Travel Agency

[Over Yonder]

The wife and I are looking for a travel agent. Someone we can meet with in person and lay out our basic vacation plans. Don't want any internet or telephone kinda thing. A real life warm body to talk with. Somebody in the KC/ Columbia/ Kirksville triangle. Any recommendations? Use these guys/don't use these guys, etc. etc.

Appreciate any advice/recommendations.

[Flying High D]

Your company doesn’t have a travel agency they use, that you can use? Like Carlson Wagonlit?

[Over Yonder]

Originally Posted by Flying High D

Your company doesn’t have a travel agency they use, that you can use? Like Carlson Wagonlit?

Heh. I never thought of that. They probably do. I need to talk to the wife tomorrow and ask her. Thanks

[scho63]

Travel Agents serve one purpose IMHO-booking tours, either a set tour or custom.

95% of all other travel items can be handled by people.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by scho63

Travel Agents serve one purpose IMHO-booking tours, either a set tour or custom.

95% of all other travel items can be handled by people.

Meh, for some it's not worth it. There's plenty to debate about money saved or money spent, but unless you're going to a place where it's a no-brainer (an all-inclusive on Cozumel where all you're there to do is dive), then it might be nice to let somebody do the leg work to setup your dream vacation to a place you don't already know. Plus, I have to think that these people might have ideas that you might not have thought of.

GloryDayz the optimist...

[Rasputin]

Pay me $500 and I'll tell you where I think you should travel

[GloryDayz]

You could always hop a cargo ship. THAT WAS COOL AS HELL!!!!

[cooper barrett]

Unless they book you into "payback" digs

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Meh, for some it's not worth it. There's plenty to debate about money saved or money spent, but unless you're going to a place where it's a no-brainer (an all-inclusive on Cozumel where all you're there to do is dive), then it might be nice to let somebody do the leg work to setup your dream vacation to a place you don't already know. Plus, I have to think that these people might have ideas that you might not have thought of.

GloryDayz the optimist...

[BryanBusby]

Make sure to stop by the black and white TV repair shop along the way

[Over Yonder]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

Make sure to stop by the black and white TV repair shop along the way

I know this is intended as snark, and I can appreciate that. But we still actually have a TV repair shop here. They are pretty fancy because they can work on color sets too

Out of curiosity, is their any particular reason you feel you need to belittle me about how I spend my money? I was simply asking for recommendations, not trying to preach to the crowd about how they should travel.

Did I word something incorrectly or come off as snarky with my question? If so, my humble apology






I've got an uncle that restores late 60's and early 70's Chevelles. Can you help me steer him down the path of the straight and narrow? How should I word it?

'If only cars had air bags and fuel injection' or maybe....

'Seems like cars these days should have a cassette AND cd player'

Just not sure how to word " Let me tell you how to spend your money"

(after the big gap, I got snarky )

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by Over Yonder

I know this is intended as snark, and I can appreciate that. But we still actually have a TV repair shop here. They are pretty fancy because they can work on color sets too

Out of curiosity, is their any particular reason you feel you need to belittle me about how I spend my money? I was simply asking for recommendations, not trying to preach to the crowd about how they should travel.

Did I word something incorrectly or come off as snarky with my question? If so, my humble apology






I've got an uncle that restores late 60's and early 70's Chevelles. Can you help me steer him down the path of the straight and narrow? How should I word it?

'If only cars had air bags and fuel injection' or maybe....

'Seems like cars these days should have a cassette AND cd player'

Just not sure how to word " Let me tell you how to spend your money"

(after the big gap, I got snarky )

You got way too triggered over an Internet post.

[Over Yonder]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

You got way too triggered over an Internet post.

[Saulbadguy]

You should go to AAA and get a map for every potential state you may visit. Then buy some travelers cheques.

[BryanBusby]

But to be serious, I think there are better ways to go about it.

If you just want to take a trip and not **** with the logistics, by all means just spend the money and let them do it. It's whatever. Sometimes I eat out and it really isn't the best use of money or probably the best food qualoty but sometimes just **** it because effort.

I generally like to make sure I get the most bang for my buck, which is where the Internet comes into play and I'd shy sway from using an agent. Lots of great ways to talk with locals to get a view that a travel agent in another state wouldn't have any idea about and I personally feel I'd be more involved about getting the most from my own trip than someone else would be.

It really depends how you want to slice the cake, I suppose. There's a pretty good agency in a stripmall by DQ in Raymore.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

But to be serious, I think there are better ways to go about it.

If you just want to take a trip and not **** with the logistics, by all means just spend the money and let them do it. It's whatever. Sometimes I eat out and it really isn't the best use of money or probably the best food qualoty but sometimes just **** it because effort.

I generally like to make sure I get the most bang for my buck, which is where the Internet comes into play and I'd shy sway from using an agent. Lots of great ways to talk with locals to get a view that a travel agent in another state wouldn't have any idea about and I personally feel I'd be more involved about getting the most from my own trip than someone else would be.

It really depends how you want to slice the cake, I suppose. There's a pretty good agency in a stripmall by DQ in Raymore.

Typically booking direct and booking through a travel agency is a wash, but could depend on the desired activity - if they have a relationship with the places they are booking with, they will save a small amount of money vs booking direct.

Without being too snarky/elitist, my opinion would be:

Domestic travel - Do not bother.
Domestic-ish travel (Cruises, Mexico/Canada/etc) - Do not bother unless you are wanting to string together multiple "experiences" such as guided tours/timed events.
International Travel - Could be worth it, especially if visiting a country where English isn't widely spoken.

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Travel agents are probably far fewer in number these days, but they still serve a purpose. I wouldn't use one to book a random plane ticket or anything, but if you want someone to put together a complicated trip for you with multiple stops and modes of transportation, it can be a comfort to know someone who knows what they're doing is making sure you don't screw something up.

Exactly. I have only used a TA once in the last 25 years, (two years ago) but it was worth it. I normally search and book myself, but I had spent several hours trying to figure out how to get a fight back from Belize that would get me back in a day, without having to overnight someplace.

They charged $75 to handle all the details, but in that case it was worth it. I ended up having to use 3 different airlines and fly to some out of the way places, but I got back in a day. It beat having to waste an extra vacation day, to hang out in a hotel.