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Wow. Groupon, LivingSocial, Travelzoo, Amazon…There are so many websites offering deals and deep pricing discounts. Opportunities for a consumer to try a product or service one otherwise might not have skyrocketed over the last few years. There are so many chances to receive a deep discount in exchange for trying something new or different. For many specific services, products and industries and this is a logical, well considered strategy. One example I like to site is local hair salons. Consumers know the general cost for the services they seek, they are potentially loyal repeat customers, and service options and pricing are easily compared from one salon to another. The operator has a great chance to get a new appointment in the door, potentially becoming a long term customer. For a one-time deep discount the client can be wowed with quality of service, positive attitude and a great haircut. But if industry-wide standards for pricing and service for a product are less defined, or the general public is unfamiliar with key components for comparative decision-making, it will be difficult or impossible to separate true value from put-ons and deceitful practices until it is too late. This is often the circumstance for consumers reserving space aboard a coordinated Temecula wine tasting tour or chartering transportation to Temecula for wine tasting. Is that deal really a deal? In a number of instances bargain seekers are enticed to pay what ends up being similar or higher pricing compared to companies not utilizing deals, while sacrificing a better quality, greater value “experience”. If you are interested in joining a wine tour and are considering coupon deals, conduct some detective work upfront, potentially doing yourself and your friends a huge favor. Go to the website for the company offering the deal (if there is only the landing page from the coupon site and no link to a website, big RED FLAG) to see what the posted retail pricing is on the website. Make a phone call and inquire about available tour options and corresponding pricing. Don’t mention the coupon price, and note if you are quoted the “retail price” posted if you didn’t utilize “the deal”. A number of operators claim their retail tour pricing is anywhere from $129 to $229 or more per person. Typically these will be made up numbers with no competitive basis (never been paid that, never will). The market for guided Temecula wine tasting tours or shuttles is currently between the low $70’s for a cut-rate, basic product (I’ve seen scary-low coupon prices of $59 and $69) to the upper $90’s, low 100’s, depending upon the type and level of service delivery, number of wineries visited with tastings and food service included. Consider how many of these operators have to cut corners when the major coupon sites keep around 40% of gross revenues generated by the offer. Consider what those corners may be regarding safety, comfort and quality. Another aspect is the potential for over-booking that can occur. Temecula Wine Country is uniquely located in Southern California. There are in excess of 20 million residents within a two-hour thirty minute drive. Occasional offers can receive heavy sales. Once you’ve purchased the deal online, you then must contact the service provider to reserve spaces. Prime dates may prove difficult to find availability. Saturdays can be overwhelming. Valentine’s Weekend? Good luck. An operator I am familiar with utilizes one 12 passenger vehicle for transporting 30 to 40 people on their busy Saturday Temecula wine tasting “tour”; this is actually a five minute shuttle between three wineries. Advertising a 3.5 hour tour, much of that “tour” is waiting at a winery 30 to 45 minutes after completing tastings before the vehicle returns to transport the participants to the next winery or their automobile at the end of their “Temecula Wine Tasting Tour”. This operator has questionable ethics and books far over manageable capacity, pushing volume with little thought of customer satisfaction, specifically repeat business once they’ve got their money. Before making a purchase, some common sense steps to take: 1) Find out if you will be sharing a vehicle with others who are not in your party. If so, the operator must have a class “S” (sightseeing) permit issued by the California Public Utilities Commission. Without a Class S, they are operating illegally. Search through the CPUC list of passenger carriers https://delaps1.cpuc.ca.gov/pls/public_cpuc/f?p=203:35:411923597412101::NO:RP:: to determine whether the company has an operating permit, whether it is insured, the headquarters of the company, and the type of permit that has been issued. 2) Does the company answer their phone? Reservations and payment all completed online? Have you called numerous times and not reached a human voice? If you reach an answering machine, leave a message and your phone number. Is your call returned within 12 hours? 24? Did you make a second or third call? How accessible will they be the day before or the day of your tour? 3) What is the cancellation policy? Specific deadline days, times, and amounts for deposit forfeiture? How are deposits returned? 4) Does the Temecula wine tasting tour include fees for wine tasting at each stop, lunch? Are gratuities included or discretionary? If there is a come-on offer, i.e.; a bottle of wine, or something for free, what type is it and when is it received? Does each paying guest receive one? 5) Is there an expiration date for the coupon deal? If expired, or if the reservation is made for a date after the expiration, an operator can potentially refuse to accept the coupon rate that was paid as full fare, instead deducting that amount from the retail price and charging the consumer the difference. Clarify the company policy. 6) Many of these operators make a consumer drive to the first winery or another departure point. Some offer complimentary pick up from Temecula lodging, and some offer arrangements for an additional fee to be picked up. Clarify in advance. By making the effort to clarify coupon package components and disclaimers, and after contacting a company representative, if you feel comfortable with your interaction with staff and the package offered, perhaps you have chosen a conscientious company utilizing the coupon sites. Destination Temecula assists individuals and groups with comprehensive coordination of memorable experiences in the Temecula Valley, including round trip transportation from any Southern California location, for any number of participants. Call us to receive a detailed itinerary example when planning your wine tour, spouse activity, sunset winery dinner, winemaker teambuilding experience, corporate retreat, or any other Temecula-related experience for any number of participants. DESTINATION TEMECULA 951 695 1232 / 800 584 8162 Follow this link to learn about the variety of services offered by DESTINATION TEMECULA
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