Dick, please try more small/independent companies

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Dick, please try more small/independent companies

by Declan Pratt

Oct 25, 2011

Dick, I am afraid I have to disagree with you also. Full disclosure: Like Dave (who I do not know) I am an educational travel company veteran who now owns & operates his own company customizing tours both within the US & overseas. You claim Dick that small/independent tour operators are always more expensive, but that is simply not true. At Global Explorers LLC we specifically aim to match or better the prices of the cheapest of the major operators (EF & Explorica) whilst offering what we (& our many return group leaders) consider to be a far better tour - better & centrally-located hotels, better & more logically-located restaurants, customized sightseeing that fits the group's wants & needs. We offer all this with the same levels of liability insurance etc that the large operators offer, for a similar or better price. As you said, it's not rocket science - we don't have a huge office building in Boston on a street named after our company (EF) or any of the...See More

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Declan Pratt Fair enough Dick, I've got to take you on your word that you've tried & been disappointed in the past. But I'll continue to protest until the cows come home & then some. One thing I'm sure we can both agree on is that there are far too many companies in the travel industry that promise a lot but deliver less! But I know for a fact that, spe...See MoreFair enough Dick, I've got to take you on your word that you've tried & been disappointed in the past. But I'll continue to protest until the cows come home & then some. One thing I'm sure we can both agree on is that there are far too many companies in the travel industry that promise a lot but deliver less! But I know for a fact that, speaking only for Global Explorers LLC, we have many group leaders who tell us time & time again that not only are our tours superior but that we bettered EF & Explorica's prices - in fact most of our new group leaders come to us with quotes already in hand & we better them every time. If we didn't we wouldn't get that business. So I have a challenge for you: please give Global Explorers LLC a try next time (probably too late for 2012 if you are traveling then so maybe 2013) & see if we can't match or better the price of EF & Explorica, whilst offering a better product. That's a promise. Happy Thanksgiving. Declan ([email removed])

On 11/18/11, Dick wrote: > Hello Daclan: I'm sorry but you can protest till the cows come > home, I have asked for quotes every year for the last 15 and > the smaller companies are always more expensive. I am not > plugging EF or Explorica but they are the 2 that always come > our cheapest and seriously, my kids have a great tour every > time. It is always the adults who complain. The adults who go > for free I might add. Kids are rarely disgruntled and they > get the same experience paying $1,000 less than were they > staying in a 5 star hotel as opposed to a 3. I've used both EF > and Explorica and they are identical but they are the 2 that > I will continue to consider. > > DICK > > > > > > > On 10/25/11, Declan Pratt wrote: >> Dick, I am afraid I have to disagree with you also. Full >> disclosure: Like Dave (who I do not know) I am an >> educational travel company veteran who now owns & operates >> his own company customizing tours both within the US & >> overseas. You claim Dick that small/independent tour >> operators are always more expensive, but that is simply not >> true. At Global Explorers LLC we specifically aim to match >> or better the prices of the cheapest of the major operators >> (EF & Explorica) whilst offering what we (& our many return >> group leaders) consider to be a far better tour - better & >> centrally-located hotels, better & more logically-located >> restaurants, customized sightseeing that fits the group's >> wants & needs. We offer all this with the same levels of >> liability insurance etc that the large operators offer, for >> a similar or better price. As you said, it's not rocket >> science - we don't have a huge office building in Boston on >> a street named after our company (EF) or any of the other >> huge overheads. Similarly whilst we do offer a ratio of >> free places, we don't offer travel rewards etc. But the >> dedicated & experienced educators who have chosen to travel >> with us are not in it to get a new laptop at their >> students' expense so a quality trip at a great price has >> worked well for us as a business model. Please try more >> small/independent operators & don't assume all (I agree >> some are) will be higher priced. Best of luck in your >> future travels, Declan

