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Dugan's Travels review: Fraud and scam 151

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9:16 am EST
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Do not waste your money with this travel at home opportunity through Dugan's Travels. You get no support from this company at all. They charge you to join there chat list on yahoo which cost them nothing. A couple of times i needed to ask a question and tried to call the office never any answer only voice mail. The only other way to contact them is by email and they answer that when they feel like it. I was also very shocked by the nasty emails that the owner post to the message board always has a attitude. I think if people are paying a company to sell their product they would be a little nicer to their people. Do not sign up with this company it is a very poor company and does not support YOU the paying customer. Also charges a fee to cancel a contract if you decide you don't want to work with them. PLEASE BEWARE!

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151 comments
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Anny Nonomous
Beverly Hills, US
Aug 12, 2011 4:49 am EDT

If you are looking for a legitimate host agency, stay clear of this one. There is no "help" for inexperienced agents. That's probably why agents go over six months with no bookings. To be honest, it reminds me of a bad pyramid scheme in the sense that there are 900+ agents and she makes $10/month off each agent plus a percentage of their commissions. Think about it. Wouldn't you love to make over $10k a month for doing very little work? That's why people get hounded about the fee.

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New Agent searching for a Host Agency
Tallahassee, US
Aug 11, 2011 10:55 pm EDT

New Agent in search for a Host Agency

Thank you for responding to my post. As I stated above I am new and I have no experience whatsoever as a travel agent therefore, I can only express some my concerns as I am seeking to sign up with the right Host Agency and attempting to evaluate thing the best that I can. Therefore, this is why I am conducting a lot of research which kept on leading to more questions. Consequently, I would like to ask you if you would be willing to shine more light about the commission issue and the monthly quota sale of 3, 000. per month in order to avoid any penalty. It appears to me that the current system for commission that is in place inside your organization is not as easy as it could be. (I personally would prefer that my commissions were electronically tracked, so that I would not have to worry about missing any of them on a listing). Also, could you elaborate on the reason why agent become automatically Non-Active Status by having not made a booking within a 6 month period. What organization is in charge of judging who is in the Card Mill Business? It was my understanding that your agency will assist agent to obtain their IATAN card or CLIA ID card when they qualify. So, if your agency is not distributing some type of Card Mill ID in the mean time, how can your agency be accused to be a Card Mill?

I have provided some websites that provides me with enough information to cause me to have more question?
November 2004 Travel Industry Survey Results On The Home Based Travel Agent
http://www.ossn.com/ossn_survey/nov2004/

Question: Does you agency require minimum sales quotas to be met by your IC’s to allow them to remain with you?
Answer: http://www.ossn.com/ossn_survey/nov2004/pic5.jpg

Question: If using a database/accounting system, which program does your agency use?

Client Ease, Trams Back Office and Client Base Plus, TRAMS/Client Base, TRAMS/Client Base Plus, TRAMS back office, proprietary front office, Homemade, QuickBooks Pro 2005, custom built program though Microsoft Access, Globalware
Agency own program, Travel Sales, through our AAA Headquarters in Tampa Florida, We have an online system that is connected to our web site. All agents have access to the site as a web based product., Wincruise currently. We are changing to Client Base and Trams next week.

I have researched Client Ease because one experienced travel agent who owned a travel agency told me to select a Host that used Client Ease. I did not know what Client Ease was so I did some research and this is what I discovered:

http://www.clientease.com/advantages.htm

ClientEase Advantages
Our software offers a virtually unlimited list of capabilities because of our vast knowledge of the leisure industry - from Host operations to the Home-Based agents. When it comes to our business, we offer our customers a powerful resource and recipe for success. In addition to the features in our Products page, below is a comprehensive list of advantages we offer our clients. To quickly select your agency type, click on one of the links below:

Host Agency Benefits:
* Host has immediate access to IC commission tracking

Independent Contractor Benefits:
*As a Branch of the host you have the ability to perform your own marketing and run your own commission reports (owed & paid)

Question about Card Mill Agency?
The following website seams to have a different definition of what is a Card Mill Agency:
http://www.travelsense.org/pdf/cardmills.pdf

"What Are Card Mills?
Card mills are businesses that sell deceptive identification cards, sometimes accompanied by a package of worthless “training” materials that falsely identify the purchaser as a “travel agent.” These offers often say “travel like a travel agent” and are designed to permit buyers of travel services to pass themselves off as sellers of travel services.

These cards are represented as enabling the holder to obtain discounts, upgrades and other courtesies reserved by travel suppliers for professional travel agents who actively promote the suppliers’ services. Often, cards are also represented as entitling the cardholders to receive commissions or other remuneration on their own travel purchases. In fact, these businesses sell a piece of plastic where any tangible benefit the purchaser receives is wholly dependent upon the response of a third party, the supplier, and then only if the supplier is deceived or indifferent as to the cardholder’s true status.

Card mills exist to sell, at a substantial price (often $495 or some amount intentionally set below the $500 threshold triggering application of FTC/state franchise and business opportunity disclosure laws), false identification that places into the hands of purchasers a device they are led to believe will deceive. An identification card that purports to identify as a travel agent someone who does not sell professionally as a means of earning a living and providing distribution services to suppliers is, in ASTA”s view, deceptive.

