DestinationWeddings.com * Post all experiences, info and questions here! *

[Janelley100]

I am a "former" dw.com bride...."former" being the key word. To describe my experience in a nutshell...not knowledgable enough to give info on various resorts, not attentive to emails or phone calls, website is decieving (it looks full of flash and awe....but that is it...flash and awe), felt as if I did all the work...wait...I DID do all the work! And I too felt very pushed into using one of the Azul resorts...which was honestly way out of my price range. When we picked MP I felt as if I took a backseat on her priority list. Her prices were not competative at all.

 

So switched to Tammy (the Hostess with the Mostest) and saved a bundle on the same reservation. Just got my Funjet refund back the other day (took about 6 weeks to get) and am still waiting on my $50 refund check!!!

 

My advice....read this forum first...pick a couple resorts and then find a TA who is knowledgable....(hint hint - the ladies running this forum!!!).

[mexbride83]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janelley100 I am a "former" dw.com bride...."former" being the key word. To describe my experience in a nutshell...not knowledgable enough to give info on various resorts, not attentive to emails or phone calls, website is decieving (it looks full of flash and awe....but that is it...flash and awe), felt as if I did all the work...wait...I DID do all the work! And I too felt very pushed into using one of the Azul resorts...which was honestly way out of my price range. When we picked MP I felt as if I took a backseat on her priority list. Her prices were not competative at all. So switched to Tammy (the Hostess with the Mostest) and saved a bundle on the same reservation. Just got my Funjet refund back the other day (took about 6 weeks to get) and am still waiting on my $50 refund check!!! My advice....read this forum first...pick a couple resorts and then find a TA who is knowledgable....(hint hint - the ladies running this forum!!!).

Janelle - You are getting a refund? Is that for the $50 to join? How did you go about getting that?? I just figured I'd be out the $50, and really it's not much so it isn't a big deal, but I just hate that I paid them to do nothing!

[taylorwd]

I know this thread started a while back but I thought I'd throw in my two cents since finding a good TA is something every DW bride needs! A thread like this never goes out of date!

 

I use DW.com and yes, it's hit or miss depending on who you have. I've been working with mine since last August. How I answer about the service I've received depends on the day you ask me!

 

I will say that having a BIG company behind you like DWT is a huge plus. A bit of a crisis came up yesterday and though it's not her job to do so, my TA went right to the top of the chain at the hotel to try and get it fixed. Today I think she's the most fabulous person in the world!

 

In general, she's very quick to respond and get things done. If something takes a while, it's not b/c of her but rather the tour group they're partnered with or the hotel. When we were researching hotels, she was extremely quick and on the ball with her research. I think it took her about a week after our initial conversation to come back with a very extensive list of resorts, and we've been chatting ever since! She has been there whenever I need her and has gone to bat for us with the wedding department on multiple occasions. I know I can call her whatever the hour and she'll do her best to help me. She also got us a really great deal on our rooms.

 

That said, there have been some hiccups. Some of our guests have not jived with her personality and found her to not be as helpful as they would like. She's also caused us undo stress by not having all the facts right on some things. In addition, she mixed up who had paid and who hadn't b/c of getting the names wrong on some guests, causing us to needlessly hound our families for payments they'd already made! On more than one occasion we've considered switching TAs.

 

IMO, the pros have far outweighed the cons. Just remember they're TAs and not WC! That was my mistake at the beginning. I will say that there are absolutely wonderful TAs on BDW that I wish I'd known about when I started this process!!

[Janelley100]

Yep...I basically emailed the manager listed above my wedding coordinator's name on the website. I explained that I was no longer getting married and needed to cancel the entire hotel reservation (as that is the only part our cooridnator had done). She contacted my cooridnator and they tried to convince me to use the reservations anyhow or put the deposit I had already put down towards future travel. I declined and asked for a refund of everything.

 

Took 6 weeks for the Funjet deposit to come through my bank account. Then, I just emailed the manager again stating that I had recieved the deposit refund, but had not received the $50 yet. She said...

 

"Thank you for your email! I'm glad to hear you received the refund from Funjet. Unfortunately our accounting department cannot process the refund check until after the tour operator has processed your refund, so they should be able to do this now. I have updated our accounting department and they should be able to send out the $50 refund check within the next 7-10 business days."

