We participated last week with Business Expo, and we had a good many folks to stop by our booth and talk a little travel. Three or four of them wanted to tell me about the trip they took, but of course, they did not make the reservations with anyone at The Travel Factory. Don’t they know that we could give them the same price they paid, and we could keep some of the money circulating in the Abilene economy?
One of my favorite travel writers is travel agent, Richard Turen. He recently addressed this attitude by consumers who think travel is always cheaper when purchased on-line. Much of what follows comes from his rationale for utilizing the experience of a travel agent.
He says: “We want every client to understand how our compensation works. We want you to understand that a “direct booking” made with a tour company, a safari operator, a river cruise company, a cruise line or any other travel supplier includes a 10% to 20% surcharge in the vendor’s published pricing, a fee that is included to cover the travel agent’s commission. Thus, consumers are paying for the travel agent services if they book directly with the supplier or with an online travel agency such as Expedia or Priceline, and the cost is the same whether or not a consumer uses a travel agent’s services.”
“Customers who book directly with a supplier get few, if any, of the services that a good travel consultant would provide. Online bookers have no clout; they are working with a commissioned “headset” who is likely to be based somewhere in Asia. They are relying on that person, who is unlikely to have ever experienced the product, to be their advocate, to offer advice and to have their back if something goes wrong.”
“Can the “headset” tell the consumer why the product might not be the best option, assist with pre- or post-trip arrangements, counsel the traveler on crucial issue of insurance options? No, the “headset” merely takes the built-in commission and pockets it for the company, playing consumers for suckers and insulting their intelligence by pretending they are on the customer’s side.”
When travelers understand that our professional services and counseling come at no additional cost, the game changes. When consumers understand they can work with some of the most experienced travel consultants in the Big Country on a no-fee basis here at The Travel Factory, the game really changes.
We favor the Abilene Chamber of Commerce motto: “Buy Abilene And The Big Country First”. Stop by our shop at 4150 Southwest Drive, where we have been since 1984, or call at 698-1421. Check out our website: www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com.