January is an exciting season ... Christmas is over and now folks want to concentrate on the vacation for the new year. It's also this same season, where folks are pulled into incorrect information and even travel scams.
The internet is a great way in finding friends on facebook ... Reading about factual historical information ... Viewing pictures ... Looking up a phone number to that local gift shop. All sorts of resourceful information.
Though such resources can bring us insightful information, many folks will go beyond this step, and "act on" what they may "think they found". They may see words like:
* Sale
* You can only get this package here
* Best Prices
* Last one
* You must act now
* And more!
No matter how many Travel Writers try to warn the consumer ... Year after year, and even the "same folks", fall victim to such words as seen above. Why ?
Why do folks "trust" words they see on the net before listening to the words of folks they know ?
Why would folks want to hand over their money and they don't eve know this company ?
And even worse, why do some folks "let other friends" buy their travel for them ? It's your money. It's to your advantage to keep your hands on it !
Even if a vacation is legit, if you receive "wrong information", it's not any different than being scammed. How fun will it be to arrive to your cruise ...
* Being led to believe you would get an upgrade, to find yourself in "bunk beds" ?
* To find out, you were given a senior rate, but you are only 45, and must now pay the difference because you didn't qualify for that rate ?
* To not bring enough money, because you were under the impression you were going to get some onboard credit, but learn your price didn't include this ?
* To be told you didn't need a passport, when you actually do ?
What about these folks who are turning to facebook groups or even friends, to get their needed information, to later learned the information was wrong ? Do you call that being scammed ? You will when you can't get on the boat !
But then, who are you going to turn to with this wrong info ? Facebook ? Your friends ? You think they are going to give you your money back cause they gave you wrong information ? Yeah right ! These folks may even deny they ever told you this or that you mis-understood. And maybe you did !
When I am on facebook, and I see folks ask questions that they should be turning over to a professional ... I get either start laughing or I get angry ! I either can't believe the readers are believing this information or I get angry cause the one telling it, seems to think they're some kind of expert because they have cruised before ! If these folks are such experts, why aren't the cruise lines paying them for their expertise (on facebook) ?
I had been on 12 cruises before I got in this business. I too, thought I had it made. I learned quick, I KNEW NOTHING !
If you've read my past blog articles, you will know, that I try to remind folks ...
*If it's too good to be true, it most likely is !
* If your local agent can't get it for you, then it's probably not real.
* Don't buy your airfare nor a hotel from an "internet based" company. Buy directly ! Folks do NOT
read the contract before buying ... There's insight there, you need to know ! Even if you have bought here before, and it all worked out ok, it doesn't mean you are safe next time. Why play Russian-roulette with your money ! I do not buy my own travel from these sites !
* And cruise and land packages ... Buy from your local Travel Agent ... Better yet, Travel Writers will tell you ... Deal with a Cruise Specialist ! This is their forte ... Their expertise. They have direct access to the cruise lines over anyone else ! Some are "distribution houses" for these "Internet based" travel companies, who are a 3rd party between you and the experts ! You want someone who will talk to you on the phone ... Don't even buy on "their website" ... CALL ! They are hidden cruise line and land base rules that you need to know ! And find someone, not only who has been on many cruises, but someone who has been in this industry for years ... Knows how to deal with the cruise lines ! If you don't know someone, reach out. Ask friends if they know a Cruise Specialist ! And I'm not talking about a res agent at the cruise line ! And if your friends don't know, as Travel Writers !
On a different note ... Not all Trip Cancellation Insurance is created equal ! Beware ! Cruise Specialist companies usually have insurance to better protect you ! Wow, what another good tip to know !
As mentioned ... It is the season ! The season to think about that wonderful vacation ahead ... And the season to beware !
It's why you want to turn to someone you know before making such purchases ... Before putting your hard earned vacation money out there !
Be pro-active ... NOT post-active ! Once you get yourself in a bind, it can either cost you much more to get yourself out, or you may just have to chalk it up to another well-learned lesson.
Don't miss the boat & have to stay home in 2015.
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