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muirford

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So, I'm pretty sure someone mentioned this but I'll be darned if I can find the thread now. I just got one of those phone calls that started off with the recorded announcement 'this phone call is brought to you by Trip Advisor' (or something along those lines), and then a guest asking about availability for next week. The person's name was on the caller id, not TA. So, I don't have anything open, but I asked her how she happened to call me, and described what happened when I answered the phone. She said she was looking for lodging in the area (parent of a new local university student) and she called the number that she found on TA. I asked her what number she called, and it was our area code but a completely different phone number, not matching any of ours (we have an 888 number, a local number and a residence number).
Since they are about to move into the booking business, I would guess this is how they will convince us to sign up with them. This could get very tricky.
 
And if I now go to my TA listing page, the number that she called is the one listed on my TA page.
 
And if I now go to my TA listing page, the number that she called is the one listed on my TA page..
You mean the "call the hotel" number is not your???? OMG...That is not a good thing. I think I would be calling someone at TA fast!!!
Can you go into your page management section and change it???
 
And if I now go to my TA listing page, the number that she called is the one listed on my TA page..
Same thing here. Not my phone number. But, I called it and my phone rings. So it doesn't go thru TA for processing. But I'm sure they track the calls.
 
And if I now go to my TA listing page, the number that she called is the one listed on my TA page..
You mean the "call the hotel" number is not your???? OMG...That is not a good thing. I think I would be calling someone at TA fast!!!
Can you go into your page management section and change it???
.
EmptyNest said:
You mean the "call the hotel" number is not your???? OMG...That is not a good thing. I think I would be calling someone at TA fast!!!
Can you go into your page management section and change it???
TA added that number. It dials direct to the inn. Not to TA. If you want your own phone number you have to pay.
 
And if I now go to my TA listing page, the number that she called is the one listed on my TA page..
You mean the "call the hotel" number is not your???? OMG...That is not a good thing. I think I would be calling someone at TA fast!!!
Can you go into your page management section and change it???
.
EmptyNest said:
You mean the "call the hotel" number is not your???? OMG...That is not a good thing. I think I would be calling someone at TA fast!!!
Can you go into your page management section and change it???
no, I don't have a business listing so that information (phone, website) is not published on my TA page. This is a number they have assigned me. It rings at my B&B, with a robot leader that says 'this phone call is brought to you by TA'. Check it out for some of your B&Bs - I looked at some others in the area and it is the same thing - not their direct phone number.
 
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
 
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number..
Madeleine said:
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
Huh, that's interesting. We only have 3 B&Bs in town (one is really a hotel, the other is rooms occasionally above a bar) and the first two have the TA numbers. Neither of the hotels has any number.
 
And if I now go to my TA listing page, the number that she called is the one listed on my TA page..
You mean the "call the hotel" number is not your???? OMG...That is not a good thing. I think I would be calling someone at TA fast!!!
Can you go into your page management section and change it???
.
EmptyNest said:
You mean the "call the hotel" number is not your???? OMG...That is not a good thing. I think I would be calling someone at TA fast!!!
Can you go into your page management section and change it???
no, I don't have a business listing so that information (phone, website) is not published on my TA page. This is a number they have assigned me. It rings at my B&B, with a robot leader that says 'this phone call is brought to you by TA'. Check it out for some of your B&Bs - I looked at some others in the area and it is the same thing - not their direct phone number.
.
OHHHH..now I get it.
wink_smile.gif
The site I am working on now...a closed inn that was purchased and reopening...paid for her listing.
 
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number..
Madeleine said:
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
Huh, that's interesting. We only have 3 B&Bs in town (one is really a hotel, the other is rooms occasionally above a bar) and the first two have the TA numbers. Neither of the hotels has any number.
.
muirford said:
Madeleine said:
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
Huh, that's interesting. We only have 3 B&Bs in town (one is really a hotel, the other is rooms occasionally above a bar) and the first two have the TA numbers. Neither of the hotels has any number.
Just disproved my theory by going to another town. Unless they are rolling this out town by town.
 
