Investigation reveals agent confusion over discounts

Report by Lisa James

HIGH-STREET agents are as confused as their customers over the latest discounts, according to a Travel Weekly investigation.

Travel Weekly  ‘mystery shopped’ the top four multiple agencies in a busy high street and found staff knowledge of the latest summer 2001 deals was limited.

And a vox pop on the streets of London found the general public unconvinced by the discounts.

During the mystery shopper exercise, one Going Places counter clerk said the 50% discount campaign was a “swizz,” while another said working out the deals was a “nightmare”.

Many agents said they had been asked countless times over the past three weeks to explain the deals to confused shoppers.

First Choice managing director UK distribution manager Peter Shanks said: “We’ve invested in training to ensure our staff are well aware of our offers. There might be isolated incidents where people are confused but our experience is that our BOGOF campaign is one of the clearest we have ever had.”

Going Places was unavailable and Lunn Poly refused to comment.