- Report: #1322625
Complaint Review: Priceline.com - Internet
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Priceline.com
Internet, USA
Phone:
1-877-477-5807
Web:
www.priceline.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Priceline.com Banner ad hotel price unavailable Norwalk, Connecticut Internet
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I wanted an affordable hotel room in North Dallas. The banner ad for Priceline showed a starting rate of $25/night at Best Western Plus Dallas Hotel and Conference Center, 8051 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Dallas, TX. However, when you actually select a night to book a room (and I tried several different nights - Tues., Fri., Sat. and Sunday) for a one-night stay, the lowest room rate I could get was actually just over $70. I tried to phone the hotel directly to find out if the banner ad on Priceline was a mistake, and they said that they had no knowledge of any rates that low. I also tried to contact Priceline to ask if the banner ad I had seen was an error, but could not find any person online to discuss this issue.
Ironically, this sort of low price come-on or false price advertisement is specifically banned by the Texas Deceptive Practices and Consumer Protection Act (Section 17.46. subsections (9) & (10), Texas Business and Commerce Code, V.A.T.S.). But who enforces it?
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Hotel denies availability of that rate - ever!
#2Author of original report
Wed, August 17, 2016
I telephoned the hotel in question directly and asked what calendar dates had rooms at the Priceline banner rate of $25 and was told that they NEVER have any rooms at that rate. I wonder why you come to the defense of Priceline so quickly without having the facts?
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Tyg
Pahrump,Nevada,
USA
Actually....
#3General Comment
Mon, August 15, 2016
Actually they are in the clear because of one word..... STARTING!!! What this means is that from time to time they get $25 rooms. This does not mean that every time you log in they will have that price point. While its understandable that you wish to "conserve" your cash the reality is that the $25 rooms are pretty much ONLY on certain days during certain parts of thier year. It doesnt make what they post wrong. If YOU expect to get that rate outside of thier off season then that is on you. YOU ASSUMED and nothing more. Thier statement IS correct. They DO have rooms at that lower price, just not when YOU need it. The rate STARTS at $25. Im pretty sure they put a little asterix or disclaimer somewhere. Its ALL about HOW its advertised. Its called a "hook" to get you to look at the prices they DO have. Its NOT a bait and switch. Its NOT false advertising. But it IS advertising. Meaning you dont buy into it 100% then throw a online tantrum when YOU missed the disclaimer. Show a little maturity and intellegence please.
Also, unless THEY are based in Texas then there is NO RECOURSE!!! They are bound by the Laws of the state they operate out of. Probably California for all the tax breaks.
