My dear esteemed client, I'm writing this letter to clear your mind and doubts about certain beliefs that people have about travel and tour companies especially in Nigeria. I will like to be has open and real as possible trying also not to sound offensive but if by any way it gets on your nerves then please kindly pardoned me.
Firstly, as an agent, over the years my work experience have cut across visa applications with specialization in over 4 countries ( USA, Canada, Australia, Schengen Area, South Africa and UK), my primary office is "online". This is to say that almost all my clients are people that contact me through my blog and online adverts, I have met with the good, bad and ugly! As you read further, I'm sure you will know where you belong.
Lets talk about the "Ugly". These are people that will call you directly or contact you through our various social media platforms and in good faith, we provide them with requisite information all what they inquired about. Then the story begins, firstly, you hear things like "Please can I pay your fees immediately after my visa is out?", " Bros, I really like the way you provided much info on this but I will like to know if you can provide me with everything, once visa is out I will pay you your money" or you hear them say things like " Kai! Many agents have "ate" my money on this visa thing, if you will agree I pay you after the application then I can apply through you" And most times, they tell you these stories after a very lengthy chat with them some spanning into late hours! I simply reply them with this question, will you pay the visa fee after the visa is given??? The answer is NO! So why will you price an agent as such? Don't forget that we also have bills to pay so if we keep making applications for you and unfortunately you don't get the visa, you don't pay for a service rendered how do we survive and stay in business? Mind you, agents alone assist in visa applications ( Filling of forms online, providing for proper documentation, confirmed hotel reservations, flight bookings etc.). As a matter of fact, any agent that will tell you just bring your passport I will get the visa for you, just please RUN, its a big SCAM! Most countries ( Canada, US, Schengen Area, UK, Australia)requires your bio metric so how will he/she get the visa? The meaning of this is that, you have to be present at EVERY visa application even if your bio metric is needed or not. This reduces the risk of fake visa and possible criminal prosecutions too.
For the "Bad". They are not so different from the "Ugly" but this is their own story, they have trust issues to the extent that when you ask them how much do they have in their account statement and they are like why do you want to know? But can I scam you by just knowing your account balance?? These kind of people wants to apply but fear wont let them be! You do almost everything possible to show that you are trustworthy but they are not just interested. Fine! I admit that we have online "Dagbo Guys" that are ever ready to swindle you but come on! there are still people that are trustworthy even in this time. You tell them you are in Abuja ( that's our only location for now) and they say oh I'm in Lagos or Port - Harcourt or .... and because I cant even see you physically then I smell scam! Keep smelling it!!!
Finally the "Good". Don't get me wrong, they are not "Good" because they patronized us. They are "Good" because they BELIEVED! These set of persons will after much conversation agree to our terms, make financial transactions with us even without meeting us physically (yes I have had that on several occasions), come down to Abuja for discussions, even after visa refusals yes our applications get refused atimes ( I'm not among people that will tell you we don't get refused or that we know "someone inside" that will fast track your visa application), they still believe in us and even want to make reapplications! These persons are what keeps us going.
With much said, here is a quick analysis of why we insist on payment before we render our service. Making visa applications regardless of which country requires top most experience. We draw out from our wealth of experience to make sure clients visa application come out successful. In some cases, forms are to be filled online, confirmed hotel reservations have to be made (with a credit card of course), documents have to be arranged for where necessary,visa appointments have to be made (if necessary). OK, if time and resources are spent on getting these things done and at the end a reward is not given, how will you feel if it were you? If your reward is tied to a result you don't have an influence over, will that be fair enough? If you are being assisted with what you know little or nothing about, shouldn't you be grateful and show your appreciation? This is a business venture not a charitable organization and so if you have that in mind then you wont want such venture to die off because of your actions and inactions, that if of course you've got conscience! Not all travel agents are fraudsters, so don't deal with them with prejudice!
We have carefully designed our fees to be very considerate. A certain percentage (33% - Off Peak Period and 20% - Peak Period)is required from you as initial deposit and once visa is issued, you pay up the balance. This fee is called the Processing Fee and it covers the cost of travel insurance (if needed), filling of forms online, documentation, hotel and flight reservation. Upon a successful application, a completion of the balance is made. And if such applications are refused or denied, the applicant has the option of making another application for free ( i.e applicants will not be required to pay for another processing fee) We believe by that, we have given you much value for your money.
Now that you've been fully informed, choose who you want to become this year! But we are open to all...
With much said, here is a quick analysis of why we insist on payment before we render our service. Making visa applications regardless of which country requires top most experience. We draw out from our wealth of experience to make sure clients visa application come out successful. In some cases, forms are to be filled online, confirmed hotel reservations have to be made (with a credit card of course), documents have to be arranged for where necessary,visa appointments have to be made (if necessary). OK, if time and resources are spent on getting these things done and at the end a reward is not given, how will you feel if it were you? If your reward is tied to a result you don't have an influence over, will that be fair enough? If you are being assisted with what you know little or nothing about, shouldn't you be grateful and show your appreciation? This is a business venture not a charitable organization and so if you have that in mind then you wont want such venture to die off because of your actions and inactions, that if of course you've got conscience! Not all travel agents are fraudsters, so don't deal with them with prejudice!
We have carefully designed our fees to be very considerate. A certain percentage (33% - Off Peak Period and 20% - Peak Period)is required from you as initial deposit and once visa is issued, you pay up the balance. This fee is called the Processing Fee and it covers the cost of travel insurance (if needed), filling of forms online, documentation, hotel and flight reservation. Upon a successful application, a completion of the balance is made. And if such applications are refused or denied, the applicant has the option of making another application for free ( i.e applicants will not be required to pay for another processing fee) We believe by that, we have given you much value for your money.
Now that you've been fully informed, choose who you want to become this year! But we are open to all...
