Don't Cry For Him... He's an Idiot...

I saw this article http://consumerist.com/2013/01/22/priceline-books-me-in-3-5-star-roach-motel-and-theres-no-refunds/ and all I could think is... if you live by the sword, you die by the sword.
First of all, if a hotel has to resort to selling their rooms anonymous, there is a problem. Buying that problem is a choice. Are you willing to sacrifice knowing for cheap. If you are, you have to live with it. You don't walk into the casino, put down $100 on number 20 and then when it doesn't come up on the wheel ask them to reimburse you. You played, you lost, get over it.
The second thing is a report of BB and actual BB are two entirely different things. Most establishments will take care of the problem, likely well before someone even posts it. (And they should post it in the past tense, since posting it in present tense might be legal libel.)
I don't know about you, but I pretty much know the local establishments that appear on both of these websites that sell opaque hotel rooms. I know why most of them are on those websites in the first place. Sometimes I have even seen the maps redrawn just to include a hotel that wasn't include before, so that it can play as well. We have a hotel with a horrible location on an island in the middle of the river, no public transport, expensive to use a taxi. Great for a getaway, horrible for visiting the city. Well, they moved zone G to include it, quick indication of what hotel got added to the list and where I don't want to stay!
PS: I've used these websites when I really didn't care where I stayed. I have gotten a few decent deals, but by design, never anything great, we even got a 4* in Boston once for a great price, until we got there and they were charging more for the parking than the hotel room (and in spite of it being a 4*, it's ranked 60 of the 75 hotels in Boston. There is always a reason these hotels are sold blindly.

Blech, I totally agree with you, Eric.
I detest people that don't read before they purchase. It is not P's fault that this guest did not read the "rules". Take responsibility for your poor choice - shut your mouth and don't let the world know that you are an idiot. I wish that there had been a way to comment.

in my opinion, this is what comes of all those ads showing how you can get something great for NOT MUCH.
i once booked a room at a hotel in florida with a window view ... great! guess what the view was? of the other sides of the building so that we could look into each others' windows! talk about stretching the truth. or something. a true WINDOW VIEW.
could i be moved? yes, for a price $$$

IrisoftheWayfarer said:

Blech, I totally agree with you, Eric.
I detest people that don't read before they purchase. It is not P's fault that this guest did not read the "rules". Take responsibility for your poor choice - shut your mouth and don't let the world know that you are an idiot. I wish that there had been a way to comment..

Click to expand...

I was looking for one as well. Instead of the "like" button, I wish that sometimes there was an "idiot" button. (Sometimes I miss George Carlin, this is one of those times!)

why do they think it is non refundable? they probably have 100 of him who then decide not to stay - its free money!

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there..

Click to expand...

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. Everyone has been trained by marketers to wait for the sale/deal/discount. And, some people really think that if a place is SO bad it will be shut down. We regularly get walk ins who blanch at our price. (We're middle of the road on our pricing, but about half what you could get charged at a hotel.) When I recommend they try XYZ inn where the prices are much lower they want to know what's wrong with the place.
Once clued into the 'local' pricing, I think travelers understand that if someone is charging a LOT less than the average price there is probably a reason.

Madeleine said:

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there..

Click to expand...

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. Everyone has been trained by marketers to wait for the sale/deal/discount. And, some people really think that if a place is SO bad it will be shut down. We regularly get walk ins who blanch at our price. (We're middle of the road on our pricing, but about half what you could get charged at a hotel.) When I recommend they try XYZ inn where the prices are much lower they want to know what's wrong with the place.
Once clued into the 'local' pricing, I think travelers understand that if someone is charging a LOT less than the average price there is probably a reason.
.

Click to expand...

we also have people who believe that these online booking sites have some kind of check/inspection and are totally surprised when they book online and its a complete doss house - "oh but we booked through la tero oms " to which i replied - "you do know they don't do any kind of checks don't you? thats why they have a review section!

Madeleine said:

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there..

Click to expand...

