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Help needed for biddingfortravel.com
Not really sure how this website works. If I bid for a hotel room and it is accepted, do I have to pay for it immediately? Or do I pay when I stay like a regular booking? Any other info you could pass on would be great! Thanks
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You don't bid on this website. Instead, it's an online bulletinboard for advice on how to bid on Priceline.com. You use the information that you read from biddingfortravel to give you some gguiddance to what kind of hotels will come up if you bid a particular city on Priceline, and at what prices others have gotten their bids acceepted. You can also ask for advice on how to bid for a particular city or airfare. Before asking for advice, though, you must read through all the required info and provide in your email request all the information they request, in order for them to suggest a bidding strategy.
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I'm outta here in 14 days.
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"xxx"-Here's $50. Make it 7 days.
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Martha, Biddingfortravel.com is very self explanatory. There is no way you can go on the site and NOT realize that you don't bid on it.
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This innocent little question is more advertising BS from BFT. EVERYTHING is explained on that site and if it's not done to your satisfaction, then ask there, like everyone else. Or, if you are so reading impaired as to not comprehend this most basic function, then you don't need to be involved there, or maybe even travel, at all. I suspect that is not the case, however. This is an underhanded attempt for some free advertising.
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Actually, I never even went to the website. I, like most VP's, rely on those beneath me to do my menial work! You did not disappoint. Good work, boys!
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You go Martha!!!
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Here's how BFT works:<BR><BR>You post valid questions to be answered by the knowledgeable folks who make BFT worthwhile and this idiot named Sheryl jumps in and tells you that you didn't follow some stupid posting guidelines and tries to manage the entire thread despite the fact that the 'users' are the ones that actually contribute the info. THen she'll tell you to use the banner ads to go to priceline so the site gets revenue and never, NEVER, mention the word Hotwire. You try being married to her!!!
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She is often rude and condescending about people's questions, and if they are not asked in the right way, they get deleted. If you can deal with her lack of social skills, the site can steer you to some good bargains and strategies. Now, you try living next door to her. She is always telling me I am running my life the wrong way.
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Unfortunately, biddingfortravel is the best site for Priceline bidding intelligence. I say unfortunately because it would be even better and have more postings if it weren't for the hostess's mean spirited attitude towards the people who make the site valuable. She thinks since it's "hers" that justifies behavior one wouldn't exhibit at a dinner party.
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Biddingfortravel.com is a great site with lots of useful information about Priceline bidding. The people who whine about it cannot accept that it is (like Fodors) a privately-run forum strictly dedicated to Priceline bidding ONLY. People who run such sites have every right to do whatever they wish with messages posted there.<BR> <BR>One of the BFT administrators named Sheryl strictly monitors the site to make sure posts adhere to the guidelines. Sometimes Sheryl comes across as a little harsh (it's deceiving), but by enforcing the guidelines, she makes the site much more useful by eliminating most of the crap. Notice there's a lot of "noise" on forums like this one...<BR><BR>I've posted dozens of messages on BiddingForTravel over the last year and never had one deleted or even edited. Maybe that's because the guidelines are common sense to me so I have no trouble abiding by them? If you follow the guidelines, you like so many others will find BiddingForTravel.com friendly and useful for saving lots of money with Priceline!<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>
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My, my, Andrew. Aren't you just soooooo special?
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Does anyone else think Andrew and Sheryl are the same person.
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Andrew IS right. Sheryl does keep things focussed. She's providing an invaluable service, which has surely saved people millions of dollars, and it doesn't cost any individual a dime. If she gets upset enough, and hangs it up, the users go back to paying a lot closer to full-pop to assure reservations. Save me big money, and I'll play by your publicly-stated rules. Sheryl deserves a pat on the back.