Nov 18, 2011

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Declan Pratt Hello Dick, Delighted to hear that you took the trouble to check us out. As the website told you, it was indeed due to be updated to our beautiful new design the first week of November but is currently about 2 weeks behind schedule. The due date posted was indeed just that, a due date, so I think it's a little harsh to call it untruthful. But I do ...See MoreHello Dick, Delighted to hear that you took the trouble to check us out. As the website told you, it was indeed due to be updated to our beautiful new design the first week of November but is currently about 2 weeks behind schedule. The due date posted was indeed just that, a due date, so I think it's a little harsh to call it untruthful. But I do take your point & will chase up the designer! I hope you'll take the time to revisit it in a week or two. We will still not be offering the option of getting an online quote for the reason that ALL out tours are customized to our group leaders wishes - we don't want to try to fit you & your group into a 'cookie cutter', one-size-fits all, tour. Instead we want to know what you want from your tour, where you want to travel, etc. If you wish we can create a tour identical to one offered by one of the 'big operators' & then price it for you. As regards what would happen if there was an emergency overseas: you, or the family member etc, would call our 24 hour emergency number or you could call the tour leader directly in Europe/Africa/Asia/etc on a US phone number. I did mention in my first email to you that I own the company >> (Full disclosure: Like Dave (who I do not know) I am an >> educational travel company veteran who now owns & operates >> his own company customizing tours both within the US & >> overseas. We did indeed start as a small operator, & did indeed have just myself & my wife. Since then we've built Global Explorers into a thriving business by doing exactly what our posts were originally about - beating the 'big' tour operators' prices.

But, I really didn't intend to make this about me or Global Explorers Dick. My point is that I know we beat the prices of EF, Explorica, etc. So should I think that we are the ONLY smaller operator out there that does? Or is it reasonable for me to think that there might be others too? I hope I'm right. Cheers, Declan

On 11/18/11, Dick wrote: > Oh Declan, so I did some further research as I actually wanted > to get a quote from your company only the website is under > construction and due to be finished at the end of October > 2011. Guess what, it's the end of November 2011. So, there is > the first untruthful thing. Secondly, the website does not > allow for me to get an online quote. Quelle surprize. Oh, and > if I want to call...I have to pay out of my own pocket > beuause you don't have a toll free number. What would happen > if there was an emergency overseas. Let me guess, you have a > staff of 2, you and your wife. > > I REST MY CASE PEOPLE! > > Dick > > > > > > On 10/25/11, Declan Pratt wrote: >> Dick, I am afraid I have to disagree with you also. Full >> disclosure: Like Dave (who I do not know) I am an >> educational travel company veteran who now owns & operates >> his own company customizing tours both within the US & >> overseas. You claim Dick that small/independent tour >> operators are always more expensive, but that is simply not >> true. At Global Explorers LLC we specifically aim to match >> or better the prices of the cheapest of the major operators >> (EF & Explorica) whilst offering what we (& our many return >> group leaders) consider to be a far better tour - better & >> centrally-located hotels, better & more logically-located >> restaurants, customized sightseeing that fits the group's >> wants & needs. We offer all this with the same levels of >> liability insurance etc that the large operators offer, for >> a similar or better price. As you said, it's not rocket >> science - we don't have a huge office building in Boston on >> a street named after our company (EF) or any of the other >> huge overheads. Similarly whilst we do offer a ratio of >> free places, we don't offer travel rewards etc. But the >> dedicated & experienced educators who have chosen to travel >> with us are not in it to get a new laptop at their >> students' expense so a quality trip at a great price has >> worked well for us as a business model. Please try more >> small/independent operators & don't assume all (I agree >> some are) will be higher priced. Best of luck in your >> future travels, Declan

