I need a nice way to say "I'm not your travel agent"?

Question

Since I joined a music group online, Americans keep asking me to plan their trip to Europe, and telling me they want to hire somewhere to stay that's "inexpensive" and "comfortable". If I suggest some links, they are then ungrateful if the place didn't meet their needs/sounds too cheap/too pricey. I can't do all this or check it out personally for them! How would I know what they need? They expect me to guess how much they care to spend. I wish there was a nice way to tell them that they should figure out what they want first, how much they can spend, make their own bookings, do their own research, and question their travel agent. Telling them they are "off topic" seems unfriendly. I don't know why they feel they can expect this? I just don't have the time to recommend places to stay to strangers who don't know what they want.

Please help me to find a friendly explanation why I can't look into all this for them, I'm here to chat about music?

Thanks to you first six answerers, for your wonderful and understanding replies!

I also so appreciate that you realize I'm not singling out the fact that all these strangers happen to be from the US - trying to figure out how this could be tho'?

I guess it's a cultural difference - or they are so relieved to see that someone they "know" actually lives there, that I get all these odd questions they have been saving up? (For example, I've worked in IT for 15 years, yet some people ask me if there are computers in Ireland!) This is so weird to me! I guess I don't pick up from their style whether they are a student or well-off, I'm too polite to ask, and then I point them towards the wrong (for them) type of holiday. I still don't get how my being from Europe creates such an expectation. I'm enjoying reading your helpful and useful suggestions : )

Answer 1

I'm sorry to hear your online friends are taking advantage of you like that. I would just suggest that they do some research online or call a travel agent to look into their trip - tell them you are not a professional and that you don't feel comfortable suggesting a hotel you haven't been to before. Each person has a different idea of a budget hotel and what you might like someone else might hate! If you haven't been to that place - I would just say I haven't travelled there so I can't really help you. Tell them to try tripadvisor.com for some good feedback and suggestions on great hotels. If they are really friends, they will understand. Good luck! I hope you can figure a way out of being the local tour guide LOL

Answer 2

i appreciate the fact that you want to be tactful and helpful. but i must say (and i am an american, btw) that i don't find it unfriendly to tell travel seekers that you are working for a music group. actually, what you just said in your question (that they need to figure out what they want, how much they're budgeting, etc.) should be enough. if i were you, i would simply say that while you're flattered they chose to ask you, you don't feel quite qualified to give them an educated and accurate opinion. if the receiver is put off by your response, that truly isn't your fault. you can gently remind them that if they have any music questions, you're more than happy to answer those.

Answer 3

Just say, "I'm sorry -- I don't know anything about planning trips." If they don't take the hint, simply don't reply to their messages. I don't know what the deal is with people, sometimes. I was a secretary for a foreign language department, and people would call us and ask us to book flights to Italy and France! When I told them I couldn't do that, they'd say, "Well, one of your duties IS travel," and when I'd reply that I was responsible for the travel reimbursements for faculty only, they'd call me an elitist. Heh. I'd just wish them a good day, and hang up. Stupid folks don't learn, but we sure don't need to waste our time with them.

Answer 4

Why not just say," I'm here to chat about music". Why does it have to be friendly. You don't know these people, when are you ever gonna see them. Typically I'm not a rude person but if you're in a music group on line, don't they get it's about music. No patience for stupid people.

Answer 5

I would just tell them to come to yahoo ask .. there are a lot of people here that will give them tips who enjoy doing that and have the time. I don;t think its rude to tell them they are off topic as you are in a music forum.

Answer 6

If they are from the U.S.tell them to go to http://www.love.allabouthoneymoons.com they can plan any type of trip not just honeymoons and destination weddings. If you tell them what you like and your budget they will plan the perfect trip for you.Best of all if you use there service to book your trip there service is free b/c the fee is paid by the hotel or resort.

Answer 7

I would just say something like this "wow..I never looked into it. I don't book hotels in my home city/country, so have never needed to know that. How about looking online and if you find something useful, let me know so we can share" LOL..this way, they feel empowered and you get off scott free.

Answer 8

American's like me often can't read between the lines. I think your original statement is a good one. Tell them that you are not their travel agent and please do not ask me to help plan your trip.

Answer 9

you may want to find a better person that could answer to your needs better than I could do. In order todo that, you may consider consoulting another travel agent! is that good for you? hope so!