Honouring Internet Prices

[TraceyL]

No sure if this is strictly trip planning but here goes anyway...

I've been quoted a ridiculously low price (marked as a special rate) for a villa. I've gone ahead and booked it (nothing ventured....) where do I stand if they turn round and say it was a mistake ?

I've received a confirmation email from the travel company concerned and am not expecting an invoice as I have paid the amount quoted online.

I know something similar has happened on here with a package holiday (I believe) but I'm not sure if that was just on deposit - not balance paid.

Any advice ??

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Maybe if you say who you booked with people could give more feedback if they have used them?

Are they bonded with any of the travel bodies here or in the USA?

 

[TraceyL]

Sorry - it was with Expedia

 

[Penny12]

I once had a problem with Travelocity with a cheap flight which they then refused to honour, even though they had taken my CC details. I think the package problems you refer to were with Virgin and were deposit only.

I don't know about Expedia, but I assume they are the same as just about all sites have a get out clause to cover themselves - Travelocity cite a 48 hour period in which they can revoke the deal to cover themselves for a) published mistakes on the website (which they had done with my flight) and b) because they are a middleman selling flights & hotels on someones elses behalf, along with other companies selling the same flights and same hotels, there is a possiblity of double booking when the remaining spaces left are low.

However, if they are past their allocated cooling off time and they have actually debited your Credit Card - then IMO it is a binding contract just like any other

When did you book it?

 

[neo's white rabbit]

I use Expedia quite regularly, infact for our flights for our trip in May - tickets arrived in a week. And the car hire. Did they debit the full amount at the time of booking? If so, I can't see that you'd have a problem.

If I could get my PM thingy turned on I could put your same dates and info in and see what price they come up with?

 

[TraceyL]

Only booked it last night Penny. Think I'll wait and see and check my credit card in a few days.

The price on the website has now been corrected (Florida Palm Villas) to £1200 instead of the £174 I paid.

Now waiting for them to try to wriggle out of the booking

 

[kazzie]

Tracey is see what you mean about it not being the correct price!!

Maybe your booking will 'slip through the net' and not get picked up If it does you have absolutely nothing to lose by insisting they honour the price quoted and paid for.Maybe they won't honour it at all ot maybe they will come to a compromise or knock a bit off the price as it was their error?

Let us know how you get on

 

[TraceyL]

Well, still haven't heard anything ! I'm assuming that my booking alerted somebody to the mistake and that's why the price has reverted to normal, but thought they would have emailed me straight away if there was a problem (wouldn't they?)

I'm hoping to get a discount voucher out of them at least - don't really need a 4 bed place, just couldn't resist at that price

Fingers crossed !

 

[mkingdon]

Tracey,

I run a web site for a living, and when we make **** ups re prices, the key critieria is if we have "accepted the order". There are lots of legal bits of jargon, but bottom line is, if they have taken payment from your card, they have "accepted your order". Legally, they then have to honour it.

They may well try to discourage you from forcing your claim, but stand firm. You are legally entitled to it.

Good Luck

Craig

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Tracey

I'd go with Craig's advice.

Have they only charged you for one night or something? Just make sure on the confirmation email, which they always send out, that the dates are correct etc

 

[TraceyL]

This is what it says on my confirmation......

19/10 - 20/10 :Free
21/10 :£75.36 per night
22/10 - 27/10 :Free
28/10 :£75.36 per night
29/10 - 1/11 :Free

Total amount charged to credit card * £173.14

Still not heard from them

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Sounds like their mistake to me. Or you won a competion you knew nothing about!

Anyway you could contact where you're staying (you must have some info on how to get there or what to do?) to check the reservation details they have for you, in a week or two?

 

[TraceyL]

Well, they've taken the money off me

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Fingers-x'd for you as it's a great deal as it stands...keep us posted.

 

[alexandra uk]

You lucky so and so
Where is the villa ?

 

[TraceyL]

The villas are on the 27 - a bit furtherout than we usually stay - but who's complaining

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&itty=new&from=m&htid=661831&&zz=1046818024588&

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Right!

 

[neo's white rabbit]

Right!