I have to ask this question and maybe it's because Halloween is upon us and there may be a witch out there with my name on it , but,

I contacted about four operators - some from rec's here on forum and some from other sources. For months I went through itineraries - I knew where I wanted to go, but I need logistical help..but I pretty much told them what and when to change.
Imagine my surprise when certain "language, or sentences" that I sent to one was repeated by another back to me. I began to wonder, "is someone hacking into my email?" REALLY, I was getting paranoid.

Then, I received a strange note from one stating that "xyz" operator had looked into a reservation for me...and was I working with them?

Do lodges tell everyone who is booking?? I thought that was a terrible policy as it goes against the fair policy of receiving quotes from different companies. ..

I've made my decision; but was terribly concerned that there was something going on and I was the center of it...or,
had someone been able to see my communications? Do they share? Has anyone else experienced this? I am just curious. I've never had someone QUOTE something I wrote to someone else. It was very strange and I just backed off. Obviously you need to trust your operator!

I knew I could ask this here and feel comfortable about it as it has been bothering me for awhile.
Thanks!
FP

I can imagine if you ask 3 or 4 TO for a quote that at least 2 of them request the availability if there is no real time availability check via the net.

So the camp has got at least 2 requests for one period and ask for name to make a prov. booking or at least give that file the name. At least that was what happens when I do my bookings: the camp puts a name on that request - which is shown at the ref. when mailing.

So the camp might have informed these TO about the other pitching TO's.

I assume you have informed your TO's of your own research so all knew they were doing pitches - and not just giving out numbers ;-)

SV

Based on very limited experience in Tanzania, not Kenya, I would say some TOs know each other and have some idea who is requesting what and from whom, probably because of what SV describes above. These occurrences may be more common at higher price points with more unusual, less canned itineraries (I wouldn't know ).

I haven't had my words quoted back to me--yet. That would bug me too. I did get a strange feeling that I was somehow known by some people in Arusha whom I had never met. But that's a story for another time...

Enjoy your trip, flowerpower. It will be wonderful!

A few years ago I had my usual TA make reservation for me at a couple of camps in SA. Shortly thereafter I contacted another local TA (Kenya specialist) about a different itinerary going to Kenya and also to include one of the SA camps (that I had reservations at with the first TA). Well, the second TA got back to me all insulted because when they called that SA camp they found out I already had a reservation there. They could not comprehend/handle the situation. I told the second TA to forget it all. They lost that and any future business with me.

Then there is the story I have related here about Wilderness Safaris. I had heard on this forum that Wilderness agent's quotes can vary by 15%. So I made an email request from two different agents in the USA. But didn't happen, I was assigned to work with one agent only. The higher priced one??? Didn't care for that situation either.

regards - tom

That is what I think has happened and now that I have heard from several of you that doing my own research, sending out requests for quotes - yes I could see a property stating they already have a request for availability in my name.
Just seemed strange, as I know a lot of people on forums are doing their own legwork and just asking for availabilty and pricing.
Oh well, I have made my choice and know it will be fabulous!

I would not recommend those who made the comments back to me - put me off a bit.

Felt like getting if off my chest as it was bothering me. Thanks for the support,
FP

Not quite the same but - I asked a few operators for quotes on a proposed itinerary and one wrote back to let me know he couldn't book my rooms because I was already booked at the camps. Well, I had never gotten to the stage with any of them where I said I was ready to book but I figured they must just grab the rooms up front and cancel them later. When I did eventually pick the operator I decided to go with he had some difficulty in getting the rooms since they were still provisionally held for another operator. I had to write the camp to request that they be released.
Anyway, not sure if that has any bearing on your question but I found it odd!

As SV mentions, if when requesting quotes, many of the properties require a name (client's) for that camps/dates. Then when another agent comes in for the same name, dates, camp... el problemo!

The 2nd agent will be advised and knows the client is "shopping." Though there is no issue with a client doing so, especially for the smaller and hi-end properties, this can still become an issue. Two objects can't occupy the same space at the same time!!!

Should the client wish to book the overall itinerary with the 2nd agent, then the 1st agent has to cancel their booking in order for the 2nd agent to have that space... and that 1st agent can take as long as they want to cancel.

Have had this happen with (a well known company with all hi-end camps/lodges throughout Africa) bookings... who are terrible releasing a previous hold.

All part of doing business.

Most of the in-country booking offices/outfitters know one another, speak amongst themselves and share info. But to repeat exact words a client wrote to one to another... goodness! Dumb, Dumb, Dumb! Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!!!