The Dept. of Commerce (DOC) and the Census Bureau and are clear about the commercial nature of a travel agent:
DOC assigns a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code to travel agencies, defined as “establishments primarily engaged in acting as agents in selling travel, tour, and accommodation services to the general public and commercial clients.”
See http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/def/NDEF561.HTM#N56151. 2 Without material value for the represented purpose of equipping someone to be a travel agent.

Travel Industry Card Mills
travel suppliers. The card mills promote themselves (in print and Internet advertising and, often, through written scripts and audio-tapes used in word-of- mouth solicitation) by making exaggerated claims about the discounts or price advantages that so-called “independent agents” or “consultants” may obtain through use of the card.

In addition, some card mills emphasize the purchaser’s opportunity — reminiscent of classic pyramid and other illegal multi-level marketing schemes — to recruit other “agents” and earn fees for each recruit as well as each time the recruit books travel. In all cases, the primary theme and message of their promotions is that the purchaser can enjoy all the benefits and financial rewards of professional travel agents with no worry, no hassle and, above all, no work."

These were my questions?

New Agent.

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Aug 07, 2011 10:09 pm EDT

Dear New Agent-

The reason we have a $10 monthly fee is to make sure agents are serious about being agents. If an agent is not making bookings, then they are not serious about being a homebased travel agent. $3000 a month in sales is one or two bookings a month. It shows that the agent is serious and is not just trying to get discounts out of being a travel agent. It also makes sure agents stay in touch and pay their monthly dues or submits to us what they have done for the month to be exempt. We get so many people who join, pay the $130 start up fee and then do nothing more. We aren't looking for those who aren't serious about being travel agents or think they can join a travel agency and then travel for free.

Also many organizations such as NACTA require that our agents make a minimum amount each year to show we are not a card mill but rather a serious host agency.

You might be confused on how easy the process is really. Each month an agent is sent an automated invoice for the $10. The agent then pays it right online or submits a dispute. Takes only a few minutes and dis done for the month.

On commissions, it is also very simple. Each month a listing of all commissions is posted. Agents then go into an online form and submit to claim his/her commission. It is then direct deposited or they can use Paypal if they wish. Again very simple to do with no programs to pay for (most automated commission processing requires you to have a specific program on your computer and some require fees to use it or buy it) and you can do our commissions from any computer any time. It is such a simple process.

The problem we are having is agents who do not pay their support fee and get terminated or they do not make bookings so they are not renewed. It actually shows we are serious about the people we want working with our agency. If someone cannot afford to pay a $10 monthly fee, he or she should not be planning someone's vacation that costs thousands of dollars. People who work with a travel agent need to know they can trust that individual. Those working with the agency must be dependable and pay their bills on time. We require those using our name to be upstanding and serious about their business.

Those who have posted negative things on this website are doing it because they are angry with us for our decisions. They are angry they were terminated or sent to a collection agency due to owing the agency money. They are angry because we did not renew their contract due to not making a single booking in 6 months.

For those reading these posts, realize we are serious about who we want as agents. If you cannot see that people get angry and are using this website to express their anger - then Dugans Travels isn't the right choice for you. But if you want an agency that keeps costs low, pays you a high commission and anyone posting on this message board cannot say that we owe them money because we pay all our agents, and know we take this business seriously - then please feel free to contact one of our current agents to see what they think. Taking the word of someone who is angry because they were terminated or owe us money is not going to give you a real idea of what we offer. Find someone who isn't emotionally upset to give you a real picture of what Dugan's Travels offers.

Jennifer Dugan

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New Agent in search for a Host Agency
Tallahassee, US
Aug 06, 2011 4:11 pm EDT

I want to thank PastAgent for taking the time to write about her dealing with Dugan’s Travel. It was an eye opener for me as I am in the process of selecting my first host agency to launch my travel business.

I have been a Healthcare professional for over 25 years. Caring with integrity and accountability is a must in my profession. As I have always strived to live up to those standards in my professional and personal life, I have learned to take responsibility for my actions or lack of. Today, I am thankful to those high standards in my life for the lesson they have taught me which resulted in my growth toward greater maturity.

I am in an exciting time in my life as I am in the process of creating a new opportunity for myself as a travel agent and building my own business. Being new in the travel industry, make me feel a little vulnerable to the self-promotion of host agencies, especially when they promise a lot of support to their agents but fail to deliver. As the saying goes: “Help is always available until you need it” if a GAP exist between the promise and the performance of that promise and complaint arise as a result of that GAP, complaints should be welcome! Since, it is the complaints that express where are the gaps in one’s business brand and therefore should be address in a manner of wanting to do improve that GAP. No company ever reach perfection and there always exist room to improve.

In one of her past post, the PastAgent stated the following:
“Those reading these posts will be able to see through the bull and will form their own opinions. That is the purpose of the site. The defense rests!”

I contacted this Pastagent as I was seriously considering Dugan’s travel as a contender for my first host. I am glad that I did since it confirmed some of my perception and as a result, I will not select Dugan’s travel for my host at this time.

