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I answered an ad online on becoming a home based travel agent. I started in the industry in 1989 until 2001 and did help desk work for Apollo ( United Airlines GDS System) in Toronto and then onto a Sr.Corporate travel position. I decided that I would give it a chance. I spoke to a Mr Terry Byrne (Business Development Manager, ha) who advised the steps and fees to pay, so I agreed on one condition. I am a airfare specialist and was aware that most major airlines did cut commissions so not much money in air, however he ( Mr Byrne ) assured me that through consolidators I could book and then make a commissions on a mark-up of a net fare. Since this was my marketing strategy I went ahead and signed up, payed the fees and did their boot camp where I got over 90% on the exam. So well on my way... so I thought. I spent 3 months marking all the airline websites and as well as the suppliers that were sent to me (3 weeks later big whoop a bunch of 800 numbers and useless search engine sites). I was then called by a person called Deanna Byrne? Umm didn't even know or was I introduced to her but apparently she was "The Boss". Well as an independent I have no boss but she was sure that she was, no big deal. As long as I didn't infringe on anything in my contract I had no reason to speak to anyone at The Destination Experts. Any questions I had were to go to a Regional Team Leader, so that is what I did.
I went to check my on-line e-mail provided by the so called company and I was locked out. Her e-mail read " I have left you a voice mail and have to discuss some protocol issues. Your agent access has been limited until we are able to find a resolve". I had no idea what she was referring to and when I questioned why I was locked out of all that I have payed for her responce was, " Many things have been brought to our attention about how you are running your travel business, while under NTA umbrella, that are creating concerns for the company therefore your account has been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation. While this investigation is under review, you will no longer be able to book travel under the NTA label, sell RBC travel insurance or state that you are an active travel agent with National Travel Associates dba The Destination Experts to clients, other agents or the company's suppliers. Your company email and other internal services are also temporarily
suspended. Once the investigation has been finalized, you will be notified in writing of either your reinstatement as an active NTA travel agent or the termination of your Independent Agent Agreement."
That was from Terry so very confusing as one sends a message then the other but no answers either way.Still no indication of what they were talking about? Seriously? Well a few e-mails went back and forth and finally I got this e-mail message " "We will issue you a full refund of $358.84, which includes your one time start-up fee of $199.99 + tax totaling $229.99 plus the $128.85 NS Provincial Travel Insurance License Fee. RBC will be notified that sponsorship of your license will cease immediately.
We are also refunding your first and only Monthly Service Fee payment on March 15, 2014 of $49.99. Total amount of refund = $408.83." from Deanna. I waitied 2 weeks and still nothing so I sent her one final e-mail pretty much demanding my refund as I just wanted to move on, she replied, " Due to a series of events that you have chosen to partake against our company your file was transferred to our legal team and any initial refund canceled. We advised you in our termination email that you were to not have any contact with our team nor defame our company.You chose to not comply" Once again no bases or truth or proof of any of these allegations, so now I am waiting on her lawyer to call me back. I will let you know. There is more but this is enough for now.
STAY AWAY from these thieves.
I answered an ad online on becoming a home based travel agent. I started in the industry in 1989 until 2001 and did help desk work for Apollo ( United Airlines GDS System) in Toronto and then onto a Sr.Corporate travel position. I decided that I would give it a chance. I spoke to a Mr Terry Byrne (Business Development Manager, ha) who advised the steps and fees to pay, so I agreed on one condition. I am a airfare specialist and was aware that most major airlines did cut commissions so not much money in air, however he ( Mr Byrne ) assured me that through consolidators I could book and then make a commissions on a mark-up of a net fare. Since this was my marketing strategy I went ahead and signed up, payed the fees and did their boot camp where I got over 90% on the exam. So well on my way... so I thought. I spent 3 months marking all the airline websites and as well as the suppliers that were sent to me (3 weeks later big whoop a bunch of 800 numbers and useless search engine sites). I was then called by a person called Deanna Byrne? Umm didn't even know or was I introduced to her but apparently she was "The Boss". Well as an independent I have no boss but she was sure that she was, no big deal. As long as I didn't infringe on anything in my contract I had no reason to speak to anyone at The Destination Experts. Any questions I had were to go to a Regional Team Leader, so that is what I did.
I went to check my on-line e-mail provided by the so called company and I was locked out. Her e-mail read " I have left you a voice mail and have to discuss some protocol issues. Your agent access has been limited until we are able to find a resolve". I had no idea what she was referring to and when I questioned why I was locked out of all that I have payed for her responce was, " Many things have been brought to our attention about how you are running your travel business, while under NTA umbrella, that are creating concerns for the company therefore your account has been temporarily suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation. While this investigation is under review, you will no longer be able to book travel under the NTA label, sell RBC travel insurance or state that you are an active travel agent with National Travel Associates dba The Destination Experts to clients, other agents or the company's suppliers. Your company email and other internal services are also temporarily
suspended. Once the investigation has been finalized, you will be notified in writing of either your reinstatement as an active NTA travel agent or the termination of your Independent Agent Agreement."
That was from Terry so very confusing as one sends a message then the other but no answers either way.Still no indication of what they were talking about? Seriously? Well a few e-mails went back and forth and finally I got this e-mail message " "We will issue you a full refund of $358.84, which includes your one time start-up fee of $199.99 + tax totaling $229.99 plus the $128.85 NS Provincial Travel Insurance License Fee. RBC will be notified that sponsorship of your license will cease immediately.
We are also refunding your first and only Monthly Service Fee payment on March 15, 2014 of $49.99. Total amount of refund = $408.83." from Deanna. I waitied 2 weeks and still nothing so I sent her one final e-mail pretty much demanding my refund as I just wanted to move on, she replied, " Due to a series of events that you have chosen to partake against our company your file was transferred to our legal team and any initial refund canceled. We advised you in our termination email that you were to not have any contact with our team nor defame our company.You chose to not comply" Once again no bases or truth or proof of any of these allegations, so now I am waiting on her lawyer to call me back. I will let you know. There is more but this is enough for now.
STAY AWAY from these thieves.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
