Arrow Tours & Travel Inc

Arrow Tours & Travel Inc., located at 41-01 Broadway in Astoria, presents a multifaceted business model that can be either a source of convenience or a point of contention for potential customers. By name, it is a travel agency, but its most visible online presence is dominated by feedback on its ancillary services, particularly its notary public offerings. This creates a divided reputation that warrants careful consideration for anyone looking to engage with their services, whether for local errands or for planning a significant trip.

The Core Business: Travel and Tour Services

As a travel agency, Arrow Tours & Travel Inc. advertises a comprehensive suite of services. According to its website, the agency has been established since 1995 and specializes in providing competitive airfare, with a particular focus on the Middle East and Africa. They promote themselves as authorized agents for most major airlines and offer services for booking international flights, creating custom travel packages, and arranging tours across the globe. A significant and specialized part of their travel business is dedicated to Hajj and Umrah packages, for which they are authorized agents with the Saudi consulate in New York. The website details specific packages with pricing, accommodation information, and itineraries, indicating a deep expertise in this niche travel market. They also mention offering travel insurance and shipping services, particularly to Egypt.

However, a critical issue for prospective travelers is the profound lack of public customer reviews regarding these core travel services. While the agency's site speaks of experience and customer satisfaction, there is little to no independent corroboration from clients who have used their vacation planning or flight booking services. This information gap makes it difficult to assess their proficiency as a reliable travel agent. For customers accustomed to vetting businesses through peer reviews, this absence of feedback is a significant red flag. It leaves questions unanswered about the quality of their custom itineraries, the value of their holiday deals, and the level of support they provide when travel plans go awry.

The Ancillary Services: A Source of Convenience and Controversy

Where Arrow Tours & Travel Inc. does have a notable public reputation is in its other offerings, such as printing and notary public services. For local residents, this presents an element of convenience. Some customers have found their services to be efficient and professional for quick tasks. Positive reviews highlight a "nice and fast Notary experience" and praise the business for being conveniently located near the post office for printing and notarizing documents. For these patrons, the agency served its purpose as a straightforward, local service provider without any issues.

The Notary Public Overcharging Allegations

Despite some positive notes, a significant portion of the available customer feedback contains serious allegations, specifically concerning the notary public service. Multiple reviews from different individuals over a span of time report being charged fees far exceeding the legally mandated limit in New York State. Several customers claim they were charged between $5 and $20 for a notary signature.

This is a critical point of concern because the New York State Department of State clearly stipulates the maximum fee a notary public can charge. According to official regulations, "A notary public may charge a fee of $2.00 for administering an oath or affirmation or for taking an acknowledgment or proof of execution. Unless otherwise authorized by law, a notarial fee may not exceed this amount." The fees reported by customers are substantially higher than this legal limit. While there has been discussion in the state legislature about raising the fee to $5, the current law sets the cap at $2.00.

The negative reviews go beyond the alleged overcharging. Customers have described the response from a specific employee, identified in reviews as Sayed Moustafa, as dismissive and unprofessional when questioned about the fees. One reviewer stated that after being upcharged, they were told to return to the store, only to be laughed at and told nothing could be done. These accounts describe fraudulent and discriminatory practices, leading to formal warnings being issued in the reviews themselves. The repetition of these claims across different reviews suggests a pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident.

What This Means for Potential Customers

A prospective client of Arrow Tours & Travel Inc. is faced with a tale of two businesses operating under one roof, and the decision to use their services depends entirely on the client's needs and tolerance for risk.

For the Traveler:

If you are considering this establishment for booking tours or purchasing airline tickets, the primary challenge is the lack of information. While their website details specialized Hajj and Umrah packages and claims expertise in global travel, the absence of client testimonials makes it impossible to gauge the quality of their service. A traveler might be securing excellent holiday deals or they might be engaging with an agency whose primary focus has shifted elsewhere. The prudent approach would be to exercise extreme caution. It would be wise to request references, thoroughly vet any proposed itinerary, and compare their pricing and service guarantees with other well-reviewed travel agencies before making any financial commitment.

For the Local Resident Needing Office Services:

If you are a local resident in need of a quick printout or document notarization, the agency offers convenience. Some have had positive, uneventful experiences. However, you must be aware of the significant and credible allegations of overcharging for notary services. It is essential to know your rights and the legal fee structure. Before having any document notarized here, you should confirm the price and be prepared to walk away if it exceeds the state-mandated $2.00 fee. The reports of poor customer service when pricing is challenged should also be a major consideration. While convenience is a plus, it should not come at the cost of being overcharged or treated unprofessionally.

Conclusion

Arrow Tours & Travel Inc. is a business with a deeply divided public image. As a travel agency, it remains an unknown quantity due to a lack of accessible customer feedback on its core offerings like travel packages and international flights. As a provider of local services, it is polarizing; it is seen as a convenient stop by some, but by others as a business engaging in questionable and allegedly illegal pricing practices for its notary services. Any potential customer should weigh these factors carefully, separating the agency's travel ambitions from the documented reality of its day-to-day service reputation in the community.