There was one potential red flag that was concerning me which included:
1) The need to chases the commissions monthly without an automated system to keep up with this kind of tedious task and
2) The multiple penalties that existed such as $10 per month for a performance of less of 3, 000 in sale plus the automatic inactive status for zero booking within a 6 months period. It appears to me that these issues are creating a lot of unnecessary organizational problems that requires to much time to deal with and creates unnecessary negative emotion that could be easily avoided.

Why not change things that create obstacles to a positive flow of the organization. Trying to constantly keep up with monthly penalties dues and penalties consequences are an inefficient and unconstructive way to spend one's time inside an organization (host agency). I would suggest that the owner of Dugan’s Travel listen to the above complaints carefully and take the time to determine which are invalids and which are legitimates and then create the necessary changes within the company to improve the GAP between what the company promises and what company delivers. Do a survey and evalute new possibilities. There are ways to make everybody 's life easier.
Good Luck!
NewAgent

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Jul 15, 2011 9:53 pm EDT

I wanted to personally respond to the attacks made against the agency and me. The original post from years ago was stating we were a scam. This was an untrue statement posted by someone who was angry that we sent him to collections for money he owed the agency. That is how the whole thing got started.

Since then it has been a place for people who are angry at the agency or me to post things without having to prove what they state. Unlike the BBB where a person can file a complaint and it is then researched to find out if the person is being truthful or not, this website does not have checks and balances. If you don’t like someone or want to do harm to a business, you can simply put anything you would like here and anyone can read it.

I want to point out that we have had over 1500 people work with our agency in the past 14 years. There are only a few people on here saying bad things about the agency. As far as me calling someone crazy if they disagree with me or the agency, that is not a true statement either. I will say that the people who get on this website and rant and rave about us do have issues that make it impossible to have a mature conversation with. You can’t reason with people who have a vendetta or are so emotionally upset by getting terminated that they will lash out at you.

I am truly sorry there are people out there that are so upset by getting terminated by the agency or that they are sent to collections due to owing the agency money that they get on a website like this and attack us. We have to terminate people who owe money, do not do any bookings in 6 months, or if we have reasons that they are not people we want representing our agency name.

For those reading these posts please look at the facts. We are not a scam. We do not take people’s money. In fact, we terminate those who just want to pay us a monthly fee and not do anything with their business. If we were out there just to scam a buck of f someone, why would we keep someone if we could charge them the $10 monthly fee? We don’t want people who aren’t serious about their business. If someone cannot make a booking in 6 months, then yes we terminate them.

People get mad. They take things personally and feel that if they write up posts that say bad things about the agency, it is going to hurt the agency. However what it hurts are those people who are looking for information about finding a host agency. If someone posts untrue things because he or she is mad, it is doing a dis-service to those who want real information on becoming a travel agent from home.

Once you post something online, it is there forever. People post things in anger unfortunately. I generally know when a post will happen because we have dealt with someone who is upset for being terminated and then threatens to post things online about us. If you look at our BBB rating you will see that we have an A+ rating. If you look at our standings with suppliers such as Royal Caribbean, Funjet Vacations, Walt Disney Travel Company, as well as many other suppliers, you will see we have a great agency.

Jennifer Dugan
Owner of Dugan’s Travels
www.travelathome.com

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elona grimmett
Maumelle, US
Jul 14, 2011 5:22 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Let me make it clear that in no way this was an apology letter to anglea or any other one of the Dugans "team". Basically I was just fed up with them writing me everyday, determine to have the last word, and I really just wanted them to shut up! I never gave anyone permission to post a personal email that I had written, so they are, first of all breaking the law. Secondly, if they would like to post emails, they need to post them all that have gone back and forth between us, not just one they thought they could take out of content and use to tell people how "sorry" I was. REALLY? I am not a mean and hateful person, and dispite what Jennifer says, I am not crazy(yeah, that is what she says about everyone may ever try to cross her). I again just wanted to try to take a mature stand on the situation, because if you had read all the emails, you would have known it was out of control. This just proves my point, once again, about what you will deal with if you use Dugans Travel. Also, I guess i should have said that I enjoyed doing the travel bussiness. Dugans travel had little to do with it. Basicly I jsut paid them to host me, there are plenty of other host agents that are more than happy to have my bussiness, and i have switched to one of them. Just to recap... There was no apology in any part of the letter that I wrote anglea, I am not sure where they got that, and I do not and will not aploogize for anything I have written, because all of it was ture. if you are considering using Dugans travel, think hard and long about it. I know that I am not the only one that has had this opinion about them.
Elona Grimmettt

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coralfl
, US
Jul 12, 2011 3:27 am EDT

I wanted to let the readers' know that I had contacted PastAgent (Betty) regarding questions I had. I am home based TA ; just starting. She has taken time to reply my question in great detail. I just wanted the readers to know she kept her word that she would answer if a newbie has any question starting a business. She clarifies several my doubts and that is already helping me to get my business going. I thought it fair to post it here as I had received her name and email from this forum/topic only.

