cheap motel rate. Do they have to honor?

[artmaker]

I live in Michigan but this will be regarding lodging in Key Largo FL.

OK, I hear this on TV all the time. People find cheap rates on line and they have to honor them. Well low and behold I found one!!!!! Three days at the end of July for ONE dollar a night!!!!!
The site I found this on is called sidestep.com yet next to the listing it states website is worldres.com

I went ahead and booked this. Made copies of all the pages with the rate, my confirmation etc etc etc....
Then I called this worldres site just to ask if there are hidden fees. SHE couldn't believe it came up on HER Screen as a dollar too. She gave me the hotel number. I said NOOO, this is listed I am BOOKED!

Before we get down there and find out the hotel refuses to accodimate us, better ask here first. The last thing I want to do is have a legal battle. I think that should be between them and the site who listed them so cheap correct?

I did go ahead and call the hotel directly (AFTER I booked.) Warned them that this is listed so cheap. AND that I am booked at that rate. Needless to say she was upset.

BUT again, I don't want to be stranded down there.

SO what is the law regarding when a site posts a rediculous rate? Do they have to honor it or no?

Thanks.

 

[BlondiePB]

I live in Michigan but this will be regarding lodging in Key Largo FL.

OK, I hear this on TV all the time. People find cheap rates on line and they have to honor them. Well low and behold I found one!!!!! Three days at the end of July for ONE dollar a night!!!!!
The site I found this on is called sidestep.com yet next to the listing it states website is worldres.com

I went ahead and booked this. Made copies of all the pages with the rate, my confirmation etc etc etc....
Then I called this worldres site just to ask if there are hidden fees. SHE couldn't believe it came up on HER Screen as a dollar too. She gave me the hotel number. I said NOOO, this is listed I am BOOKED!

Before we get down there and find out the hotel refuses to accodimate us, better ask here first. The last thing I want to do is have a legal battle. I think that should be between them and the site who listed them so cheap correct?

I did go ahead and call the hotel directly (AFTER I booked.) Warned them that this is listed so cheap. AND that I am booked at that rate. Needless to say she was upset.

BUT again, I don't want to be stranded down there.

SO what is the law regarding when a site posts a rediculous rate? Do they have to honor it or no?

Thanks.

Sooooo....just what EXACTLY does the terms of service of the website where you booked this say about typos????

Rates in all the Keys are higher on Fri & Sat evenings and for "special events" such as mini-lobster season which is a special event in the Keys at the time you are going.

There's lodging in Key Largo that couldn't pay me to stay there. What place is this?

 

[artmaker]

Hi,
First I went ahead and booked this but then called the hotel and talked with the owner. This is a VERY nice, small place. Regular rates are about 240 a NIGHT! Needless to say she was very upset over this and didn't even know how she got listed on this site.
I then called the website who listed her and they tell me all they do is sell software. It's up to the businsess to come up with listings. I got the distinct impression she probably is using her kid or some such person to do the web promotions. And this was THEIR error.

Long story short I told her I would not take advantage of this. If she were a big chain I would but I just cant hurt someone who depends on this for their livelyhood.

But out of curiousoty, I would like to know legally what would happen in a case like this.
Here is the page with the TOS.
http://www.sidestep.com/html/support/terms_of_service.html

The part I think applies is this...
YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE SERVICE AND SIDESTEP MAY CONTAIN INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. SIDESTEP DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF, AND DISCLAIMS ON ITS BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS AGENTS AND AFFILIATES, LIABILITY FOR ERRORS AND INACCURACIES RELATING TO THE INFORMATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE HOTEL, AIR, CAR AND OTHER TRAVEL PRODUCTS DISPLAYED ON THE SERVICE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS, RATINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AMENITIES, DESCRIPTIONS, ETC.,

Sounds to me that this site, and most likely ALL of these types of sites make no guarantees what so ever! Something to keep in mind I guess.

I do see stories on the news sometimes that people find mistakes, such as air fair for a buck and they DO get the price. They have to honor it.
And what if this isn't such an obvious mistake. What if I thought I was booking for say, 100.00 and it turns out to be twice that amount. Oh so sorry? Typo? THEN what?
Shell out the extra bucks on the spot or sleep on a park bench?

There has to be some kind of laws about this stuff.

Again, I'm NOT going to take advantage. Just want to know now.
Thanks.

 

[BlondiePB]

Hi,
First I went ahead and booked this but then called the hotel and talked with the owner. This is a VERY nice, small place. Regular rates are about 240 a NIGHT! Needless to say she was very upset over this and didn't even know how she got listed on this site.
I then called the website who listed her and they tell me all they do is sell software. It's up to the businsess to come up with listings. I got the distinct impression she probably is using her kid or some such person to do the web promotions. And this was THEIR error.

Long story short I told her I would not take advantage of this. If she were a big chain I would but I just cant hurt someone who depends on this for their livelyhood.

