Location: Bury, Greater Manchester
Shopping for: A trip to Thailand with sightseeing and beach time for a couple
The agencies
Going Places
92 The Rock, Bury
Score: 68%
The shop was busy when I entered, with six customers and five staff. After five minutes an agent became free and I approached her and sat down.
The agent looked surprised. Apparently she’d assumed I was with another customer, and this confusion meant the initial conversation felt unfriendly. Our interaction did warm up, and I was shown the Tradewinds Worldwide brochure.
The agent seemed knowledgeable – she gave anecdotes of visits and told me Phuket was lively and Krabi more relaxed. However, she seemed a little frustrated that I did not know about the destination and exactly what I wanted to do there.
I was given a business card and my details were taken, but I felt the agent did not have my best interests at heart, so I would not return.
Thomson
76-78 The Rock, Bury
Score: 73%
There were six customers in the Thomson shop. After a couple of minutes an agent asked me to take a seat.
The atmosphere in the store was friendly and professional, and the agent gave me a Thomson Worldwide – Asian and Arabian Gulf and the Kuoni Worldwide brochures.
She was keen for me to take the brochures away and find out more about the destination, and invited me to return once I’d selected what I wanted to see and the resorts I wanted to stay in. She was confident, helpful and caring.
I appreciated she wanted to ensure we picked the right holiday rather than jump into a booking. However, perhaps more personal advice and recommendations on what to choose could have been more effective than just the brochures alone.
The Co-operative Travel
9 The Mall, Bury
Score: 75%
It was almost a shame that an agent was free to serve me as soon as I walked into the shop – there were crisps and sweets on offer for me to nibble as I waited and browsed brochures.
However, I was greeted immediately and the friendly agent flicked through the Thomas Cook Signature Worldwide brochure with me. She explained the trip could be tailor-made once I’d selected what I wanted to see and where I wanted to stay.
She didn’t seem hugely knowledgeable on the destination, but she meant well and was keen to learn. She invited me to return once I’d done some more research, and gave me a business card so I could get in touch if I had any questions.
The winner
First Choice
15 The Mall, Bury
Score: 83%
There were four customers being served in First Choice, but an agent was free and after 30 seconds she looked up from her desk and offered me assistance. I was immediately impressed by her friendly and helpful manner.
She explained the different trips and told me that with so much available it was important to start narrowing down the options. She suggested I try an 11-day tour. She gave me the Hayes and Jarvis Worldwide brochure, after showing me the excursions it offered. She said they could be booked when arranging the holiday or on arrival.
She gave me her contact details and recommended I return rather than make a hasty choice. I couldn’t fault her competence, knowledge and friendliness, and was impressed by the fact she seemed as keen to ensure I found the perfect holiday as she was to make a sale.
Selling tips
Tip 1: Thailand’s rainy seasons runs from July to October. Showers are short but very heavy, and can make visiting the islands by boat difficult. Southern Thailand doesn’t really have a winter, but the north can get quite cold between November and February.
Tip 2: Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep, is colourful and chaotic. Visit the ornate buildings of the old royal city, the bustling Silom night market and recover in the tranquil Lumpini Park.
Tip 3: The movie The Beach, starring Leonardo Di Caprio, was filmed on Phi Phi Le island. Rugged and idyllic, it’s uninhabited, with accommodation on the nearby, larger Phi Phi Don.
Tip 4: Northern Thailand is a different world from the southern beaches. Among the mountains you can find elaborate wooden temples, thriving hill tribes and the historic city of Chiang Mai.
Recent Thailand features from Travel Weekly
- Thailand: Chiang Mai for temples, shops and spas
- Thailand: destination update from Thai Travel Mart
- Postcard from Thailand: Rarinjinda Wellness Resort, Chiang Mai
Mystery Shopper scoring system
- 60% Advice and product knowledge
- 12% Customer service
- 8% External/internal appearance
- 7% Welcome
- 7% Farewell
- 6% Staff presentation