 

So, I am now waiting the 7-10 business days to see if they will come through or not. I would like to also mention that they initially told me there would be a $50 cancellation fee per person for from Funjet. I countered that I would not accept a cancellation fee deduction since I never signed any document stating that. They returned my email stating that they "mis-understood" Funjet and there would be no cancellation fee.

 

So just stand your ground...nicely.

[Janelley100]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorwd I know this thread started a while back but I thought I'd throw in my two cents since finding a good TA is something every DW bride needs! A thread like this never goes out of date! IMO, the pros have far outweighed the cons. Just remember they're TAs and not WC! That was my mistake at the beginning. I will say that there are absolutely wonderful TAs on BDW that I wish I'd known about when I started this process!!

I'm glad dw.com has worked for you. I honestly think it is hit or miss on "who" you get assigned to. As for WC versus TA....you are right. They are TA's for sure and your expectations should be of the services a TA can provide. Unfortunately, I never recieved the services it sounds as if you recieved. I worked with my dw.com TA for approx. 6 moths before switching...and switching wasn't an easy decision. However, in the long run it has been the best decision I've made thus far.

I say if you get assigned a great TA from any company.....FANTASTIC!

[mexbride83]

Janelle - that is great advice, I just may try it! We haven't booked anything with them, our DWS just disappears for weeks on end and won't help with the resort we're interested in at all.

 

Taylor - that is great that you are having such a good experience with them! But I have to point out that you are doing your wedding at Azul Beach, one of their partners. So I think that is a huge factor in why DW.com is so helpful. If people want to book with their resorts, I think they can get good rates and have really good connections. But to book elsewhere, they basically won't help you.

[taylorwd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexbride83 Janelle - that is great advice, I just may try it! We haven't booked anything with them, our DWS just disappears for weeks on end and won't help with the resort we're interested in at all. Taylor - that is great that you are having such a good experience with them! But I have to point out that you are doing your wedding at Azul Beach, one of their partners. So I think that is a huge factor in why DW.com is so helpful. If people want to book with their resorts, I think they can get good rates and have really good connections. But to book elsewhere, they basically won't help you.

I would have to respectfully disagree on this. Yes, Karisma is one of their partners NOW, but when we started this process last summer they didn't have their current partnership or promotions. We got great rates from her for our runner up as well, Occidental Grand Xcaret. We loved Xcaret and only chose Azul over that one b/c of the size difference. I think it really does depend on who you get as your TA.

Janelle- I'm glad things are now working out for you!!

[TammyWright]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorwd I will say that having a BIG company behind you like DWT is a huge plus. A bit of a crisis came up yesterday and though it's not her job to do so, my TA went right to the top of the chain at the hotel to try and get it fixed. Today I think she's the most fabulous person in the world!

have you seen what happens when the weight of this forum is behind a bride? that is something to consider when thinking about using a TA from BDW...not only are they experienced in destination weddings (many of us ARE former destination wedding brides) BUT we all have great releationships with the resorts. we are one of the few companies working with the resorts to hold webinars, etc.

[taylorwd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tammy Host have you seen what happens when the weight of this forum is behind a bride? that is something to consider when thinking about using a TA from BDW...not only are they experienced in destination weddings (many of us ARE former destination wedding brides) BUT we all have great releationships with the resorts. we are one of the few companies working with the resorts to hold webinars, etc.

Lol, I have said many times I wish I had known about you guys when I was starting out! You guys rock!!

[gingerlover36]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tammy Host have you seen what happens when the weight of this forum is behind a bride? that is something to consider when thinking about using a TA from BDW...not only are they experienced in destination weddings (many of us ARE former destination wedding brides) BUT we all have great releationships with the resorts. we are one of the few companies working with the resorts to hold webinars, etc.

Tammy

Do you recommend getting a price quote through BDW and another TA? I am currently doing a "scouting" trip in 2 weeks through DW but my fiance contacted another TA and he made some good points and has requested that we let him quote our wedding once we decide.

Also on another note I have had a good relationship with DW so far, but I had used her in booking a friends wedding so I knew she was good prior to starting up with her. Since the specialists there are from all over I think its most likely hit or miss.