I guess I've worked a bit differently because I've never given exact dates when inquiring with more than 1 TO. I've given them a time frame so they can quote me the correct rates and usually at that stage, I don't know my exact dates anyway. It's not until I've narrowed it down to the operator I want to work with, that I've asked for an availability check.

I've never had a TO ask me if I was working with another TO or give any indication that they had seen my communication to another TO (even if they did know about it which I suppose is possible).

This is very interesting to me --and I did want to add I have not given exact dates as I don't have the air dates yet - it was during a time frame of 2- 3 weeks; that is why I wondered if the small lodges discussed it with each T/O or if they (TO) were just communicating amongst themselves.

Now, after more thought it does not matter to, me as I did honestly tell each I was working with several;I was very upfront that "I have contacted several KATO ops" upon asking for their itinerary pricing.

But I did get back some replies that made me think they were having "tele-conferences!"

I just felt it was a bit personal exchanging info, but in all business' there are going to be some "put out" by the fact that some travellers do like to get different itinerary costs from several ops. It is important for me to know where my money is going.

And, I do want to add in asking for a cost breakdown, I did find a discrepancy in a price given that was immediately corrected and brought the PER NIGHT per person price down by several hundred. It could have been a typo, but if I had not seen it, I may have ended up paying it!(times several nights makes a difference!)
I was glad I did ask to see air fares, transfers and nightly costs. I did not ask what they were making as I do not care..as long as I can afford what they offered and am willing to pay it, what their commission is can remain their business as it should.
I will say, as I have heard from fodorites often, that the cost of going straight to a TO is far less than the glossy, sleek brochure companies! (I guess pretty paper with glorious photos is very expensive overhead)

Thanks again for all the wonderful support from this forum.
FP

Most requests are for a time-frame, a month or months, and not till a client wishes to book is verificationn of space done. A small number of booking offices handling small properties, prefer to have approximate dates to determine whether space is even available, rather than quote for something that isn't.

So it can vary, but sharing specific details about a client between agents... ugh! Never would.

That's creepy flowerpower. I'd probably have dropped the company who regurgitated the same language, and let the company you originally spoke to know that they are busted, and ask them to explain.

I just had an experience where we were shopping around for a Tanzania trip. We told one TA the identical itineray had been undercut by another TA by about $4000. The first TA was very distressed and kept quizzing us on how we got that price and who was the agent, then got angry when we wouldn't tell. It must be stressful because of the economy.

It's possible that an operator may have picked up some information from this forum. I am willing to bet that there are many operators out there who read everything on the forum, but never register to post.

Well Done LyndaS
We do watch and we don't want you guys. You mess us around, abuse our services, and complain all the time. Give me one good reason why we operators should take the time to look after a bunch of nut cases on Fodors.
JW

Two reasons - business, money
Good reasons??? Depends.
But we know you're a

regards - tom

Ok Tom I accept your post.
What do you do for a living?
JW

Tom
Where is answer
JW

LOL - well I mean Loughoutlowd
Excellent post! I really mean it! I understand where you are coming from.

Lynda
I heavily doubt your "bet". Why should a TO lurk? There are some here who openly try to promote their business or their contracted camps and post influential opinions. Others try to help and/or advise. Why should LURKING enhance one's professional life is beyond me.

SV

Laughoutloud, I hardly think anyone getting ready to spend thousands of $$$ is a nut; on the other hand, you are RIGHT-
I am a Nut for spending that kind of money -
and should just have a "staycation" reading the forum.


I was just passing along what happened to me; I am sure most intelligent travelers try to get several quotes from companies to see how they compare. Obviously a really cheap one would cause doubt, and a really high one would get tossed.
I can also tell by how they respond whether it is someone I really want to work with.
If they want to share info, go ahead; just be smarter about it.

I think it goes on...sorry LOL I really do. I see you haven't posted anything previously, so you must be reading (lurking?)quite a bit to have found this topic.

If you'd like to PM me, I will send you my proposed itinerary for your consideration.
FP

Tom
Where is answer
JW

ok, ok give me a chance, I'm sort of busy working outside on a house project. We can do that all year round here in beautiful sunny southern California!!! You can check my Fodors profile but it doesn't say directly that - I am retired from 32 years in the computer business. Now keep myself occupied by ongoing self made projects involving house, car, computer, photography and -travel-. But confess, spent all day yesterday at Disneyland with Carolyn and her granddaughter .

BTW JW, how do like my self portrait???
And since you have been a member here for all of two days it is time for an introduction for yourself. So your turn JW -

regards - tom

Tom, I love California.
Wish I were there now as its gloomy and wet here.

JW - who are you?

FP