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Post by WSSkier on Feb 2, 2006 10:54:50 GMT -6
I know this sounds kinda ridiculous, but I feel a little bit of trepidation about not giving DP a shot and booking with someone else.
I feel as though I'm being disloyal(quit laughing ;D) by going straight to GCT. However, the group rate that I want was negotiated directly with GCT's owners and I plan on being there with that group...so anything I could get with DP would probably just be CGT's rate plus a DP markup for his commission.
I have no issue with booking through DP for WWW since it's his group, or if I were to go unaffiliated.
What do you people think? (or should I just get my head examined today for even worrying? ;D)
edited to add: Sorry I posted this in the wrong section.
Scott
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Feb 2, 2006 11:34:01 GMT -6
edited to add: Sorry I posted this in the wrong section. Bastard.
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Post by PattyD on Feb 2, 2006 11:49:00 GMT -6
I always shop around for the best rate for the resort and for air... then I give DP a chance to match it or beat it or else I book with someone else. So far he has been the one we have used for all the WWW weeks because his price was the best but for other weeks we have used someone else. He says he has no problem with it but would at least like the chance to match other quotes and that seems only fair.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 2, 2006 12:01:03 GMT -6
I wouldn't feel bad about it, Scott. You are the customer, and the customer is always right. I like to use Denny for WWW trips, because I know if something goes wrong, he's right there. Other times I go straight to Go Classy; it's nice to know there is always somebody there to answer the phone.......Jake
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Post by diane on Feb 2, 2006 12:06:34 GMT -6
My understanding is that there isn't an additional commission charged by DP. The way I understand it, GCT takes less commissions on business brought in by their outside agents. Denny isn't their only other outside agent, they have many. Lance Hutchinson, their GCT (also the son of owners) Internet division and Denny are on the same level. I'd still check around for other rates, and take the best one. Denny knows that people do that. It's business, afterall.
On another side note, I had already booked my Dec trip about a month ago, and found out (from Denny) that there was a new sale rate. While they weren't suppose to let me ch-ch-change from one rate to the other after I was booked, I am going on a cruise this summer, and the cruise discount (one day free with proof of a paid cruise) is only available on the new rate, I was able to switch. Ends up saving me over $200 (including the free day) over what I was booked for before.
diane
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Post by Liz of Chris & Liz on Feb 2, 2006 12:15:29 GMT -6
We always shop around for rates with GCT, Castaways & Denny (if not others as well!) ... and then Denny will usually be able to beat the best rate .. if he doesn't have it to begin with.
I wouldn't feel bad about booking with someone else if Denny can't give you the best rate. I would always check with him though, to see if he can better his rate. Last year I booked 3 trips with him, his rates were the best each time.
Liz
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Post by Christinko on Feb 2, 2006 12:18:20 GMT -6
I almost always book with GCT, but Lance gave me good-natured grief when I booked with DP for Dec. 05 WWWW. I was surprised. I figured it would be disrespectful for ME not to book with DP since, frankly, his website brings ME so much biz. But I agree--do what your heart tells you--each TA company counts on you to use your guts to make a decision...that's why lots of places get repeat biz.
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Feb 2, 2006 16:48:11 GMT -6
I book most all our trips direct with GCT. The one time I booked with Denny, his quote was a bit higher, but it was during WWW and I figured what the heck. Of course, I've booked a lot of trips with GCT so anyone else's milage may vary.
.............Bob
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Post by Lady Irie on Feb 2, 2006 16:58:49 GMT -6
(or should I just get my head examined today for even worrying? ;D)Scott Yes! It's not like your married to the man, Scott! Business is business. We always shop around for the best rate getting 3-4 quotes from different TA's. Keeps everyone honest. I would love to book with Denny, however my TA has always been able to beat his rate. The only time I was able to book with him was when I happened to have a gift certificate, which the other TA's couldn't compete with. There is no need to feel guilty, and if you do, just donate $20 to his website. I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Feb 2, 2006 17:31:05 GMT -6
It's not like your married to the man, Scott! However, if you *did* want to marry the man, you might want to ask HedoDiveMasterChuck about how to arrange a lovely wedding ceremony right there at Hedo.
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Post by Dan on Feb 2, 2006 19:38:24 GMT -6
It's not like your married to the man, Scott! However, if you *did* want to marry the man, you might want to ask HedoDiveMasterChuck about how to arrange a lovely wedding ceremony right there at Hedo. BUT - if you do that - do yourself a favor and set up an RSS newsreader to download it, go to Wal-fuckin-Mart and buy a ream of paper to print it, and purchase AT LEAST a fifth of Jack Daniels Single Barrel to sip on while you read it. D
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Feb 2, 2006 19:48:07 GMT -6
Then go diving the next morning!
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Post by Dan on Feb 2, 2006 20:01:46 GMT -6
Then go diving the next morning! Ohhhh....Liz.........look at all the PRETTY fishes! What - we're still in the room? In the shower? Fuck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D Sorry guys - feelin' pissy tonight! D
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Post by dean on Feb 2, 2006 22:04:05 GMT -6
Every time I've asked DP for a quote he was really high. GCT or Castaways or my favorite hedo-friend-travel-agent has beat him handily. (Oh, that sounds so dirty!) Sorry to DP but I book the cheapest so I can maintain my habit to return home.