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Andrew is either on their payroll or a wannabe. It's been established that he runs a website to figure out the hotel rates. He staunchly defends them whenever someone throws light on the "unfortunate" aspects of BFT and Priceline. Friendly site my eye. She is curt and rude, not even thinly veiled. There are serious downsides to PL. It's a risk. If saving is that vital to you, then take the risk. I took it once. Got an interior room overlooking a pool that was loud all day long and once during the night when revelers decided to take a 2AM swim in the closed pool. "No, we can't change your room at the rate you paid". Lovely, in other words, cheapo person gets the cheapo room. No deal is worth a marred vacation.
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Me thinks you is right. It is the old saying you get what you pay for. One wrong move or complaint and I am sure the hotel is very quick to just about say those same words. Thanks but no thanks.
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I don't agree with those who think that Priceline is not a great way to get decent rooms at super prices.<BR><BR>Andrew, you are clearly on Sheryl's payroll or in her knickers or something.<BR><BR>There is no question that BFT is a private site and the owner(s) can do what they wish with it.<BR><BR>Tina's point, I think, is that because of Sheryl's attitude, a lot of people shy away from posting and therefore the site is not as informative as it could be.<BR><BR>The value of BFT is derived in great part from the participation of those who post. The value added in paying for hosting the site is nice, but what value would it have if no one posted?<BR><BR>And no, it's not deceiving. She comes across as a nasty person and people generally don't want to have much to do with people like that.
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If you check out some of Sheryl's more recent conversations, I think you will find that she has mellowed a bit. Stress of dealing with people who can't follow directions would make anybody cranky.
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Call me inept, but I found it very, very cumbersome to post to BFT. I had a few questions but it wasn't worth the considerable effort and pages of marketing propaganda one has to go through just to get registered. Then you have to wait for some 3rd party site to get back to you before you're even registered. What a pain in the ass.<BR><BR>If they didn't make it so hard to post, BFT would be a much better site. I can't be the only one turned off by their considerable registration process.<BR><BR>I
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I don't know why they call in an EZBoard. It is more like a Pain In The Ass Board.
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Hey! There was a message on our answering machine from some guy named "Andrew" but he said he was the "plumber" and "hopes that the pipe cleaning was satisfactory". Something fishy is going on here!
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Is posting on BiddingForTravel.com (via EZBoard) really so hard? I don't think so. I think the fact that they make you register reduces the noise and makes the board much more useful. I'm sure the people who like to take random potshots behind fake names don't like it one bit. Fodors would be a much better forum if people were forced to register.<BR><BR>EZBoard isn't perfect but it usually works.<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>
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Jeez Andrew why do you take it so personally? Yes, EZboard is a pain in the ass to use. I suppose it isn't hard, but it sure is time consuming. Some of us don't have as much time to play on the computer as you do Andrew. <BR><BR>
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I think it is a Pain also but then I am old. (54)I don't feel like reading all of that nonsense about how to do it, and then end up with a dump just cause I didn't read it properly. I haven't the patience. It is a nuisance as far as I am concerned. I would rather be lazy and let someone else help me.
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Trust me, you can end up with a dump even if you read and understand everything written on that board, or worse, end up in a decent hotel but a dump of a room. Been there, done that!
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Why do they have a registration system anyway? If Sheryl finds a post uncomplimentary to her or the process, she just deletes it. <BR><BR>And good grief, you are right, DO NOT mention Hotwire, or do, then sit back and watch her slap it upside the head. Unequal star rating, bad prices, bad that, poor this. Fact is, it's serious competition, because with their list of amenities, you can actually figure out WHO you might be bidding for. Pretty slick competitive edge, if you ask me, and worth the extra money. She says this will be their undoing as the economy gets healthier and inventory decreases. Uh Sheryl, if you are right about PL always being cheapest, it is YOUR Baby, BFT and PL, who will be the first inventory axed. That's a no brainer! The trend toward increasing prices is already in place and I fear the bargain chopping axe can't be far behind.
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Are you saying Hotwire tells you the places first?? Well that is a relief. You say you can figure it out?
