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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 12, 1997)
ByIevaAugstums Staff Reporter For students who want to avoid spring break package companies, other options are available. Shirley Rice, co-owner of Four Seasons Travel, said most students come to her agency for help with single travel accommodations such as hotel or air transportation. ^ “Most students like to plan their Q\vn spring break vacations,” Rice sai&“Vife do our best to accommo date each individual to the best of their needs. A lot of students are on a shoestring budget, and we can help them spend their money wisely.” If a student wants?* complete ^ spring break package, £.ice said *•> Four Seasons Travel will book a package through a spring break company. Rice said all the compa nies Four Seasons works with are approved by the Better Business Bureau. “Students like coming to travel agencies because they are local and more reliable,” she said. Four Seasons Travel has been in Lincoln for 22 years under the same ownership. As a member of the Better Business Bureau, die agency is com mitted to their customers and are will ing to work one on one to have an enjoyable vacation, Rice said. Shake It Earn the cash you need for school...and to make the holidays cool. Our current full-time ‘employees earn $9.00/ltr. After training you set your schedule to earn the maximum hourly wage. We currently have openings for: Foil-time Day or Evening Teleservices Representative P»i4.|lmf Evening/Weekend Teleservices Representative Or Apply in Person: . , Monday-Friday 10am-7pm ITI M2U^K6tloGPVICGS 809 P” Street, Lincoln, NE Filial Opportunity Employer I .,.V. • Women know the importance of annual exams, but many are concerned that it may bring bad newrabout their Abnormal pap smears, fibroids, ovarian cysts, irregular uterine bleeding or pelvic pain can be frightening But are they always life threatening? Early detection and treatment are crucial and can alter the course of endometriosis and cancer. Being informed can offer reassurance. David McIntosh. M.D. Gene F. Stohs, M.D. Dr. David McIntosh of the University of Nebraska Medical Gynecologic Oncologisl Obstetrician/Gynecologisl . .... Center in Omaha, and Dr. Gene Stohs, Women s Health Care UNI4C Obtfetric* 4 Women’* Health Care r . .. , _ ... .. . , . . . Gynecology Department, Center in Williamsbuig Center in Lincoln, offer candid discussion about endometriosis Lincoln and cancerous conditions of the female reproductive system*. ■ ■■ : ■. ■ I V UNMG* in conjunction with Olson Center for Women's Health, invites you to attend. “Women and Gynocologic Health”, an “All AboutWomen” forum November18,1997. . > ■ j^Nab««tai Olson Center Medeal Center for women’s health Women & Gynecologic Health The Comhusker Hotel, 333 So. 13th, Lincoln Tuesday, November 18 7 - 8:30 p.m. A FREE community service sponsored by the UoiTenity of Nebraska Medical Crater, the Olson Center (or Women’s Health and the Gynecologic Surgeons & Obrtrtrieiam, P-C. Seating ig limned; reghErntioe la ruyliul Cal 1-866-775-2855 to gre-wgirtcr. naive students SCAMS from page 1 g known company with regional corpo rate offices throughout the United States, is one of several companies that recruits students to help increase sales. Dave Gustafson, Midwest region al director for College Tours, said the company benefits by selling spring break packages through students. “The reason we have student rep resentatives is because students know the campus and the students on their campus,” Gustafson said. Gustafson said student representa tives receive additional bonuses, or “perks,” to their personal spring break package. Aftei selling 10 trip! representative receive 25 percent off their total packages After selling 15 trips, repre sentatives get r a _a jkj pciv^cui f / 9 Jmk off, and after 20, • f their trip is free. Additional bonuses include an ocean view room, priority hotel check-in and admission to various parties and activities not open to the public. During February, March and April, more than 95 percent of all U.S. and Canadian colleges and uni versities have students leaving for spring break, said Brad W. Nelson^ is n ^ „„ do nof lmow everything they receive or don’t receive with their trip pack ages. Nelson said there have been cases with other spring break companies in which students have gotten “screwed over” and left with no trip at all. “A lot of spring break companies lie to hook their customers,” Nelson said. “It’s all part of the job.” But Gustafson said College Tours was an honest, legitimate company. “I’m not going to lie,” Gustafson said. “Spring break companies lie to increase sales. However, I am proud to be a part of College Tours, a com pany that is not affiliated with this • stereotype.” Nelson also vouched for his own company. “Inter-Campus Programs is a very straightforward company,” Nelson said. “We are well staffed, and hon estly, we have the best deal financial ly.” Matt Haney/DN Skeptics on duty Mecham, of the Better Business Bureau, said smooth talking and quick walking may be the business ethics of some student travel compa rues. ‘ Studenfs Ure stBceptibleTo man^1 businesses and their products, Mecham said. In a college town, companies know they can make a quick penny off students because stu dents need their services. “Part of our job here at the Better Business Bureau is to look out for the interest of consumers, as well as com panies,” Mecham said. “If a customer feels they were misrepresented, treat ed unethically, or they think some thing phony is going on, we can help them out and look into it.” Both Campus Tours and Inter Campus Programs said their jobs are based on being a salesperson. The goal is to sell as many travel packages is possible. “Companies do misrepresent information and some of the pricing for their trip packages,” Nelson said. ‘Competition is strong. Companies, like ourselves, are trying to get the most students possible.” Spring break companies compete against each other through ads and package deals to see who ~ can appeal to the most students, Mecham said. Nelson said Inter-Campus Programs does Ihave price com petition with other companies tor international spring break des tinations, but not for domestic des tinations. It is in the stu dents’ best inter est to research the company they lan to use, lecham said, hey should check out other options as well because they may find a more reliable company that offers a better deal, he said. W Oustatson agreed. “Students should check out everything,” he said. “Call the local Better Business Bureau, contact the Department ofTransportation and the FAA.” Everybody gives a good sales pitch, but not everyone has a good track record and is creditable.” Ellis said College Tours has been serving students since 1967. She has. been on two tours in high schools that were organized by the company, and has traveled internationally with them as well. College Tours does not have a bad reputation, she said, and she doesn’t think it will be getting one. “I like to call it the used-car syn drome,” Mecham said. “Many com panies are stereotyped as having bad reputations, just like most used-car salespeople. There are reliable spring break companies out there. The chal lenge is just finding them.” Do the Homework Business experts say the best strategy to avoid vacation scams is for con sumers to do their homework. If a particular company or offer seems to good to be true, contact the Comhusker Better Business Bureau at (402) 476 8822. Consumers can research vacation companies by phone or on the Web: College Tours (800)3954896, http://www.collegetours.com Inter-Campus Programs (800) 327-6013, http://www.icpt.com Sun Splash Tours (800)426-7710, http://www.sunsplashtours.com World Ventures Tours and Travel Inc. (800) 225-4386, http://www.wvtt.com/spbreak.htm Student Express, Inc. (800)787-3787, http-.//www.aUcampus.com/travel/Links/StudentJExpress.htm These Travel Agencies are Better Business Bureau members: Adventure Travel Four Seasons Travel Good Life Tour and Travel International Tours of Lincoln Omni Travel Travel Agents International Travel and Transport Van Duling Tour and Travel