p34-35 Letters feb27 24/2/09 19:28 Page 35
ttglive.com
letters
Following last week’s letter “We can’t compete with Cook Libra response to agent
online”, TTG ’s inbox was flooded with responses. Read these
taking its holidays off sale
letters, and others, in full at
ttglive.com/undercutting
Following your article “Agents riled by under-
cutting” (TTG February 20), we did speak with
World Market Travel last week and offered a ges-
Ironic that Thomson is This is a case of the pot ture which they accepted and are satisfied with.
experiencing undercutting calling the kettle black Our normal Libra Holidays policy for online
Duh! What planet has Wayne Fysh been on? I I am a self-employed homeworker, I earn only web discounts is that these discounts vary
found it quite ironic that Thomson is experienc- commission, I am faced daily not only with anything from 0% (nil) on certain flights up to
ing what it has been doing to agents for years. Thomas Cook online but also Thomson, your a maximum of 10% – and that any discounts
In answer to his questions, yes Wayne, many employer. Although you may have lost a booking, are applied ONLY on the basic adult or child
of us have experienced “this kind of thing” – you are still paid for sitting in your office. price (not supplements etc), thereby meaning
and many times at the hands of Thomson. So sorry Wayne, I do not sympathise with you that our average online discount per booking is
at all. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. usually 7% to 8%.
Jean Young Also, we DO offer a discount price match policy
Owner, Genie Travel, Waverley, West Sussex Suzanne Smith if or when an agent finds they are unable to
a2ztravel (a division of Hays Travel) compete. We will always offer to review the
Out of control – Abta should situation and in most cases we will be happy
have stepped in years ago Thomson agent can’t to help the agent price-match where they are
Being undercut by tour operators’ websites have his cake and eat it a preferred partner with Allbury group brands.
happens all the time. Operators are happy to I must admit it did make me laugh – a Thomson With World Market Travel in this particular
send us their brochures, but then undercut the shop being undercut! There’s a novelty! instance we were actually in the process of in-
prices they give to us. It seems completely Now he knows how us ordinary independent vestigating a price match for this booking but
wrong to me but I can’t imagine anything will agents feel. Wayne, you can’t have your cake only five minutes after being informed of the
change, we will just be extinct within a few years. and eat it. Do what we do! Put up with it as we issue, we were told that the client had booked
I wish someone would make a stand but have no choice – at least we can switch sell and direct on our website, therefore we could no
nothing will happen. The trade is out of control, dynamically package our products thanks to Hays! longer actually offer a price match to the agent.
and Abta should have stepped in ages ago. We do appreciate the support from our
Tricia Fearns agents and make every effort to create a win-
Mark Rose, Broadstone Travel Scotland product manager, Hays Travel win basis for both parties.
■ TTG would welcome a reply from Abta A response from Thomas Cook Eamonn Ferrin
over price discrepancies chief executive officer, Allbury Travel Group
This is what happens to Price discrepancies across our sales channels
independent agents do occasionally occur and we regret that Wayne
What do you think?
My heart bleeds for Wayne Fysh. It was so Fysh has come across an uncompetitive price.
distressing to hear he was unable to beat or We would like to reassure him, and TTG The deadline for letters is 10am on Tuesday.
match a Thomas Cook price that his clients had readers, that as a company that is committed We need your name, job title and company
seen online. Well, welcome to the real world to its network of over 800 retail stores, we address. These will be withheld on request.
pal, this is what occurs day in, day out for would not follow a pricing policy that signifi- Priority is given to letters sent exclusively
independent agents up and down the country. cantly undercuts such a valuable division of our to TTG. Please limit letters to 250 words
Not only do we have to deal with being business and we remain fully committed to maximum. We reserve the right to edit.
beaten on price by Thomas Cook, we also get working with our retail agents to ensure they Email:
ttgletters@ttglive.com
the same from your employer Thomson, have access to the best prices possible. Fax: 020 7921 8033
Cosmos, Libra, Virgin, the list goes on. Blog: Or why not have your say online?
Marc Bennett Write a blog at
yourspace-ttglive.com
Chris Blackwell, Glossop Travel director of commercial relations, Thomas Cook
www.sassalesinfo.com
Upptäck.
Or discover as you say in English. When booking a return fl ight to
Stockholm, each passenger will receive a free Stockholm City Card
*
.
For more information visit
www.sassalesinfo.com
London Stockholm from £55 ow
*
Free Stockholm City Card included (worth £30) .
Copenhagen Stockholm Oslo Helsinki Gothenburg Bergen Stavanger
*Offer valid with a return ticket. Travel period 1 March to 30 April 2009. Applicable for all passengers flying SAS non-stop to/from Arlanda – valid for any SAS fares excl. Group Travel. Fare incl. taxes and charges, terms & conditions apply.
27.02.2009 35
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