hotel rip-offs?

Art said:
Did anyone notice that this post sparked an article in yesterday's Sunday Times? Needless to say AAM was not specifically mentioned - it just referred to a complaint on an "internet forum"....
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So, yet another lazy journalist to add to the list
 
"One bride-to-be, who complained about the policy on an internet forum, said she refused to book her wedding into one hotel after being told of the two-night rule."

Eh, I guess Mrs P2B will be surprised to learn she's not the only bride-to-be in this relationship!!
 
It seems that only the unwary on AAM use the slang term 'rip-off'. Others know that to use this term will result in quick fire posts chastising the poster for not memorising the T&C or not asking all pertinent questions or whatever. I would suggest that if something is exploitive or very bad value or has over restrictive conditions, that this could reasonably be deemed to be a 'rip-off' regardless of whether it is stated up front and regardless of whether or not one avails of the service or product.
 
Well, I for one, disagree and make no excuse for correcting what I see as misguided rip-off accusations. A high price is not necessarily a rip-off especially of the charge is clearly displayed/highlighted/explained in advance of a purchase being made and there may be alternative suppliers/prices available by shoppping around. Whether or not the consumer bothers to apprise him/herself of the price and service provided for that price in advance and/or shop around for the best deal is a separate matter. It seems to me that in many cases rip-off accusations seem to originate from people who don't bother to do either.
 
excellent web site if you are not too fussy.. you can determine the area you want to stay in, the hotel star and the price you are willing to pay.
 
ClubMan said:
A high price is not necessarily a rip-off . .
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I fully agree with this.

I'm simply suggesting that the slang term 'rip-off' is used in general as a catch all term to describe situations including where something is excessively priced or terms are over restrictive; the fact that alternatives may be available or pricing is clearly outlined does not mean that the term 'rip-off' cannot be used.
 
michaelm said:
the fact that alternatives may be available or pricing is clearly outlined does not mean that the term 'rip-off' cannot be used.
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I disagree and make no excuse for rebutting inaccurate use of the term rip-off. Those who are happy with sloppy use of terminology are free to ignore my posts in this vein.
 
michaelm said:
...the fact that alternatives may be available or pricing is clearly outlined does not mean that the term 'rip-off' cannot be used.
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Of course it is a free country and people are free to use whatever terminology they wish, but I think that it is valid to conclude that the term "rip off" denotes some level of deception or taking advantage of a consumer's inability to source a product or service elsewhere.

There is a danger that over-use of the term "rip off" may dilute its effect - especially where absolute scams are lumped together under the same heading as business offerings that happen merely to be expensive.
 
its not a rip off. however if the hotel advertise a rack rate for a room and its available surely they are oblidged to sell it at that rate. Suppose you were travelling through France on the way south and tried to book into an hotel for the night and were informed that the minimum stay was 2 nights, how would you feel? ( ripped off? )
 
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