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Geez, BFT is just a tool, like Fodors. I've saved a bunch of dollars on Priceline bids because of advice gotten from BFT, just like I've gotten good ideas from Fodors. I've gotten stung with Priceline too, but, frankly, not as often as I have by the airlines or hotels when I book directly at the list prices. Anyone who uses Priceline or Hotwire and doesn't think he/she's taking a calculated risk is asleep at the wheel.<BR><BR>Yes, Sheryl is idiosyncratic and sometimes a little impolitic, but so what? There's nowhere near as much flaming as there is on this site. I agree EZ Boards is clunky (just try the search function for a laugh) but it's not rocket science to figure it out.
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I posted a question on BFT, Ms. Crabbypants answered by post, I replied in what I honestly felt was a concise, non-confrontational manner and low and behold that maniac started e-mailing me at home. I'm not kidding, she threatened to kick me off the E-Z board and "yelled" at me like I was a naughty 4-year old. I e-mailed her back and explained my posted reply. She lamely apologized and I haven't used the board since - who needs the hassle? I have "won" fine rooms via Priceline and I can do it without her!
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No way do you get stung booking directly more often than thru Priceline. What a joke! First there's the risk of the hotel you get. And heaven forbid Priceline "upgrades" you to a "resort" because you can drop right down in quality from a 4 to a 3 or worse. Next they figure you pay diddly-squat for your room and they can and often do give you exactly that. Foget about complaining either. You gets what you pays for and some hotels will come right out and TELL you that!<BR><BR>And don't even talk about airlines, geez! You can book a flight from LA to Vegas and they route you with an 1 1/2 hr layover in Phoenix for gods' sake!
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I've booked about 10 hotels in the last year via Priceline, in the US and in Europe. I've not gotten any dumps but I've saved a ton of money. I know someone who got a 3-star in Portland that was on the low end of "3-star", but because they paid only $28/night for it in downtown Portland, I don't think they have a lot to complain about (the hotel was safe and clean, just not a gem).<BR><BR>I just used Priceline to book my first car rental. I got a Hertz compact car for five days and saved 20% on the total rental (after tax/fees added) over what I could get with AAA.<BR><BR>I suspect most people who complain about Priceline have never used it - or they expect to get amazing hotels every time for dirt cheap. Sometimes you just get "OK" hotels while still saving a lot of money. I'm fine with that myself - as long as the hotel is comfortable and I save money.<BR><BR>I've used Hotwire once - to book a room for someone else. I had gotten rooms for family for a pre-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale via Priceline; we got the Embassy Suites for $57/night. Friends decided a few months later they wanted the same hotel same night but with Priceline you can't guarantee the hotel; Hotwire tells you enough amenities that you can sometimes guess the hotel (free breakfast + suites usually means Embassy Suites). We got the ES via Hotwire - at $77/night + tax. That's still a pretty good deal.<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>
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Don't take anyone's word. Go read the complaints in BFT. The 4* Roney Palace in Miami Beach is a good place to start! Quality issues abound and from my personal experience, I am dead certain there is every chance you'll get the hotel's dregs room-wise, and true, why not? I'm a quick study though, soured after 3, count 'em, three, unfortunate experiences, I've had it. I'm not that desperate for a deal!
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What kind of problems did you have? Did you complain to Priceline afterward? How did they respond? Sometimes they don't find out about hotel quality issues unless people let them know...<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>
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Roney Palace was one disaster. The others were just terrible rooms. One near the elevators which clanged open and shut all day and night, and overlooking the parking lot (no sir, that is all that is available), and one just needed a redo the decor dating back 10 years at least! That room was in the old section of a multi building hotel, the tower being OK. Our section looked like something they opened up just for us. It was a 3* supposedly (in the same way Roney Palace was a 4*). It's like shopping TJMaxx. There are gems to be had, but you've got to cull through a ton of s**t to get to them and there's every chance even then you won't. Fool me once, etc.
