DIY is more expensive! - Page 4 - DIY Holidays, Holiday Forums

Re: DIY is more expensive!

SMa

2009-02-06 16:18:51

I have been on dozens of web sites for hotels and cant find anything for 2 sharing in peak season for less than £650/700 each in a hotel that is like for like to 3 star brochure accom.

Is that for one week or two? And where? It makes a huge difference and to make like-for-like comparisons you really need to provide us with more info on what you've been looking for and then we can perhaps also provide more specific and/or detailed responses to your question. I can't imagine anywhere where a twin/double room in a 3* hotel for B&B for a week would cost more than £200 per room per night even during the school holidays. At the other extreme a fortnight's AI at £50 per head per night could be a deal that you'd find hard to beat anywhere in the height of the school holidays.

I go DIY mainly because our requirements are fairly specific and we don't like what is usually on offer via the mass market packages. We thus would have to use fairly specialised and/or smaller independent companies that put together custom packages. However, these days I can put together our own custom packages for far less for myself over the Internet. I reckon that our regular family trip to the Canaries costs us rougly 2/3rds of one from the few TOs that feature La Gomera. If we were in a position to book our flights well in advance with either Ryanair or Easyjet than I reckon that the saving would be close to 50%. If you too would like to go SC to La Gomera I can certainly let you have the links for a couple of very competitive letting agents for whom the main summer season of July and August is actually their off season and hence cheaper than the winter. Taking the same approach we've saved money on eg villa holidays in Portugal and city breaks. We usually travel as a group of adults but I can easily imagine that the savings for families with children are even greater because most hotels don't charge extra for kids sharing their parents room and in my experience it's only TOs that charge for under occupancy in SC apartments. The agent I use for La Gomera would charge us LESS if we didn't use both bedrooms in the 2 bedroom apartments I usually book!

I don't always go DIY, however. I could probably put together my own cheaper package to Cuba but so far I've always chosen to go with a small, specialist TO because I like their service both pre- and during the trip, know that I'll be with likeminded people, know that the accommodation has been very carefully vetted and the dance tuition is excellent. The extra cost is well worth it and the overall package represents good value for money which I couldn't better if I went DIY.

SM

madabouttravel

2009-02-06 16:47:52

Re: DIY is more expensive!

*post removed due to advertising.*

Edited by Fiona 2009-02-06 23:36:44
to remove advertising of property

wayne zab

2009-02-06 19:13:37

Re: DIY is more expensive!

If you had read my post properly you would see that it says LIKE FOR LIKE hotel accomadation comparing prices from travel agents brochures to those on hotel accom web sites such as Travel Rep and Alpha Rooms.Not renting someones villa or bungalow or apt.I have a mate who has an apt in Tenerife which I use of course thats cheaper than a tour operator.

IT doesn't take much to irritate some om this section of the forum does it.

Leprosy

2009-02-06 19:22:34

Re: DIY is more expensive!

I'll nail my colours to the mast and suggest that many contributors here are employed in the Travel Industry. When prices are dear in any industry, it advertises like blazes and the main aim is to confuse the public and deter people from thinking about price.

Furthermore, I will admit that we rent out our apartment in Spain and as of 20th January all of March, April, May, July, August the place is fully booked out. There is still some vacancy in June, but it will also be booked out shortly.

The Travel Industry is moaning that bookings are less this year than at this time in previous years because of the GBP£/Euro situation, the recession and a host of other moans. Travel Agents were never as expensive as this year. And don't forget some apply sneaky hidden extras which will be billed later in the year. The customer will have no option, but to pay up.

In the apartment complex which we purchased, the other owners also boast of unprecedented high bookings for 2009. Furthermore, little extras like washing machine, airconditioning, patio furniture, sunbeds, hairdryers, television, dvd player, radio, books, magazines, parasols, beach towels, bar-b-que, etc etc are provided as standard and not as paid optional extras.

Jay Trip

2009-02-06 20:11:31

Re: DIY is more expensive!

