Batman
Massachusetts,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, August 30, 2012
Well, it's obvious you're too irrational to even see that you're hurting your own cause. At first I figured it was just your frustration pouring out on the keyboard but it's pretty clear you're either too stubborn or too dumb to understand how this stuff works.
Since there's no helping the stubborn or the crazy, I bid you good luck. Maybe when the Supreme Court hears your case and your anti-Orbitz bill gets added to the Constitution you'll find some peace.
I'll also add that I hope that Orbitz doesn't find and read your original post here because they might just realize you've given them all the proof they need to show you're responsible for the double booking, that you did in fact authorize two charges, and that you're now just trying to make money off them and this situation all because you're upset at yourself and your own incompetence.
Custrelsgal
Chicago,#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, August 29, 2012
My name is Jeanna, and I am part of the Orbitz Customer Relations Team. We want to learn more about your experience so that we can address the issue. Please email us at [email protected] and enter my name in the subject line, so that I can investigate further.
Thank you for your patience, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Sincerely,
Jeanna
Orbitz Customer Relations
Chicago, IL
FWebster
Corpus Christi,#4Author of original report
Wed, August 29, 2012
My respinse is they are 100% liable for everything. I called them after the first charge disappeared from my account to inquire why I got charged for 3 airline tickets for a vacation, but not my hotel and transportation. They told me their system showed the air but no reservations for hotle or anything else and that I would need to rebook. Pretty sly way of stealling from consumers don't you think, since I was only on the phone with them and could not see what was on the screen before them. They probably give bonuses to employees for doing this.
Secondly, I called again following the re-booking to verify it and was told it went through and the lady even emailed me a verification of the second booking. So no matter what they say, legally in any court of law they are liable for anything and everything arsining from their theft. Yes I call it theft, iternet fraud and will likely be contacting the FCC and the Federal Trade Commission to file fraud charges and complaints.
I'm sorry you feel that I as a consumer was at fault in this. I did exactly what Orbitz told me to do, they assured me I was not double booking and therefore they are completely responsible and liable in this matter. Verbal contracts are known to be upheld in Texas courts and they verbally told me I had only one booking. I will also file againts the hotel, as they had the responsibility and duty to inform me that I was double booked when I checked in.
I also do not know how a room can be booked without any form of payment, since the original charges dropped from my bank and then suddenly reappeared a month later. It is nothing more than fraud and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for it. I've seen too many complaints and postings regarding them and this practice, yet no one seems to want to go the distance and file against them. I, on the other hand, will not just turn the other cheek and run.
Batman
Massachusetts,#5Consumer Comment
Wed, August 29, 2012
There's a good chance you'll lose if you go to court, even in Texas. I don't doubt you were ripped off but technically you did book the rooms twice. You. Not Orbitz.
I completely understand that some moron there probably told you to do it, but at the end of the day, YOU did it, and that's the key. Don't get me wrong, it's not right and it's not fair, but it is the bottom line.
They will easily be able to show that you're the one who double booked and authorized two separate sets of charges and as a result, you'll be found responsible for any charges and penalties you may have incurred. I'd still fight it because if it actually goes to court, they may decide to play the "good guy" and offer you a refund on the second booking. However, no matter how it plays out, it'll very unlikely you'd ever recoup the resulting bank fees, etc.
Just a fair warning though, if push comes to shove though and you go for the throat, you'll get slapped. This post alone is enough to make sure of that. So don't spend too much money pursuing this, no matter what some ambulance chaser tells you. Stick to small claims and fight it yourself.
To offer some speculations; as for Orbitz saying they didn't resubmit duplicate charges, this is likely true, at least technically. You yourself said you booked a different room because the first was unavailable. (It was probably unavailable because you had already booked it, lol) So Orbitz probably didn't get paid for a "duplicate" charge but instead got paid for two individual and separate bookings. It's important you clarify this point so you're able to describe the details accurately to whatever 3rd parties may become involved... (lawyers, mediators, judges, etc.)
Also, from my experience, certain hotels and travel accommodations aren't actually charged to your account until closer to the travel date or even after check-out. (The FAQ section on Orbitz's website also mentions this fact too.) So when you didn't see the charge right away, you panicked and rebooked another room. Since the second room was different, more expensive, and not part of a package, it may have required payment upfront or a deposit so your card was charged immediately.
It all seems like a perfect storm of bad luck and misunderstandings that has left you holding the bag. I hope you recoup your losses but I think you'd better get used to the idea that you're probably out of luck on this one.
Honestly, the best piece of advice I can offer to you though is to calm down. Calling them predatory, crooks, and swindlers makes you look emotional and irrational and saying you plan to seek "federal remedies" only makes you sound foolish. You've got the right to be angry and frustrated but showing it won't help you at this point. This isn't a restaurant where you found a hair in your food and thumping your chest at a manager will get you a free desert. This is the real world and the more upset you get, the more doors you'll close. People don't want to help jerks, it's that simple. Besides, if you can't demonstrate that you have the ability to be calm and rational about this, then it leads people to believe you probably screwed up the whole thing in the first place and deserve what's happened. Don't be that guy. Don't put people off, get them on your side.
One way to do this is write off the money now as lost. Don't expect it back. Just forget about it. What's done is done. If you can do that, then you can fight on principle. This is a much stronger position for you. Besides, if/when you get something from this later, then you'll be happy no matter the amount. If you're going to be upset and stressed the whole time and go in thinking you're going to be made whole again, you'll never be satisfied, and that's a 100% guarantee.
Whatever happens, good luck.