when you say "if I have made a statement that is NOT true........"

On Wed, 10 Mar 1999 15:05:00 -0600, ma...@pobox.com (Mike Matthews)

On Wed, 10 Mar 1999 19:30:09 -0800, Cal Ford <cruis...@jps.net>
wrote:

--
Greg
xxxg...@voicenet.com
(Remove the 'xxx' to send Email)

Ian wrote in message <36e70f3a...@news.visi.com>...

My apologies to anyone who thought this was in poor taste.

Shauna

Bert Scott wrote in message ...
>Charles,
>
>I'm afraid you can't be absolute about this comment -- there ARE agents who
>regularly check for price reductions. Trust me, I know.
>
>Bert Scott, CLIA ACC
>
>
>Charles <fo...@his.com.nospam> wrote in message
news:36e1b...@news4.his.com...
>>
>>Monica <msm...@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
>>news:ZygE2.1488$mf2....@newse2.tampabay.rr.com...
>>>Lee-A good T.A. will alert the client when the rate goes down-the client
>>>shouldn't have to do a thing! As you know, the cruise line isn't going
to
>>>call the individual that books directly and says"hello Mr So-SO we are
>>>pleased to announce that we are able to save you 15% on your cruise!
>>>Monica
>>
>>That sounds good in theory, but unless you ask a TA to check they are not
>>going to be constantly rechecking the price. I am not sure that they
should
>>really be expected to.
>>
>>
>
>
>