I have just booked a 2 week holiday to Turkey for May HB with Portland.It has only cost me £35 more than the flight.
My friend booked the same hotel with Thomas Cook on line and has only paid £5 more than the cost of the flight.
I went B&B last October and we spent around £450 on food,so if I booked this holiday DIY it would have cost me a lot more.

doe

2009-02-06 23:27:13

Re: DIY is more expensive!

Leprosy wrote:
I'll nail my colours to the mast and suggest that many contributors here are employed in the Travel Industry. When prices are dear in any industry, it advertises like blazes and the main aim is to confuse the public and deter people from thinking about price.
Furthermore, I will admit that we rent out our apartment in Spain and as of 20th January all of March, April, May, July, August the place is fully booked out. There is still some vacancy in June, but it will also be booked out shortly.

The Travel Industry is moaning that bookings are less this year than at this time in previous years because of the GBP£/Euro situation, the recession and a host of other moans. Travel Agents were never as expensive as this year. And don't forget some apply sneaky hidden extras which will be billed later in the year. The customer will have no option, but to pay up.

In the apartment complex which we purchased, the other owners also boast of unprecedented high bookings for 2009. Furthermore, little extras like washing machine, airconditioning, patio furniture, sunbeds, hairdryers, television, dvd player, radio, books, magazines, parasols, beach towels, bar-b-que, etc etc are provided as standard and not as paid optional extras.

What evidence do you see that we have many posters from the travel industry ???? I read nearly all new posts on this forum and I would say that 99% are normal holiday makers who pay their money and take their choice.

In fact in general I would say I see more private people try and make the odd mention of their private villa they have for rent. Presumably in the hope of soliciting pm's enquiring about rental. :think

There is a big sign at the top of this forum declaring this site as the one truely 100% independant site on the net.

I think your post undermines the work of the admin and mods who try and maintain the true integrity of this site.

mrnkar

2009-02-07 00:04:32

Re: DIY is more expensive!

As I said before yes it is harder to do a cheap diy with just 2 people, but if there are 3, 4 or 5 like us it works out a lot cheaper. Just for the record I am definitely not involved in the travel industry, just a normal married couple with 3 children as alot of other people here are.
Cheap example just found 1 week from Sunday 25th July for 3 adults 2 children, AI in Flamingo Oasis, Thomson Hotels cost £1356 for whole party, then flights again on Thomson website From Manchester, (use Travel Supermarket to find cheapest flights from anywhere) £619, transfers £75 so total for 5 is £2050. Booking same as a Thomson holiday costs £3099. So you can see a saving of over £1000. Karen

Leprosy

2009-02-07 07:49:50

Re: DIY is more expensive!

Doepsmac and any others,

Let's assume for 1 minute that nobody from the travel industry is on this forum. Would you agree with this? The simple answer is 'No' - The Travel Industry is one of the most protected industries in the UK and Ireland. They can charge what they like. When they have enough dosh made they reduce the price of their remaining holidays to ensure their profits are increased (it's called maximising profit). In other words they use the people who pay top dollar to encourage those who gamble by waiting for cheaper holidays later.

On the other hand apartment owners (I admit there are exceptions, some holiday home owners are as greedy as the Travel Operators) know what they must make to stay afloat. In my case, I believe the customer must be 'cherished' to ensure repeat business (fortunately which is not too difficult). Furthermore, it saves on advertising and worry.

For the record, I am a member of this site for quite some time. I do not advertise on it although the service is free. Not only that, I have never sold rental to anybody from/through/by/to on this site. Thank God, I don't have to! But, occasionally I point out the benefits of private rentals, for this I make no apology. I give advice on other issues also.

From the UK newspapers I read that 50% of all holidays are arranged privately. If this is true (let's even make it as low as 20%), is this not an indictment of the ways of the mainline travel industry?

doe

2009-02-07 10:16:34

Re: DIY is more expensive!

So what are you saying then Leprosy that this site has been infiltrated by people in the travel industry and the mods and admin are being used unawares of this ????

To be quite honest I really don't beleive that you have read many posts on this forum, if you did it is so blatently obvious that they are posted from holiday makers and not these 'covert travel agents that you are talking about'.

