Flopsy Posted January 30, 2014 #1 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I have just rung up to pay the balance for my cruise- it was an Indian call centre.I was subjected to a waiting period and the loudest 'music' you can imagine! Then a lady answered and subjected me to the hard sell- extra legroom seats, then, as I turned down the opportunity to buy those, she told me that I had failed to pay the extra to book seats sitting together and unless I did so 'we would not be able to sit together on the plane'- how ridiculous is that statement! I had declined both options so she put me on hold- listening to that horrible loud music again- I had to hold the phone well away from my ear! She then came back on and said the system was running slow and I should ring back in two hours! Oh to be able to pay the balance on line! Flopsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina.w12 Posted January 30, 2014 #2 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Last year when the balance was due I rang the sales line and explained to the person answering the phone that I could not understand the accents when I rung india and they could not understand me. I have a very broad accent, he took my money!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy-Jo Posted January 30, 2014 #3 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Last year when the balance was due I rang the sales line and explained to the person answering the phone that I could not understand the accents when I rung india and they could not understand me. I have a very broad accent, he took my money!!! Oooo Tina, what a good idea. I had the same experience when phoning to pay the balance of our deposits. I think they have a list of things to go through. At least one of them we already had and no we did not require extra leg room seats just for a flight to Majorca. I might try the sales line when we have to pay the balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flopsy Posted January 30, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Tina you are a star! I just rang the local Thomson shop and paid by card over the phone- so easy! Thankyou so much. Flopsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geomagot Posted January 30, 2014 #5 Share Posted January 30, 2014 yep...you can call any thoms shop (or any thoms helpline ....even the cabin booking one)...they will take your money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina.w12 Posted January 30, 2014 #6 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Tina you are a star! I just rang the local Thomson shop and paid by card over the phone- so easy! Thankyou so much. Flopsy No problem Flopsy!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ormy Posted January 30, 2014 #7 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Why not just use Travel Agent in the first place - so much easier and they do everything for you, plus if any problems it's their fault not yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina.w12 Posted January 30, 2014 #8 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Why not just use Travel Agent in the first place - so much easier and they do everything for you, plus if any problems it's their fault not yours. There are several reasons why I book online, the first one is time. I work ina town centre and have too walk past 4 travel agents on my walk from the car park to the office. Whenever I have tried using TA they take that long my lunch time is over before I booked it!! I don't want to drive to town on my day off it's a 30 mile round trip. I can book from the comfort of my armchair at any time of evening I wish. My next reason is knowledge, after being on 12 thomson cruises my knowledge is far greater than theirs and if I don't know something I come on here for the answers. I have asked at TA's in the past and the answers I receive are not necessary correct. I think this is due to lack of training. I spend all day at work with forms etc so I am quite confident of filling them in correctly. Another reason is cost, I have asked the local TA to match the online price, I keep track of the price of cruises and last time I asked the response was "we can't get anywhere near that price, we would be losing money" I can see that going to TA's works for some but not everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISIN LINDA Posted January 30, 2014 #9 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Why not just use Travel Agent in the first place - so much easier and they do everything for you, plus if any problems it's their fault not yours. Because they now charge you £10 pp on the online price :(:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakanne1 Posted January 30, 2014 #10 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Because they now charge you £10 pp on the online price :(:( Mine didn't ! :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISIN LINDA Posted January 30, 2014 #11 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Mine didn't ! :):) I know! I should have been firmer with them :) Anyway, I am going to the TA to pay the balance on my hotel holiday in May, even though I booked it online as we usually pay by building society cheque and you can't do that over the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ormy Posted January 30, 2014 #12 Share Posted January 30, 2014 When I say Travel Agent I did mean my local Thomson Shop, first class service,they always match online price and like I said any problems and it's down to them. Any holidays means you are spending thousands, and I just think ' Don't take any chances ' you cannot beat dealing face too face - computers cannot answer back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila49 Posted January 30, 2014 #13 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I booked over the phone with my local independent TA who beat the online price although only by a few pounds. It only took about 10 minutes as like most of us on here I already knew exactly what I wanted. I can just phone them to pay the balance as well with no-one trying to sell me extras. I like the reassurance that if there are any problems I can just pop in to see them and sort it out. Also some of their staff are very knowledgable about cruises.😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain1873 Posted January 31, 2014 #14 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I also always use the local Thomson shop , they always beat the on-line price for me , when i get my invoice for the holiday they have a retail discreation section which usually shows the discount the shop has applied to sale - i book with them almost every year and know most of them by first name now , don't know if i could get a bigger discount if i pushed but i'm always happy with their service and i know i can't get it online anywhere else cheaper :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISIN LINDA Posted January 31, 2014 #15 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Seems to me all you "northerners" :D are getting a better bargain than us "southerners" :(:( Although I know you sometimes have higher flight supplements :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim The Scot Posted January 31, 2014 #16 Share Posted January 31, 2014 We know how to haggle and take no crap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISIN LINDA Posted January 31, 2014 #17 Share Posted January 31, 2014 We know how to haggle and take no crapCanny Scot eh? :D:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony1878 Posted February 2, 2014 #18 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I booked in the local Thomson shop this time, they matched the price ok. When I looked online I couldn't get an early flight, but the Thomson shop were able to book one for me, I think that is where they gain over the internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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