Wyn Drabble.
This week I have a warning for you.
The good news is that it doesn't involve fat or cholesterol. In fact it involves online booking agencies.
There I was looking online for accommodation in the Waimauku/Helensville/Kumeu region. I was examining one possibility which I felt was just a little expensive for me when, superimposed over the site, there appeared a red banner bearing the words, "Today only - $126."
I love a bargain so I booked it. By the time I printed out the booking information with map to take with me, the printed price had jumped to $144.93.
Not a major issue perhaps but certainly a matter of principle. I pointed it out to the accommodation manager when I arrived and she explained there was nothing she could do because it was all in the hands of one of those international booking agencies who "find you the best deal."
The next day, my "best deal" worsened. The $126.00 which had magically morphed into $144.93 was now appearing on our credit card statement as $220.58.
Naturally enough, this raised my ire even though $220.58 was not an unreasonable price for the lodgings. But that wasn't the point. I had booked a special offer. I emailed the US-based booking agency to express my concerns, pointing out that the letters US appeared before none of the $ signs. I had the booking information as proof.
The response informed me that I would need to phone a particular US phone number which they kindly provided, adding that there would be "costs involved."
The next hour or so becomes a bit of a blur of anger, frustration and rude gestures. Somehow, I found a toll-free number for a parent company of the one I used. I'll summarise the communication:
Distant voice: I'm in Canada. I'm sorry I can't help.
Me (thinking): I don't give a (insert noun or phrase of your choice here) where you are.
I knew if I tried the same number again, I would get a different person so I did it.
Different distant voice: Sorry, you need a different department for that issue. Please hold the line.
Me: Aarrgghh!
I held the line for as long as any normal human would then gave up and tried again.
My voice was becoming pretty firm by now so the next person, seeing that I meant business, offered to put me through to a different number where someone would be able to help.
Me: This won't appear on my phone bill, will it? If it does ... (and here I admit to using a well-known phrase involving a fan).
Distant voice: No, this will be a toll-free number.
I really don't know who the number was for but, at last, a helpful person appeared on the other end. I had a booking number so I didn't need to go through all the details again and he admitted that I had already created a "trail of encounters" which he was able to check.
I explained that, if they were going to superimpose "offers" on New Zealand websites, they had to work in NZ$ and, if they couldn't manage that, they needed to insert the letters US in front of the $.
He agreed and admitted he would feel aggrieved if this happened to him. I did the sums for him and told him I was aggrieved to the tune of $94.58. New Zealand dollars.
After nearly an hour of travelling in pointless circles on foreign phone numbers, my mood started to mellow.
"Let's make it round figures," he said.
"We'll return NZ$100 to your credit card."
A fair result but, boy, did I have to work for it!
Beware of best deals.
- Wyn Drabble is a teacher of English, a writer, musician and public speaker.