Please feel free to direct me to a dozen (ie small a amount in relation to posts that go up each day) of such posts ??????? I will happily read them if you give the links.

There are a couple of people who work in travel on this site, normal workers who have tried to help out others, but are actually put off by the likes of you and your theories, but to suggest that 'high ups' in the Travel Industry are manipulating the site, is clearly ludicrous.

You can tell just by reading the posts.

Fiona

2009-02-07 10:40:46

Re: DIY is more expensive!

I think this is a debate for another thread. Let's try to keep this thread ontopic please

lynwestie

2009-02-07 10:53:49

Re: DIY is more expensive!

I agree with you Wayne . A like for like holiday at a specific hotel in high season is not necessarily cheaper DIY. A lot of course depends on your destination and whether that is served by budget airlines and the type of accomodation.

Out of say the last 6/7 holidays we have had over easter and summer I would say I have beaten the T/O price 3 times by doing it DIY.

As a family of 5 , who holiday in high season , all of whom are now classed as adult prices I research first and within reason choose the hotel I would like to go to and then aim to get it at the best possible price.I know enough to know when I see a bargain. I dont agree that prices are higher for earlier bookers and all my T/O "bargains" have been made by doing exactly that. My upcoming holiday to Egypt over Easter (T/O) was again booked early and if I was booking that now (late) I would be paying £1000 more

. Of course I may then get it cheaper by booking DIY.

There are still a lot of bonus's when using a T/O when you can get a good price . The security for one , A low deposit and the fact that you dont need to hand over the cost of the flight (around ) £2000) in my case way ahead of time .

I always keep an open mind either way and am happy to book either .

lyn

doe

2009-02-07 11:05:59

Re: DIY is more expensive!

Yes its definately swings and roundabouts Lyn.

The only time I seemed to be able to get a decent deal DIY in peak season which is when I choose to travel was booking my flights the day that the airline released the flights. Bit stressful as you need to remember to log in everyday up to the estimated release date.
This worked out well as what I saved on flights I could put towards a high spec apartment.

But if you miss out on good flight prices you are sunk really.

With specific hotel holidays which is what we currently prefer, by doing a lot of searching on the net, packages normally work out either cheaper or break even.

If its break even I will go with a package because of the protection offered by the package tor regs. I also dont really like handing out the total flight costs a year in advance unless I have bargain price flights.

Pippa

2009-02-07 12:20:37

Re: DIY is more expensive!

We always do diy now - mostly private apartments which always have many more extras then you would find with a tour operator.

We have recently come back from the Algarve - we booked the very high standard Porto Bay Falesia on a half board basis with sea view with Thomsons accomodation only and BA flights. - total cost for 2 of us for one week - £480. We most certainly could not have done this cheaper with a tour operator even though in January they usually have some good deals. We booked the hotel last June when it was at an extremely good price - the benefit of booking even just the accomodation with Thomsons was that we did have a local area rep should we have needed one.

I do agree that it isn't always cheaper - depends on when, where and how many people. The one thing I will say though is that with self catering in particular you do generally get much better quality accomodation with private owners - but you do need to do your homework first. DIY holidays involve more work then simply going into a Travel Agents with a brochure - good fun though and at the end of the day very satisfying when you have had a really good holiday.

Pippa

Leprosy

2009-02-07 19:54:27

Re: DIY is more expensive!

Doespmc,

Thank you for your post. Let me answer your questions.

1. "So what are you saying then Leprosy that this site has been infiltrated by people in the travel industry and the mods and admin are being used unawares of this ????"

I never used the word 'infiltrated' - What I did say is that people in the travel industry use this site and they are entitled to use it. You answered the question yoursef in your post.

2. ". . .are actually put off by the likes of you (Leprosy) and your theories, but to suggest that 'high ups' in the Travel Industry are manipulating the site, is clearly ludicrous"

I am entitled to my opinion. I speak in facts not theories. I never said 'high ups' manipulate this site. With respect please get your facts right.

Furthermore, Doespsmac the tone of your post is unfriendly, also when I take account of your earlier post I ask why the aggression? I wonder why!

