Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it....
Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it. Back to whistling at Trains.
Member since:15.07.2007
Reviews:109
Members who trust:10
This review is based on just one Travel experience with Manos. Usually for our May Greek Holiday I have always used Kosmar as our Travel firm, but have always knew that Manos were an equal good option.
Last year after Kosmar had been taken over by XL they were very late in getting out their 2008 Brochure, and as we like to have next years holiday sorted by the middle of June I went with Manos.
Booked on their online site which was very quick and efficent. Choose Villa Bridge in Aghios Gordios on Corfu (See seperate reviews). With online discount and taking all those extras into the price, Airport Taxes, Fuel Suppliments, Airport Suppliment, we ended up with Day Flights from East Midlands Airport (our local only 15 miles away) for £604 for the two of us. I know there will be those who say we got a late deal
for 99 pence etc, but for our main trip we like to go where WE want to go and stay where WE want to stay, and to have it booked a year in advance on these rules £302 each I feel in an acceptable price.
I paid the deposit of £100 each at time of booking, received confirmation in post.
Then MANOS were taken over by Thomas Cook, received a further invoice in the post and a New Holiday Reference number, price still confirmed as £604.
Small problems came when time to pay balance. Although MANOS online site still operating, the facility to pay online had been withdrawn. Instead you were referred to on 0871 number. Rang this number, after several keying options and 5 mins of mindless music with repeated statements YOUR CALL IS IMPORTANT TO US. was connected to an agent. Obvious an overseas call desk, enquired where and told India. Seemed to be no problems as Agent took new reference, agreed the Balance amount and took card details. After about a Minute confirmed payment had been processed OK and gave me a payment reference number.
A week later received another invoice for balance with amended flight times, still daytime but 10:00 Departure instead of 06:00, no problem. But phoned the Help desk number 01733 (Peterborough) but again was routed to India, they confirmed the bill had been paid but said there was a problem with their system which had fired off the invoice. They said ignor it and they would update my file.
Two days before final payment deadline received a Recorded Lettter saying unless my balance payment was rereceived I could lose the holiday.
Emailed them with Payment Date, Reference number etc and requested confirmation IN WRITING to the fact that the payment had been made. Also phoned the 01733 number, 10 mins of mindless music, then again confirmation payment had been made, requested this in writing.
Two days later received an Email from India confirming payment had been received.
With about 9 days to go had not received tickets, again 01733 seems always to have 10 mins of music, told tickets had been printed, and should be with me in a couple of days. They came 3 days later.
Flights were with Thomas Cook airline, both directions depated and arrived on time. Inflight meal, what can you really say about these, if there is an option not to have one and save money I will take it, but they were included in the deal, so you juggle with all that plastic and wrapping. Drinks from the Trolly seemed a little pricey to me but then perhaps I'm a skinflint.
Transfer to resort no problem, Thomas Cook rep took us to taxi man as there were only 4 of us to our resort, so only 25 mins after coming thru the door we were in Aghios Gordios.
Local transfer rep waiting, cases put on a truck to be taken to Villa Bridge while she escorted us via beach to the accommodation. Cases already there on the path, no worries with this as often practice in some Greek resorts.
Welcome meeting next day, usual trip selling talk, but to be fair their prices did not exceed local agents by much, Island Trip 37 Euros, local firms 34 euros, so booked with rep.
Perhaps more regular Manos Customers can comment on the Thomas Cook reps, but my feeling is that they will not be so Greek Orientated, my impression was she would have been more at home with the 18-30 Crowd in Benidorm.
Did not have any further dealings with Her until departure day.
On departure day we were to be at the Bus Stop for 13:30 pickup, requested to be there at least 10 mins prior. No rep in sight when Bus pulled up, driver lept down loaded cases those there got onboard and drew away at 13:28. NO HEAD COUNT, 5 miles down road, driver's mobile rings, although conversation in Greek and then head count, managed to understand we were missing one. "She will have to come in a Taxi", driver told them.
Airport reps fine, got us queued up and then checked in fairly quickly. Then back to UK.
Speaking to some regualr MANOS customers they did not seem too pleased about the changes, MANOS was always known for its 3 weeks for price of 2 in May, they had been able to get these. They felt Rep was not up to their usual Manos Standards.
So back to KOSMAR next year, their Brochure was on 1st week in May for 2009, so have booked for Kos, two weeks for price of one, but that only brings it down to reasonable £640 for the two of us. But they have reduced luggage from 20kg to 15kg with an option to buy back that extra 5kg for £15.
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