How Would You Respond To This Email From Travel Agent?

The things I would like to say to her are not allowed in the forum anymore.

Honestly, I would say "Thank you but I don't think I will be needing your services in the foreseeable future." No need to apologize or explain anything.

I work in sales and my manager would have my head if I ever wrote that to a potential client. Holy moly!

It does come off a little bit rude, but I can totally see her frustration. Nobody wants to work for free. I think she just wants to be up front with you, I don't think there is anything specific/personal about it.

The only thing I could see maybe taking issue with is the “if you’re not willing to accept my expertise”. Even then, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what she said. She’s done work for you, unpaid, and now (whether you meant it that way or not) it seems like you’re just going to book yourself.

mmm I am not entirely sure, but I thought all travel agents work by commission and from my experience, I have never been charged a fee upfront. If I am understanding correctly, you were working with her (in a very informal way), but you found something cheaper on your own and she cannot find something at that price?

I don't think she is being rude, just realistic. I'm very sensitive too - so I would feel bad getting that response, but logically it makes sense.

What is your guys' budget and where are you flying out of? Maybe we can help!

I think what she said is fair. It is her job and she needs to be paid for it, just like everyone else in any other job. I think she’s just covering her bases by saying she would need to be compensated so she doesn’t do a bunch of work for free, just for you to take her plans and book it yourself. As a musician, I’m sensitive to these kinds of situations- everyone needs to get paid for their job regardless of what it is. Why should you pay some people for their services and not others (like other vendors that takes deposits)? Unless she said she was going to do it as a gift I think this makes total sense.

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Yeah, I am overly sensitive but a lot fo what she said was unnecessary and could have been said differently. And around $4,000 and flying out of either Norfolk or Washington D.C. Dulles.

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I did, but I was going to work with her because I felt more comfortable. I found a cheaper option and told her only to see if she could look into the resort and find something around that price as well.

Well, what she said is a little passive-aggressive, but I can also see her side of things, if she really did spend hours working on a proposal for you. When you told her about the cheapcaribbean.com thing, did you present it to her like "hey, you said you can price-match, and I found this deal, but would like to get the deal through you, so can you match this", or did you just say "we found something cheaper and are going to go with that"?

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This is the email she responded to, "

" Hey ___,Are these prices per person or together? Also, we had discussed leaving on Tuesday/Wednesday not Monday. Our wedding is Saturday and we leave Sunday for VA. Are these prices only for 5 nights? The front end and back end will be travel days, so I'm not sure that leaves us with much time. Again, I know you said this all could be discussed after we decided on a destination, but I didn't know if that would change anything. We had been looking on cheapcarribean.com and saw some really good deals for 7 nights. Wasn't sure if a longer stay would reduce the price. I'm just trying to find the best deal and longest duration. We took off three weeks so length doesn't matter.Thank You! "

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I agree with Heather. At least she is being honest and upfront, that way you can make a decision and go from there.

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I work with potential clients all the time that end up not buying our products/services. Guess what - I don't get paid on those accounts. You either close the deal, or you don't. I've heard every valid reason and every BS excuse in the book for why someone chose not to sign a contract. That's just how sales works. She shouldn't take it out on a potential client because she couldn't find anything that matched what they were looking for. That's like going to a bridal salon and having to pay a fee just to look at dresses because the sales people work on commission.

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There is a way to be upfront and honest with someone without being a complete beotch about it. I have worked in numerous sales positions, recruiting positions and everything customer service and I have been able to word things that don't turn off clients like she has done to me.

I can be overly sensitive too and I would probably feel bad if I got that email. But I did talk to one travel agency where they require a $150 deposit from you before they started looking for things for you. If you book with them the fee goes towards your trip and if you don't they keep the money for their time and resources. So what she said makes sense. Although it's weird that she's just now introducing that policy to you after the fact. I don't think that part is fair.

What did you say to her to receive this response? You are saying you were looking to price match and work with her but she took it as you found something on your own and arent using her. Looks like a breakdown in communication.

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Ok, so every time she works with a client and she isn't able to find them exactly what they are looking for and they decide to not use her...she should go and say what she said to me? I mean I understand, but I guess that is the terrirory you play in when you have a job like that.

If you’re turned off by it, don’t work with her.

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Yeah, I agree she could have definitely been more thoughtful in her response. Especially knowing how emotional people get surrounding weddings (and finances).

Are you sure that a vacation to Europe is out of the question? We are going to Paris and Venice for our one year for about 10 days and so far the flights/hotels are coming to about $3500. We are staying at 4 star hotels though so you could definitely find more economical options for lodging.

Your email to her doesn’t sound like you’re trying to price match and use her. It looks like you’re telling her she’s not finding you the best deal because over on this site a room for longer costs less.

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I agree that you should probably just figure out the vacation on your own at this point.