Dugan's Travels LLC

I signed up with Dugan's a few months ago. I found them to be extremely helpful. After the initial training there numerous opportunities for more education. It all depends on what you want to put into it and what niche you need more information for. If you have questions there is a forum where you can get advice and answers from other agents. I have learned a lot from this forum. It is great to have access to the knowledge of agents who have been doing this for quite awhile. Anytime that I have had a question for someone at the agency it has been answered very quickly.
I would definitely recommend Dugan's to anyone who is looking for a host agency.

When I joined 9 years ago, Dugan's had less than 300 agents. Now it's over double that. The owner really worries (maybe too much) about pleasing the agents. She always tries to keep our costs as low as possible, so it is up to us to succeed or not. We had several chances to upgrade from the overworked yahoo & excel processes, but the response always seemed we didn't want to spend more money, so it took a while to get done.

Support:
I've explored other hosts -- even joined a couple & never found the support I get here. I haven't done Dugan's training in years, so I can't remember initial training, but it taught me the business. Occasionally I come across a new situation & have to dig a little, or ask someone what to do, but it's no big deal.

My #1 business asset is the experience of 600+ agents, many of whom are more than willing to offer advice on destinations, suppliers, client issues, business concerns, etc. I haven't been everywhere & neither have they. But we help each other.

The Management team has grown, for the better. I have gotten to know a couple of them thru emails, & feel I can ask them whatever I need.

There is an annual seminar arranged by Dugan's for all agents who want to/can participate at a very minimal cost. There are always many supplier reps there, and usually a ship inspection or 2.

Technology:
As mentioned, we use Clientease to manage bookings & commissions. They have worked with us to customize our product to make things easier, and assure we are trained.

We also have a terrific new message board and networking website. This is my favorite upgrade! We have a section where we can get to know each other, and a section to help each other. There is also a 'library' for research & training opportunities.

Clientease has a terrific marketing app, and we also have access to vacation.com's Engagement program.

I did not purchase a clamshell website, so I can't comment on that, but it is offered.

Commissions:
Dugan's Travels gets among the best commissions in the business. We are in the top tier of many, if not all, major suppliers. After 3 years, the split is 80/20, or you can pay a one-time fee for 100%.

Fees/Requirements:
The cost of doing business with this agency is so minimal, it is amazing we can't pay on time (but I have been guilty as well).
- I think there is a sign-up fee, but not sure how much.
- $10/month -- waived if you make $3,000 in sales.
- $50/yr E&O unless you provide proof you have your own.
- Any shipping fees incurred with mailing ID cards, checks, documents, etc.

The only other requirement is to not go 6 months without a booking. Any agent around long enough to remember YTB's downfall can understand that.

Violating any of these requirements is cause for termination (including not paying within 20 days of receiving your invoice - the same dates every month).

Conclusion:
This agency isn't perfect, but it's the best place I've ever worked. There used to be messages on the yahoo group that annoyed me, but it has been a long time since we had that issue. What Dugan's really is, is a group of real people working together, all trying to build their own businesses. I have done favors for some & have asked favors of some. I hit snags along the way, but they got resolved. If there are personality problems, I attribute it to not being able to understand tone thru emails, & people taking things too personally, not unlike any real-life office. If you are respectful of others & really want an opportunity to grow a Travel business, I think Dugan's is the perfect place for you.

Since being with Jennifer (Dugan's Travels) I have been aloud to work from home at my own pace and earn money doing what I LOVE to do. The training and help that I get from all employees under Jennifer has been wonderful! Of course there were some bumps in the road at the beginning but it looks as if she's taking the time to try to make things much easier on all of us! I have not booked allot of travel for others, just a few clients in the almost 3 years being with her, but I have enjoyed that I don't need to work 40 hours or have to check in with them every second of the day! I would recommend this host to anyone that is looking to book travel, having a great agency with well over 700 agents that will continue to give wonderful ideas to help build your business, and also a wonderful owner that has took her time to make up a wonderful training book and things for you to learn this industry! Jennifer to me is a wonderful host!!!

I spent a lot of times researching host agencies when I decided to get into the business. I found that Dugans was a very good fit for me. It was reasonable, they have a very extensive learners manual, and everyone I have come in contact with has been more than willing to help. I don't have a problem paying my monthly fee on time because I expect my commission on time. Granit Dugans doesn't have control when they receive commissions but I
look at it as mutal respect.
As you can tell from the new changes that have taken place over the past year our technical achievements have been outstanding. I will be starting my third year with Dugans and I am very happy that I choose them for a host.

Dugan's Travels has grown from a small host agency with fewer than 25 agents to a wonderful opportunity for +600 agents to work at home doing something they love. Dugan's works for me . . . I been with Jennifer since 1999 when there was only a handful of us. I wouldn't consider going any place else.

