ivee

Thanks very much for all your answers so far.
Talking about breakdown of costs: in the quote the different sefofane flights in Namibia were all(3 in fact) mentioned one by one to be included, but not with a price for each flight , it was the stay + flights that was quoted in one (big enough)amount, so yes: that's what made us think all was included. To tell you more I have even at the time asked confirmation that the amount was the stay including all flights and this was indeed confirmed to us.

ivee

Moira S:
I did have a look at the thread.... I have been on the forum not very regularly lately and was not aware of the problem around Rocco. That's why I even mentioned him in the title of my thread...
thanks

MoiraS

Hi Ivee! I'm glad my post was useful.

I don't know how I feel about whether it's useful to have a breakdown...in some ways it would be nice (especially if you need to cut costs, it would help to know which parts of the trip cost more than others).

But as Tom (cary999) said, it's really hard for us to know what should or shouldn't be included in one of these trips...that's what we pay the agent for. And if she messed up, it's not your fault.

Moira

ivee

You helped me all think about this problem , it remains very unpleasant. As I said to Moira : the included flights were separately mentioned and I know it is not our fault , but I have not answered them as yet...Thanks everybody anyway!

Marija

How do you even know that the story is true? Maybe I've been asked to help too many widows in Nigeria with millions to transfer from the country, but I think you should consider whether this is a scam. The e-mails may be from someone else in the office trying to make a little extra...

nytraveler

If everything, including the flights n questions, was listed in the itinerary with a total price and you paid it - then you don;t owe anyone anything. And the agency should have insurance to cover this kind of problem. If they choose not to have it - well that's not your fault either.

(This is like you're in a car accident that's someone else's fault. They don;t have any insurance - so they ask that you pay for part of the damage they've done. Sorry - it's their fault and their cost. You owe them nothing.)

If the flights were ot listed on the itinerary - then the situation is a little different - and the agent can say the flights are a separate item to be paid separately. In that case - I think you would need to negotiate (even though they said the trip was complete.)

And this is a sizeable sum of money.

I would contact the agency's management to get all of the details - you may find it's not exactly as represented to you. Or - there may be other ways of resolving it.

But - I absolutely would not pay the agent any money.

Guenmai

I agree with Cary999. And as for the money being a lot of money to the person who made the mistake...as someone previously posted, well it's no small change to the person who booked the trip either. If suddenly an extra $3,000 were dumped into my lap, then I'd have to cancel the vacation. I don't see it raining an extra $3,000 anywhere. Happy Travels!

atravelynn

Ivee, I am glad you explained the title of your post. I wondered what Rocco's name was doing in it. I thought the part about him might have been deleted by the editors as were several other comments. Your lack of knowledge of his situation makes sense so you were seeking his advice.

Please let us know the results.

panecott

Hi Ivee,
Like Lynn, I'm curious as to which agency you're talking about. But, that aside, I agree with those who say you don't owe them anything. If the agent made a mistake, that's not your problem, and I'm sure her company can absorb the cost of the mistake.

Last year, the agent I used in Capetown made a mistake on my flight connections, which wound up costing me a day and a half at the Skeleton Coast -one of the places I was most looking forward to. She didn't even tell me about it until I realized the mistake a few weeks before departure.
At first they weren't even going to offer any price adjustment, but later relented when I protested. I really didn't want a price adjustment - I wanted them to do something so that I could enjoy my original itinerary, but they claimed it was not possible. They wound up giving me $250, chump change IMO, considering the cost of the trip and what I missed.

Anyway, my point is that mine was a case where the client paid the price for the agent's mistake, and the agency was none too apologetic about it. So don't feel bad if the agent, or agency, has to pay for their own mistake in your case. It's unfortunate, but better they than you.

ivee

I will post a new thread leaving Rocco out of the tile with the 'outcome'

tabascov

I think the agent should not have told you that she had to pay for the $3000 personally. It was not professional and unfair to make you feel guilty. Her contract with the agency should really spell out beforehand what the penalty is for mistakes. You might have booked this trip if you knew the cost was 3000 more in the first place. I think the Fodorites are really debating whether this is a business issue or a personal/ethical issue.

luangwablondes

There are reports that a Rocco Morelli signed up for the VF marathon.

www.vicfallsmarathon.com

matnikstym

too funny luangwa!

luangwablondes

You can run, but you can't hide.

napamatt

Would that be sexyrocco?