Would never recommend this tour company! Wrote the Owner when we returned on Saturday!…read more
I would've never posted this, but when he hung up on me, I felt I had to share this since he caters to seniors and totally felt he was dismissive, and this shouldn't happen to anyone else! Dear Gary's Tours Management,
I am writing to formally express my extreme disappointment with my September 13-19 trip with Gary's Tours. This was my first trip with your company, and unfortunately, it was an experience I will never forget -- and not for the reasons I had hoped.
The primary reasons I booked this trip were to visit Mackinac Island and the Motown Museum/Downtown Detroit. I was never informed before the trip that the Motown Museum was undergoing renovations. I only learned this after getting on the bus. This was extremely disappointing because visiting the Motown Museum was something I was genuinely looking forward to and was very meaningful to me. This information should have been communicated to passengers before the trip.
Instead, we were taken to a psychedelic-themed attraction that, in my opinion, was a very poor substitute for the Motown Museum. When some of us suggested going to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame instead, Mary Alice told us that, for insurance reasons, the itinerary could not be changed and that Gary had already spent $17 per ticket for the psychedelic attraction. I found that response very disappointing. It seemed that the money already spent was being prioritized over what would have provided a more meaningful experience for the passengers.
From the very beginning, there were problems. We were picked up at Target in Brick Township during pouring rain. When the bus arrived, the luggage compartment was leaking, and our luggage became soaking wet. While I understand that the rain itself cannot be controlled, the condition of the bus and luggage compartment procedure could have been handled differently When I finally received my luggage at the hotel, many of my clothes were still wet and had developed an unpleasant smell.
The bus itself was in unacceptable condition. There were leaks in at least four areas, the seats were in poor condition and covered with lint and debris, and the overhead compartments were extremely dirty and covered with fingerprints and grime. The television on the bus did not work, and neither did the music and microphone systems properly. I have photographs documenting these conditions and will be including them with this complaint.
We then began a nine-hour journey, yet our tour guide did not even have a working microphone. I cannot understand how a tour company can send 52 passengers on a nine-hour bus journey without ensuring that the basic equipment needed to communicate with passengers is working.
Instead, when the tour guide needed to provide information, she had to raise her voice and essentially yell so passengers could hear her. Even then, much of the bus could not hear her, requiring her to repeat information. This was extremely frustrating and completely unnecessary had the bus been properly equipped. We broke down. Twice ... would not recommend this company.
