SM - maybe this 8|
If your looking for the secret list of Fodor smileys, here it is -
http://www.fodors.com/community/smileys/

regards - tom

Hello Everyone
Hope you are all having a good day wherever you are.

Its raining over here and the sun is shining at the same time. Africa..what can I say. Just Beautiful!!

SV - What got me thinking it was the devil was the color red. What can I say. Red is the Devil.

LAleslie - I would like very much to address your post and especially the word you used "disdain"

Personally I think this is the right time for parties from both ends of the spectrum to voice opinions so here is mine from the TO side of things.

I have been in the industry for 2 decades and have certainly seen a lot of change. When I started out the internet was still been thought out and our only means of marketing was brochures and cold calling. Then the internet came and to cut a long story short every Tom, Dick and Harry had a website.
So what is the result. A potential guest like most of you get onto the internet and email around 5 to 10 online operators with the exact same request which eventually does come to the same desk. But thats not the point I want to make. The point is we all answer back timeously and go through roughly 3 or 4 exchanges until the final itineray and cost is given and then the guest dissapears off the face of the earth. Now is that NOT DISDAIN? We don't even get a thanks but I have to pay my consultants. Ever thought of that?

We do about 30 to 40 requests a day and why can't someone get back to us when we have given a final proposal after all the exchanges. Its not only my agency but many others. A simple 'no thanks" or "I have made other arrangements" or "thanks for your info I am now doing it myself" will suffice.

Now thats what I call disdain from our side.

flowerpower- Go and have a GREAT TIME!

Happy Safaris

Good point, LOL. Anyone requesting quotes should be courteous enough to let you know that they are going with someone else, given that you've spent your time to assist them. It's like when you are job-hunting, send in a resume' in answer to an ad and never hear back from the company. I always thought it was rude of the company not to at least acknowledge your submittal.

LaughOutLowd, I find it absurd that you would criticize customers for having to follow the ridiculous process and system that you (travel agencies/agents) have set up.

If I want to fly from here to there, the airlines have made it simple enough for me to compare flight prices. If I want to stay in a hotel once I get there, the hotel companies have made it simple for me to compare prices for hotels. Same for car rentals. Even restaurants post their menus.

But for your own reasons, safari providers have chosen to make their pricing as opaque as possible. This does everything to benefit agents and others in the safari industry, and it does absolutely nothing to benefit consumers. By having set up this system, you have willingly agreed to do that extra work of developing price quotes. It strikes me as ridiculous that you would then complain about customers who don't say "no thanks." All that you need to do, Laugh, is to state your prices up front on a web site, and there'd be no need for you to develop individual quotes.

Dear Rizzuto
You would find everything absurd would you not?

Happy Safaris

well said rizzuto

regards - tom

Folks
Keep this post clean and ingnore people like rizzuto who only has anger in him for some unknown reason. Why rissuto did you attack my post?

Happy Safaris

Rizzuto did not attack your post. But you use that excuse to ignore his good points. So, allow me ask the question. Why does your industry make it difficult for we your customers to determine pricing?

regards - tom

OMG - Don-t tell me you and Tom are gays

Thats Ok.
I guess everyone to themselves.
Have fun boys

Dear carry999
Thats a very good point. I will NEVER put my rates up on the internet as every Tom, Dick and Harry will copy me. If you want my rates you have to come direct to me.

And be quick as I am about to retire.

Love you all.

look (LOL) who's talking about Tom's Dick is Harry!!! I know you are, so what am I????

regards - tom

Tom, I wish and Rissuto a happy life.
Go for it.
Happy Safaris

Can we now get back to more serious talk or is this forum useless which I beleive it is.

Or do we have agay wedding?
I wonder

good bye LOL and have a good retirement

regards - tom

<i>If you want my rates you have to come direct to me.</i>

Based on your performance in this thread, no doubt you have hordes of customers beating a path to your door to avail themselves of your fine services.

Say hello to Lord Attenborough and his African tigers for us.

Helo Safari goers
Here you have it. See the idiots for themselves. Its your choice.
Me I am about to retire.
Happy Safaris

Rizzuto can you tell me more as I am not who you think I am

No, of course you're not, Laugh!

Bottoms up!