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number..
Madeleine said:
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
Huh, that's interesting. We only have 3 B&Bs in town (one is really a hotel, the other is rooms occasionally above a bar) and the first two have the TA numbers. Neither of the hotels has any number.
.
muirford said:
Madeleine said:
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
Huh, that's interesting. We only have 3 B&Bs in town (one is really a hotel, the other is rooms occasionally above a bar) and the first two have the TA numbers. Neither of the hotels has any number.
Just disproved my theory by going to another town. Unless they are rolling this out town by town.
.
It was mentioned on the PAII forum - that's where I saw it. Riki's had it happen to her, and an innkeeper on Amelia Island, Florida.
I believe it is a way to drive us to sign up for business listings and/or their GDS system when it comes online. This article was also linked on PAII: http://hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/tripadvisor_to_launch_pricing_display_for_independent_hotels_by_late_2013/
 
Yes, just go to your TA listing and you will see they don't have your phone number but a different one. Is this legal???? Is that not false advertising or something like that?
Riki
 
Yes, just go to your TA listing and you will see they don't have your phone number but a different one. Is this legal???? Is that not false advertising or something like that?
Riki.
It doesn't seem completely legit being as they never told us they were doing it. Plus, once the phone number goes away the guest who wrote it down is going to think we've closed. So, yeah, not the best possible plan.
Altho, getting calls that don't go thru booking.com is nice.
However, I think I'll put it on my to do list for Monday.
 
Yes, just go to your TA listing and you will see they don't have your phone number but a different one. Is this legal???? Is that not false advertising or something like that?
Riki.
Some of our town ones have the "fake" phone number, others no phone at all, and the paying ones...their own number.
 
Got one of those calls this morning at 7 am. The guy didn't know we were a B&B, didn't think B&Bs were on TA.
 
Thanks for posting this. I had call this morning with the robo message that I hung up on. Perhaps there was someone on the other end after the TA message but I hung up before listening. After reading your post I checked our TA listing to find another number on our listing...just as you said.
I have posted a question on the TA owner's forum about that false number. Personally I think it is really spooky to call a number as a prospective guest and have TA track my phone call. And it misrepresents us as well. Anybody have any good ideas on how to "encourage" TA to quit this nonsense?
 
Yes, just go to your TA listing and you will see they don't have your phone number but a different one. Is this legal???? Is that not false advertising or something like that?
Riki.
umm is its not legal for them to use our business names for their gain. Did you all agree for them to use your name for their profit as a company. I know I sure in the heck didn't!!!
I think it is a sneaky way for TA to show you that your listing is generating potential guests. Sneaky yes also da
devil_smile.gif
m smart!!!
 
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number..
Madeleine said:
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
Huh, that's interesting. We only have 3 B&Bs in town (one is really a hotel, the other is rooms occasionally above a bar) and the first two have the TA numbers. Neither of the hotels has any number.
.
muirford said:
Madeleine said:
It looks like you have to have a certain level. Maybe top 3? No one else in town here has the TA phone number but me. Looks like everyone else who has a phone number is paying to have their own phone number.
Huh, that's interesting. We only have 3 B&Bs in town (one is really a hotel, the other is rooms occasionally above a bar) and the first two have the TA numbers. Neither of the hotels has any number.
Just disproved my theory by going to another town. Unless they are rolling this out town by town.
.
It was mentioned on the PAII forum - that's where I saw it. Riki's had it happen to her, and an innkeeper on Amelia Island, Florida.
I believe it is a way to drive us to sign up for business listings and/or their GDS system when it comes online. This article was also linked on PAII: http://hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/tripadvisor_to_launch_pricing_display_for_independent_hotels_by_late_2013/
.
muirford said:
It was mentioned on the PAII forum - that's where I saw it. Riki's had it happen to her, and an innkeeper on Amelia Island, Florida.
I believe it is a way to drive us to sign up for business listings and/or their GDS system when it comes online. This article was also linked on PAII: http://hotelmarketing.com/index.php/content/article/tripadvisor_to_launch_pricing_display_for_independent_hotels_by_late_2013/
It sure won't work for me. Every call I'm getting is asking for this Saturday night for just one night stay. I'm booked every weekend requiring two night stay with a wine tour. None of these calls are anything other than "what kind of deal do you have for a one night stay this Saturday". I'm not impressed.
Riki
 
I have always thought you play with a groillia and you will get hurt. As sheer strength he has. I have never signed up with this and I have not been infected by not signing up. Amazing! even with reports on their sight.Gee I wonder why????? I have been in business for many a year. Plus I Very seldom ask for reviews from my guests. I get feed back in other ways. Tips gifts, And kind words and one more thing I get referrals from guests that have stayed here. I count my blessing.
As I said before I don't like any one using my business name with out my permission. Esepecailly for their profit. Period!!!
 
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