How stupid is this?

[Lacessit]

I start the process of booking a hotel via Agoda, in Jomtien.

My price point is 500-800 baht/night.

I find a nice looking resort, 630 baht.

When I get to the payment stage, the cost has suddenly inflated to over 1500 baht.

Various add-ons, just like the airlines.

Included is a cleaning cost of 750 baht.

The hotel management presumably pays a maid 300-400 baht a day to clean 10-20 rooms.

These clowns must think every guest came down in the last shower.

 

Recommendations in the area and price range welcome.

[bignok]

6 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I start the process of booking a hotel via Agoda, in Jomtien.

My price point is 500-800 baht/night.

I find a nice looking resort, 630 baht.

When I get to the payment stage, the cost has suddenly inflated to over 1500 baht.

Various add-ons, just like the airlines.

Included is a cleaning cost of 750 baht.

The hotel management presumably pays a maid 300-400 baht a day to clean 10-20 rooms.

These clowns must think every guest came down in the last shower.

 

Recommendations in the area and price range welcome.

Strange. Never happened to me. 750 a day is massive.

[SingAPorn]

Always watch how those hotel reservation websites cheat with crooked practices.

 

Depending on the time of the day you reserve, depending on the computer you have (the algorithm of the site can detect if a Mac or a PC), depending on the country and the area where you are, the price can double. Call the hotel directly and negociate a deal. It often works.

 

Avoid also those houses with private pools in developpments.

 

Often they overcharge and are not very conveniently located or close to the beach. You will have to take a taxi to reach town for your meals and get scammed again.  Choose a place that is close to the main commercial and entertainment areas and check it out on Google maps before.

Edited October 13, 2023 by SingAPorn

[BenStark]

3 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

Always watch how those hotel reservation websites cheat with crooked practices.

 

Depending on the time of the day you reserve, depending on the computer you have (the algorithm of the site can detect if a Mac or a PC), depending on the country and the area where you are, the price can double. Call the hotel directly and negociate a deal. It often works.

Yes that is how I do it.

 

Always use private browser window to look up quotes, and even change browser frequently.

 

When I find something I like, I go to the official website, or call them up if it is in Thailand

[bignok]

The prices change based on time of day I found.

[SingAPorn]

1 minute ago, BenStark said:

Yes that is how I do it.

 

Always use private browser window to look up quotes, and even change browser frequently.

 

When I find something I like, I go to the official website, or call them up if it is in Thailand

Buy a cheap PC if you have a Mac. As they can apparently see if it's a Mac and automatically it increases the price.

[BenStark]

6 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

Buy a cheap PC if you have a Mac. As they can apparently see if it's a Mac and automatically it increases the price.

I wouldn't want to be seen dead with an Apple product

 

BTW. if you have anti tacking enabled in your browser I think they can't see what device you use, as it hides your digital footprint

????

Edited October 13, 2023 by BenStark

[save the frogs]

what about airbnb instead?

 

 

[Lacessit]

2 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

what about airbnb instead?

 

 

I understand AirBNB is illegal in Thailand.

Edited October 13, 2023 by Lacessit

[BenStark]

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

I understand AirBNB is illegal in Thailand.

It isn't, but bookings less than 30 days through the platform are illegal

[OneMoreFarang]

"How stupid is this?"

 

It seems it's made for stupid users.

First the price looks good, and people click next, next, next. And then suddenly the hammer hits.

I am sure some people never notice that at the end they pay a lot more than the first price which they see.

 

And unfortunately, this is also happening with well-known booking sites. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Just now, BenStark said:

It isn't, but bookings less than 30 days through the platform are illegal

As far as I know staying in condominiums for less than 30 days is illegal - it doesn't matter how it is booked. 

[SingAPorn]

12 minutes ago, BenStark said:

I wouldn't want to be seen dead with an Apple product

 

BTW. if you have anti tacking enabled in your browser I think they can't see what device you use, as it hides your digital footprint

????

ok thanks for the tip.

[save the frogs]

or check this site out.

 

Today we will talk about the most popular condos in Pattaya among Russians.

 

https://prosemenov.ru/en/dzhomten-bich-kondominium-arenda-na-mesyac-kondominium-jomtien-beach/

 

[Dan O]

25 minutes ago, SingAPorn said:

Always watch how those hotel reservation websites cheat with crooked practices.

 

Depending on the time of the day you reserve, depending on the computer you have (the algorithm of the site can detect if a Mac or a PC), depending on the country and the area where you are, the price can double. Call the hotel directly and negociate a deal. It often works.

 

Avoid also those houses with private pools in developpments.

 

Often they overcharge and are not very conveniently located or close to the beach. You will have to take a taxi to reach town for your meals and get scammed again.  Choose a place that is close to the main commercial and entertainment areas and check it out on Google maps before.

Those add ons aren't from the site its the hotel or lister. They also have maps available on the sites to show the location so you can easily see where its at. If you have sketchy hotel pricing just move on.  Its not difficult 

[Lacessit]

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

or check this site out.

 

Today we will talk about the most popular condos in Pattaya among Russians.

 

https://prosemenov.ru/en/dzhomten-bich-kondominium-arenda-na-mesyac-kondominium-jomtien-beach/

 

We are only looking to stay for five days.

