quote:

So I wonder what will happen when I ask my TA why I should book with her, since it is considerably more expensive, & not book on-line with a T.A. in the U.K. as NZN has suggested?

There is not a lot the TA's can do - they can only go by what the book says.

There are a few snags with booking off shore the main one being cancellation insurance.

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I still have Tangata's TA details (always keep important info Wink) I have just found them, presuming he is still using the same one.

Yes I still use the same one. I don't really know if it is any cheaper, I think I would probably use a local agent if there was one and if they were reasonable, but the Trafalgar agent is in Bangkok and if you have to use emails then there is little difference between Bangkok and UK.

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I don't really know if it is any cheaper,

Unfortunately for us Tangata the prices offered when recalculated into NZ $'s is often considerably cheaper than going to a local TA here and paying in NZ $'s. Also OS TA's offer discounts that you just can't get here. I have yet to find a NZ TA who offers discounts.

I have often wondered about this myself.

How do you get your docs??

email

thanks bunny - not that you ever need them - i haven't been asked for my docs on 3 tt's now - td doesn't seem to check them

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not that you ever need them - i haven't been asked for my docs on 3 tt's now - td doesn't seem to check them

Exactly the tour docs are of no real importance (that I have ever found) only your flight docs

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thanks bunny

Yippeee someone who knows the meaning of 'cottontail'

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Originally posted by Cottontail:
Yippeee someone who knows the meaning of 'cottontail'

As opposed to Flopsy who developed wrinkles?

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Originally posted by Cottontail:

There is not a lot the TA's can do - they can only go by what the book says.

But they don't have to charge what the book says - there is always some budge room.

Beside that I intend for her to ask TT the question.

quote:

Originally posted by Cottontail:

quote:

thanks bunny

Yippeee someone who knows the meaning of 'cottontail'

I have a friend called Peter whose nickname is Bunny.

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But they don't have to charge what the book says - there is always some budge room

But no TA I have found in NZ does which gives me the impression there is little profit in it for them, or is it the other reason as below.

My TA does not actively encourage these type of tour company's due to their ability to cancel on you. This is of course always 'after' we have made all the airline bookings. She even said to me after our last fiasco 'this is why we like to offer ?? company's who we know will take you even if it is just two of you and they will confirm your booking within about 2 weeks'

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I have a friend called Peter whose nickname is Bunny

He must be a 'special' friend to cope with that

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Originally posted by NZ Nurse:
Has anyone purchased a tour from a TA in a country other than your own. I just ask as it is a lot cheaper for me to buy from England than it is here in New Zealand. For example:

Grand tour of Britain & Ireland: Purchased here $5390NZ or in England 1775 GBP @ todays exchange rate $4651NZ. Saving $739NZ pp.

Cossack Explorer: Purchased here $4175NZ or in England 1399 GBP @ todays exchange rate $3666NZ. Saving $509NZ pp.

I was also interested in the possibility of purchasing tours from another country - although for a different reason. I emailed TT here in NZ about a week ago as I wanted to know if we could book a tour of South America through the NZ TT, even though they do not offer South American tours. I noticed that Australia have these tours and thought it might be possible to book in NZ. They replied that it wasn't and that I would have to contact the Australian TT.

Thank you Cottontail for your pros and cons. I must admit I do like the security of talking face to face (if necessary) with my TA.

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How do you get your docs??

My UK TA posts them to me. I am expecting the documents for our Grand France tour to arrive today or tomorrow, they were posted as a "small packet" on the 12th but I suspect they didn't get into the postal system until the 14th.

Somewhat different, we booked out Insight BB tour direct with Insight Asia who are in Singapore. Those documents are also en-route by courier.

It is not something I sweat over, as others have mentioned, I have never had to use them and we have no choice but to arrange our own flights which we do through a local agent..

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Unfortunately for us Tangata the prices offered when recalculated into NZ $'s is often considerably cheaper than going to a local TA here and paying in NZ $'s.

Which suggests that Trafalgar expect the NZD to fall against the Euro/Pound during the validity period of the fare.

Local agents here would not give a discount either, their sales volume is too low.