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| Kathi kathi@wildtravel.net 708-425-3552
"Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult."
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| | | Posts: 1313 | Location: The People's Republic of Maryland, USA | Registered: 05 August 2006 | 
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| quote: Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
A couple of things. First using an agent like Kathi, Doug Turner, Gracy etc that specialize in Africa travel and travel with guns is just the prudent thing to do. They just provide services and information that you can't get otherwise. As Will suggested when the crap hits the fan who would you call? Travelocity???
Antlers,
Sorry you took offense and I'm still sorry you didn't get the service you thought you deserved. My point was not to mount an attack on you at all. I just wanted to make it clear to the other posters that in my expereince service is quite good with Gracy and I always use Shawn. I'm inpatient and if I call and can't get an answer to my question I just call until I do. I've never felt Gracy blew me off but that they were busy and if I wanted an answer quickly I was going to have be pro active
Mark
Mark, no offense was taken; you have always been very helpful to me with timely and valuable assistance and I appreciate it. I just wanted to put the OP into the intended context. We're good!
Antlers
Double Rifle Shooters Society
Heym 450/400 3"
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| Oday450:
Thank you. I was able to get her on the first ring.
Dutch |
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| quote: Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
A couple of things. First using an agent like Kathi, Doug Turner, Gracy etc that specialize in Africa travel and travel with guns is just the prudent thing to do. They just provide services and information that you can't get otherwise. As Will suggested when the crap hits the fan who would you call? Travelocity???
Mark, And when the crap hits the fan as a result of the travel agent screwing up, what is the expectation for them to make it right? My experience with Gracy was that, sure, they rebooked me and my family for 24 hours later, but they flat out refused to offer adequate compensation for screwing up in the first place. As JBoutfishn said, there seems to be enough issues about Gracy to look elsewhere.  |
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| Barb at International Journies is VERY astute when it comes to African Travel. I use her for all my travel needs.
703-354-2946
She has a toll free number obviously as well.
Jeff |
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| Talked to Shawn today, she picked up first try. This is third trip with Gracy and have been happy all three times. This one may be the one that tells the story, Delta has already cancelled a flight from LFT to Atlanta. We will see. I did call Mark but he did not answer  Just kidding Mark since I really did talk to you also. |
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| we've bought more tickets from gracy than i have fingers and toes, without a problem, smoothed out wrinkles and got us better prices and seats than we could do ourselves |
| | | Posts: 13466 | Location: faribault mn | Registered: 16 November 2004 |
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| What Butch said. Gracie got me home from the Mackenzies in one day. Everyone else from camp had to overnight in Edmonton. They know their stuff
"You only gotta do one thing well to make it in this world" - J Joplin
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| quote: Originally posted by Rusty:
Antlers,
I'd say that 3 phone calls and an email would be persistent.
You'd think at least an email or V/M telling you they couldn't help would be in order?
Seems a common courtesy to me?
When I was trying to book my flight in April I called Shaun - five times in one week - finally got a price from her (then got two other prices from her which were different ie higher) and when I asked her about it she basically in a snot-ass attitude told me those were the prices and if I didn't like it - find someone else...So I booked through Trekers Travel out of California. No problems...
"If you can't go all out, don't go..."
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| | | Posts: 745 | Location: NE Oklahoma | Registered: 05 October 2006 |
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| I have used Gracy on seven different trips to Africa. Steve and Shawn have been the agents that I delt with. Each went off without a hitch. Sometimes when I called my agent wasn't available but they always got back to me in a reasonable time period. Saying that, if I was blown off as the above poster was, I too would be looking for another agent.
465H&H |
| | | Posts: 5686 | Location: Nampa, Idaho | Registered: 10 February 2005 |
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| 465 H&H: +1  . Same experience in 7 Safaris as well, all through Gracy and Shawn.  |
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| I had used Gracy for 10 years (Susan) once she left the service changed, at least mine did. I was in Costa Rica (2009) had to make a flight change, called Gracy, Can't remember who I spoke to but was told I had to call and make the change myself. On a sat phone?. Steve Turner get my business now. Steve
Formerly "Nganga"
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| | | Posts: 3656 | Location: Phoenix, Arizona | Registered: 26 April 2010 |
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| They just booked our last minute tickets to Zim, Afton reservations, and SAPS paperwork without incident. Same good service as always IMHO.
Will J. Parks, III
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| | | Posts: 2989 | Location: Alabama USA | Registered: 09 July 2009 |
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| Im leaving on the 14th for RSA. Shawn has answered three emails today on follow up items and has always been great on previous trips. |
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| quote: Originally posted by elk88101:
Why use a travel agent at all????
The internet has a wide selection of flights you can book.
I found them to be the same price or even my last trip $500 cheaper.
No problem contacting the Afton for them to pick you up. Also all the gun info is on line. My trip last month was quick and easy in Joberg and then on to Windhoek. Not sure what they can do you cant do. I have booked trips to Tanzania Zim Namibia SA. Good luck just my feeling
Larry
The first time you miss a flight or your luggage doesn't show up and you're in Africa or Turkey or Mongolia or some other third world country, you'll learn real fast why you should have used a travel agent. Linda Schraeder at Falcon Travel does all my African trips (about 3 a year). She has only had to step in twice for me, but she saved my ass. Once, I had a flight canceled and I couldn't get anyone in Johannesburg to help me get home. Linda knew who to call and what to say to get everything fixed right up. Another time, my flight had been canceled while I was in the bush but she had my new ticket waiting for me at the ticket counter. She has also helped several clients track down lost luggage after they received nothing but a stone wall and middle finger from airline personnel. |
| | | Posts: 798 | Location: Sugar Land, TX 77478 | Registered: 03 October 2001 |
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| I'm not really sure where you guys can find better prices, because I consider myself pretty computer savy, good at finding things, and I can never find a fair cheaper online that what my travel agent usually can quote me. I use Debbie Trinidad at custom travel, muliple trips for me, multiple friend's trips, no problems!
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| | | Posts: 732 | Location: Texas | Registered: 05 October 2009 |
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| Just finished using Gracy and this time Shawn for an upcoming trip to Tanzania. I have to say she has been terrific. Since I've been to Africa and Tanz before and know the drill, I can say they did a bang up job and took care of everything timely and professionally. I couldn't be happier and will definitely use Gracy and Shawn again. |
| | | Posts: 318 | Location: No. California | Registered: 19 April 2006 |
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