this week: Sunbury and Staines

this week: Sunbury and Staines

Longreach Travel

23 Sunbury Cross Shopping Centre

Sunbury &#42&#42

This was an attractive, spacious agency with masses of brochures on the racks. Two consultants were on duty and I was served immediately.

The consultant picked out the Travelscene brochure, checked the contents page to see if Berlin was featured and handed it over without comment. I asked if flights were included and she quickly turned to the section and quoted me the two-night rate for flights and hotel. She didn’t show any interest in making an impression.

&#42 Agency appearance

&#42 Brochure racking

Thomas Cook

46 The Elmsleigh Centre

Staines &#42&#42

This was a busy agency and the three consultants on duty were all dealing with customers. There appeared to be quite a few gaps on the brochure racks.

I was served within a few minutes by a consultant who went to the brochure racks and picked out Thomas Cook Holidays Cities and Short Breaks brochure.

She turned to the two-page spread on Berlin and indicated the range of hotels.

Again she handed over brochure without suggesting that I return to book.

&#42 Agency appearance

&#42 Brochure racking

Lunn Poly

33 High Street

Staines &#42&#42&#42

There was one consultant on duty in this very large agency. A second emerged from the back and was sorting brochures.

On hearing my enquiry the consultant picked out Crystal and Sovereign brochures and her colleague called from the back that they also had a Travelscene one which featured Berlin. The consultant handed all three over. I asked if flights were included in an effort to extend the enquiry and was told it was all offered as a package. The consultant was polite but did not encourage me to return.

&#42 Agency appearance

&#42 Brochure racking

&#42 Staff attitude

Going Places

Unit 13b Sunbury Cross Shopping Centre

Sunbury

&#42&#42&#42&#42

This was a neat, bright-looking agency with three consultants on duty. The brochure racks appeared to be well stocked.

Iwent straight to the brochure racks but was immediately approached by a keen young consultant who asked if I needed any assistance.

On hearing my enquiry, he picked out Cresta Cities and Bridge cities brochures. He opened both brochures at the Berlin section and pointed out the selection of hotels. He said they were very similar operators but that it was worth taking both as sometimes they featured different hotels.

He said there was a minimum two-night stay and indicated the prices to me. He told me to call back when I wanted to book.

The consultant didn’t display any particular knowledge of the destination but he stood out from others I visited on the day because he chatted a bit about what the different operators offered and also he was the only one to encourage me to return to the agency.

&#42 Agency appearance

&#42 Staff attitude

&#42 Brochure racking

&#42 Sales technique

&#42 TOP TIPS FOR AGENTS &#42

Tip 1: if it is a city break, take time to point out the various excursions offered by the different operators.

Tip 2: if you are not busy and there are no other customers waiting, take the opportunity to practice your selling skills on the customer in front of you.