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Pia is THE BEST
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:43 pm
by islandjo2010
Thank you Pia for helping us arrange our 2 days out with Captain Brandi and Captain Phil.
We are very excited for our first trip to STJ...too bad we are going to miss you. I suppose we just need to plan another trip soon!
Best regards,
Jo
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:46 pm
by loria
another vote for Pia is the best!
many thanks again to you for helping us arrange our day out a while ago!
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:06 pm
by Pia
Shucks thanks guy's 
It was fun being able to help you out I know you will have 2 fantastic days and who knew it would be so difficult to find dates that were available.
My advise to anyone who is looking to book a trip out on the water within the next month (especially around Carnival) book now and if you need any help just send me a PM 
Pia
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:48 pm
by Jorge
Pia wrote:Shucks thanks guy's
It was fun being able to help you out I know you will have 2 fantastic days and who knew it would be so difficult to find dates that were available.
My advise to anyone who is looking to book a trip out on the water within the next month (especially around Carnival) book now and if you need any help just send me a PM
Pia
Pia, What are your limits. Can you book anything?
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:08 pm
by Pia
OK Jorge do you want my funny answer or the serious one 
The serious one is I can book most day trips such as power boats, day sails, parasailing, fishing, horseback riding etc but not with all companies as we only represent the ones that have proven their insurance, licensing etc - not to say the other companies don't have insurance it's just some can't be bothered to actually supply all of their paperwork. The "funny" answer is no I can't book a private booth at Find Da Spot
Luv ya
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:20 pm
by Exit Zero
[quote="Pia" - not to say the other companies don't have insurance it's just some can't be bothered to actually supply all of their paperwork.
[/quote]
Most Companies like yours that "book" trips take a 20% commission- usually as a 'deposit'
- Do you think that some of the companies that haven't supplied the paperwork you mention may just not want to be 'represented' and would rather have a customer call them or email them directly - maybe they can even offer that customer a 10% Discount and still come out ahead - some smaller operations just cannot afford to give away 20% of their revenue - to many of the multipax vessels it is just gravy getting more passengers.
I understand it is a business decision - but saying they 'can't be bothered' may not be the reason.
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:22 am
by Pia
Yes you are absolutely correct that the company I work for takes a booking fee/%/deposit - you may call it by any number of things and this fee has been agreed upon between the vendor and the company I work for and obviously if the vendor and the company mutually agree to this practice and the price then who am, or anyone, to say it is wrong and in addition if a company did not want to be represented by an outside booking agent for a "fee" then they would choose not to be.
I do know that I do not receive 20% (I wish ) and I work for $10 per hour (have no problem putting that out there) and only for the time I sit in the kiosk but I have to say I am finding myself working from home quite a bit and not being compensated because I really enjoy finding the perfect trip for a visitor (quite honestly I love it) and it is not always possible to talk to the captains between 9am and 1pm, my working hours and in addition not everyone who is visiting has the time to call all of the different companies to find out about the specifics of their trips and availability etc so I am more than happy to do it for them.
Now as far as my previous statement goes, there are numerous other kiosks/booking agents/”insert name here” that will, and do, book many more companies than the company I work for do so it’s not that the other vendors do not wish to pay.
I still want to say thank you to everyone who has found me to be helpful and I know you will have (or did have) a fantastic day
Pia
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:41 am
by islandjo2010
Hi, its me again!
I didn't mean to stir any pots here! I just wanted to express my gratitude to Pia for helping us with our 2 day trips. I hoped to thank her in person, but she will not be on STJ while we are there.
I know for a fact that she worked in her off hours for us getting the charters and dates set. I had done my rearch months before hand and had narrowed it down to a few companies but now that our trip is fast approaching I found it in my best interest of time to rely on her help with arranging the dates and booking the charters that would best meet my family's interests. She has been of great help with other questions I had in the past as well. I am not sure if I would have saved any money by going directly to these companies, but I do know it was worth it to me to have Pia's help and I would definitely call on her again for assistance. I am hoping a second trip to STJ will soon come!
Again, I Thank You Pia and I think YOU ARE THE BEST!!!
Jo
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:51 am
by Lovermont
islandjo2010 wrote:Again, I Thank You Pia and I think YOU ARE THE BEST!!!
Jo
Yep! Agreed. She is the best. Not at all a P*** I* A**!
I ♥ Pia.
Lovermont
Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:01 am
by Exit Zero
I was in no way criticizing Pia or her company or the commission system - I only meant to say the smaller businesses may have other reasons then 'not bothering' when they refrain from sending documents.
Agents that work as hard as Pia are well worth the commission for both the vessel and the customer - I know they are not compensated by sales and that their workday doesn't start or end at the desk - she may well be 99% correct in the 'not bothering' comment - certainly not an unlikely scenario in an island business operating on island standards and island time.
Accept my apology if it sounded like I was being accusatory of Pia in any way - on this forum she is a fount of helpful information - reliable and honest - and well appreciated as "The Best" !!