Don't Laugh. Examples of (horror stories) ... Where buying travel ONLINE got these folks ! (Also consumer disasters on my last Alaska cruise). The rules they didn’t know … Got ‘em in the $$ pocket book !

As many of you know, I’m in business with several associates.  Unlike the consumer, who is NOT in this business on a daily basis, we get to hear the many ‘online’ buying disasters, day in AND day out !  And the ... I listened to a 'friend', who said, 'buy online' (coming soon ... Folks will be able to suit their friends for wrongful advice) !

*Some folks call us, only to buy from us, cause they ran into a glitch when buying online.  And think … They ONLY need an agent FBO fixing a glitch ! Or help with a special need.

*Others call after they are in a bind.  Oh is this costly !
*And others … We hear about … WHILE WE TOO, ARE CRUISING WITH YOU WHO BOUGHT ONLINE !

 

And WHO DO THEY WANT TO BLAME ? 

The online provider.

I heard woman on my Alaska cruise say, “And wait till I call and chew them out”.

And I thought ... How is that going to help your current HORROR issue now ??

WHY ?? WHY do consumers buy online ?  Consumers are NOT in this business !  How can they expect themselves to be an expert & know all you need to know, in 5 minutes ?  In 5 hours of research ?  When we’ve been here helping many folks for years !

The average consumer calls me or my staff, 3-4 times before they sail, with needed answers AND PERSONAL ISSUES ! Even with the many pages and pages of insight we email them !

You cannot just ‘make stuff up’ … There’s are MANY laws & rules !

 

An associate got a call today … Woman ONLY calls to buy over phone because she wants to be sure there will be 2 KING beds in their inside cabin, cause she will be bringing 6 people. 
WOW, what a shock that would have been, when 2 couldn’t board !!

Another associate today … Woman will be DRIVING to Hawaii from US !  Can you help me – Need directions.

WOW, want to know that highway myself !

Another associate got a call today … Honeymooner bought All-Inclusive package to Cancun, for August 28 (THIS YEAR), not knowing passport needed.

WOW, they may not be flying anywhere or pay fees to overnight !

Associate got call … I’ve shopped Orbitz, Hotwire, Priceline, & others, and prices all the same, WHY ?

Ummm … Cause they ALL buy their cruises from one source … US !

Associate got call … Consumer calling all agents.  I don’t want to pay that price.  Will you take this ?

Guess they don’t know rates aren’t negotiable !

Associate got call … Need to cancel cruise, yet didn’t buy Cancellation Insurance.  Said, but I was going if I had not gotten sick, so it’s not my fault.

That’s WHY there’s Trip Cancellation Insurance !

Associate got call … I didn’t go on cruise, but cruise line won’t give me my money back.  Why didn’t you go ? I just changed my mind.  Did you call anyone to know the rules ?  NO.

Oopps ! 

Associate got call … Woman pregnant and no one knew.

She may get denied boarding !

Associate got call … Bought cruise to take my grandchildren.  Thought my daughter had sole custody, but she doesn’t.  Now father won’t sign and we leave in 2 days.
Most likely denied boarding !

Associate got call … Final payment due today.  Client claims they get paid again in 2 more weeks.

Oopps, not financially planned out.  Cruise will auto cancel & no money returned !

I get a call today … Honeymoon (this) September.  Caller heard, wait till 2 weeks prior for best deal.  Told me, rates have gone UP in last 2 weeks.  I said, last minute rates seem to already be on the rise !  He said, if rate not what he wants, NOT GOING !

Hmmm, was that ‘miss-out-on-honeymoon-cruise’ a threat for me ?

Call yesterday … I want cruise from Norfolk to Hawaii, stay in Hawaii 2 weeks, and cruise back.

ME TOO !

While back … Woman called to tell me, she was going to disembark ship in Nassau & fly home early.
Lady, did you read the cruise contract & the penalties she’ll have to pay if doing so ?

While back … Known person told me they were going to drive to ship & buy cruise at pier.  I get call for help – Now double the price !

I tried to tell them !

While back … Woman calls after cruise & upset cause the ship took her suitcase of liquor from her, when boarding.

Really ?? !

While back … Woman booked cruise with upcoming marriage last name.  They decided not to get married.  Latter called to also say, she booked 1^st name, with what she wished folks would call her.

You not getting on nor refunded !  Full name change.

Last week on my Alaska cruise … I have NEVER heard as many disasters on one cruise, than this one !  AND YES … THEY ALL BOUGHT ONLINE !  Thought …

*Transfers from airport to hotel and hotel to ship, in Vancouver, were automatically included, when buying hotel on your own.  WOW !
*They could just catch a cab, outside the ship, from Seward to Anchorage !  WOW !
*They could make a 11am flight from Anchorage (early train doesn’t even arrive till 11am).  WOW !
*The cruise was round trip Vancouver, instead of Vancouver to Seward.  Their post hotel & return air was from Vancouver.  WOW ! (This was the one I mentioned above).
*They bought a 14 night that would return them back to Vancouver, but only bought a 7 night. Their return airfare was from Vancouver.   WOW !
*An outside Tour Vendor would wait for them (or auto be refunded), if ship pulled into port late.  WOW !
*They would auto receive refund on a shore excursion, cause they weren’t feeling well that day & didn’t go !  WOW !
*Since not driving while on cruise, why bring your driver’s license.   Left passport on ship when they got off.  WOW !
*They were getting drink package, $200 shore excursion credit, and onboard credit.  They got NOTHING !  WOW !
*Their 7 night cruise included Denali.  WOW !
*Their hotel in Anchorage, not knowing it was 20 miles away, would included free transfers or only a $10 cabin fare.  WOW !


Never occurs to consumers …
*Online is online !
*No Answers !
*No Pre-warnings !
*No Insight ! 
*No expertise !
THAT’S IT !  YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN … IN WHATEVER YOU THOUGHT YOU BOUGHT.  WITH ALL THE RULES !  ALL THE EXPECTATIONS ! 

There’s no one to blame, but … YOU chose to buy online !  Listen to others, rather than turn to an expert !

 

Buying online is for the person who will be …
*Reading all the contracts (word for word)
*Reading all the available insight online !
*Calls no one, especially NOT an agent they didn’t buy from, for ANY info !
*And likes the challenge of the unknown & can get themselves out of a box !

ME – I’ve been on 140 cruises.  Yes, I take some challenges.  And yes, it’s been known to put me in a box. 

But I don’t take my customers there !