Nov 18, 2011

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Gladys On 11/18/11, Dick wrote: > Hello Daclan: I'm sorry but you can protest till the cows come > home, I have asked for quotes every year for the last 15 and > the smaller companies are always more expensive. I am not > plugging EF or Explorica but they are the 2 that always come > our cheapest and seriously, my kids have a great tour eve...See MoreOn 11/18/11, Dick wrote: > Hello Daclan: I'm sorry but you can protest till the cows come > home, I have asked for quotes every year for the last 15 and > the smaller companies are always more expensive. I am not > plugging EF or Explorica but they are the 2 that always come > our cheapest and seriously, my kids have a great tour every > time. It is always the adults who complain. The adults who go > for free I might add. Kids are rarely disgruntled and they > get the same experience paying $1,000 less than were they > staying in a 5 star hotel as opposed to a 3. I've used both EF > and Explorica and they are identical but they are the 2 that > I will continue to consider. > > DICK > > >Dick, I totally have to agree with you. I have been traveling with EF for the last six consecutive years and I am very pleased with them. My students love it and have never complained. Like you said, it is always the adults that complain. The hotels that we have stayed in have been comfortable and very clean and the meals have been great. EF offers the best price in the market. Other companies charge anywhere from $500 to $1,000 more for the same tours. I would like to add that I travel with EF not because of the incentives but to be able to offer my students an unforgetable cultural learning experience that they are not able to afford with other companies. > > > > On 10/25/11, Declan Pratt wrote: >> Dick, I am afraid I have to disagree with you also. Full >> disclosure: Like Dave (who I do not know) I am an >> educational travel company veteran who now owns & operates >> his own company customizing tours both within the US & >> overseas. You claim Dick that small/independent tour >> operators are always more expensive, but that is simply not >> true. At Global Explorers LLC we specifically aim to match >> or better the prices of the cheapest of the major operators >> (EF & Explorica) whilst offering what we (& our many return >> group leaders) consider to be a far better tour - better & >> centrally-located hotels, better & more logically-located >> restaurants, customized sightseeing that fits the group's >> wants & needs. We offer all this with the same levels of >> liability insurance etc that the large operators offer, for >> a similar or better price. As you said, it's not rocket >> science - we don't have a huge office building in Boston on >> a street named after our company (EF) or any of the other >> huge overheads. Similarly whilst we do offer a ratio of >> free places, we don't offer travel rewards etc. But the >> dedicated & experienced educators who have chosen to travel >> with us are not in it to get a new laptop at their >> students' expense so a quality trip at a great price has >> worked well for us as a business model. Please try more >> small/independent operators & don't assume all (I agree >> some are) will be higher priced. Best of luck in your >> future travels, Declan

Jan 17, 2012

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Dick Hello Declan...it is now March and your website is still not finished. Why would I believe anything you write on here? I'll stick to what has worked for me for 15 years. No offense. I will NOT be giving your outfit a try. Buyer beware.

On 1/17/12, Gladys wrote: > On 11/18/11, Dick wrote: >> Hello Daclan: I'm sorry but you can pro...See MoreHello Declan...it is now March and your website is still not finished. Why would I believe anything you write on here? I'll stick to what has worked for me for 15 years. No offense. I will NOT be giving your outfit a try. Buyer beware.

On 1/17/12, Gladys wrote: > On 11/18/11, Dick wrote: >> Hello Daclan: I'm sorry but you can protest till the cows come >> home, I have asked for quotes every year for the last 15 and >> the smaller companies are always more expensive. I am not >> plugging EF or Explorica but they are the 2 that always come >> our cheapest and seriously, my kids have a great tour every >> time. It is always the adults who complain. The adults who go >> for free I might add. Kids are rarely disgruntled and they >> get the same experience paying $1,000 less than were they >> staying in a 5 star hotel as opposed to a 3. I've used both EF >> and Explorica and they are identical but they are the 2 that >> I will continue to consider. >> >> DICK >> >> >>Dick, I totally have to agree with you. I have been traveling with EF for the last six > consecutive years and I am very pleased with them. My students > love it and have never complained. Like you said, it is always > the adults that complain. The hotels that we have stayed in > have been comfortable and very clean and the meals have been > great. EF offers the best price in the market. Other companies > charge anywhere from $500 to $1,000 more for the same tours. I > would like to add that I travel with EF not because of the > incentives but to be able to offer my students an unforgetable > cultural learning experience that they are not able to afford > with other companies. >> >> >> >> On 10/25/11, Declan Pratt wrote: >>> Dick, I am afraid I have to disagree with you also. Full >>> disclosure: Like Dave (who I do not know) I am an >>> educational travel company veteran who now owns & operates >>> his own company customizing tours both within the US & >>> overseas. You claim Dick that small/independent tour >>> operators are always more expensive, but that is simply not >>> true. At Global Explorers LLC we specifically aim to match >>> or better the prices of the cheapest of the major operators >>> (EF & Explorica) whilst offering what we (& our many return >>> group leaders) consider to be a far better tour - better & >>> centrally-located hotels, better & more logically-located >>> restaurants, customized sightseeing that fits the group's >>> wants & needs. We offer all this with the same levels of >>> liability insurance etc that the large operators offer, for >>> a similar or better price. As you said, it's not rocket >>> science - we don't have a huge office building in Boston on >>> a street named after our company (EF) or any of the other >>> huge overheads. Similarly whilst we do offer a ratio of >>> free places, we don't offer travel rewards etc. But the >>> dedicated & experienced educators who have chosen to travel >>> with us are not in it to get a new laptop at their >>> students' expense so a quality trip at a great price has >>> worked well for us as a business model. Please try more >>> small/independent operators & don't assume all (I agree >>> some are) will be higher priced. Best of luck in your >>> future travels, Declan