But out of curiousoty, I would like to know legally what would happen in a case like this.
Here is the page with the TOS.
http://www.sidestep.com/html/support/terms_of_service.html

The part I think applies is this...
YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE SERVICE AND SIDESTEP MAY CONTAIN INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. SIDESTEP DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF, AND DISCLAIMS ON ITS BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS AGENTS AND AFFILIATES, LIABILITY FOR ERRORS AND INACCURACIES RELATING TO THE INFORMATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE HOTEL, AIR, CAR AND OTHER TRAVEL PRODUCTS DISPLAYED ON THE SERVICE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, HOTEL DESCRIPTIONS, RATINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AMENITIES, DESCRIPTIONS, ETC.,

Sounds to me that this site, and most likely ALL of these types of sites make no guarantees what so ever! Something to keep in mind I guess.

I do see stories on the news sometimes that people find mistakes, such as air fair for a buck and they DO get the price. They have to honor it.
And what if this isn't such an obvious mistake. What if I thought I was booking for say, 100.00 and it turns out to be twice that amount. Oh so sorry? Typo? THEN what?
Shell out the extra bucks on the spot or sleep on a park bench?

There has to be some kind of laws about this stuff.

Again, I'm NOT going to take advantage. Just want to know now.
Thanks.

$240.00 a night for a small place???? Sheesh, you can obtain lodging at a resort in Key Largo such as the Marriott, Ocean Pointe Suites, Mariner's Club, etc. for less!! Of course the owner said this small place was VERY nice. The reason I asked what place this was is because I'm very familiar with lodging in Key Largo and was just there, again, about 10 days ago and may be returning again later this month, depending on whether the rest of the party who are going plan to go during a "special event". Hemingway Days and mini-lobster season are coming.

 

[artmaker]

HI,
OK, the name of the place in question is Tarpon Flats Inn and Marina.
And the place I ended up booking is called Ed and Ellens. VERY simple. Much cheaper. No pool but we'll be in the ocean all day so who needs a pool?

we're going down there end of July. I'm SO looking forward to this. Found a place in Key west you can dive with dolphins. Been wanting to do that forever.

Still curious about this rate thing. What IF you think you have a rate locked in and only when you get there it's not? I know the dollar was a mistake. But not all would be so obvious. And could be a scam ya know? Get you there then surprize!

 

[BlondiePB]

OK, the name of the place in question is Tarpon Flats Inn and Marina.
And the place I ended up booking is called Ed and Ellens. VERY simple. Much cheaper. No pool but we'll be in the ocean all day so who needs a pool?

The Keys are not known for their beaches, though most large resorts have made beaches. You'll see when you get there. Here's something for you to explore prior to arriving. It's for tourists.

we're going down there end of July. I'm SO looking forward to this. Found a place in Key west you can dive with dolphins. Been wanting to do that forever.

http://www.dolphinsplus.com/

Still curious about this rate thing. What IF you think you have a rate locked in and only when you get there it's not? I know the dollar was a mistake. But not all would be so obvious. And could be a scam ya know? Get you there then surprize!

You know what is said about being "too good to be true" then being SOL. Have a good time.

 

[artmaker]

HI,

I already had that dolphin site bookmarked. Too expencive and they only do two kinds of dives. Totally structured, or don't touch. Or do both and spend about 500.00 for two people!
I found one much cheaper. My son wants to hang onto the fin and be pulled and this one lets you do that.
http://www.theaterofthesea.com/dolphin.swim.htm

Plus my husband is NOT a water person. So this place has other things to do. Should be fun.

Thanks for the site with the coupons. Found a few we might use.
One can never have enough free margarittas!!!!

 

[shortbus]

As a general rule, the law says a mistake in a contract is just a mistake, and is reversible. There is no situation where a vendor MUST honor it. Sometimes vendors voluntarily honor them to create customer goodwill. But usually not.

 

[artmaker]

Now see? I thought a contract was a contract. You can't come along afterwards and say, oops, sorry. Make sure it's right before you enter into a contract. Even if the mistake is obvious!

If this isn't the case, the damn. I won't trust ANY on line booking service at all. What's to keep hotels from listing lower than actual prices only to later say so sorry when you get there???

So much for contract law. OH well. Trust no one! Not even with a contract.

 

[averad]

So much for contract law. OH well. Trust no one! Not even with a contract.

A contract is only as good as the language it contains. The contract you are mad at had specific clauses built in to protect the site owner.

You comment should be, Next time I will have to read the contract/agreement in full as some people can't be trusted.

 

[shortbus]

Now see? I thought a contract was a contract. You can't come along afterwards and say, oops, sorry. Make sure it's right before you enter into a contract. Even if the mistake is obvious!

If contract law worked the way you suggest, no one would make contracts. Oops, I accidentally typed $500,000 on the bill of sale instead of $5,000 when I bought your car. According to your rule, I would be liable to you for $500,000.

Contract law forgives mistakes because it cares more about the intention of the parties. That's why it's NEVER ok to say "oops, I changed my mind".

If this isn't the case, the damn. I won't trust ANY on line booking service at all. What's to keep hotels from listing lower than actual prices only to later say so sorry when you get there???

If you could prove the hotel printed the lower rate just to induce bookings under false pretenses, that's consumer fraud. It's illegal.

But you're right, if the hotel swears up & down it was an honest mistake -- even if it wasn't -- there's not much to be done.