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bkm1234
Wallingford, US
Jun 11, 2011 8:34 pm EDT

This is an email from Elona apologizing to Angela

From: elona grimmett [mailto:lonalynngrimm@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2011 1:20 PM
To: Angela Brown
Subject: Re: Dugans Travels

Angela,

Let's call a truce ok...You didn't offend my family or me, I am just rather upset with the whole thing. I have worked with dugans for 2 years and always paid my bills on time, I paid you in May not thinking I would owe you anything till June 15th. I was not aware that you sent me an invoice asking for a renewal, or moving the payment date up 10 days. Had I been able to log on 2 hours earlier, all this would have been avoided. As we all know, things don't always go as planned.

the whole internet service was out of my hands, my husband had to go to Mcdonalds to check his emails. Had I even thought there was an issue with my account I would have gotten back in touch with you guys. You guys send me a bill in plenty of advance, then when you are ready to terminate all I got was a week. I know this is not your fault, it is just bad timming i guess, but do you at least see my piont of this all sounding a lttle unfair? I did enjoy working with dugans and I am kindof heartbroken over the whole thing.

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bkm1234
Wallingford, US
Jun 11, 2011 6:00 pm EDT

Elona-
The point is you went off the deep end because you weren't being renewed. You were fine with everything until you found out that you were being terminated due to not having any bookings on file. Instead of taking responsibility that you made a mistake you lashed out and said a lot of horrible and nasty things in your emails to the agency. We could have worked with you but instead of being nice you got downright mean and attacked Jennifer personally. That was very uncalled for.
The same thing happened with everyone else. They want to blame Jennifer and the agency for their shortcomings instead of taking full responsibility for their actions.

The contract you signed clearly explained what was required of you as being a part of the agency, it was covered in the training as well as email reminders sent out that if agents are going to be unavailable for any length of time to let the agency know. You were given plenty of notice if you had been reading your emails you could have been renewed.
It was the choices that you made which lead to you being terminated, no one else is responsbile for those actions.

I'm sorry you were terminated, but all of this could have been avoided by the way you reacted.

Barb
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elona grimmett
Maumelle, US
Jun 09, 2011 3:05 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Actually, let me set the record straight, I worked there for 2 years, ok well 1 year 11 months. this is just another way dugans is not in touch with what is going on. I am just saying BUYER BEWARE! you are joining a club, you are paying then 25% of all the money you spend hours doing, and a monthly fee. Do you really want someone to treat you rudely after you are giving them money to be in thier club? I am glad some of the people who work there have a great relationship with the company. Actually I did to until about a week ago. I let the rudeness slide in the past, but really this whole tick for tack thing she is now doing is getting quite old. Again BUYER BEWARE, I am not a crazy nut Mrs. Dugans is trying to make me out to be, i am nice normal happy person, but when pushed, like most, I will push back. I find it hard to beleive that everyone that has made negative comments about this place is a crazy, sick person who has a personal indever toward her. (yes, that is pretty much what she will say if you cross her) Just take time to do the resherch on the company, you will find the same patteren over and over with rudeness and unprofessinal behavior. It's not like I am the first one to ever say it, just read the reviews. I just would hate for anyone eles to have to keep repeating it.

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Jun 08, 2011 4:27 am EDT

This is in response to Elona Grimmett's post.

Dugan's Travels actually works with Expedia and Orbitz. If they offer something that other suppliers do not offer, our agents can book with them and still earn a commission. In fact, we just received Expedia's Valued Partner Appreciation Award. Many of our suppliers also will price match anything found elsewhere. Elona would know this if she read the information we give our agents as well as the emails we send out to all our agents.

However, Ms Grimmett did not make bookings. She had not booked anything with our agency in the last 6 months. She was with us for 1 year and when she was up for renewal due to no bookings on file for the past 6 months, she was not renewed. This is the reason for the angry post. She was upset we did not renew us. She wanted to continue with our agency and since we denied this, she is angry. She is attacking me personally because I own the agency and make the final decision.

As far as her comments on my baby shower, agents at the agency did an online baby shower for me. It was nothing I did - it was something that was done by the agents at our agency. We have wonderful and caring agents at our agency. I just gave birth to twins and several agents got together and bought me gifts. This was not something that anyone was required to do - it was something that people with big hearts did. It is a shame she is trying to make it into something it was not.

I am sorry Ms Grimmett is so upset but we must have agents who are making bookings. She took our not renewing her personally and even told us she would be bad mouthing us on this website. I am unsure if she felt threatening us would make us allow her to continue to work with us but we have policies in place for a reason. Although she is taking a personal attack on me, this is business and it is not personal. If an agent is not making bookings, then we do not renew their contract.

Jennifer Dugan

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Jun 08, 2011 4:06 am EDT

In response to Elona's post: She was with us for 1 year and when her yearly renewal was due, we chose not to renew her since she has not made a single booking in 6 months. We do not renew agents who are not making bookings. You must make at least 1 booking in 6 months to be renewed. She took offense to this and told us she would bad mouth us on this website.

Agents are not a thing of the past. Our agents are doing incredibly well and if Elona had been reading the information we give agents, she would know we actually work with websites such as Orbitz and Expedia and are paid a commission with them. So if for some reason they have something better than suppliers can offer, we can still book with them and receive a commission. In fact, our agency just was awarded a Valued Partner Appreciation Award from Expedia. We work with many suppliers including Expedia and Orbitz.

I am sorry that Elona is attacking me personally because she is upset about our policies but we need agents who are making bookings. If you can't book a hotel or rental car in 6 months then we cannot keep you on as an agent.

