warning about Priceline
 

I was trying to book a room through Priceline and wasn't sure how much to bid. WHile thinking about it I left the room for a minute and my toddler typed in a few characters and then kept hitting enter. Needless to say my reservation was confirmed a few minutes later! Even after I explained to customer service what occured, they wouldn't cancel, or even change my reservation whatsoever! They got a good laugh out of my story. This is reprehensible! Now I'm stuck paying too much for the room. What to do??

This is hard to understand...the very last thing you must do when bidding on priceline is type your initials to verify your bid. After that, it is entered into the system. Are you saying your toddler "accidentally" typed in YOUR initials??? Smart kid!

No, my initials were already there. But I hadn't decided on the price to bid yet. I was still thinking about it.
The impression Priceline gave me is they don't care about customer service. I will never use them again because of the way I was treated. Is that good business?

I've read lots of older discussions on the US board about retracting an offer. Some folks say that Priceline will let you make a "one time" cancellation (or better and easier would be a date change instead - could you live with that?). Perhaps you could read those old posts...then call them back and get a nicer/different rep on the phone?

I know that when I call a hotel res 800 number and don't like what I'm hearing, I can call back and get somebody different, with a better attitude. Have you tried that?

Sorry, but it's not Priceline's fault you left your child next to the keyboard, espescially after typing in your initials. When you initial you agree your reservations are non refundable. Tough break. At least you'll get a nice vacation out of it.

The point is not that I left my 2 year old near the keyboard, it's that THEY LOST A CUSTOMER FOREVER due to the strict "policy" and their "no cancel" attitude. Don't any of these people have kids?? Stuff happens! Joan: I did ask if they would change the dates and they refused.

I hate to say it but all the reasons above are why I would never ever bid for anything on Priceline. I guess it's good for some people but I've had to cancel or change dates on way to many vacations. To me it's just not worth the cheaper price, if you even get one. I would try and call again like Joan said, you may find someone who will work with you at Priceline.

What price did your toddler offer for the room?

I mean, if he/she bid $10,000 for a room that is usually $100, I would think they'd be sympathetic.

If, on the other hand, your child bid, say, $150, I'd say that's rather a coincidence.

that does suck for you claudette. but they are pretty clear on their policy. the problem is if they make an exception for you, they'll have to make one for someone else. then what's the point of having that policy. i think you're telling the truth or you wouldn't have posted your issue here...unfortunately, priceline has no way of knowing if you're telling the truth or not..to them, you could be someone whose just trying to get out of it because you've changed your mind. i bet you they get a lot of those.
you can try calling them again, but ask for the manager/supervisor this time if you haven't already.

Wouldn't you accept responsibility if your child broke something in a store? It's no different. They probably get hundreds of phone calls per week from customers trying to back out of a reservation. The rules are loud and clear, and if you can't accept it it's best not to use Priceline. To me it is worth the savings, I like saving 50% off hotel rooms. Good luck.

I agree with travelinwifey. You should be responsible for what your children do. Perhaps next time you won't leave your child unattended at a purchase screen that is basically filled out. I do sympathize and hope it wasn't too expensive of a lesson.

Priceline is tough about refunds but that said, I have gotten my money back 3 times from them. I use Priceline for about 20 nights a year so they may see on my record that I am a regular and that might have helped. Try speaking with a supervisor and if your claim is that your child typed in an exhorbitant bid or that the wrong days were chosen, you may have luck. If you agree to substitute the same star level hotel for the same days that might work. Good luck. Threehearts

Wow, people sure are being judgmental. I thought this site was supposed to be about sharing travel information...not jumping on the bandwagon to beat someone up. Anyhow Claudette, someone posted a reply wondering how much the amount was. This is an important fact because if the amount is unreasonably high, then you may consider a lawsuit against Priceline. A minor is allowed to make a contract, but he is also allowed to rescind that contract for any reason through the defense of incapacity. If the amount is high, then that may be evidence that it was your child, rather than you, who entered the amount. As such, the contract between you & Priceline can be rescinded. Of course, this option will only be useful if the amount was such that a reasonable person would not have offered it due to its exorbitancy. Someone posted the idea of talking to a supervisor...that is a great idea if the price isn't too high.

The 'contract' you refer to was not formulated by the child.
It was designed by the parent.
No point in a lawsuit because there was no fault on Priceline's part and their website clearly spells out terms and conditions.
What's more, mom could never prove who executed the purchase order.
Mom already knew the price (which she apparently considered fair enough to strongly consider striking the bargain), so there's no chance for a plea of unreasonable/erroneous bidding.

Travel_bug, this site is indeed for sharing info. The valuable info here is: be highly respectful of the serious nature of bidding at online auction sites. These are real and enforceable contracts.

Hi Claudette,Just wondering what Hotel you bid on,where,and how much? What was the difference in price compared to how much everyone else bid?
Like I said,I'm just curious to find out.
Debbie

It was for the Westin in St. John. I don't know how much other people bid, but mine was $175. This may be a fair price for a Gardenroom, I'm not sure, but the dates were wrong as well. I couldn't change those either.
Note to the other posters: I was on the telephone doing research on St. John properties when it occured. I realize Priceline has a strict policy, which is why I posted the warning.
I won't let this incident ruin my honeymoon. I just wanted to warn others who have small children.

If it's any comfort, $175 is a good price for the Westin St John. Especially if you're going in peak season. Non peak season, you could have gotten a better deal. The Westin St John is a great property, I just returned a few days ago. Perhaps you can request an upgrade upon check-in. With Priceline, policy is policy. I've used them a couple of times for rental cars and once for a hotel...I've had great luck.

