Travel Agent Issues- what would you do??? (long..sorry!!)

[amcoletta88]

Hey Ladies!! In need of some advice here...

 

I booked my upcoming June wedding with a travel agent here, and went with her specifically because she advertised herself as being able to coordinate destination weddings, and was so sweet and helpful when we first met with her. Even though her prices were a little bit higher then prices we were quoted through on online travel company (which is very reputable, and I've used before), we went with her.

 

However, in hindsight, I wish we didn't. She's been nothing but trouble, and quite frankly a huge b****!!!! We are having a small wedding, and somehow she managed to LOSE the credit card information of my future father in law, and his family, and then failed to process the credit card information for the deposits of 2 of our other groups. When this happened, she didn't tell us, or the guests about it for a month, then when she tried to process their credit cards a month after the deposit was supposed to be made, and they were denied, she called me and accused me of not wanting to go through with the wedding anymore, and not taking the planning seriously. She said that our friends/family were not being cooperative, etc.. and was super rude via voice mail!

 

After getting the message, I called to arrange a meeting with her. I had already been getting so much feedback from our guests about her, and her lack of service, and I was clearly fed up when I went to meet with her, and explained (as calmly, and not bridezilla-y as I could at this point) that this expirience was not really a positive one THENNNNN she went on to say that my wedding planning was not a positive expirience because of my mother (whom Im estranged with ) not her! I was very upset after that and left her office.

 

Since then, she has been giving us the "silent treatment' and we havent heard from her at all (this was in September). She hasn't assisted with one single tiny aspect of this wedding, and I know that most destination brides do the planning on their own, and I'm totally fine with that, however, she advertised that she would be coordinating our wedding, so I'm not sure where that service went?!

 

I've contacted the company that she works for (she's the manager for her branch, so I've gone higher up), but they're asking what I even want from them? At this point I really don't even know what I want, or how to respond to them?

 

I want to deal with a different travel agent, but all of our inserts for our invitations have been printed with her information, so should I be asking for some sort of compensation, or just cut my losses??? What would you do?

[TammyWright]

who is your agent?  Is it a Wright Travel Agent because if it is, let me know...you can do so via pm if you want....

 

if you are unhappy with your agent, let them know.  they should be able to work with you to figure out a solution.

[amcoletta88]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your response. It's not a Wright Travel Agent, but thanks though

 

I just got off the phone, and my agent has officially been switched, what a relief!! Part of me does feel like I should go a little further with this, I feel like my guests at the very least should be compensated some how as they were inconvinienced the most.

[TammyWright]

Originally Posted by amcoletta88 

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for your response. It's not a Wright Travel Agent, but thanks though

 

I just got off the phone, and my agent has officially been switched, what a relief!! Part of me does feel like I should go a little further with this, I feel like my guests at the very least should be compensated some how as they were inconvinienced the most.

hopefully now to make up for the inconvenience your agent will provide you with even better service.

[veryvalentine]

Hi there, I'm hoping that I dont' run into this problem however I'm already seeing some early warning signs.  Just wondering how it all worked out in the end.

[chelseapaige37]

I had similar issues. My first was so slow and there were so many things she wasn't doing so I asked to work with the manager. Better, but still not impressive. I emailed the owner but didn't get far. Now that our early booking deadline has passed (it's actually passed quite some time ago) I'm just telling ppl to book on their own since the rates are better. Less incentive for us , and more coordinating, but all I can do now is be sure to spread the word.

[marinah84]

I'm doing the same! My dad found an agency in Miami Florida that is an approved vendor for my resort which offers adults only suites for only 20 more night than the regular rooms ( which includes free WiFi a stock mini bar and access to a 24 /7 high shelf liquor and snack bar). I am very lucky that my resort will take a list of guests and give me room credit versus going through one vendor however! I am losing the opportunity to get free room night through the travel agent but the cost savings to my guests and the lack of hassle comparatively is worth it to us

[cfinkenbine]

I chose a local TA who my aunt travels through all the time. She has done several destination weddings. I had never used a TA before so I asked her upon our first meeting EXACTLY what it is that she takes care of. She basically said it is the paper work of the wedding, and booking everyones reservations. We have not had much contact, as I go through the resort for basically everything. A few times I had questions for the my TA, and she emailed the resort herself and took care of everything. Many of my guests have quoted prices cheaper online than what my TA has quoted, but she has told me to tell ALL of my guests to talk directly to her if that is the case, and she can at least match the prices. I am so sorry to hear that you  had such a difficult time with your previous TA. This is their job….and they should NOT be telling you it is not an enjoyable experience for them for any reason! Best of luck!