1. Turn off/down your heater or air conditioner
2. Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electronic items (e.g. - microwaves, coffee pots)
3. Arrange for the post office to hold your mail or ask a neighbor to collect it for you
4. Pay your bills ahead of time, or schedule their payments for after you get back
5. Turn off all lights or invest in programmable lights to make the house look occupied
6. Have a friend or family member keep an eye on the house while you’re away
7. Set your alarm and notify the security company that you’re leaving
8. Make sure your lawn and sidewalks are clear, well groomed before leaving
9. If you’re not driving, make sure your car has fuel for when you get back
10. Secure all of your valuables and important documents
11. Lock all doors and windows
12. If you have pets, arrange for a caretaker while you’re away
13. Turn down the hot water heater
14. Clean out your fridge and freezer
15.  Clean the house and make sure all trash is emptied (your nose will thank you!)

 Sundance Vacations employees are here to help. Got any other tried and true suggestions regarding prepping your home for travel?  Send a comment.

“We received the infamous call from Sundance Vacations and the telemarketers ARE very polite but they start out with a brazen lie by saying they’re not trying to “sell” anything.They’re trying to “sell” a vacation membership. You’re NOT obligated to buy but they ARE trying to “sell” something.

When a company lies from the get go that’s a Red flag. Sundance Vacations is spending money on telemarketing salaries and other marketing costs but they’re not trying to “sell” anything? C’mon, get real!

Sundance Vacations is in the business of selling vacations, why don’t they just be honest about it? What are they trying to hide?” Unfortunately she is unhappy with us because she feels we misled her.  I have already offered our apologies for the misunderstanding.  But we really need some additional customer feedback on this issue. Our telemarketers tell potential customers that we’d like them to, “attend a brief introduction to our services” and that “there is no obligation to purchase anything”. 

 Do most customers understand that they are indeed attending a sales presentation?  I think so. 

But what do you think?  Do we need to be more in your face, “this is a sales presentation” in order to achieve total transparency.  Why don’t we just use the term, “sales presentation”….Umm, because “attending a sales presentation” sounds about as much fun as getting a root canal.  “A brief introduction” is a much better choice of words and our introduction is upbeat, fun and informative;  not at all like a root canal.   Is presenting an idea in the brightest most positive way good advertising or intentionally misleading? 

 Does the fact that there is no obligation to purchase anything properly indicate that there is something to purchase?

 Is a professionally packaged message bad?  We want to hear from you.

http://corporateblog.sundancevacations.com/

As individuals and as a company we are never so perfect that we can’t learn to be better.   The company can always improve to make sure vacationers are satisfied with their trips.  Here’s what I learned from a traveler at the event.

We are very proud of our commitment and Travel Advantage Network’s commitment to procuring enough vacation inventory for the influx of vacationers who want to travel during the summer time.  I’ve always seen the additional seasonal inventory as a benefit for customers.  But, one of the customers I met at the customer appreciation party sees the seasonal inventory in a different light. 

She likes to travel to Cape Cod in the off season when the beach is quiet and the tourists are gone.  But the seasonal inventory that we add to cover peak demand is not denoted as seasonal on the website list.  She was unhappy because there was no way for her to discern during her purchase that some of the inventory would never benefit her because she doesn’t travel during peak summer times.  

I think she has made a very valid point. This is a simple request to improve the customer experience.  I’ll forward her suggestion to have seasonal inventory specifically denoted to the reservation division, TAN.  But we don’t have to wait for TAN to change the reservation website to make a positive change on this issue.  All staff members can help by remembering to mention that some of the inventory on the list may be seasonal.  This small change can eliminate a potentially dissatisfied customer; something we are all committed to doing. 

-Lizette Barrager

We booked a group lesson but there were only 4 people total in the group so it was like a semi private lesson anyway.  The out of water instruction was brief and the girls quickly made for the water to learn by doing.  The instructor helps each person judge and catch the wave, so Madison was able to stand up on her first wave. 

Travelers can contact Maui Beach boys at www.mauibeachboys.com

This year, a popular spot for vacationing is the Jersey Shore. The main attraction you ask? Most people would say, the boardwalk. In South Jersey alone, three resort towns have them, Atlantic City, Ocean City, and the Wildwoods. The Wildwoods, which consists of Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest, hold a plethora of activities. The towns are widely known to have some of the finest beaches in New Jersey. At the shore, you will find boardwalk standbys in multiple amounts. From t-shirt shops and jewelry stores, to arcade casinos the shore provides it all. In addition to the boardwalk and beaches, Wildwood also offers amusement and water parks to entertain the family. Pizza, hoagies, ice cream, fudge, soft pretzels, and the ever so famous saltwater taffy dominate the boardwalk menu. Just the thought makes your mouth salivate.

Sundance Vacations occupies 22 vacation properties for your convenience at the Jersey Shore. Some include: Surrey Beach House (Voted “Best Shore Motel” by Philadelphia Daily News), Wildwood By the Sea, and Mali Kai to just name a few. As the archway in North Wildwood boasts, the shore is home to “the happiest people in the world.”

Hopefully you’ll get a chance to vacation this summer, and if you do remember the Jersey Shore is waiting for your visit.

Have you visited the Jersey Shore? What was your favorite spot? What is your most memorable vacation?