By the way I do not mean to cause offence to anybody (including Doepsmac), I call the situation as I see it. Look at Pippa's last post, I agree with every word.

For the record, I use Travel Agents in May or late September when I am seeking good cheap deals. But, I am aware that the guy who books in January every year is financing my cheapie. Believe me, I learned the hard way. And thanks to the people in the Travel Industry who help people. Also, I help people.

madabouttravel

2009-02-09 17:35:41

Re: DIY is more expensive!

Fiona,

*post removed due to advertising.*

I'm sorry you thought my post was just advertising. It was not intended to be. It was simply showing a real example of how a DIY holiday can really be cheaper, for a "like for like" holiday, except that I was actually comparing a 2 week holiday in private accommodation with a 1 week holiday in a much smaller apartment.
PS For the record, I am not employed in the travel industry, just a private holiday home owner.

SMa

2009-02-10 16:59:14

Re: DIY is more expensive!

If you had read my post properly you would see that it says LIKE FOR LIKE hotel accomadation comparing prices from travel agents brochures to those on hotel accom web sites such as Travel Rep and Alpha Rooms.Not renting someones villa or bungalow or apt.I have a mate who has an apt in Tenerife which I use of course thats cheaper than a tour operator.

IT doesn't take much to irritate some om this section of the forum does it.

I assume that your post is directed to me and I did read your post properly - it was why I asked you in my first paragraph what you were looking for and some further details so that we could all help you try and find 'like for like' and sort out, if possible, a DIY that was cheaper than a package. And you still haven't done this as far as I can see - or have a missed an earlier post where you do provide details of destination and type of board you want? I apologise if you have - perhaps you could provide the link?

As for the rest of my post it was simply me joining in the general discussion on the topic and pointing out that not everybody does a DIY on cost grounds alone, that if cost is the main determinent then there are all sorts of ways in which the cost can be reduced and sometimes, some of us preferred to go for the more expensive option for a variety of reasons. I wasn't irritated by your post and on re-reading it can't quite make out why you would think I was.

Finally, that offer to put you in touch with a local TA on La Gomera still applies. We use them to book apartments now but they will also book hotels (and I'm sorry if this wasn't clear from my original post) and the first time we looked at going to La Gomera we were in fact thinking of staying in a hotel and their prices would have enabled us to put together a hotel-based DIY that would have greatly undercut the smaller specialist TOs that were the only people offering La Gomera packages at the time. As this was before the likes of EasyJet and Ryanair started flying to Tenerife I would assume that the savings could be even greater now. But this is of course only relevant if you were interested in going to La Gomera. Hence why it would have been relevant to let us know the destinations you were interested in

Sarah E Young

2009-02-10 18:09:24

Re: DIY is more expensive!

If this topic continues to get out of hand it will be locked. Please respect each other.

blackcat1

2009-02-11 09:24:35

Re: DIY is more expensive!

I have found that DIY has worked out cheaper for me even in the school holidays .
One of the things that I really like though is that I can tailor my holiday specifically to me , when I went to canada I could have booked a package for a little more in cost but I wanted certain hotels and the packaged tour did not include one specific hotel.
I do also use package holidays (husband and I like Greece and flight costs have meant package is cheaper)
I don't work in the holiday/travel trade but I do like my holidays and part of my enjoyment is planning them wether it be a package or DIY .
The villa holiday this year has worked out cheaper and we don't want/need kids clubs , entertainment, difficulty getting sunbeds without getting up at the crack of dawn etc etc

wayne zab

2009-02-11 19:10:09

Re: DIY is more expensive!

SMa the post was not directed at you but at a later post that was deleted for other reasons.I was accused in it of irritating lots on this board so I have let things rest.Its swings and roundabouts I suppose at the end of the day.Sorry if you thought I was being rude to you.

SMa

2009-02-12 13:15:39

Re: DIY is more expensive!

I'm sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion, Wayne, it was just that your post now appears almost immediately after mine - I wasn't aware of the content of the intervening message/s.

SM

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