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Let's forget for a second that you used Priceline and suppose you got to a hotel and the only room available was a noisy one by the elevator. What would you do?<BR><BR>Whatever it is you would do...do the same with Priceline. If the room is unacceptable, check out and go elsewhere. If the hotel (in this case, if Priceline) won't give you a refund, dispute the charges with your credit card company. And if you're not willing to change rooms, live with it, stay there, and complain later, whether you used Priceline or you booked some other way. I don't see the difference here, except that you must deal with Priceline the middleman (who might even help you - otherwise, you're at the mercy of the hotel, aren't you?).<BR><BR>As far as getting rooms overlooking the parking lot or with ten-year old decor: what exactly are you expecting when you get a room for 1/2 the price you'd pay elsewhere? Did you want the top-floor view room? The presidential suite? I admit, the Hilton I got in Raleigh was no palace (it was an old Best Western I think, in need of remodeling), but it was clean, comfortable, and far above the level of a Motel 6, yet only $30/night. I was very satisfied.<BR><BR>If you really need a hotel that is guaranteed to be exceptionally nice, then DO NOT use Priceline. Priceline is for people who value saving money over getting the fanciest, most glamourous hotels out there. Of course, you may get fantastic hotels with Priceline, but you may also get very average places with faded decor or views of the parking lot. But I distinguish between an "average" place and "dump". If my Priceline-booked hotel turned out to be a dump, I'd insist they put me elsewhere, ask for a refund, or dispute the charge on my credit card.<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>
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I've used Priceline about a dozen times, and so far, have been pleased with the results. For example, I have won numerous bids at the Hyatt Harborside at Boston's Logan Airport. The rack rate ranges anywhere from $210 to $295, and I've successfully bid $38 and $40 each time, and have had wonderful rooms. Granted, I didn't get a room with a view of the harbor, but I stayed there for the convenience and really didn't plan on spending enough time in the room to care about the view. <BR><BR>I've also had good experiences with hotels in NYC and Montreal - the Intercontinental Barclay and Crowne Plaza, respectively. <BR><BR>One thing I suggest that you do is join all of the affinity programs. It seems that even if you win a bid through Priceline, you're basically guaranteed an upgrade and little amenities (eg. newspaper, free movie) if you belong to the program.<BR><BR>Regarding BFT, Sheryl can be rough around the edges. I've had a tiff with her myself. But, think about what she does? Time and time again she answers the same questions. The only things that change are the variables. Its easier for her and the other moderators if you answer the questions in the order that they are on the FAQ. Also, by understanding the process, it just makes you a better bidder. <BR><BR>By no means am I a fan of Sheryl's, but I've learned quite a bit on the BFT board, and I've saved about $1500 this year by using Priceline. All of the rooms I have had have been nicer than I had expected. When weighing the result, I'll accept Sheryl being snippy because I've saved money. BFT is a free service, it doesn't cost any of us a dime. If you use the links BFT makes some money, but I'd have to think that whatever fee it receives, its minimal because the service charge paid to EZ Board to maintain the BFT site is not cheap.<BR><BR>Someone mentioned the difficulty in using the BFT board, and having to register. Having to register has nothing to do with BFT, it is a requirement of BFT's host, EZ Board. But after you register and bookmark BFT, you can stay logged on for as long as you like, even if you switch URLs.<BR><BR>On Wednesday, I am flying to London on Air Canada from Boston. I had a successful PL bid that came to $200 with the taxes. I can't complain about the connections, or the layovers, which are minimal. The $200 RT flight is a bargain.<BR><BR>Use BFT and Sheryl's advice as a tool, but you need to do your homework. If you don't have the patience to do the legwork, need a lot of hand holding and you're not comfortable using BFT, then you pay the price by paying more.
