Atlantico overcharge

[HotdadENYC]

RE: Is the Royal Rio off the radar screen?

 

When all is said and done, if the service is good, the price is competitive and one is happy with the experience, does it really ultimately matter what the relationship between Trilingual and Carlo is?

 

And for that matter, if you use Carlo or another travel facilitator, its not really the highest priority to find out if the hotels or other tour aspects are "rewarding" the person who recommended them.

 

Its fairly common practice for some businesses to reward those people who lead business their way. In my opinion, it only becomes a big issue if the service sucks.

 

If my neighbor recommends a good contractor and the contractor sends him a gift certificate or my neighbor recommends an outstanding but reasonably priced restaurant and they give him a discount on dinner, and if overall I am satisfied with both experiences, there doesn't seem to be much uptake on worrying about what my neighbor received in return.

 

Just my thoughts on how I think it works.

 

hd NYC

[trilingual]

RE: Is the Royal Rio off the radar screen?

 

Needless to say, travel agents like Carlo earn commissions from hotels and other businesses to whom they send clients. It's pretty common knowledge that this is how travel agents earn their living. In cases where businesses don't offer commissions, travel agents customarily charge a fee for their time. In Carlo's case, most of his clients end up saving money because not only does he NOT need to charge them a fee, he has also worked out discounted rates for hotels, tours, etc.

 

As for referring M4Mers to Carlo, I've been doing so ever since I got to know him a couple of years ago and saw that he's professional, responsible and committed to his clients. That also explains why I feel comfortable talking with him now about a non-tourism venture together. If it gets off the ground, you'll be hearing about it, because it will be of interest to at least some M4Mers. :-)

[Guest msclonly]

RE: Is the Royal Rio off the radar screen?

 

I have misplaced Carlo's website address and have to make a couple of reservations. Could you tell me where to find it, or dare put it on here or email to me?

 

It is amazing how some make a moutain out of a molehill! }(

 

Smile and the world smiles with you!

 

This string brings back a lot of thoughts about the days, that I worked the checkin desk across from the old Pershing Square in LA. :+

Now I get to evaulate how the Front Desk handles me and my guests!

:7

[CarloRio]

Now Carlo speaks....

 

Hallo merry M4Mers,

 

Since I had my name mentioned here a couple of times, I really think that I should stop by to say something.

 

1) I´d really want to thank all the nice comments that were posted about our services.

 

2) I already sent a private message to Lucky asking him to give me some more details of the problem he had at Royal, which I am sure he had and it really bothered him, so much so that he posted it here, which I think he´s right to do. I asked him again because I can´t always associate the alias with the real customer´s name. But what I think that probably happened to this customer in particular is that he complained to us, we complained to the hotel. The hotel probably said that it would take care of the issue, but it probably didn´t. And the customer probably didn´t get back to us on the issue, and we assumed that it was solved. That was our mistake we should have insured that the customer was satisfied. Mea culpa. But as I mentioned to this particular customer if he gives us a chance we will try to compensate somehow the next time he comes to Brasil.

 

3) your business is very important to me and to Romanus, therefore we will keep on trying to improve and only your criticisms and praises will help us do better.

 

4) Regarding Lagoon´s complaint. I totally agree with him. Make sure you check your hotel bill carefully because sometimes some charges that shouldn´t be there appear. But all the times we´ve had this problem with the hotel and the customer pointed it out, we were always able to find a solution for it. As for Lagoon´s the hotel offered a solution which I hope he finds to be acceptable.

 

5) The travel business relies heavily on outsourced services, therefore we cannot be 100% sure that everything is going to happen as planned, we don't have problems with hotels only, but also with drivers who don´t show up at the agreed time, guides who are substituted in the last minute for others who don´t have the same command of the language, airplanes arriving in late etc... So it´s really difficult to ensure an operation that's 100% error-free. But since we try to work with preferred suppliers we have the ability to overcome some of these shortcomings... Therefore it´s very important that whenever you have a problem, do let us know, please! Otherwise we won't be able to work out a solution for it...

