Avoid WooGo Group and Expedia.com -- Worst Travel Story Ever.
Apr 22nd, 2006, 09:26 AM
#41
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GoTravel -
I'm pretty chary of things that sound too good to be true. After a long period of skepticism about the viability of CL I took the plunge a couple years ago and gave it a shot. Since then I have found great apartments in NYC at prices less than hotels. I have also found equally satisfactory apartments in other cities. Of course, there are caveats - never send money via Western Union, ask for exact address and photos if possible and try to speak with the owner beforehand, and if it seems to good to be true it probably is.
I would keep in mind a NY Times article, but remember that it is a features piece and not news so fact checking (as if it's very good even for news!) is almost nonexistent and it is opinion rather than fact. Also keep in mind that newspapers in major cities are screaming about the ad revenue they are losing to CL, especially from help wanted ads.
I'm pretty chary of things that sound too good to be true. After a long period of skepticism about the viability of CL I took the plunge a couple years ago and gave it a shot. Since then I have found great apartments in NYC at prices less than hotels. I have also found equally satisfactory apartments in other cities. Of course, there are caveats - never send money via Western Union, ask for exact address and photos if possible and try to speak with the owner beforehand, and if it seems to good to be true it probably is.
I would keep in mind a NY Times article, but remember that it is a features piece and not news so fact checking (as if it's very good even for news!) is almost nonexistent and it is opinion rather than fact. Also keep in mind that newspapers in major cities are screaming about the ad revenue they are losing to CL, especially from help wanted ads.
Apr 22nd, 2006, 09:28 AM
#42
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And tell us first time poster, Kevin, how or why you came here to Fodors for the very first time and registered to tell us that? Please don't tell us you just happened to be browsing this site and ran into this post. What exactly has he said that is not true -- hence "libellous"?
Apr 22nd, 2006, 09:30 AM
#43
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OH, and, uh...Kevin9999, intersting that this is your only post ever here and you make unfounded (and incorrect) assertions - what's yor interest in defending the shameless sham practices of this real estate vulture company?
Apr 30th, 2006, 09:19 AM
#46
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Just read Kevin's post Laughable. My family booked Lincoln Centre for 3 nights commencing 4/17. We stayed one! When we arrived the usual runaround from building to building commenced. When we finally got the keys, I sent my wife and kids upstairs while I parked the car. I arrived to have my wife tell me there were about 15-20 of the housekeeping staff having a little get together when she entered the apartment; warm tea kettle, rice in the microwave etc. We started getting phone calls for one of them! I have sent Kelly my story and additional pictures and hope to see them on his site soon.I have contacted the NYC building department, and have offered to testify in their complaint process.
I wish I was still in town to see the channel 5 piece!
I wish I was still in town to see the channel 5 piece!
Apr 30th, 2006, 10:42 AM
#47
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wow, I'm sorry for the experience however get over it already. There are far more important things in this world to worry about that a crappy hotel/motel. You were looking for a cheap place to stay and ended up staying there for free as I think you will get a refund so chill out already.
Apr 30th, 2006, 11:58 AM
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"You were looking for a cheap place". False, we were looking for quality separate living space at a good value. With three-stars and just under $1000 for 4 nights, the price seemed in-line, not cheap. If fact, the Affina 50 Jr. Suite we rebooked into, was eqiuvalently priced, and the difference was hell and heaven.
Apr 30th, 2006, 12:08 PM
#51
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ibdkb, I am so grateful for your posts. In searching for a NYC hotel room I came across the WooGo group listings and shuddered having read your previous posts. By taking the time you have to inform us of your situation you have no doubt saved others from being misled--thank you!
Apr 30th, 2006, 03:06 PM
#52
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"You were looking for a cheap place to stay and ended up staying there for free as I think you will get a refund so chill out already"
Well, I guess the rest of us aren't bid spenders in thinking that $250/night is not cheap, but regardless, even if it was cheap, is that any excuse for it being so incredibly misrepresented?
How's this for cheap, my sister got the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan for $100/night through Priceline!
Well, I guess the rest of us aren't bid spenders in thinking that $250/night is not cheap, but regardless, even if it was cheap, is that any excuse for it being so incredibly misrepresented?
