Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) > Where to stay

Has Thomsons dropped Tsaros Apartments ?

<< < (11/14) > >>

Rover:
I do suspect that Thomson have a buisness plan. I also suspect that this plan will provide lots of people with holidays that are good value for money.

tonyco1:

--- Quote from: Georgie2002 on July 20, 2012, 07:37:19 PM ---The "hurry only 1 room remaining" thing is (as far as I know) actually true rather than a scare tactic - I've watched the room disappear as I've booked over the phone and also seen it go down to 1 from 2 rooms when booking before.  This year I booked when it said hurry only 1 room left and I got the last 2 person studio, once I had booked the price went up a lot higher as there were only 3 person studios left.
But as I said, that's only as far as I know, I could be totally wrong or completely naive and mislead for all I know!!  :)[/color]

--- End quote ---
Well I don't think I can fly the flag for Thomsons, or be a PR man for them, they could easily enhance the customer experience in many ways for little or no extra cost.
My Booking:
When I booked the 2011 holiday for ourselves and son/wife plus 2 x grandchildren at the Athina Hotel, Thomsons back in November 2010, quoted hurry only 2 rooms left.
I already knew for a fact that this is a marketing ploy, well used over the years, and something you cannot rely on.
I booked because the price suited in November'10 for the August'11 holiday.

Of course we booked the two last rooms, then by a complete miracle two more appeared etc, etc,,,, the cycle repeating - - - -  -
until one day - they were really the last two rooms and all were fully booked, but this was not until a few weeks before August, as I was in touch with San Stefanos.

Yes, as a by-product Thomsons bring money to the village, yes some holidays are cheap - but also some are sold over-priced - all part of their game plan.
They know that Customers that go to San Stefanos are returnees - - Sidari holidays can be much cheaper - so why is that?

The problem is that Thomsons want virtually all the profit and would love to let the local owners have none,
and I have often heard the tale of attempted bullying by Thomsons, saying they will leave them out of the catalogue if then don't take a lower amount etc...
I have been told this by many owner friends of mine.
Back in the day, before Thomsons were involved, there were still plenty of package holidays for San Stefanos, and still plenty of independents today as well.

No one would deny that for us in Uk, Thomsons have been a good thing, they employ, they provide reasonably good service, I have used them many times as well.
All companies need to make a profit - this is a no-brainer, but there are times when Thomsons customer service is lacking compared to what you pay!
 - I've heard of many examples.
However, I can tell you from experience, that if things go wrong, you will almost never get compensation unless a TV program steps in.
They are experts at stone-walling!

Also, it's the local owners who make your holiday great, not Thomsons, they are just the agents and "bus" service by plane.
 
Think of the unfortunates who posted here in recent times, who took two hours - almost three - on the transfer coach.
All trimmed back to earn a few more euros - customer service - no! sorry No!

This is the reason I only book now with the best deal - book early and Easyjet and similar can make it well worthwhile to go private! We did this this year.
Otherwise I look at Thomsons, but I hold no customer loyalty to them, and we wait for the odd weekend deals.
Yammas

Rover:
If you think Thomson stonewall, try making a complaint to Easyjet. Only advice is, if you don't like them, don't use them.

YANNIS26:
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the age old chestnut of Thomsons versus private.I am with Tony all the way.I have booked private with taxi tranfer for the last 3 year and have always managed to beat Thomsons price by a distance. That does not matter as I would go private even is the prices were the same.My way the hotel owner has at least a 50% increase in income.
I know your options may be limited by access to cheap flights.My advice is to book them early with Easyjet or similar.Or the alternative book late with Thomsons who keep their flight prices high until the last minute to make booking direct more expensive.
Check the latest Thomson flight prices you will find them to be approx half price compared with what they have been charging.Example 189 pounds out of Newcastle on the 23rd July (school holidays) plus many more.
Yammas
Yiannis

Georgie2002:

--- Quote from: tonyco1 on July 21, 2012, 04:35:48 AM ---Well I don't think I can fly the flag for Thomsons, or be a PR man for them, they could easily enhance the customer experience in many ways for little or no extra cost.



Tonyco, I wasn't flying any flag or acting as PR, merely saying what my experience of them was. I'm sure everyone has had different experiences.

--- End quote ---

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page