As far as her comments on the baby shower, the agency threw an online baby shower for me because I was expecting twins. It was something that several agents did and it was not something I told anyone to donate to. It was out of the kindness of the hearts of our agents. We have wonderful agents with us and Elona is trying to turn into something that it was not. She is being hateful towards us due to being upset she was not renewed. She felt she should be able to pay her fee and continue even though she was not making bookings. Since this is not our policy (we are very clear you must make bookings to be renewed) she is upset. Unfortunately she is able to say anything she wishes but the truth of the matter is she is upset due to feeling rejected since we did not renew her. She wanted to be part of the agency prior to finding out we did not renew her so if we were so terrible, she should not have wanted to be renewed. She should have wanted to leave the agency if we were what she states we are.

Jennifer Dugan

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Michael Akana
Half Moon Bay, US
Jun 08, 2011 1:09 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Elona,

Sorry you did not have a pleasant experience.

I am particularly taken aback by your comment that you experienced
rude behavior on all parts of the company. There are a number of
experienced agents who take time to thoughtfully respond to
questions and requests for help. I, for one, respond to quite
a few questions, and if my review of messages for tone has
allowed responses through that can be taken for rude, at least
a couple of English teachers from my past would be sorely
disappointed in me, as that would not have been by intent.

Regarding Christmas...I suppose if the automated billing systems
is scheduled for the 25th, then, yes, I might expect an invoice on
Christmas. As for hounding...dunno...I've generally paid may bills
upon receipt. A few times I did missed the initial invoice an received
a reminder and paid on that. I was not hounded and never
harrassed.

I did not get a reminder from Jennifer about a shower. I did get
an announcement about a registry from other agents. Most of us
are really pleased to hear good news. We are really quite a happy
lot, for the most part and I apologize if by celebrating, we offend.

Sorry the hosted travel agency model didn't work for you.
Even though I would heartily recommend Dugan's Travels
for consideration to someone seeking to conduct business
as a travel agent and who is in need of a host agency, I do
concur that for those trying to sell travel for fun or as a hobby,
the hosted model is not ideal.

Mike

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F.R
, CA
Jun 07, 2011 11:14 pm EDT

I have been researching Dugan travel and other host agencies and I am wondering about the canadian agents that have worked with Dugan. Most of the postings are from individuals from the United Stated, and I would love to get some feedback. I am located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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elona grimmett
Maumelle, US
Jun 06, 2011 5:03 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have worked with dugans travel and have also experianced rude behavior on all parts of this company. They start mailing you invoices on the 25th, however they are not due till the 15th...they will harrass you everyday until you pay them, even on christmas! as others have stated the ownes is quit hateful, and gets on the chat list every so often jo complain about how people are treating her. gee, I wonder why? She is a boss, not suppose to whine to me with her issures. then later remind me whrere she is registered for her babyshower and where i can send the gifts...REALLY? she is unprofessional, and down right rude to the people that are paying here to work there. I did not join this company to make a million dollars, I did it for a hobby. I have made a few bucks, but not with out a ton of paperwork, late commissions, follow ups from places that i have booked and tons of headaches. it is not worth the time or effort to me anymore to have to deal with them. I would not recomend this company to anyone looking at this as a fun idea. Expedia and orbits are great options for travel and almost always cheaper that what a travel agent can get them for, it is hard to convince people that you can help them by charging them more money! Trave agents were probably a great idea at one time, but are rapidy becoming a thing of the past...maybe that is why Jennifer is so angry!

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Michael Akana
Half Moon Bay, US
Mar 16, 2011 12:09 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Dugan's Travels may not meet the expectations of all who seek to work in the field of travel sales. Yet, I have found that it has been an excellent choice as host agency for me. I joined Dugan's Travels in 2006 after substantial research on alternative host agencies. I value the experience of my fellow agents and find the flexibility that Jennifer allow works very well for me. Michael Akana, CTA, ECCS

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JetMech
Schertz, US
Feb 15, 2011 8:25 am EST

I have been looking for a part-time home-based business for many years, but didn't know how to start up a business or which career to get into. There are also many, many scams out there. When I discovered Dugans Travels, I knew this was the right choice. I'm still doing some research, but the emails and phone calls I have made to agents of Dugans have all been returned promptly and courtesouly. They have all praised the business highly and have been with Dugans for many years. If the business was so bad, Jennifer would not have any agents and she would have a bad rating with the BBB. Give me a little more time to do my homework and get a few more questions answered, and I will probably be sending in my contract to join the team...Jim

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Feb 11, 2011 3:45 pm EST

Ms Thompson-

Thank you for seeing this website for what it is - a place where people can post whatever they wish without facts. The posts are personal as you can see from someone writing 25+ posts. This agent was rude to other agents at the agency - she actually told other agents they had bad grammar and spelling and they should have her proof read anything they write. Now you can see she doesn't know the difference between obsession or possession. She is someone with a grudge and too much time on her hands. She is jealous of the agents who work with the agency and tries to hurt the agency any chance she gets. It is actually sad in many ways because if she was as happy and doing as well as she claims, she would not have time to post 25+ times.

We would love for you to join the agency and you will find our agents to be the best of the industry. They help one another and really do care about the industry. I am very proud of our agents and what Dugan's Travels has accomplished in the 14 years in business. We have many agents who have been with us for the 11 years we have been hosting agents which shows we are doing something right.