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Post by edie2u on Feb 4, 2006 11:40:15 GMT -6
The last three years I have bought a weeks stay and air at Hedo on SkyAuctions website. Then I buy at least three days from Denny. Up until this year, SkyAuction has been much cheaper. This year I think it was about $100.00 difference. I had problems with them this year and I will NOT be booking with them again. Denny has always been cheaper than the other T.A.'s that I have gotten quotes from.
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Post by Cherbunny on Feb 4, 2006 13:38:44 GMT -6
I used Skyauction once a couple of years ago. Now, with all the surcharges it's just not worth it.
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Post by pixiedust on Mar 1, 2006 18:01:38 GMT -6
I started booking with Dan Hill who is mentioned in Chris' book (that's why I called him - really nice guy) and has given us very good service. (he books thru Go Classy too) I usually call him (since I started with him) to see what kind of rate he can give me, then I call Denny to see what kind of rate HE can give me, he couldn't beat Dan for Dec 2005 and we'd booked with Denny Dec 2004, that's interesting Diane about what you said as I had a "rate adjustment" on a trip when the price fell on one of our trips.
I also had an interesting chat with Edward (someone or another) at the recent Hedo Philly party about just this topic. Apparently Edward has his own agency (again, I think he books thru Go Classy). He gave me his card, I'll probably call him to see what he can do for me for our December trip too.
I don't think that we're obliged to book exclusively with Denny/Dan or anyone else but that's my feeling about it - hey, it's MY money not his and if he can beat the rate I get elsewhere then he gets my business if not, then I go with the cheapest person - this past year it was quite a bit of difference in the end up for our trip.
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Post by hardwork-DJ on Mar 1, 2006 20:28:29 GMT -6
We book through our personal TA, Bruce's sister! She will always beat any price for a week at Hedo. But if we have free days she can never beat DennyP.
~DJ~
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Post by Hazelita on Mar 1, 2006 21:01:52 GMT -6
Colleen, if you spoke to Ed Hubbard of the Travel Hub he does *NOT* subcontract for Go-Classy.
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Post by DT on Mar 1, 2006 22:16:48 GMT -6
All my trips (9) I have either booked through Go Classy or Castaways except for virgin trip I booked through a local TA in my hometown. Local TA was not a good idea. But live and learn.
psssst....Since there is a lot of WWW'ers here at TNMC. Couldn't someone take the lead and talk to Hedo about booking rooms from them direct as the TNMC group? (to cut the middleman out) Or is that a no no?
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Post by Cherbunny on Mar 1, 2006 22:30:05 GMT -6
Someone would have to volunteer to attempt to get a group of us together at Hedo at the same time.
You'll find that here....along with peacock teeth.
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Post by pixiedust on Mar 1, 2006 22:45:24 GMT -6
Colleen, if you spoke to Ed Hubbard of the Travel Hub he does *NOT* subcontract for Go-Classy. Well then I misspoke - I WAS drinking you know!! I am pretty sure that's who it was, really nice guy. I wanted to see what he could do for me on our next trip, now I seem to have misplaced his card - go figure! Was right on my makeup table in a SAFE place and now - poof! (things seem to happen that way in MY house - usually doggie tails are the culpret...) Anyone here use him before? Just wondering - you can PM me if you want. Colleen
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Post by pixiedust on Mar 1, 2006 22:50:26 GMT -6
psssst....Since there is a lot of WWW'ers here at TNMC. Couldn't someone take the lead and talk to Hedo about booking rooms from them direct as the TNMC group? (to cut the middleman out) Or is that a no no? DT, now I don't know if you'd want to bring in a SUB category of the WWWW - then we wouldn't be the WWWW would we? Though you do have a good point. I understand if you bring in a certain amount of people that you get so many days free yourself. Denny's trip is always free because of how many people book thru him.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 2, 2006 0:18:50 GMT -6
psssst....Since there is a lot of WWW'ers here at TNMC. Couldn't someone take the lead and talk to Hedo about booking rooms from them direct as the TNMC group? (to cut the middleman out) Or is that a no no? That's not a bad idea, DT. But I imagine it would require that one of us be a travel agent. As far as I know, nobody here is. So we'd still be going through a middle-man. Might as well stick with Denny or Go Classy. Unless somebody wants to step up to the plate.......Jake
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Post by Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III on Mar 2, 2006 18:32:28 GMT -6
We should AT LEAST get TNMC Hats and/or shirts for December. Is there an official TNMC Logo Jake?? We need t work on this.....time's a-wastin'
................Bob
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Post by Cherbunny on Mar 2, 2006 18:37:57 GMT -6
I need it for my end of May trip!
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 3, 2006 21:05:52 GMT -6
I should work on a logo. Any suggestions? We could always use one of the peacock ones......Jake
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Post by Cherbunny on Mar 3, 2006 21:36:04 GMT -6
I thought we discussed having the original Peachuckie but with TNMC instead of one that we all voted on and it won in a landslide.
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Post by diane on Mar 3, 2006 22:52:49 GMT -6
I have to agree with Cher. I thought the only reason to do this was to use the original logo that did win. I'd buy a hat with that logo (it did win fair and square), but not interested in a different logo. I think if 100 people show up for WWWW with the peachuckie hat (maybe we can find 100 propellors to add.....could you imagine??....laughing my head off now), our point will be made.
I like someone's suggestion (maybe Jakes) to add "No Rules" to the logo maybe also. We could add "TNMC where there are no rules" or "TNMC = NO Rules" or something like that.
diane
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 4, 2006 1:00:35 GMT -6
As much as I loved Bif and Muffy's logo, I have my doubts that it would be stark enough to be embroidered. Somebody might have to look into that......Jake
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