Dealing with the Travel Studio at the Q Centre, Mermaid Waters was the worst experience I have every had.
From the onset the consultant was dishonest and deliberated misrepresented services offered.
We booked a $34,000 Cruise on a small boat to the Kimberley's. During the consultation I asked the travel agent from the onset did she receive commission on this booking and would it not be more prudent for me to book this online myself. She replied, no she did not receive commission and it was better to book though them.
When we boarded the boat we were horrified to learn that the other passengers had all been given enormous discounting on the stated price which, we had not received. It became apparent that Travel Studio had indeed received a commission (anywhere up to 30%) because we booked with them we paid FULL price when others did not.
We did not receive any service after the booking, no help with completing the ship manifest, no updates on the booking and no help with travel insurance, I was told to do it myself. After I managed to cancel an overpriced flexible accommodation booking with them it took 35 business days to receive a refund.
We complained directly to Travel Studio and received a hostile letter, refusing to disclose the commission they received on our booking and threatening legal action if we shared our abhorrent experience with others.
We complained to Fair Trading only to find out that they have absolutely no power to enforce any of their regulations. They can only mediate and if the company refuses to do this, which this company did, they can do absolutely nothing.
In NSW it is compulsory for travel agents to disclose their commission, which is not the case in Queensland. This needs to be legislation here in order to stop the deception, misrepresentation and lack of integrity that we experienced. read more
