LL Machu Pichu Auction

[bonniejoy03]

Hi margymgonagill. Did you obtain your package from Luxury LInk (as an auction or best buy?) I am so disappointed to hear this feedback but glad you wrote. We have heard a few other disappointing remarks on the Inkaterra properties. I had called them twice about a possible package and they were quite helpful. Which other vacation planner are you going with? Orient Express package? Thanks.

[danaa70]

Hi MargyM, I was sadden to see your situtation with Inkaterra. It's unfortunate a company with such poor customer service continues to receive accolades for their properties (which are very lovely, so perhaps that is why - no one really seems to focus on CS anymore) I just had such excellent service from so many properties in the thirty years I have been travelling. This has been really stressful for me to deal with.

I had to wait to even respond to your posting, as it just upsets me all over again.



I dread dealing with them when we get to Peru;I am hopingI will be able to come back with a great review.

I guess we will just have to see.

Good luck to you in your travels. Dana

[jmbklj]

Hi danaa70,

Could you tell me what other tour companies you used that were helpful and responsive? Thanks!

[danaa70]

JMB......Hi, send me a private message and I will give you my details. D.Jm

[travel2fun]

danaa70, why not be open and detailed in the main community? InkaTerra has been mentioned several times in this community and many times in the tripadvisor community regarding their treatment or lack of treatment with clients. I think the more open you can be, the more pressue can be exerted on them. I am surprised luxury link continues to carry their auctions. Speak up and speak out. That is why this community exists to share accurate information with other members.

[danaa70]

Hi Travel2fun, If you do a search on my screen name, or Inkaterra, you will see back in January I started a very detailed thread explaining all the problems I incurred with Inkaterra's lack of customer service..to the point I had forum membersinfer I should not be so upset - after all I got it at a discount (bid) price.

So you can understand my resistence to start this all over again.

I said in my earlier postings I would give a trip report when we return in May;we'll see then how it all turns out.

Thanks for your interest. Dana

[travel2fun]

danaa70, we are all just voluntary members of this community, nothing more nothing less. None of us have the right or authority to infer what other members should or should not post regarding their experiences. Only editors or other staff members from luxury link have the option of censure of our comments. As members, we not only have the right but we have the responsibility to openly share our experiences and opinions ofservice providers who advertise on this web site. I think you should continue to voice and details the experiences you have had with InkaTerra. btw, I have read the other postings you have made on the Peru trip and I think you can and should provide even greater detail.

[danaa70]

Travel2Fun, You can imagine the stress and anxiety this has wreaked upon me; also the fact I had to shell out a heck of a lot more money than the "package from LL" just to plan and coordinate the transport and additional lodgings REQUIRED in order to get to Three different sites. I see that INK's new package includes overnights in Cusco, the train to MP, and transport to and from - which is a considerable amount of money.

When I asked INK to give me a price (before they added it to the package) it was over $2,000. I think to be fair they should have stated this in their auction page. All they said was it may cost up to $540 (bottom of page) and THEY would coordinate it all. WRONG. They would coordinate it if you were willing to stay in their very expensive accommodations that they had just opened.(and that was if you could get them to respond in a timely fashion) I feel like it was a bit of scam to bring you in and then sell more properties.



So, you can see I have a bit of a bitter taste for LL and INK. Perhaps LL persuaded them to add Cusco and the Peru railtrain (that has gone up considerably and owned by Orient Express) and the private transport from Cusco to SV to get on the train to the latest offering.



Perhaps they realized the omission was not conducive to a good travel experience; but I am happy to see it is offered and I would not hesitate to recommend bidding on it if you are interested in seeing MP and the Sacred Valley. Sadly it was brought in after my experience.



However, I leave in a month and have been able to get excited by withdrawing from this forum and concentrating on thepositive aspects- seeing MP, the Amazon, the culture of Cusco, the scenery andall thesurrounding towns - which is what drew me to the auction bid.

Every aspect of the trip is arranged and hopefully my work will pay off and Inkaterra willnotdisappoint.



I will let the community in this forum know how it all turns out upon my return with an indepth trip report.

Dana

[travel2fun]

danaa70, I can see your point of view and sources of frustration in dealing with your InkaTerra auction purchase. I have noticed from reading a number of different postings on trips to Peru, especially those involving transportation to Machu Picchu, there appear to be limited choices. Orient-Express seems to dominate the rail options from Cusco to Aguas Caliente. One community member, who did not use an auction package purchased from luxury link, mentioned riding a bus. It does seem out of character for a company offering luxury accomodations not to be more responsive and more helpful in sorting out the ground transportation options. Thank you for being open and detailed. I look forward to your upcoming postings following your visit. Good luck and enjoy yout time in Peru.

[Mountie]

danaa70, I'm also interested in hearing more about your upcoming trip to Peru and especially how theINK people actually handle things. I still have a VIP Certificate to use and Peru is one of the destinations I am considering.