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So, Andrew, we use Priceline only if we are willing to accept the risk of substandard rooms and locations, is that it? Re-read – we did complain and were told “that's all we have". Please don’t try to tell me, as if this would work (!), that you would walk out and book elsewhere and lose the pre-paid absolutely no refunds even-if-you-die price you have already agreed upon with Priceline. Now that's a real savings isn't it - the price of the PL hotel PLUS another one on top of it? That's pure BS! The credit card company is NOT going to assist you. You agreed with priceline to accept the hotel you win in bidding and fair or not, that's the deal. It’s a buyer beware situation. You go ahead and take your chances but we learned the hard way. Savings are that only if you save on an expected quality, not if you think you’ve saved on a decent product only to get one that is substandard. I'm not looking for “exceptionally nice”. I'm not looking for a presidential suite, or the “fanciest or most glamorous”, smart ass, I am looking for the TYPICAL room any other guest in a particular hotel gets. If I can't get that, then I haven't saved anything near what's on paper. Someone has to get the parking lot, but I'm not so desperate that I need to settle for it. I am not looking to find the dregs at the bottom of the cup. If you are willing to accept that, then by all means, go for it, but I am not that hard up. <BR><BR>You know you speak just as condescending as Sheryl does. Is it contagious? I know full well what we expect when we use any bidding system to save and it is not what I have received, nor is it what many others have. Trust me on this, the last one with the 10 year old brown and tan herculon plaid decor was a DUMP, a Priceline 3* dump no less, and you can insist on your money back until the cows come home but you’ll be wasting your breath. Roney Palace was absurd. There are ways to clean the system up starting with someone other than the hotel doing their rating and granting stars. That would go a long way toward fixing the problem of hotels not being what they are cracked up to be to begin with, but does nothing toward the worst-room-in-the-house syndrome which is incurable as I see it. The hotel after all does not value your $50 business as they do their “paying” guests. If that’s fine with you, well and good. I’m well past the point where that is acceptable.<BR>
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If you don't have a credit card that will back you up if is not what it is advertised to be - get a new credit card. A good credit card company will stand behind you if you have a legitimate beef. That a hotel room is supposed to be quiet enough to sleep in (at least under the hotel's control, as with the elevator) is pretty much a given; if the hotel puts you in a room that obviously is noisy and that is not satisfactory, you have a beef.<BR><BR>Have you ever tried disputing anything on a credit card? I've needed to try only a few times. That's why my CC company will stand behind me if I do dispute something - I have had an account with them for a decade and a great record. If I disputed something every week, different story...<BR><BR>Your idea of "substandard" differs from mine. I need my hotel room to be comfortable, clean, and quiet. If it faces the parking lot, I am not going to freak; if I wanted a view room, I would have paid for one. If I wanted a hotel with stylish decor, I would have paid for one. If I want to save money, I will use Priceline and hope for a gem hotel but settle for one with a parking lot view and 10-year-old decor if it is clean, comfortable, and quiet.<BR><BR>I have usually gotten great hotels with Priceline but all of them have been acceptable. If I get one that is unacceptable, I'll do what I said: complain to Priceline, and if they don't address the problem, dispute the charge.<BR><BR>And I have *NEVER* gotten a substandard room just because I had a Priceline reservation. Of course I don't always get the same type of room that people who pay rack rate for a view room get - why would I expect someone who pays 2-4X more than me to get the same kind of room? Not all the rooms in a hotel are the same - wouldn't you expect the people who pay more to get the nicest rooms? Someone has to get the parking lot view. If you paid rack rate at a hotel, wouldn't you be upset if someone who paid a lot less got a better room than you? That goes for any reservation at a hotel, Priceline or not. Better rooms cost more.<BR><BR>You sound far too picky and expecting too much to be using Priceline. I think you want more than they can offer on average. If you are particular in your choice of hotels, best to pay for the hotel you want. The people who understand how Priceline works are willing to accept average rooms sometimes (and great rooms other times) to save a lot of money all the time.<BR><BR>Andrew<BR>
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Why yes, yy@yahoo the condescending attitude is contagious. Seems as if you've caught it too.
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