 

6) In order to minimize this problem we are setting up a new system which will contact the customer to find out how his trip was, so that we won't have any unwanted surprises!

 

7) Both Atlântico and Royal are good partners to work with but they have their peculiarities, their pros and cons. But they are far from perfect. The only hotels in Rio, which I think are closer to perfection are Marina All Suites and Copacabana Palace.

 

Anyway I hope that this sheds some light over the comments that were posted here and if you have any problems during your stay here, I urge you to contact us immediately, for we will definitely try our best for you to go home only with the good memories.

 

Um abraço a todos,

 

Carlo Romano

[world traveler]

Used Carlo's service last Oct. Hotel, transfer and tour. No problems and would certainly use him again. Being a travel agent myself, I found his service of good quality.

 

World Traveler

[joel304]

RE: Now Carlo speaks....

 

I suspected that we would be hearing from Carlo. His response indicates a businessman willing to learn and accomodate. I think that his practice of checking with all clients will serve him and his customers well.

 

God help him if the M4M's get a hold of him. One queeny thread can, and probably has, toppled businesses worldwide :-)

[HotdadENYC]

RE: Now Carlo speaks....

 

>

>God help him if the M4M's get a hold of him. One queeny

>thread can, and probably has, toppled businesses worldwide :-)

>

 

I am still laughing my ass off. Undoubtedly one of the funniest things I've read in a while. Sadly, but pathetically, probably very true.

 

 

hd NYC

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Is the Royal Rio off the radar scrreen?

 

I think Tri stated that if you want better rates to seek the services of Carlo or any other travel agent in Brasil. I have been to Brasil four x's, and on three of those visits-- Carlo made my reservations for me, and I have always been more than pleased. Last October I stayed at the Royal RIo; Carlo surprised me and picked me up at the aeroport, took me to the hotel, and I was quickly escorted to my room. When I opened the door and went in, I stated that it was rather small; the bellman reported my comment to Alex (a fluent speaker of English) who in turn rang my room and stated that he'll give me a larger room for the same rate. I took him up of this, but before I checked out, Carlo advised me to check to see if the rate that I was charged was the one that he had gotten for me. Unfortunately, I did not do this, and I think I was charged more. I'll know what to do next time.

 

When I went to the Amazon jungle in October 2003, I'd wanted to stay at the Airu (sp), the only hotel that allows one to see all of the jungle from up high; I could have gotten a room there, but Carlo suggested against this since they had wanted to add on charges that were unnecessary-- like paying for hot water. Carlo booked me into the Pousada Amazonia, a great rustic yet private place with superb personnel, and I loved it.

 

Anyway, our friend Tri has given us advice which has been invaluable without promoting any escort or travel agent or whatever. So, if I were you, I would accept the guidance without question.

 

(Since I have been coming to this site and forum, there have been only two agents to seek our business: Carlo and Mike. In December of 2002, Mike from Miketur called me internationally to seek my business; I'd already made arrangements through a travel agent in the US in Miami to take care of my travel plans to Carnaval...)

 

As my late friend would say: "Trust!"

[Guest dreynsol]

RE: Is the Royal Rio off the radar screen?

 

Lucky,

 

I agree with your comment. I would have been disappointed after flying 36 hours and not finding a room to my complete satisfaction. Wow, you must have racked up some serious frequent flyer miles! :-)

 

My last trip, I booked a suite through Carlo at the Atlantico, and when I arrived, the front desk informed me there were no suites available and I would have to stay in a standard room for a couple of nights. There was a last minute change, but I didn't blame Carlo. I attributed the problem to the Atlantico's inability to schedule rooms accurately. But, I did look at my bill and they did charge me a reduced rate for the nights in the standard room. They moved me into a suite in a couple of days.

 

Carlo does get us great rates, but it makes sense that hotels might give priority to higher paying customers. In my case, I was travelling alone and wasn't too inconvenienced. In your case, when you absolutely needed and expected priority treatment and a room with two beds, you probably should have dealt with the hotel directly. You would probably have paid a higher rate, but in your case, it sounds like it would have been well worth it.