Jennifer pays her agents 75-100% of the total commissions they earn; start-up and monthly fees are very low. Travel was my retirement career dream job and Dugan's has allowed me to realize that dream.

Operating a home-based business means you have to be a self-starter. It's not for everyone. It's up to you to do what it takes to make your business profitable. I've spent many hours doing online training and have attended 3 week long Dugan's Seminars. All of this training is there for each and every agent. It's up to the agent to make it happen.

On the comments by Anonymous #1 and #2, technology doesn't sell travel. Agents sell travel. All the technology in the world cannot make you successful. It's the hard work that does it.

Dugan's works for me and +600 other agents. And Dugan's may very well for you too!

I have been with Dugan's Agennts for 3 and a half years and have seen lots of changes, the new system they have is great, I would definitely recommend them to anyone that wanted to become an agent. The new forums allow questions to be asked and posted very easy and responses are very fast. the support team we have here is very good, everyone seems to want to help everyone succeed. Angela has really been a blessing for me, helping me with questions and problems I have had in the past. I enjoy cruising and have been going for over 10 years, and now I even enjoy it more as I can help others on their journeys as well. Thank you Dugans for being there for me and helping my business grow.

Before signing up with a host agency, I researched most all of them (Montrose, Nexion, AMEX, CruiseOne, and others). I had read the reviews in Agent@Home magazine, and wanted a balance of a host that was big enough to earn higher commissions, but not too big where you were just a number. Dugans fit that description. First, their fees are much lower than a lot of other host agencies - $10/month - waived if you make a quota and they cover your E&O insurance for only $90/year (it would be ~$1000/yr to have my own policy). Then what they pay out is better than most hosts, too. 75% of commission, and 80% after you work with them for 3 years (or 100% if you pay them a one time fee.) Yes, there are agencies that pay more, but then they charge more for monthly fees. I've received every commission that I've been entitled to and it is direct deposited into my bank account.

I've worked with them for over four years, after having registered my own corporation, CR Surf Travel Company. There are 600 other agents with Dugans in the U.S. and Canada, and it is easy to communicate ideas and concerns between them using our agent-only online forum (which can email me updates to questions I've asked). I would not expect the owner to have time to address every agent concern, but when I send an email asking for help her assistants reply within 24 hours. As for training, I can get access to every supplier training program I want - insurance, cruises, by country, gogo, vacation.com, all for free.

I'm not adding this review to help Dugans, but to help other agents looking for a good host agency. Look for one where the agents can easily interact, you are getting good commissions for low fees, and get good customer service from your host agency.

I've missed a couple of monthly fee payments myself and received a warning email, but I would expect it from any host agency who is trying to run a professional operation. These actions ensure that those working with Dugans Travels are serious about selling travel and not just getting TA discounts.

I have been with Jennifer/Dugan's Travels since 2003 and have been very pleased since the beginning. When I started I knew nothing about travel. I researched many host agencies and the others wanted a lot more money to start if they would even accept someone with no experience. Dugan's was a way to get into the business without spending a lot of money. Jennifer accepted newbies; gave us a manual and support we needed to get started. Dugan's Travels has evolved a ton in the past year with the introduction of ClientEase and the new Agents website that are provided to all the agents. Jennifer is an amazing, honest person that has lead a great agency, without question! Unfortunately Dugan's has had run-ins with some not so pleasant people that have tried to give the agency a bad reputation but my experience with the agency has been perfect for all 9 1/2 years.

I've been with Dugan's since 2005. There have been a lot of changes since I started. I think they have all been positive. We have an amazing commission system and client database that Jennifer doesn't charge us for. There is a $10/monthly fee, but it is waived if you make $3000 in sales each month. It's extremely fair and if you prepay for the year, it's only $90. We no longer use Yahoo groups. We have a private message board. This is all fairly new, so it takes some getting use to. I did my research when I started and Dugan's was the best fit for me. I wanted to be able to work from home and be flexible with my hours. It is a dream job for me. I get to do something I love and stay at home with my kids! I've always gotten help quickly when I needed it. The support staff is great!

I started with Dugans when they used the “old” systems referenced in earlier reviews and have enjoyed the transition to a more automated system. While it does take a fair amount of training and continual education to stay current, it’s like any other industry; you either work towards the future or get left in the past. I have had several issues with commissions/bookings and all were handled swiftly and professionally. No system is perfect but Dugans works hard to make sure their agents are supported and informed. I have found the office staff to be professional, courteous and helpful. The only suggestion I could make is to make the staff more accessible via phone communication vs email but with this large of an agency that would probably be ineffective for the staff. Although I prefer phone communication my emails have always been answered quickly.