Payment to local tour operators

080472

We are going to India next month, and we have arrange our tour with a local tour operator. He does´t ask for any money in advance, but we have to pay the hole amount of money when we arrive to Delhi. He says he will give us the train tickets and hotel vouchers. ?
Is this the "normal way"?. I mean, do you think it would be possible to pay half the money at the beginnig, and half at the end of the tour, or even at the middle? Are there any tour operator who admit two paiments?

jyotirmoy

With online e-ticketing in place & also online hotel booking why an agent? Has he got all the tickets already? Did he book hotels which you had chosen or his choice? Check everything very well before making payment. Have you given the agent your credit card details? On what assurance did your agent invest money in arranging tickets & hotels for you? I am afraid he wont agree to half payment.

080472

Of course we will not give our credit card number. The price he offer us is quite good (private AC car+hotels 22 days 800 euros per person). I think he will accept two payments (half at the beginnig and half at the end). First day he will give us train tickets and hotel vouchers. It doesn´t sound bad

scub_a_holic

I am surprised you haven't had to pay anything yet to be honest ? Any time I have used a tour operator i've paid in advance.

Good value? It depends on the places your visiting and how many days you have access to the car.

We stayed in Kannor last weekend and 2000 Rupees can get you a suite, but in Bangalore you'd have to pay double that for a mid range hotel double room.

Is the car unlimited klm ?

What class train tickets ? We traveled 1AC from Bangalore to Hospet return and I can't remember how much exactly but it wasn't cheap.

Perhaps ask if the hotels he has booked have website so you can check them out ?????

080472

We don´t have to pay anything in advance. Train ticket is 2nd class sleep cabinet. I have the web pages of all hotels we are using (3-4 star hotels). Unlimited km with AC ambassador. He will be waiting for us in the airport......I think it sounds fine

seventies'hippy

But have you actually checked that you have been booked in, If you have, Fine. Some companys though don't book clients into hotels until you've arrived in India & you've handed money over. People sometimes don't turn up for whatever reasons, & the operator doesn't want to be hit in the pocket if you don't,,,,,,,,

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080472

When we arrive, he will give us the hotel vouchers reservation. I don´t know what kind of agreement he has with this hotels regarding cancellations, but at least we are given some kind of "paper". He seems to be rather serious. If everything is OK, I will write his references and address

Indiafan

I have used several Indian travel agencies, paid in advance for hotel and car. Received the vouchers and bookings were ok. The local agent always arrived to the hotel to make sure that everything was fine.

jivan

it'll be nice to have some kind of listing happening somewhere, some kind of resource-list people can use while being around the country. What do people think about this?

ib1kid

My travel agent as well as hotels in Havelock wanted me to put advance payment, wire to them 4 wks in advance. Is this safe? How do I know this doesn't go to lala land as I am wiring money to stranger account? Is this common practice? I am afraid of not having a room during my visit to Havelock on 12/29/09 to 01/04/09.