 

Just sent an e-mail out to Carlo thanking him for the perfect service including everyone in our party. It was a big event for me, and I knew that Carlo would not let me down -- even getting me a special birthday rate! :-)

 

And, as always just remember that Brazil is not the US of A-- thank God! :-)

 

- Drey

[+ Lucky]

RE: Is the Royal Rio off the radar screen?

 

Dreysol, thank you for listening to what I had to say. If nothing else, Carlo should thank me for creating this opportunity for so many to praise his services. Gee, if I hadn't complained...

 

(For the record, Carlo and I have exchanged emails and I consider the matter settled.)

[lagoon]

Dear all,

I am thrilled that my humble posting avalanched into a thread "that can topple businesses". To close the overcharge case, I am very pleased to report that Carlo was the most helpful in having the issue settled at this point. In fact, Atlantico never responded to my e-mails and faxes, however they could not ignore Carlo. He got a credit for me towards my next stay - for some reason they claim that they are unable to credit 1 night's overcharge to my AMEX as they would need to credit back all amount and charge it again when I am not there to sign the slip..... doesn't sound too convincing.... The take home mesage is: book through Carlo - not only I had a better rate, but he also was very helpful in settling with the hotel (and he really had no obligation to do it...) Thank you, Carlo!

[joel304]

Honey, dispute with your credit card company directly. You will see the credit in the flick of a dick. I would send the Atlantico one last email, along with a link to this thread, stating your intention to pursue through AMEX. I bet they find a way.

 

Since you've received no response from the hotel thus far, what would make you believe that they will live up to their word on crediting you on a future visit. BS!

[trilingual]

Practices involving charges on credit cards differ from country to country, based on local law. I've found few businesses in Brazil able (or willing) to make a charge against a client's card without the client being there in person to sign the receipt. In part this may be because of fraud-reduction procedures by the credit card companies themselves, and in part because Brazilian law is extremely paper-oriented. Without a signature on a document, it may be invalid if it ever had to be enforced in a court.

 

As for believing, Carlo, it's probable that Lagoon has chosen to do so because he's gotten reliable service from Carlo and also because it's in the hotel's best interest to honor the credit Carlo obtained for Lagoon. The Atlântico has gotten a lot of big-ticket business from Carlo and would be foolish, indeed, to alienate him and his clients. Now it's up to Lagoon to remember that he has the credit (and save the e-mails from Carlo on the issue) to be sure he gets it on his next trip to Brazil.

[IamI2002]

I have had two minor issues with Atlantico in the past. I both cases it was resolved satisfactorily and I did get a basket of fruit to compensate for the inconvenience. The trouble is some of the front desk (guys)have a superiority complex and give you whatever bullshit to continue with their inactivity and incompetence. Last time I asked for Monica and the guy had the gall to say she was always busy and could not see me. I stated sternly I wanted to see Monica and would not leave the front desk until she came. She did come, was charming, resolved the issue, spanked the guy and sent me a basket of fruit.

 

DO NOT LET THE FRONT DESK BRUSH YOU OFF. ASK TO SEE MANAGEMENT. OTHERWISE, YOU'RE NOT GETTING SATISFACTION AND MANAGEMENT IS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEMS TO IMPROVE.

[IamI2002]

PS On my own, I got a rate of R155/night

[Funseeker 22]

>PS On my own, I got a rate of R155/night

 

But will you have a room???? :-(

Sorry, but couldn`t resist an add on. :-)

[IamI2002]

I stayed there with a friend from the 9th to the 16th of March for 155 for both, including two breakfasts each day. :-)

[alankay]

I just returned from a 7 night stay at the Atlantico and experienced absolutely no problem with the bill. I was charged for the basic room rate at registration and upon departing I was accurately billed the telephone and safe charges. My room was wonderfully served by Maria. My reservation was made through Carlo Romanus and I plan to return to the Atlantico on my next trip to Rio. I should also mention that I was upgraded to an executive suite at no extra charge.