Priceline.com Name Your Price, Had to Bid Over an Hour, Got $2 off per night discount WOW- now locked in Internet
I used Priceline using the Name Your Price tool. It kept denying my bids. I had to increase bid, choose new areas, & finally had to lower the star rating. I would only increase it little as necessary, hoping to get a good buy & big discount, as the site advertises.
Finally, it gave me a deal and charged me. I never had to make so many changes to get an offer before. Because I finally got a "deal", at first I was happy and couldn't wait to see where. Never had problems in past with them. Things have changed for the worst.
Priceline gave me a 2 star room at $53.00 a night. I used Priceline in past (used to be good but evidentally went way downhill to the point of bad business practices), & when deal would pop up, it would say "You saved [so much] percent!" Well, that didn't even come up. Apparently even they knew there weren't any savings! The regular list price (where you can book, not have to pay until arrival, & able to cancel) was $55 per night! So my savings was only $2 off per night! That's not even 4% off! Wow! Big whoop!!!
You know, the point of having this Name Your Price tool, sacrificing your choice of hotel, not knowing where you'll be staying, etc. until AFTER you make the purchase (which I understand), is to get a great deal, with significant savings. Well, I do not call just over 3% off great significant savings.
Now I am locked in, my card has already been charged, I cannot cancel or change when all along I could have just booked at this hotel at $55 (just $2 more per night) with all flexibilities, & not even have to pay upfront. Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotels.com & the regular Priceline reservation options listed this hotel at $55.00 per night the same day I booked.
Priceline kept denying my bid and made me lower my standards, expand the area, and up my bid until I reached within $2 of their normal listed rate.
I called Priceline customer service, talked to 2 agents, even talked to a customer relations agent they transferred me to. No resolve, terrible customer service. On top of that, they picked a hotel that has reports of bed bugs. I will never use Priceline again!