I also had a problem with Priceline booking airline tickets. I entered a price of $150 for 3 tickets - totalling $592 with taxes. Then it went to a screen that said my price was accepted, at $388 per ticket, for a total of $1165!!!

I immediately called Priceline and told them the problem. They insisted that I authorized this amount, and sent emails as "proof", yet the emails did not contain my initials. Two days later, they sent an email with my initials, but the request numbers don't match up.

Anyhow, they took all the money out of my account, and would not even negotiate with me at all - I even offered to split the difference to not have any hassle with them, and they refused. My mortgage even bounced.

We consulted a lawyer who advised us to try and locate people who have had similar problems. My bank says that they have also had many people dispute Priceline's charges.

So, if anyone has had similar problems with Priceline, I'd love to hear from you. [email protected]

Claudette:Your story doesn't pass the smell test.It is more likely you had buyers remorse and tried to get out of the deal by blaming it on your kid. Shame on you.

Your child typed in the wrong dates, sent it and got it confirmed. I sell on ebay a lot and you'd be amazed at how many babies are able to bid on an item, send it, then confirm it, all by accident. I am truly amazed at the skills infants dispaly nowadays

SamH: Are you pulling our leg?

mgmargate, I'm only partially kidding. I'm in agreement that this smells of buyers remorse. However for some fun light reading the ebay boards are a scream. And I am a seller there.

If you're planning a trip to this resort, RUN RUN RUN in the other direction!!!! I just came back a week ago. I went for 2 weeks and by the 4rth day, I was SO mortified that I moved to a new resort. AVOID at all cost [which by the way will cost you 2x more than ANY all inclusive resort]. I moved to Point Village [like 2 miles away] and could not be happier. Here's what you can expect if you decide to stay at Coco La Palm:
1. Harrassment by drug dealers on the beach [which is not private], by people trying to sell you everything from food to flags. These people do not take NO for an answer.
2. Sexual harrassment from everyone from the locals who come to the resort to sell junk to the staff including the security guards. Be aware that things as simple as saying "hello" to ANYONE who is not a tourist is cosidered flirting and they will not leave
you alone. They will persue you, pull on your hands to go with them, and the staff will tell you that tipping [aside from the 10% they charge on the spot for gratuity] is not only mandatory but they will literally argue you to give them more because "but there are a lot of us and we split the tips so the $10 you give after paying $65 for 2 omlets and a fruit cup is just not enough for all of us!" Theroretically, gratuity should be a bonus for the good service but you are harrassed for not giving tips for ALL employees, even if they never came to your table.
3. IF you leave less than $5 for the maid service every morning, *and I was shocked* DO NOT EXPECT TO GET ANY SERVICE THE FOLLOWING DAY. they will not show up until you call the lobby, then call again and speak to the general manager [her name is Esna and she is very nice so ALL inquiries should be reported to her ONLY].
4. Taxi service starts at $10 for a 3-10 minute ride.
5. If you'll visit Rick's Cafe [recommended for nice experience but foll SUCKS!], you're looking at a $30 cab ride if you hire anyone from the hotel.
VERY IMPORTANT: PAY THE DRIVER AFTER HE PICKS YOU UP AND TAKES YOU BACK TO YOUR HOTEL!!!!!!

I have a LOT more complaints about this particular hotel but here's the breakdown:

*Expect to be husstled for $ - tourism is their main source of income so you'll get ripped off everywhere [understandable but to a point].
*Expect toilets and showers that do not work or work so poorly that Motel 6 will look like the Penthouse at the Hilton.

*Expect to have people try to sell you drugs EVERYWHERE and the security will not try to make them leave you alone.

*Expect no service if you don't tip EVERYONE at least $5 [even if they did NOTHING for you and you've never seen them before].

*Expect BED BUGS!!!! in this hotel. I was BITTEN over 87 TIMES!!!! and I was the only one who got bit because I slept in the same bed in the 4 days I stayed there.

*If $$$ is a concern [and it always is], You're looking at $300-$400 per day [seriously 2 cheeseburgers, 2 drinks and a salad $85 [tip not included].

***My best recommendation: POINT VILLAGE is a private resort, all inclusive $210 [total] per day for 4 people, all watersports included[snorkling, kyaking, private beached [no merchants or drug dealers], glass bottom boats, a whole bunch of stuff] food much better, you get service!!!! Fantastic for kids, even better for couples!!!

I am not trying to promote Point VIllage even though I WISH I would have come there first and avoided Coco La Palm all together.

Seriously, I was so horrified by my experience at Coco La Palm that I wanted to go home starting the first day and I was at the point of TEARS thinking abount staying there for 2 weeks!!!

Please HEAR MY WARNING!!! I was lucky because I had some time to get over my experience and leave but most people go for 1 week and you will NOT ENJOY YOUR VACATION and you will want to go home if you spend 1 day there. I almost did! I even called up the airline and got info on the next flight home until my brother convinced me to just move to a new hotel.

I have to agree with SamH that this is buyers remorse. I just went to Pricline: First screen choose St. John and entering the price & dates I was will to pay. Second screen was a recap of my bid and dates, terms & conditins and the place to enter my initials. The 3rd screen is where all credit card info is entered. If you had a profile set up this screen probably wouldn't show up. $175 is good price for St. John hope you enjoy your trip.