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. Everyone has been trained by marketers to wait for the sale/deal/discount. And, some people really think that if a place is SO bad it will be shut down. We regularly get walk ins who blanch at our price. (We're middle of the road on our pricing, but about half what you could get charged at a hotel.) When I recommend they try XYZ inn where the prices are much lower they want to know what's wrong with the place.
Once clued into the 'local' pricing, I think travelers understand that if someone is charging a LOT less than the average price there is probably a reason.
.

Click to expand...

There are many B&B's in the towns on busy streets around here, with signs outside saying B&B with en-suite from £20 pppn. You may get that rate around now, mid January, mid week, but it gives people the impression that that's the sort of price they can expect to pay.
Then they knock on the door of a 4 star place like ours in peak season, and fall into a dead faint when you tell them the price.

Highlands John said:

Madeleine said:

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there..

Click to expand...

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. Everyone has been trained by marketers to wait for the sale/deal/discount. And, some people really think that if a place is SO bad it will be shut down. We regularly get walk ins who blanch at our price. (We're middle of the road on our pricing, but about half what you could get charged at a hotel.) When I recommend they try XYZ inn where the prices are much lower they want to know what's wrong with the place.
Once clued into the 'local' pricing, I think travelers understand that if someone is charging a LOT less than the average price there is probably a reason.
.

Click to expand...

There are many B&B's in the towns on busy streets around here, with signs outside saying B&B with en-suite from £20 pppn. You may get that rate around now, mid January, mid week, but it gives people the impression that that's the sort of price they can expect to pay.
Then they knock on the door of a 4 star place like ours in peak season, and fall into a dead faint when you tell them the price.
.

Click to expand...

I actually couldn't believe how deceptive the signs can be in Britain, especially considering the Advertising Standards Council. What's with the pricing per person per night thing? Most places still require 2 people for that rate, of course and it's like 1 mid-week day a year!

Eric Arthur Blair said:

Highlands John said:

Madeleine said:

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there..

Click to expand...

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. Everyone has been trained by marketers to wait for the sale/deal/discount. And, some people really think that if a place is SO bad it will be shut down. We regularly get walk ins who blanch at our price. (We're middle of the road on our pricing, but about half what you could get charged at a hotel.) When I recommend they try XYZ inn where the prices are much lower they want to know what's wrong with the place.
Once clued into the 'local' pricing, I think travelers understand that if someone is charging a LOT less than the average price there is probably a reason.
.

Click to expand...

There are many B&B's in the towns on busy streets around here, with signs outside saying B&B with en-suite from £20 pppn. You may get that rate around now, mid January, mid week, but it gives people the impression that that's the sort of price they can expect to pay.
Then they knock on the door of a 4 star place like ours in peak season, and fall into a dead faint when you tell them the price.
.

Click to expand...

I actually couldn't believe how deceptive the signs can be in Britain, especially considering the Advertising Standards Council. What's with the pricing per person per night thing? Most places still require 2 people for that rate, of course and it's like 1 mid-week day a year!
.

Click to expand...

Eric Arthur Blair said:

I actually couldn't believe how deceptive the signs can be in Britain, especially considering the Advertising Standards Council.

Click to expand...

I agree, it's wrong, but as long as the sign says the magic word "from" they're allowed to do it. And surely if you are managing to "trick" people into knocking on your door and you do get them to stay there's already a grudge set up before they've even received their room key.

Eric Arthur Blair said:

What's with the pricing per person per night thing? Most places still require 2 people for that rate, of course and it's like 1 mid-week day a year!

Click to expand...

I don't know, it's always been that way with B&Bs here, and it causes confusion. We've always followed the pack on that one, but decided recently to start quoting our prices by the room, single people will get charged the full room rate.

Highlands John said:

Eric Arthur Blair said:

Highlands John said:

Madeleine said:

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there..

Click to expand...

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. Everyone has been trained by marketers to wait for the sale/deal/discount. And, some people really think that if a place is SO bad it will be shut down. We regularly get walk ins who blanch at our price. (We're middle of the road on our pricing, but about half what you could get charged at a hotel.) When I recommend they try XYZ inn where the prices are much lower they want to know what's wrong with the place.
Once clued into the 'local' pricing, I think travelers understand that if someone is charging a LOT less than the average price there is probably a reason.
.

