Same flight, same accomodation...huge saving!

Scaramooch

2006-07-28 00:59:34

We've just returned from a 10 day stint in Menorca.

Late deal price on Thomsons website left somewhat of a bad taste in ones mouth.

Whilst the advertised reduction was genuine by the time Fuel and Accomodation and Late booking supplements were added we were up to over £1800. Still a saving but not very much.

So........logged out and logged back into Thomson Fly to book the same flight, then logged out and logged in to Thomsons once more to book the same accomodation. Total saving..........wait for it...........

£800!

Madness...........

All we had to do was pay for a Taxi from the airport!

hilda

2006-07-28 07:45:09

ive looked at that meself, i couldnt believe the difference,,,,,,,, i took the print out to our thomsons shop and they said they couldnt get that up on their systems as theres was a differetn one?! i said surely what ever i can get on tinternet, they should, they said they would price match the dearere one but not hte cheaper one!,,,,,nice, got one with thomas cook now, which even still a package deal was £700 cheaper than thomsons for the same holiday.

Sunbear

2006-07-28 08:03:38

Same kind of thing happened with a holiday I was pricing for a friend. Came to £5800 on Thomson website, priced on Thomsonfly and Thomson accomodation only price suddenly dropped to £3200...£2600 seems an awful lot of money for a bus trip and rep services...even then I was able to get a similar package with another TO even cheaper.

fwh

2006-07-28 08:24:23

Which supermarket do you go to? Not a daft question!

If you always go to the same one then it will cost you. The one down the road will always have something that you buy cheaper than your regular place.

You go to the same one every week because it is convenient. You do not want to spend all your time trailing round.

The same applies to booking a holiday, most people want to go into the local travel agent and book a holiday. They are buying a package. Because some people are more switched on they trawl the internet or Teletext and surprise surprise they save lots of money.

The suppliers, in this case the TO, know this and set the prices accordingly.

One price for those who know the ropes, the other for those who either don't or are frightened of doing something new. I know because I used to be one of them.

Apart from the town centre premises the costs are very similar, telephones, computer systems, and staff. Putting people into a call centre on an industrial estate is cheaper, and make no mistake call centres are not based in expensive locations.

fwh

Sunbear

2006-07-28 08:36:18

Yes but if you are buying from essentially the same website what is essentially the same product (apart from transfers) and you get a saving of thousands you have to ask what is the tour operator playing at - such a huge difference in price can only be damaging to their image should it become widely known.

Scaramooch

2006-07-28 09:17:29

I have no ties or loyalty to Thomsons but thought long and hard (3 minutes :lol:

) before putting this thread up for comment. Whilst away we heard one couple saying to another 'leave it as late as you can, 2-3 weeks, go into the travel agents and see what they've got but don't tell them how much you want to spend, that's how we got here for £2000, not £2500 as in the brochure'

I hadn't the heart to tell her we'd paid just over a £1000 albeit for 3 days less.

My point is that this sort of pricing structure is great for the likes of me but must rub a lot of people up the wrong way when they get to the resort and find that they've paid substantially more than most.

I'm now off to Carpetright as they have a SALE on and I don't want to miss it :wink:

PS:

seems an awful lot of money for a bus trip and rep services

We still had Rep services at the accomodation!

Sunbear

2006-07-28 09:23:45

Scaramooch,
just out of interest did you have access to a Thomson rep as part of your deal?

Apologies you say you did in your message...must take my own advice and read the messages properly

fwh

2006-07-28 12:50:11

My point is that this sort of pricing structure is great for the likes of me but must rub a lot of people up the wrong way when they get to the resort and find that they've paid substantially more than most.

I agree with you. I have over the last few years been accused of being negative when it comes to the internet. I keep getting told about how wonderful it all is and how much easier.

Many seem to think you no longer need to resort to sending a letter out - they can read it on the internet they say.

The problem is that a substantial number of people do not have access, or want it for that matter. My wife admits to being totally lost with it and has no interest in learning about it - Probably because she thinks one of us wasting so much time is enough.

We do seem to becoming a two part society.

fwh

Sunbear

2006-07-28 14:00:09

Surely though the point here is that both prices were derived via the same distribution channel - the internet - and to all intents and purposes via the same company and yet the price difference is more than a third.

Even someone who is not net savvy will probably know someone who is who could price up for them. Those without access can visit their library and use the facilities there.

fwh

2006-07-28 14:06:56

Those without access can visit their library and use the facilities there.

That is just the point. There are a large number of people who have no interest in the internet.

I was reading the other day that the old Nokia mobile phones. No camera, no ring tones - just a basic phone are fetching prices very near to what they were new on Ebay. And they are obsolete!

Not everyone wants or needs all this technology that keeps getting thrust at us.

fwh

Diamond Olly

2006-07-28 14:19:02

Not everyone wants or needs all this technology that keeps getting thrust at us

Also there is so much choice out there and travellers aren't always confident on booking online - I get lots of calls from people who are just overwhelmed by the online offerings and want to talk to a real person

Sunbear

2006-07-28 14:53:28

Not everyone wants or needs all this technology that keeps getting thrust at us.

Perhaps they should if its going to save them a third off their holiday.

However I see the issue of whether people want to use the internet as seperate issue too what was first being raised here. The initial quote was derived from a visit to the Thomson website, the cheaper prices again via the internet using Thomson. You have a situation where two people can be booking essentially the same holiday at the same time (excluding transfers) yet at vastly differing prices. I just see that as a potential source of bad press for Thomson...I know I'd feel mighty miffed if I'd payed the higher prices.

Scaramooch

2006-07-28 20:53:03

Back in the 70's a mate of mine joined Hogg Robinson(?) and was sent all over Europe experiencing the different hotels and resorts so that he could give valid information to customers. He actually got sick of being on holiday! :lol:

But was a mine of knowledge.

By comparison my brother went into a Travel Agent a couple of years ago for his first overseas holiday for many years to seek guidance and advice and was basically asked how much he wanted to spend and pointed in the direction of Magaluf, with 2 young children and a seriously ill, but in remission, wife!

Sites like this one and the internet are the future, are NOW. Those who don't wish to acknowledge it's existence are welcome to pay full whack and i'm pleased for them to do so as it doubtless allows reductions on my internet bookings!

Just to confirm my original thread i've gone through the same process as I did when booking my recent hgoliday.

7 days in Menorca at the beginning of August in a single bed apartment for 4 people £1886.

(Which includes a ticket on departure fee of £60!!!!!!!!!?) What's that all about? A £60 charge for picking up your tickets at the airport. Surely they should be refunding you for not having to post them!

Anyway, booking the same flight and same accomodation for the same dates and same number of people.

£1060.92

Gail

2006-07-29 17:49:23

Scaramooch,

we have done the same thing as you only booking the hotel and flight with Thomson instead of the package holiday our saving:-

£1100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :shock:

it would have been more only the package holiday did not have the sea view room but when we booked the hotel separately the sea view room was available.

that's a lot for the transfer don't you think

I rang up Thomson who say that most people still seem to prefer the package holiday - maybe most people don't know they are getting conned.

Gail

General Holiday Enquiries, Hints and Tips

Post a Reply

General Holiday Enquiries, Hints and Tips

Post a Reply

Get the best deals!

from our cruise, ski and holiday partners