Priceline ripoff Norwalk Connecticut *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!
I know of no other business which charges you for something before you even know what you are buying! I used Priceline.com, for the first time, to see if I could get the same hotel a co-worker had got. Unbeknownst to me, thru their misleading website, they say I bought 10 nights a specific hotel for over $600! I had thought I would have the opportunity to review any purchase! I did not intend on making any such purchase.
I immediately went to the hotel & canceled. I called priceline and was told that there are no cancellations even though I canceled at the hotel. I called discover card who sympathized, said I could dispute the charge. I did and then priceline said the charge was valid so discover card re-instated the charge and will not remove it. How can priceline get away with this? I did not intend to purchase, I did everything I could to prevent the purchase, and now I have to pay over $600 for a hotel I never stayed in!
Norman
chico, California
U.S.A.
EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!
HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:
Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.
According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.
If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.
Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!
DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!
Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.
And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.
Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.
If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.
CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD
If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.
Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.
And good luck Let us know how you do!
ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
We are not lawyers.
We are not a collection agency.
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...the victims' advocate
WE are Civil and Human Rights Activists
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...by consumers, for consumers
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on priceline.com
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Bob
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
Unfortunately you are stuck
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, November 17, 2004
Tim is 100 % right. Priceline has always operated under the premise of price. They do the same thing with airlines as they do with hotels. It's similar to an auction, you input the parameters. They work with hundereds of hotels that feed them rates. Priceline marks that rate up and this is the price they will sell at. If they have a hotel that matches your price, you get that hotel.
The catch is, you don't know the specific hotel. In the future, avoid all the headaches and hassles. Book with the hotel directly. Any hotel that is worth staying at will have a lowest rate guarantee on their website which means; that particular hotel chain guarantees you wont find a rate lower on any website than they have on their website.
The benefit to you is not only the hotel itself guarantees you have the lowest available rate at that time BUT in the event you experience a problem, they will have the authority to make any adjustments or refunds if necessary.
If you go through a 3rd party website such as Priceline or Expedia and pay Priceline or Expedia, then any refund would come from that company. It is just a bigger headache and chances of a refund diminish when you deal with 3rd party providers. BOOK DIRECT in the future and you will know exactly what you are getting and no surprises. Good luck.
Bob
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
Unfortunately you are stuck
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, November 17, 2004
Tim is 100 % right. Priceline has always operated under the premise of price. They do the same thing with airlines as they do with hotels. It's similar to an auction, you input the parameters. They work with hundereds of hotels that feed them rates. Priceline marks that rate up and this is the price they will sell at. If they have a hotel that matches your price, you get that hotel.
The catch is, you don't know the specific hotel. In the future, avoid all the headaches and hassles. Book with the hotel directly. Any hotel that is worth staying at will have a lowest rate guarantee on their website which means; that particular hotel chain guarantees you wont find a rate lower on any website than they have on their website.
The benefit to you is not only the hotel itself guarantees you have the lowest available rate at that time BUT in the event you experience a problem, they will have the authority to make any adjustments or refunds if necessary.
If you go through a 3rd party website such as Priceline or Expedia and pay Priceline or Expedia, then any refund would come from that company. It is just a bigger headache and chances of a refund diminish when you deal with 3rd party providers. BOOK DIRECT in the future and you will know exactly what you are getting and no surprises. Good luck.
Bob
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
Unfortunately you are stuck
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, November 17, 2004
Tim is 100 % right. Priceline has always operated under the premise of price. They do the same thing with airlines as they do with hotels. It's similar to an auction, you input the parameters. They work with hundereds of hotels that feed them rates. Priceline marks that rate up and this is the price they will sell at. If they have a hotel that matches your price, you get that hotel.
The catch is, you don't know the specific hotel. In the future, avoid all the headaches and hassles. Book with the hotel directly. Any hotel that is worth staying at will have a lowest rate guarantee on their website which means; that particular hotel chain guarantees you wont find a rate lower on any website than they have on their website.
The benefit to you is not only the hotel itself guarantees you have the lowest available rate at that time BUT in the event you experience a problem, they will have the authority to make any adjustments or refunds if necessary.
If you go through a 3rd party website such as Priceline or Expedia and pay Priceline or Expedia, then any refund would come from that company. It is just a bigger headache and chances of a refund diminish when you deal with 3rd party providers. BOOK DIRECT in the future and you will know exactly what you are getting and no surprises. Good luck.
Bob
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
Unfortunately you are stuck
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, November 17, 2004
Tim is 100 % right. Priceline has always operated under the premise of price. They do the same thing with airlines as they do with hotels. It's similar to an auction, you input the parameters. They work with hundereds of hotels that feed them rates. Priceline marks that rate up and this is the price they will sell at. If they have a hotel that matches your price, you get that hotel.
The catch is, you don't know the specific hotel. In the future, avoid all the headaches and hassles. Book with the hotel directly. Any hotel that is worth staying at will have a lowest rate guarantee on their website which means; that particular hotel chain guarantees you wont find a rate lower on any website than they have on their website.
The benefit to you is not only the hotel itself guarantees you have the lowest available rate at that time BUT in the event you experience a problem, they will have the authority to make any adjustments or refunds if necessary.
If you go through a 3rd party website such as Priceline or Expedia and pay Priceline or Expedia, then any refund would come from that company. It is just a bigger headache and chances of a refund diminish when you deal with 3rd party providers. BOOK DIRECT in the future and you will know exactly what you are getting and no surprises. Good luck.
Tim
Valparaiso,Indiana,
U.S.A.
NEVER give out credit card info if you don't want to be charged
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, November 10, 2004
Norman, you no doubt got yourself in a bad situation. Unfortunately, I don't hold out much hope for getting your money back. The law's not on your side, nor will Priceline be. Your only real option at this point is probably to beg.
I'm not normally one to fault the consumer, but did you notice that the button you clicked after entering all of your credit card information was labeled "BUY MY HOTEL ROOM NOW"? Did you notice that right above that button it says: "If we find a hotel that accepts your price, we'll immediately purchase your hotel rooms on the credit card you provide to us"? Did you stop to think that maybe giving out credit card info when you weren't ready to buy was a bad idea?
I hope you are able to get your money back, but I don't see it happening. You're asking Priceline to do precisely what they don't do to make money. Priceline operates in a manner significantly different from other websites. You choose the specs, if they find something matching those specs, you pay for it, and then they tell you exactly what you just paid for.
I stay away from Priceline because they don't allow you to compare anything, just plug in your info and buy. Some people like that. I prefer another site (it rhymes with "potfire"). On that site you can see and compare set prices (you still don't see the names of the exact properties) before plugging in your credit card info.
Here's one lesson you should definitely take from this: NEVER give a website your credit card info if you don't plan on being charged.