Click to expand...

There are many B&B's in the towns on busy streets around here, with signs outside saying B&B with en-suite from £20 pppn. You may get that rate around now, mid January, mid week, but it gives people the impression that that's the sort of price they can expect to pay.
Then they knock on the door of a 4 star place like ours in peak season, and fall into a dead faint when you tell them the price.
.

Click to expand...

I actually couldn't believe how deceptive the signs can be in Britain, especially considering the Advertising Standards Council. What's with the pricing per person per night thing? Most places still require 2 people for that rate, of course and it's like 1 mid-week day a year!
.

Click to expand...

Eric Arthur Blair said:

I actually couldn't believe how deceptive the signs can be in Britain, especially considering the Advertising Standards Council.

Click to expand...

I agree, it's wrong, but as long as the sign says the magic word "from" they're allowed to do it. And surely if you are managing to "trick" people into knocking on your door and you do get them to stay there's already a grudge set up before they've even received their room key.

Eric Arthur Blair said:

What's with the pricing per person per night thing? Most places still require 2 people for that rate, of course and it's like 1 mid-week day a year!

Click to expand...

I don't know, it's always been that way with B&Bs here, and it causes confusion. We've always followed the pack on that one, but decided recently to start quoting our prices by the room, single people will get charged the full room rate.
.

Click to expand...

We've always followed the pack on that one, but decided recently to start quoting our prices by the room, single people will get charged the full room rate.
I have always charged by the room whether single or double. It costs me as much for one as for two to heat the room (or cool), run the TV, I cannot wash half the sheets so it is the same for laundry. The only thing not the same is the number of towels (sometimes), water for showers, and breakfast. Not enough to charge only a half rate. I only charge extra if there is a 3rd person because that IS extra labor - setting up the cot, laundry, etc.

Highlands John said:

Eric Arthur Blair said:

Highlands John said:

Madeleine said:

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there..

Click to expand...

toddburme said:

I understand the confusion. The advertising of these deals is such that you are getting the regular deal at a discount but honestly does anyone think we can all get a deal any time we want and the places all stay in business?
It is good that articles like this get out there.

Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. Everyone has been trained by marketers to wait for the sale/deal/discount. And, some people really think that if a place is SO bad it will be shut down. We regularly get walk ins who blanch at our price. (We're middle of the road on our pricing, but about half what you could get charged at a hotel.) When I recommend they try XYZ inn where the prices are much lower they want to know what's wrong with the place.
Once clued into the 'local' pricing, I think travelers understand that if someone is charging a LOT less than the average price there is probably a reason.
.

Click to expand...

There are many B&B's in the towns on busy streets around here, with signs outside saying B&B with en-suite from £20 pppn. You may get that rate around now, mid January, mid week, but it gives people the impression that that's the sort of price they can expect to pay.
Then they knock on the door of a 4 star place like ours in peak season, and fall into a dead faint when you tell them the price.
.

Click to expand...

I actually couldn't believe how deceptive the signs can be in Britain, especially considering the Advertising Standards Council. What's with the pricing per person per night thing? Most places still require 2 people for that rate, of course and it's like 1 mid-week day a year!
.

Click to expand...

Eric Arthur Blair said:

I actually couldn't believe how deceptive the signs can be in Britain, especially considering the Advertising Standards Council.

Click to expand...

I agree, it's wrong, but as long as the sign says the magic word "from" they're allowed to do it. And surely if you are managing to "trick" people into knocking on your door and you do get them to stay there's already a grudge set up before they've even received their room key.

Eric Arthur Blair said:

What's with the pricing per person per night thing? Most places still require 2 people for that rate, of course and it's like 1 mid-week day a year!

Click to expand...

I don't know, it's always been that way with B&Bs here, and it causes confusion. We've always followed the pack on that one, but decided recently to start quoting our prices by the room, single people will get charged the full room rate.
.

Click to expand...

We have found a fair number of walk-in Euro guests ask if the price is per person.