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Old 05-18-2009, 01:12 AM   #11
bvelke
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I too dislike the "Authorized Tour" label used by Segway Inc as our tour operations are not tied to a dealership.
I don't dislike the "Authorized Tour" label on the grounds that I'm not a dealer. I dislike it because it is dishonest. It purports to the public that it is a mark of superior tour quality and it isn't. What's more, INC knows that and continues the charade anyway. If INC described its "Authorized tours" as those which are connected to dealers (and therefore have access to special training, are in the best position to make on-site repairs, bla bla), then I'd have no objection to it. I object precisely because it is not what they claim it is. They knowingly misrepresent it -- just as I believe you do at Segwaysightseeing.com.

The fact that Segwaysightseeing.com allows the public to post reviews and rankings is a red herring because they can only do so about tour operations that you have already designated as the "best."

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Commissions for sales are pretty standard in the travel business and shouldn't be a big surprise to the traveling buying public.
The public does recognize that agents receive commissions. But responsible agents don't conceal their bias and pass themselves off as a review site by using labels like "five stars" and the "best." There are dishonest "review" sites like that, to be sure, but the public does not generally react well when their bias is discovered.

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We selected some companies that I have personally met through running our San Francisco operation since 2004. Other international operations were highly recommend by mutual business acquaintances.
That is very good reason to describe them as "tour operations which we know to be good" and so forth. But what is your reason for labeling them the "best"? Therein, I think you know, lies the deception.

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Old 05-18-2009, 08:22 AM   #12
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Default The Segway Authorized Tour label is more than just a sign on the door

The Segway Authorized Tour operators are Segway Authorized Dealers and thus are mandated to specific levels of safety and training by Segway and sign an agreement as such. These dealers meet Segways high standards for providing customers a safe and memorable tour experienced and are recognized as providing the highest quality tour in their area with their immense knowledge of training first time PT riders, small guide-to-glider ratios giving the customer more personal attention and are pedestrian friendly and compliant to local regulations

That does not mean that independent tour operations may not follow that same model, and some of the better ones do. There are some tour operators who use old machines and then hang out a shingle and call themselves Segway Tours. Some tour operators by-pass local regulations and operate without the required licenses or local authority to do so, which then puts the operator at risk for legal action.

Authorized Segway dealers have a significant investment in their business and are there for the long run, while some of the independents are more of a fly-by-night operation that may be here today but gone tomorrow. Some of these independents have even been past Segway dealers, who for business reasons have closed their dealerships but continued to operate tours, and thus have the look and feel of an Authorized Tour, but are in reality not.

It is always wise to check on the backround of any business for its reputation and legality prior to listing it on a website.
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Old 05-18-2009, 04:55 PM   #13
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The Segway Authorized Tour operators are Segway Authorized Dealers and thus are mandated to specific levels of safety and training by Segway and sign an agreement as such...
Yes, I know the company line, thanks. But none of that means that "Authorized" tours are the highest quality tours in their area, as INC claims. In fact, there are many known examples where independent tour operators provide a better quality product than an "authorized" one in the same area.

And yes, there are also some -- maybe many -- independent tour operators which provide a shoddy product. But that again does not justify a claim that authorized tours are, by account of the label, the best.
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Old 05-18-2009, 05:21 PM   #14
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To put some facts straight - Segs in the City has not changed its name. It was the first operator in all its locations - DC, Annpolis, Baltimore and Gettysburg. And yes we do have REAL guides in Gettysburg - if you mean Licensed Battlefield Guides and if you also mean having people that actual talk to you and not a recorded system!
For the record, the standard pricing for both tour companies in Gettysburg is for tours which are accompanied by staff people who "actual [sic] talk to you" about safety and equipment. The difference (one of many) is that Segs in the City's standard pricing offers to let you ride through the battlefield and "look" at it while SegTours.com's standard tour includes a recorded audio by a Licensed Battlefield Guide so that you actually learn about the battle from someone who knows the history of the area.

For an extra fee, both companies offer tours that are accompanied by a live Licensed Battlefield Guide.

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SegTours, LLC
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Old 05-18-2009, 05:29 PM   #15
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Default We had a great tour with guides last year

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For an extra fee, both companies offer tours that are accompanied by a live Licensed Battlefield Guide. Bob Velke
SegTours, LLC
DCSEG members really enjoyed their tour from Seg Tours last year. And having live, speaking, thinking, interacting guides made the tour a real history lesson. Especially since a number of our group were very interested in Civil War history, so the back and forth between the tourists and the guide was as intersting as the tour guides descriptions all by themselves.

Bob, do the tours of Gettysburg have to special approval from the National Park Service to operate their tour? I would think that the NPS would mandate some kind of license agreement to operate a tour for a fee of any National Park.
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Old 05-29-2009, 02:01 PM   #16
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Keep in mind that SF Electric Tours was started by seasoned travel/tour operators. Their Segway tours, over time, have been a boost to the overall segway tour industry.

I believe that there are good and bad tours both authorized or not. And, in most cases, I still prefer the safety and the ride of a 'well-maintained' Gen 1 over a Gen 2. Thats another topic.

Segway Sightseeing.com is a brilliant business model. It allowes the SF Electric Tours to get a 'piece' of every segway tour in their system. It's 'virtual expansion for them'.

Many Segway Tours out there are barely hanging on, and this is another low-cost way to get their tour 'out there'. Tours could also sign up their tour with Expedia or Travelocity for the same kind of referral service for a fee.

As far as the 5 Star or Authorized ratings, they are nothing more than marketing gimmicks with little reality. Nothing is better than earning a good reputation and always exceeding the customers expectation. Let your customers be your best advertising tools...
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Old 05-15-2010, 06:53 PM   #17
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Default experiences with segwaysightseeing.com

We have recently signed up for segwaysightseeing.com. It looks very nice and are hoping our listing will attract more business.

I am interested in hearing any experiences from other business owners with this site. Has it driven traffic to your sites and given you business?

Any other ideas about internet marketing would be appreciated. We understand the power of trip advisor and yelp. Has anyone decided to do the paid advertising for yelp?

Thank you and mahalo from Kailua, Hawaii.
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Old 05-27-2010, 10:26 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by kailuahawaii View Post
We have recently signed up for segwaysightseeing.com. It looks very nice and are hoping our listing will attract more business.

I am interested in hearing any experiences from other business owners with this site. Has it driven traffic to your sites and given you business?

Any other ideas about internet marketing would be appreciated. We understand the power of trip advisor and yelp. Has anyone decided to do the paid advertising for yelp?

Thank you and mahalo from Kailua, Hawaii.
We are working on a few website updates and new tour operators for the Summer season. Stay tuned !
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Old 08-02-2010, 10:58 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by Florida Ever-Glides View Post
Many Segway Tours out there are barely hanging on...
Why is that?
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