Travel Agent Woes!!!!

[AsiaJane]

Hello Ladies,

 

Can I take a minute to release some steam?! EMILY! Need I say more?! She is my TA and she sucks!!

 

I know what you are thinking, Get a new one. Well it's complicated. Emily is my future husband's friend’s sister. If that makes since. She was recommended by our friend. He said she was amazing and since my FH kind of knew her I thought this would be nice.  I should have known better! The signs were there from day 1 that she was a complete TWIT and that is putting it politely.

 

Emily is un-organized, she lies, she is very weasel like, she is never available when you need her, she treats my guest very unprofessionally, Emily is a terrible TA!  Can I say Emily has made planning a destination wedding a nightmare, and what sucks the most is I don’t feel comfortable saying anything to her about it since her brother is coming to the wedding and I do like him.  I want to go off on her every time I talk to her. My FH has to give me pep talks before talking to her in order to maintain control. This is ridiculous!!! I think when the wedding is all said and done I’m going to give her a piece of my mind! Emily Sucks!!!!

 

Ahhhhhh, that felt good. Thank you ladies for letting me vent!

[acireta]

you need to drop her like a hot potato if you are so unhappy. Have you voiced your concerns to her clearly? If she still cannot live up to your expectations.

 

My TA was a royal B-I-you-know-what, but I laid out my concerns and expectations more clearly, and I also told her to stop trying to upsell my guests!! She's been behaving herself since then. If more problems come up, we'll talk to the manager and let him/her know we're transferring our bookings to a new TA.

 

Is there any reason you can't go with another TA, maybe someone on here instead?

[islandbride8]

I would definately stop playing nice.  This is your wedding and you should not be put in this situation.  It is tricky when dealing with people you know, but she's being really unprofessional and that's poor business practice.  If you didn't know her through someone else you would get rid of her right?!?!  I would be upfront about your needs and expectations of her and let her know that if she doesn't meet these expectations that someone else will.  I don't think you should feel awkward confronting her (if anything her brother should be uncomfortable because his sister sucks!).  It will be may be uncomfortable to voice your concerns to her, but you'll be soooo glad you did.  Stick you for yourself and don't let her add unneccessary drama to your planning process!  good luck 

[AsiaJane]

 

Originally Posted by acireta 

you need to drop her like a hot potato if you are so unhappy. Have you voiced your concerns to her clearly? If she still cannot live up to your expectations.

 

My TA was a royal B-I-you-know-what, but I laid out my concerns and expectations more clearly, and I also told her to stop trying to upsell my guests!! She's been behaving herself since then. If more problems come up, we'll talk to the manager and let him/her know we're transferring our bookings to a new TA.

 

Is there any reason you can't go with another TA, maybe someone on here instead?

 I know how you feel about having a terrible TA. I want to drop her but I feel like we are too far in now. All of our guest used her and have made down payments. The usual me would just confront her but its hard since she's my FH friend's sister. They all grew up together.  It would make me feel better if I could go off on her!!!!!

[AsiaJane]

 

 

Originally Posted by islandbride8 

 

I would definately stop playing nice.  This is your wedding and you should not be put in this situation.  It is tricky when dealing with people you know, but she's being really unprofessional and that's poor business practice.  If you didn't know her through someone else you would get rid of her right?!?!  I would be upfront about your needs and expectations of her and let her know that if she doesn't meet these expectations that someone else will.  I don't think you should feel awkward confronting her (if anything her brother should be uncomfortable because his sister sucks!).  It will be may be uncomfortable to voice your concerns to her, but you'll be soooo glad you did.  Stick you for yourself and don't let her add unneccessary drama to your planning process!  good luck 

 

 You know after reading your response I think I have to at least voice my concerns to her in a polite manor. The problem is I'm afraid I mite not be so nice b/c I REALLY can not stand this girl. She told me yesterday that she is up for some award. top 30 travel agents under 30. I laughed and said "Really?!" My FH squeezed my arm This is just an awkward situation.  Thank you ladies for the advise

[acireta]

 

 

Originally Posted by AsiaJane 

 

 I know how you feel about having a terrible TA. I want to drop her but I feel like we are too far in now. All of our guest used her and have made down payments. The usual me would just confront her but its hard since she's my FH friend's sister. They all grew up together.  It would make me feel better if I could go off on her!!!!!