How's this for cheap, my sister got the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan for $100/night through Priceline!
Apr 30th, 2006, 05:22 PM
#53
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Quote: "remember that it is a features piece and not news so fact checking (as if it's very good even for news!) is almost nonexistent and it is opinion rather than fact."
With all due respect and no ill will intended.... horsehockey.
That's not how newspapers work. Obviously, features reporters and editors want to get it right as much as anyone else in the newsroom. All they have to sell is their credibility.
Do newspeople get it wrong? Yep, too often -- as often as the doctors we see, the call centers we have to use, the politicians we elect, the "reliable" sources we quote, the restaurants we eat at....
No, I don't work for the Times, but the statement that features reports are "opinion" and fact-checked less than the reports produced by us on the hard-news side is downright laughable.
Did someone tell you that, or did you just assume it to be true?
You owe those folks a correction in print, methinks. ;-)
With all due respect and no ill will intended.... horsehockey.
That's not how newspapers work. Obviously, features reporters and editors want to get it right as much as anyone else in the newsroom. All they have to sell is their credibility.
Do newspeople get it wrong? Yep, too often -- as often as the doctors we see, the call centers we have to use, the politicians we elect, the "reliable" sources we quote, the restaurants we eat at....
No, I don't work for the Times, but the statement that features reports are "opinion" and fact-checked less than the reports produced by us on the hard-news side is downright laughable.
Did someone tell you that, or did you just assume it to be true?
You owe those folks a correction in print, methinks. ;-)
Apr 30th, 2006, 06:07 PM
#54
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Speaking of News:
In New York City, tomorrow (Monday) 4/1 @ 10PM EST on FOX's Evening News will be the first report on WooGo. This report folds our vacation into a story largely about the tenants being displaced at WooGo Lincoln Center Apartments.
More stories are coming. I've also emailed that feature journalis at the Times. Stay tuned...
In New York City, tomorrow (Monday) 4/1 @ 10PM EST on FOX's Evening News will be the first report on WooGo. This report folds our vacation into a story largely about the tenants being displaced at WooGo Lincoln Center Apartments.
More stories are coming. I've also emailed that feature journalis at the Times. Stay tuned...
May 1st, 2006, 07:45 PM
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OK. I stayed up late to watch the FOX News "story" and didn't see it at all. There was a story on teenage vamopire attacks at a high school, one on Micheal Skakel's retrial, One on a dog attack, one on a sex predator, etc etc. but nothing on Woogo at all. Was I watching the wrong channel?
It was the FOX Evening news in NY at 10 PM. Then I went online but still couldn't find any reference to the story. Hmm. Don't know what to make of this.
Well, must go to sleep now-have to work tmorrow.
It was the FOX Evening news in NY at 10 PM. Then I went online but still couldn't find any reference to the story. Hmm. Don't know what to make of this.
Well, must go to sleep now-have to work tmorrow.
May 1st, 2006, 08:58 PM
#59
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I'm a resident of the buildings owned by the realty company/landlord who is renting the apartments out to Woogo. Never once did anyone from the landlord's office ever mention anything to any tenant. Tenants who have lived here for yrs. are now not having their leases renewed once they expire, so the landlord my convert it to a "hotel room". Security is at an all time low. It's sad when you pay anywhere between $1200-$2500/month for rent and have random strangers coming and going in and out of your building each night. The story on the whole scam was done on channel 9 news at 10:15 p.m. or so, not Fox 5 news. All the employees from the woogo office were very rude and tried to get the reporter and camera person to leave. Meanwhile people from the concierge office of actual building claimed no hotel rooms were present in the building whatsoever, yet Channel 9 performed and undercover booking and check in of a "hotel room" and were escorted to the room in one of the apartment complexes. They had someone from NYC housing authority w/ them and they said it was completely illegal to use a residential building for commercial (hotel) purposes. Numerous other filings were made by the housing authority such as having cellar/basement apts. in the building, which are completely illegal in NYC. Bottom line is the people at woogo are scammers, and the people at 63 West Realty can be grouped with them after deceiving and fleecing tenants who paid lots of money for monthly rent.
