Selected my ticket by price and arrival time. Clicked and found that Orbitz.com system had added $40 to the price because the price had changed in the time I clicked.
Really? The price posted cannot be honored? What kind of system doesn't maintain the posted or advertised price? Isn't there any regulation about advertising a price and then changing it when the customer makes a selection? Suppose I'm at McDonald's order window and order a Big Mac. I don't expect to receive a smile and, "I'm sorry, but the price of the big mac is now 15% higher."
While it is true that they didn't change the price after I had purchased (!!!) to offer one price and then mark it up on the final click in is nothing short of bait and switch. That's what they do at the car sales lot. "Oh. That advertised special for $3200? That one sold early this morning." Or, "Yes, I know the sticker price is $4500, but the one you're looking at has a surcharge. Sorry." Orbitz.com just another car lot?
Normally, I use Expedia - never had that problem there. But I tried Orbitz.com just to see what the experience was like. Now I know. No need to come back with such an inept data system.
Evidently, Orbitz.com cannot maintain sufficient control of each ticket offering that between posting the price and charging the price they are able to keep the price stable.
I say it is a sign of ineptness in managing the date - I've never seen this in any other travel site. But I may be wrong. It may not be ineptness. It may be simple dishonesty - pure bait and switch.
0 comments