http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLETmDvNuto

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jan 4^th, 2020 at 7:54pm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLETmDvNuto

That's why I never use any of those foreign controlled apps like Trivago, Hotels Combined etc etc......

they are unnecessary parasites who shouldn't be allowed to operate.

I always ring the venue direct.

people are so lazy today....and money has lost its meaning....or value   we use to guard our money as if it was gold.... now its almost a throw away item....so much easier to push a button   and up comes all this selective news..... ::) ::)
look at the fools who are still being scammed out of millions year in year out...

a fool and his money..... someone should tell Dick   he is wasting his time..

From my extensive experience, booking directly with the hotel is almost always more expensive.

In fact, I've actually had hotels direct me to other websites like booking.com to get a better deal.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 5^th, 2020 at 7:24am:

From my extensive experience, booking directly with the hotel is almost always more expensive. In fact, I've actually had hotels direct me to other websites like booking.com to get a better deal.

Hotels direct you? or an employee of said hotel?

With small family businesses struggling you would rather have them pay a 15% to 30% commission to a foreign billionaires(club) company than you pay it to the hotel/motel?

Your attitude is the same as the processors & supermarkets screwing Dairy farmers on milk prices.

I pay the bit extra for better quality non supermarket milk.

Gnads wrote on Jan 5^th, 2020 at 7:54am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 5th, 2020 at 7:24am: From my extensive experience, booking directly with the hotel is almost always more expensive. In fact, I've actually had hotels direct me to other websites like booking.com to get a better deal. Hotels direct you? or an employee of said hotel? With small family businesses struggling you would rather have them pay a 15% to 30% commission to a foreign billionaires(club) company than you pay it to the hotel/motel? Your attitude is the same as the processors & supermarkets screwing Dairy farmers on milk prices. I pay the bit extra for better quality non supermarket milk.

Hotels' websites direct me, and employees direct me.

My "attitude" is I'm just setting the record straight.

Going direct is not always cheaper.

In fact, in my experience, it's usually more expensive.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 5^th, 2020 at 8:00am:

Gnads wrote on Jan 5th, 2020 at 7:54am: greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 5th, 2020 at 7:24am: From my extensive experience, booking directly with the hotel is almost always more expensive. In fact, I've actually had hotels direct me to other websites like booking.com to get a better deal. Hotels direct you? or an employee of said hotel? With small family businesses struggling you would rather have them pay a 15% to 30% commission to a foreign billionaires(club) company than you pay it to the hotel/motel? Your attitude is the same as the processors & supermarkets screwing Dairy farmers on milk prices. I pay the bit extra for better quality non supermarket milk. Hotels' websites direct me, and employees direct me. My "attitude" is I'm just setting the record straight. Going direct is not always cheaper. In fact, in my experience, it's usually more expensive.

Sometimes yes it is ... I don't have a problem with paying a bit extra to the owner now knowing who's behind these parasitic companies.

Gnads wrote on Jan 5^th, 2020 at 8:05am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 5th, 2020 at 8:00am: Gnads wrote on Jan 5th, 2020 at 7:54am: greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 5th, 2020 at 7:24am: From my extensive experience, booking directly with the hotel is almost always more expensive. In fact, I've actually had hotels direct me to other websites like booking.com to get a better deal. Hotels direct you? or an employee of said hotel? With small family businesses struggling you would rather have them pay a 15% to 30% commission to a foreign billionaires(club) company than you pay it to the hotel/motel? Your attitude is the same as the processors & supermarkets screwing Dairy farmers on milk prices. I pay the bit extra for better quality non supermarket milk. Hotels' websites direct me, and employees direct me. My "attitude" is I'm just setting the record straight. Going direct is not always cheaper. In fact, in my experience, it's usually more expensive. Sometimes yes it is ... I don't have a problem with paying a bit extra to the owner now knowing who's behind these parasitic companies.

Neither do I.

I'm just saying that Dick Smith is wrong (as he often is).

It's not always cheaper to go direct.

I always use bookings to look for the place I want to stay then phone them directly, and always get a discount on the advertised bookings rate and they always thank me for contacting them directly.

I think the booking websites are not without merits.  By themselves, how can you expect a small family business run hotel compete and become visible to overseas visitors.  Remember, search engines like google, and yahoo turn out different results for people living in different regions.  And people use these websites for sheer convenience. 

And my experience is mixed with booking sites.  Sometimes its cheaper to book online, other times its cheaper to do it over the phone.  It really depends.