I am sure Betty will post again because she always does - I hope she doesn't attack you like she does everyone else who posts positive things on this board. She is just an angry person so don't take it personally.

Jennifer Dugan

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Kristen Thompson
Malibu, US
Feb 11, 2011 2:17 pm EST

I have been interested in joining Dugan's Travels for awhile now and have been following the back and forth of these posts. These postings by a person who calls herself pastagent proves that this website is a joke and anyone can post if they have a bug up their rear. You can't even post your real name. Complaints where people can't even post their real name are bogus!

The word you want here pastagent is OBSESSED not POSSESSED. Do you know the difference between the two?
You established in one of the first of many posts that you did not have a website. In fact it is stated many times. So, I highly doubt she is wasting her time checking up on you.
You really are coming across like you are obsessed with Ms. Dugan and her agency. You need to grow up and move on already. If you aren't obsessed then why do you continually post? It is obvious this is a personal thing for you. Your posts are not putting a favorable light on you, they really make you look like you are mentally unstable.

I've done my research, contacted the BBB, talked to past and current agents. Ms. Dugan's business is highly regarded in both the industry and with agents. I like many others have come to see this board as a load of garbage!

Ms. Dugan, I will be subitting my contract and payment shortly to join your wonderful business!

Kristen Thompson

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pastagent
Richmond, US
Feb 10, 2011 4:29 pm EST

I had a website but I took it down since it wasn't producing business. I really like local business better so there was no need to keep my site up. You think I'm possessed with Dugan's but you are the one searching the web for my site. Why would you need to see it?

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Jan 26, 2011 3:16 am EST

Betty-

We are doing just fine. Our business is doing great and our agents are doing great. Those who are interested in joining our agency do their research and see this website for what it is. They contact our agents and look into our rating with the BBB. They are smart enough to really look into our information and background.

You can keep posting all you want because it is just proving our point, you have an obsession with us due to you getting upset. You have not moved on as you claim and each time you post you prove that.

While our business continues to grow and we continue to get excellent agents joining us, your posts do nothing more than hurt your creditability. Your business might not be affected because you don't even have a website for anyone to research you. No one is looking into your business because it can't be found. When someone looks into our agency, they can find many, many websites and information. This website is just one of many and when people see what it is - they realize that it provides no value.

Jennifer Dugan
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bethbmy1986
Gladstone, US
Jan 26, 2011 2:49 am EST

It's not hurting her business either!

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pastagent
Richmond, US
Jan 18, 2011 5:21 pm EST

Well at least you got the facts straight. I wasn't the one who wanted to use anything Dugan offered once I decided to leave the company. That's the only point I wanted to make.

As I said before, once I stop seeing negative postings, I will stop posting. This isn't hurting my business at all. How about yours?

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Jan 14, 2011 11:28 pm EST

Past Agent-
I suggested a long time ago that you could remove your posts by contacting Complaintsboard.com and ask them to remove them. You chose to continue to post things and are now at 23 posts. You began bashing us on this forum. The truth is that you were upset with us and you used this forum to attack us. We were good enough for 3 years and when you requested to cancel your membership but wanted to wait 3 months and we said we would rather cancel it without waiting 3 months, you got angry. That is when you posted things about us claiming we do things that are untrue. Your anger is what lead you to post things about us. Now you claim you don't tell people bad things about us and that people are contacting you.
I wish you had just accepted our decision and moved on like you keep saying you have. But instead you began all these postings. What you put online is there forever unless you do something about it. You claim you want nothing to do with us but you continue to post things and that shows you have not moved on. Complaintsboard.com will take down comments if you ask them to if you were the author. They realize people write things in anger that later they want to take back.
It is up to you to end your attacks and move forward. You keep saying it but you continue to post. I would ask on the fact that we did support and allow you to be an agent for 3 years to consider your actions and posts on this board. Most people can see that this has nothing to do with us as a business but rather someone upset and using a website like this to try to cause damage.

However I am done trying to reason with you and I only wish you would end this so everyone can move on. This will be my last reply on the subject with you.

Jennifer Dugan

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peggyb52
Minneapolis, US
Jan 10, 2011 6:43 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Jennifer...I suggest no further response to pastagent would be best.

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pastagent
Richmond, US
Jan 09, 2011 11:12 pm EST

I have looked through all the posts and can't find the person who owed you money and got mad because you wouldn't let her have access. I believe the post has been pulled but don't know how that happens. Perhaps you will remember her, Jennifer. She is the one your post refers to, not me. All I wanted to do was stay until my IATAN card expired in September. It was no big deal but certainly turned into one.

I get myself into enough trouble without taking the blame for what someone else did so I just wanted to clarify this. She was livid that you cut her off and you were emphatic that she owed money and wouldn't pay it.

Just want to be sure you remember her problem and remember that it wan't mine.