Mar 8, 2012

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Declan Hello again Dick, I'm delighted to hear that you took the time to visit our website again. You are right, there are still more changes to make, but I hope you enjoyed the changes so far. Thanks for your continued interest & best wishes for your travels this year. I hope your trips continue to be successful. Where are you headed, Europe? Regards...See MoreHello again Dick, I'm delighted to hear that you took the time to visit our website again. You are right, there are still more changes to make, but I hope you enjoyed the changes so far. Thanks for your continued interest & best wishes for your travels this year. I hope your trips continue to be successful. Where are you headed, Europe? Regards, Declan

On 3/08/12, Dick wrote: > Hello Declan...it is now March and your website is still not > finished. Why would I believe anything you write on here? I'll stick > to what has worked for me for 15 years. No offense. I will NOT be > giving your outfit a try. Buyer beware. > > > > > On 1/17/12, Gladys wrote: >> On 11/18/11, Dick wrote: >>> Hello Daclan: I'm sorry but you can protest till the cows come >>> home, I have asked for quotes every year for the last 15 and >>> the smaller companies are always more expensive. I am not >>> plugging EF or Explorica but they are the 2 that always come >>> our cheapest and seriously, my kids have a great tour every >>> time. It is always the adults who complain. The adults who go >>> for free I might add. Kids are rarely disgruntled and they >>> get the same experience paying $1,000 less than were they >>> staying in a 5 star hotel as opposed to a 3. I've used both EF >>> and Explorica and they are identical but they are the 2 that >>> I will continue to consider. >>> >>> DICK >>> >>> >>>Dick, I totally have to agree with you. I have been traveling with > EF for the last six >> consecutive years and I am very pleased with them. My students >> love it and have never complained. Like you said, it is always >> the adults that complain. The hotels that we have stayed in >> have been comfortable and very clean and the meals have been >> great. EF offers the best price in the market. Other companies >> charge anywhere from $500 to $1,000 more for the same tours. I >> would like to add that I travel with EF not because of the >> incentives but to be able to offer my students an unforgetable >> cultural learning experience that they are not able to afford >> with other companies. >>> >>> >>> >>> On 10/25/11, Declan Pratt wrote: >>>> Dick, I am afraid I have to disagree with you also. Full >>>> disclosure: Like Dave (who I do not know) I am an >>>> educational travel company veteran who now owns & operates >>>> his own company customizing tours both within the US & >>>> overseas. You claim Dick that small/independent tour >>>> operators are always more expensive, but that is simply not >>>> true. At Global Explorers LLC we specifically aim to match >>>> or better the prices of the cheapest of the major operators >>>> (EF & Explorica) whilst offering what we (& our many return >>>> group leaders) consider to be a far better tour - better & >>>> centrally-located hotels, better & more logically-located >>>> restaurants, customized sightseeing that fits the group's >>>> wants & needs. We offer all this with the same levels of >>>> liability insurance etc that the large operators offer, for >>>> a similar or better price. As you said, it's not rocket >>>> science - we don't have a huge office building in Boston on >>>> a street named after our company (EF) or any of the other >>>> huge overheads. Similarly whilst we do offer a ratio of >>>> free places, we don't offer travel rewards etc. But the >>>> dedicated & experienced educators who have chosen to travel >>>> with us are not in it to get a new laptop at their >>>> students' expense so a quality trip at a great price has >>>> worked well for us as a business model. Please try more >>>> small/independent operators & don't assume all (I agree >>>> some are) will be higher priced. Best of luck in your >>>> future travels, Declan

Mar 14, 2012

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