 

 

well, damn, that doesn't make it easy now does it? Good luck, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that she doesn't annoy you too much!!

[natalie7]

I dont think any TA can handle a big destination wedding... I made my (past) travel agent cry... she WAS dropped like a hot potato. She started crying when I told her that I was PO'd because I asked her to call about group rates and 2 days later, and not returning my calls.. the flights went up like 200 $ a PIECE.... she started balling. I was like.. okay, you must have some other issues, sooooo I'll let you go now... lol

 

Meanwhile, I have a new one... she is good.. but I dont hear from her for weeks... I JUST WANT THEM TO CHECK IN.. like hey..... this one booked, or heyyy,, why isn't anyone booking?? Or just HEYYYYYYY thanks for giving me all this business -- 100 people booking through them.. you would think I would get SOMETHING!!!

 

If I wasn't a teacher, coach and a bartender, I would be a TA on the side and still do a better job!!

[sunstarsmoon]

Very frustrating for you to be in that type of a situation. hopefully now that all deposits are made it should be pretty simple process.

 

natalie7  -  I agree your agent should check in with you.  I am a part time TA working from home and I always keep my groups up to date. Really how long does it take to send an email and say hey so and so just booked. I guess because I am also a destination bride planning a wedding I know how it feels to be on both sides.  Just remember that getting group quotes sometimes can take 72 hours for the tour operators to get back to the agent but again your agent should be telling you this. 

[AsiaJane]

 

Originally Posted by natalie7 

I dont think any TA can handle a big destination wedding... I made my (past) travel agent cry... she WAS dropped like a hot potato. She started crying when I told her that I was PO'd because I asked her to call about group rates and 2 days later, and not returning my calls.. the flights went up like 200 $ a PIECE.... she started balling. I was like.. okay, you must have some other issues, sooooo I'll let you go now... lol

 

Meanwhile, I have a new one... she is good.. but I dont hear from her for weeks... I JUST WANT THEM TO CHECK IN.. like hey..... this one booked, or heyyy,, why isn't anyone booking?? Or just HEYYYYYYY thanks for giving me all this business -- 100 people booking through them.. you would think I would get SOMETHING!!!

 

If I wasn't a teacher, coach and a bartender, I would be a TA on the side and still do a better job!!

Natalie7

 

My thoughts exactly. I'm not asking for much. Just a little communication 101. It's simple, but its like they forgot what they are getting paid to do. Book Trips!!!! No call backs, No communication until Money is due!!! OUTRAGEOUS!

 

[AsiaJane]

 

 

Originally Posted by sunstarsmoon 

 

Very frustrating for you to be in that type of a situation. hopefully now that all deposits are made it should be pretty simple process.

 

natalie7  -  I agree your agent should check in with you.  I am a part time TA working from home and I always keep my groups up to date. Really how long does it take to send an email and say hey so and so just booked. I guess because I am also a destination bride planning a wedding I know how it feels to be on both sides.  Just remember that getting group quotes sometimes can take 72 hours for the tour operators to get back to the agent but again your agent should be telling you this. 

 

 hey sunstarsmoon, my situation is very stressful. I just think my TA is too young. She only like 25 i think. She's very unproffssional. One time she said she was going to call at 7 and we waited all night and never got a call. that was a Wed. She did not contact us until the following monday! she said sorry i'm buying a new house and I had to go look at it. I was so pissed. it takes 2 seconds to call and cancel. it takes 2 seconds to email and say sorry the next day and not 5 days later. that was when i knew this was going to be a rocky road!