[SingAPorn]

Same happens in restaurants in Thailand. There is the price you see in the menu per dish. On the final bill it can be increased per dish. "Solly mistake",  when you challenge it. Always take a photo of the menu and the dishes before placing the order.  It avoids any useless arguments or even trouble. Or do not do it if you want to be a sucker and get cheated.

[richard_smith237]

Its not always simple... 

 

A lot of the sites price based on your location. 

I'm often overseas and the Wife and I look for hotels for a break etc...  (agoda / booking.com etc)

 

Sometimes from overseas its cheaper...

A recent booking (hotel) in Thailand was about about 13,000 baht (looking at Agoda from overseas), pricing for the Wife (in Thailand) was about 17,000 baht (identical booking).

Its also often cheaper to book a Thai hotel from Thailand.....

 

It seems there is no rhyme or reason - but it pays to shop about and use a VPN etc...

 

 

[SingAPorn]

25 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

what about airbnb instead?

 

 

Many hygiene issues reported on Airbnb locations, where the bed linen was infested with bed bugs and other problems with fed up neighbours getting hostile or violent with the guests who rented.

[Elkski]

At least 5 times i have stood at the check in desk in BKK trying to negotiate a good price.  I couldn't even get them to match the price on Agoda.  They all told me to book on agoda so I did.  One told me that if they get caught beating the agoda price Agoda may remove them.  8 guess so much business comes from agoda they cant risk it.   Airbnb has worked very well for me in the past except we didnt find any deals last Dec/Jan.  Nice furnished condos close to Suk for a good price.  Just took lots of time and skill to find the good ones. 

[SingAPorn]

2 minutes ago, Elkski said:

At least 5 times i have stood at the check in desk in BKK trying to negotiate a good price.  I couldn't even get them to match the price on Agoda.  They all told me to book on agoda so I did.  One told me that if they get caught beating the agoda price Agoda may remove them.  8 guess so much business comes from agoda they cant risk it.   Airbnb has worked very well for me in the past except we didnt find any deals last Dec/Jan.  Nice furnished condos close to Suk for a good price.  Just took lots of time and skill to find the good ones. 

Don't stand at the desk as it becomes obvious if you are there with your luggage, you will not have a choice. Use phone or mail or facebook, They are quick to react and adapt - often.

[Tropicalevo]

43 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

As far as I know staying in condominiums for less than 30 days is illegal - it doesn't matter how it is booked. 

Most villas on Koh Samui are advertised on AirBnb.

Most villas rent out by the day with deals for weeks or months.

Many have a 'hotel' licence .

'Legal' or not, no idea but the government/TAT know about it.

AirBnb is a commonly used platform in the major tourist areas. (I use it when booking weekend breaks.)

[bkk6060]

Happened to me this past week. Book a hotel for 4 nights 12,000 b.  When I hit checkout it went to 16,400.  Bunch of fees added.  Went to another site and got the 12,000.

[BenStark]

5 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Most villas on Koh Samui are advertised on AirBnb.

Most villas rent out by the day with deals for weeks or months.

Many have a 'hotel' licence .

'Legal' or not, no idea but the government/TAT know about it.

When they have hotel license obviously they can rent legally by the day through AirBnB

[Pattaya57]

This is an Agoda thing. I went to book a hotel in Bangkok and Agoda showed a good price until I went to pay and they added ++ taxes and service charge.

 

Went to Booking dot com and price was fully inclusive of all taxes so much cheaper in the end

[bignok]

No issues here

 

Same price when booking

[RanongCat]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

I start the process of booking a hotel via Agoda, in Jomtien.

My price point is 500-800 baht/night.

I find a nice looking resort, 630 baht.

When I get to the payment stage, the cost has suddenly inflated to over 1500 baht.

Various add-ons, just like the airlines.

Included is a cleaning cost of 750 baht.

The hotel management presumably pays a maid 300-400 baht a day to clean 10-20 rooms.

These clowns must think every guest came down in the last shower.

 

Recommendations in the area and price range welcome.

I have learned to look for the website of Hotels  listed in any of the "Booking"  agents online.

Often have discovered that although prices may not be as low direct with hotel availability usually is  despite "agents" claiming  Booked out  or  "last room '  etc.

Did exactly that last weekend for a room in a 3 star hotel with 85 rooms that was virtually empty !

[bignok]

Make sure you book with the app not website. Become a member you get discounts.

[bignok]

1 minute ago, RanongCat said:

I have learned to look for the website of Hotels  listed in any of the "Booking"  agents online.

Often have discovered that although prices may not be as low direct with hotel availability usually is  despite "agents" claiming  Booked out  or  "last room '  etc.

Did exactly that last weekend for a room in a 3 star hotel with 85 rooms that was virtually empty !

Agoda etc only get allocated 5 to 10 rooms per hotel.

[KhaoNiaw]

7 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

This is an Agoda thing. I went to book a hotel in Bangkok and Agoda showed a good price until I went to pay and they added ++ taxes and service charge.

 

Went to Booking dot com and price was fully inclusive of all taxes so much cheaper in the end

You can change the settings in Agoda so that you also get the fully inclusive price. Booking .com is that way by default.