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pastagent
Richmond, US
Jan 09, 2011 10:40 pm EST

What are you talking about? I never wanted access to anything Dugan offered once I had terminated. You must have me confused with another agent, perhaps one who joined this list after I originally posted. SHE wanted access, you said, but I didn't want or expect access to Dugans once I had left. Check your posts above Jennifer because this is not me that you are talking about. I don't know any of your agents so I can't contact them or criticise them. I just wanted you to realize that MY clients won't see this but yours are. I know this because I keep getting emails from them...over twenty so far. It was meant as helpful info. I told you on this board, and I told those who contacted me that your monthly fees are low and that they may be fine with your agency. I didn't have to do that, did I? I want nothing from you, from Dugan's or from your agents except to be able to open this site and not see something post with my NAME mentioned rather than my username. Actually, I don't want to see past agent or BWoodard mentioned again. You are history to me but I reserve the right to reply when you talk about me. As the info in your last post shows, you are getting me confused with someone else as far as wanting access to your info. Never asked for it, never wanted it and never tried to get it. Wrong agent, Jennifer.

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Jan 03, 2011 12:13 am EST

Betty-

I truly wish you would move on. Your comments all started because you wanted to have access to what we offer our agents but wanted to terminate. When I said no, you got upset. It was personal. You have now posted 21 times things about us. That seems very excessive for someone who has moved on. You attacked us first for no reason other than you were upset we said no to your request. We never did anything to you. You were with us for 3 years even though you claim you got nothing from that 3 years. You claim we offer nothing but were upset when you were not given access to our agent only websites and chatlists. If you truly have moved on as you claim, stop your attacks. Move on as you claim you have and leave the agency and our agents alone. Concentrate on your business and less on how to try to make us look like we did nothing for you for 3 years.

Jennifer Dugan

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pastagent
Richmond, US
Jan 01, 2011 11:03 pm EST

"So many people can't accept things and move on." Since you brought my name up prior to that comment, I must ask... Accept what, Jennifer? I wanted to leave Dugans. I left Dugans. I have my own agency making 100% of the commission, great return customers, all the business I want (I'm part-time by choice) and I have no problems with what I've done. I don't continue to bash Dugans. I just commented that some of what I read sounds exactly like what I said.

I have gotten many emails from agents who are looking for a host agency and I tell them all what I didn't like at Dugans but I also tell them that you have a really low monthly fee and that most of what one needs to know is learned through doing, not so much through training programs. I have given them opinions only, not venomous comments.

I wish you the best but I also deserve to have my reputation left alone. You would not believe the number of people who have written me saying they felt like I was attacked unnecessarily just for wanting to terminate my affiliation with Dugans. Their support of me is great, I appreciate it but I don't have a host agency which needs no more negative publicity. My agency is local and not web based so what ever is on this will never be seen by my customers. Unfortunately, Dugan's future agents ARE looking here and see ing things they don't like.

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Dec 16, 2010 11:00 pm EST

Unfortunately the common theme is we upset people by saying no. We said no to Betty (past agent) and she has now posted 20 times about us. You can see it is personal for her.

In a big business you have to have rules and procedures. There is always someone who thinks they should get special treatment. Someone thinks they can be late on their payment and not get terminated. Someone thinks they should not have to do the paperwork required or wait on getting commissions paid. The biggest thing that sets someone off is when they don't get their own way.

The original poster was someone who got terminated because he didn't pay what he owed the agency. Still today even sent to the collection agency, he still has not paid. He calls us a scam but he doesn't pay his bills.

We are not a scam. Have we made people upset? Yes. People get their feelings hurt or get upset when they don't get their way. The facts are we pay our agents. We don't take money from people. We do not scam anyone. We are business that relies on people being adults and taking responsibility for their own business/financial issues.

Dugan's Travels is celebrating it's 14th year in business in 2011. We are still going strong with our great agents. For those with personal agendas I hope you can move on with your lives. It is sad so many people can't accept things and move on.

Jennifer Dugan

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pastagent
Richmond, US
Dec 12, 2010 1:17 am EST

Darn, some of this sounds sooooo familiar!

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Rick Simard
Woonsocket, US
Sep 28, 2010 6:54 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have read several of these "accusations" and they are just that, unsubstantiated, and unfounded! I have been with Dugan's for over 3 years and have had nothing but positive results at every turn. Jennifer and her staff have been extremely helpful every time I have asked, and extremely patient I should add! I started with Dugan's with a simple desire to one day break the boundary of the brick and mortar. Bottom line, we home based agents must work for our money. I have done very well and have always been paid on time. I look forward to a long lucrative career with Dugans, and before people go degrading someone, some homework should be done!

Sincerly,
Rick Simard
Home Based Agent of Dugan's Travels

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Mike G
Chattanooga, US
Sep 15, 2010 4:32 pm EDT

I have been with Dugans for over a year and they have always paid every cent on time. Now, if you were expecting to be spoon fed ... one should affiliate with a local agency and spend ten hours a day in an office. If you want a home owned travel business where you can make the most in commissions and are willing to pay the price of time and effort, Dugans is great! I have friends who have been in the travel business for many years and they still do not make the % of commission that I have made with Dugans from day one. And, I have a host of participating agents that will answer my questions 24/7. No complaints here.

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Sep 15, 2010 1:06 pm EDT

Dear Director of Sales-

Please let us know what hotel you are sales manager of so that we can let our agents know you do not want our business. I am sure what our agent was asking was if you pay a commission since some of the hotels available to agents do not pay a commission and therefore if we sell it, we need to either charge a service fee or do it as a courtesy booking.

