Thread: upfront fees

Why would you expect to get flack about good service?

The travel agents who are contributing members of cruiselinefans are very up front about not charging their clients any fees, so your statement is right in line with what we have come to expect.

I wouldn't compare lawyers and doctors to TAs. Doctors get paid by the patients (through their insurance copanies, co pays, etc. for services rendered). Lawyers get paid against the winnings (if taking on certain cases such as workers comp) or against the judgement and hourly fees.

The client isn't paying the TA ever (unless they go to one that charges fees). Consider that the payment for the fare should be going to the cruiseline. But many people are not aware that TAs get paid thru the commissions from the cruiselines and that they cold find ones that don't charge them. Reminds me of when I was trying to get into novel writing. One agent I had contacted sent me a contract that said I was to pay him for fees. Fortunately I did some research before writing the check, and found out that this was considered unethical in the world of publishing. That agents get pay from the sale of your book. In fact, any agent that charged a reading fee like he did are not allowed to join the professional group for agents, the AAR.