Priceline Hotel: 2* Vancouver (Coquitlam-Burnaby) Days Inn

[Lollipop's Mom]

UGH I am NOT HAPPY! I just spent 30 mins on the phone with priceline arguing that this is not in the Burnaby Coquitlam zone, it is more of the Vancouver zone.

I bid $55 3* for this for one night - no go. I checked and the hilton is booked. So I decided there are tons and tons of best westerns and similar 2* type places in that area and bid $60 2* - BAD IDEA. I figured I would get a $100 best western type place for $60 - whatever -

I got the days inn vancouver metro, and if it is in this zone, it is the back parking lot that is in it. I never would have bid a 2* in this area, as I don't feel safe there traveling alone with my daughter. Its not the safest area for a 'motel' stay and not somewhere I want my car out in an uncovered parking area overnight. I always stick to 4* when I am bidding downtown Vancouver.

So I called and aruged this is not in the zone, but they argued it is right on the line and nothing they can do. I asked for a one time goodwill gesture, as they can see I have used priceline probably 20 times in the past 5 years with NO problems. NOPE they won't do it. So I ask to talk to someone higher.

I was given to a wonderfully cheerful (NOT!) woman who must have been reading canned reponses from her training manual. It is literally 'on the line' of the area and she admitted it.

I asked for a one time good will gesture, as I don't feel safe there (not to mention its 20 mins from where I thought I would be!), and she wouldn't budge. She told me to use the 'special email link' on the priceline site.

I asked her where the 'special email link' might be and its so well hidden on the site I am surprised anyone could find it.

So I have emailed them explaining the situation and asking for a one time credit.

Anyone ever gotten a refund????

[tilepusher]

Priceline might give you a credit for the sake of goodwill, but I'm afraid you have no grounds for a refund, as the room satisfies the parameters of your bid. The Coquitlam-Burnaby zone includes a fairly large portion of East Vancouver, including Kingsway up to Knight Street; the Days Inn Vancouver Metro is about six blocks east of that intersection, well inside the zone boundary. It's not the best area of Vancouver, I'll agree, but it's far from being the worst. And car theft, unfortunately, is a problem throughout the Lower Mainland.

I have never bid below 2.5* on Priceline before, and would never do so in a large city. The best values on Priceline are generally at the higher star levels, and there are too many hotels at the 1* and 2* star levels with serious quality issues. The potential savings on a 2* room through Priceline, particularly for a one night stay, is generally not worth the risk of getting something that you won't like. If you are going to bid for a 1 or 2* on Priceline, it's important to research the area carefully before bidding: the -whatever- approach will frequently get you in trouble.