As far as not knowing about us, are you going to know about every travel agency out there? No. There are many agencies in the United States. However, we do have high standings with many organizations including ARC, IATAN, CLIA, and Vacation.com

We are the ONLY Funjet500 Club Agency in New Mexico.

We won Royal Caribbean's 2006 West Account of the Year.

We won Carnival Cruise Lines' Pinnacle Club Award in 2008.

We are an Apple Vacations Golden Apple agency.

I think you attacking one of our agents who was trying to give your hotel business is very unprofessional. I would highly doubt the owner of the hotel or the chain operator would find this appropriate.

We are happy to let our agents know to not to try to give you business in the future if you notify us what hotel you represent.

Jennifer Dugan
Owner of Dugan's Travels

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Kevin P.A.
, US
Aug 21, 2010 10:29 am EDT

Attn: Dugans travels
It is unfortunate that this forum has turned into an uneventful bashing session. Your site was the very first sight I came across and it was informative. I am a previous small business owner who after 10 years chose to sell at a very good time. While refinery work pays well, we move with economy. I am looking for a side business and this line of business peaked my interest. My time is valuable so after much research, I will be giving your company a try. I hope your co company is what you say it is.
Kevin P.A.

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DirectorofSales
Not, US
Aug 20, 2010 11:13 am EDT

Before today, I had never heard of Dugan's Travel, and that is a sad thing for Dugan's Travel because I am the Director of Sales at a large hotel in the downtown area of a major city.

How did I hear about Dugans? Simple, I was responding to a HotelPlanner lead where a Dugan's Agent expected a commission paid to her, as well as the one paid to Hotelplanner.

If that's the training that is provided, then I would steer clear of Dugan's.

At the same time, this person is only one of several hundred Dugan's travel agents.

If I was affiliated with Dugan's at all, I would have a couple serious concerns here.

1.) Someone who works in a major tourism market, and has for two years, has never heard of them.
2.) When you search for Dugan's the top two results are their website, which does look sadly unprofessional, and then this forum.

Those don't seem like great credentials to have.

I guess it's none of my business, since I already declined to bid on the HotelPlanner lead from someone who expects me to pay 20% in commissions (10% to them, 10% to HotelPlanner).

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Jennifer Dugan
Los Alamos, US
Aug 12, 2010 9:21 pm EDT

Dugans Travels disputes these negative responses. We are happy to talk to anyone who has a dispute or issue. However this website does not require any documentation or proof like the BBB and other organizations so we can only offer to those interested in our company to contact us. We can give references to those who want to verify that we work hard to handle any issues that someone comes to us with.

We will not reply to any posts made on this website because of the hateful and unprofessional nature.

Dugans Travels

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Yardiegal
, US
Aug 05, 2010 12:39 pm EDT

I am looking for a host agency but after reading theses posts, I realize that this company is not for me. I can't deal with the drama, unprofessionalism, and immaturity.

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DisneyFan
Charl, US
Jul 06, 2010 7:00 pm EDT

I am a former agent with Dugan's Travels. I agree with the complainant. At first, I was happy with Dugans because it was my first experience with a host agency. However, I found that there is very little agent support in the way of training (and I am a self-starter and do not need hand holding). There is a "training course" that is on her agent website and is enough to walk you through one of the search engines so you can book travel. If you want more than that, find another host agency. I have had "lost" commissions and had to do my own research only to find they miraculously found it. Commissions were paid in about 60 days after travel and after inquiry received a snippy, boarderlining rude email in response.

The fees for this host is also out of line with other hosts that I have found as well.

All in all, it just wasn't for me.

I have since moved on and am completely and totally happy with my current situation. I hope this comment helps someone.

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whatisascam
Orlando, US
Jun 02, 2010 12:51 pm EDT

Wow you sound like a angry person, Mommy Dearest. For someone who said they have moved on, you still seem to be very bitter. Have you ever looked into the cost for having a tradeshow booth at the events? They are very expensive. And it looks to me like Dugans is doing fine without paying for a tradeshow booth. I guess if they were doing booths, you would accuse them of using agents' money to pay for them. It sounds like a personal attack.

It looks like you messed up and got mad for being charged for it. Anyone can read through the lines on a post like this. You are bitter and angry. You have personal issues with the agency and instead of moving on like you said you did, you are attacking saying something is a scam. Do you know what SCAM means?

A fraudulent business scheme; a swindle.

If you are going to use words like SCAM.. you should know what it means. Does Dugans pay their agents? Do they promise you that you will make millions of dollars? Do they take money from you and not give you anything in return? Are they under investigation? Are they in trouble with any of the organizations or government? Have they done anything to you to qualify as a SCAM as you put it?

A scam is not someone talking to you like you do not like. If you get offended by how someone speaks to you, that does not mean it is a scam. If you get upset because you get charged a fee becuase you made a mistake, that is not a scam.

A website like this is meant for people to inform people of scams. This post is just junk. It provides no valuable information. It is just rantings from someone who got their feelings hurt because someone talked to you like a child. This post makes you look like a child. That might be why you were treated that way. You might consider taking your energy for personal attacks and do something with your time that is more useful.

If something is a scam, they need to be brought to people's attention. However just because you get upset because someone doesn't talk to you the way you want them, you can't say it is a scam.

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