Just had this come up and thought I would share this story.

We recently finished a resort wedding.  They got married on the beach in the Caribbean.  This couple invited family and some friends to attend their wedding.  We set up all the arrangements and booked the rooms at the resort.  We helped the bride through the maze of options and made sure all was on track.

Just a note, you can have whatever you want in the Caribbean just like here. Rehearsal dinners, bachelor parties, wedding receptions and so on.  Just because you are near a beach does not mean you can't get the wedding of your dreams with all of the things you think should go with it.

Well this couple had a relative, let's call him Uncle Joe.  This guy was great.  We contacted him about the wedding and he went on and on.  He could find it cheaper on the Internet.  He could save so much money he was going to get them a bigger wedding gift.  He called us at least 3 times beating us up over the price of the rooms. 

I just looked though our emails and he sent us at least 6 notes about pricing.  Now mind you what he was finding did not have all of the cost involved.  We work with lots of folks who think they see a deal.  I just love how some online booking engine's don't add tax in when they give you prices.  Others don't add transportation to and from the airport to the resort.  You never really know what the real price is until you come back from your trip.  In fact my best sales pitch for those who think they have a deal is "call me with your credit card in hand and be ready to book when I meet or beat what you see". 

Anyway, Uncle Joe was convinced he could save lots of $$ and booked his two rooms himself.  I am guessing he booked the last thing he sent us and the cost was the same as what we put together.  He was not adding in a resort fee that the hotel would charge him when he got to the resort.  It was NOT included in his purchase.

Fast forward and the wedding is over and we are now talking with the bride and groom about their big day.  This is where we learn about what we did well and what folks really are looking for.  They had a great time and were talking about taking another trip back soon. 

I just had to ask, my wife did not want me to since we do this together I do try to listen to her but I had to ask about Uncle Joe.  Well he was there but did have a few issues.  Well that is too bad.  Even trips I have booked have had an issue or two that we have had to solve for our clients. 

First, he was at the airport for almost 3 hours before he got taken to the resort.  He had booked his airfare separate from his rooms and the transportation company had no clue when to pick up Uncle Joe since he did not let them know his flight arrangements. Had he booked with a travel agent this should not have happened.  In fact most of the wedding party did their own flights, using air miles etc.

Second, when he got to the resort there were not two rooms next to each other.  In fact they were on either end of a long building on different floors.  So the teenagers got a party room! The bride and groom thought this was great since they knew this irritated their Uncle.

Third, we had arranged late check outs for about half of the wedding party.  Those that did not have early flights checked out around 4pm.  Uncle Joe got kicked out at 11am and walked around with his family in tow for 5 hours.  Again, the bride and groom loved this because the kids got wet etc and this made for good watching from their hammock.


All in all I am sure Uncle Joe had a great time.  I guess?  Those are just a few things a good agent can help you with.  Why not pay the same price you see on line or lower and find a good travel agent?