Priceline Hotel: New User Question

[vanclan]

Just tried my first bid on Priceline. After figuring out how to get my Canadian address in, I bid on Toldeo Perrysberg Aug 20-22, 2 star 2 rooms. (We are planning a visit to Cedar Point...but I've read Sandusky is almost impossible on priceline.) I know the bid was very low...but I was just trying it out to see if I could actually get a bid in. Lo and behold they said I needed to add $6.00. I thought this must be the "counterbid" I had heard read about....and I know that often you don't have to bid the full counter bid. I tried 27.00 and that was rejected

1. should I have bid the entire counter offer?

I added a zone and bid again...and it was rejected outright.....but it didn't say anything about waiting the 72 hours.

2. Do I just wait and try again in 72 hours...will it let me rebid then?

Sorry for the basic questions.....if I get a room, I'll be sure and let you know so you can add it to your hotel list.

[thereuare]

That was a counter-offer and you were right to have rejected.

To best advise you regarding your other questions, what zone did you bid, what star level, and at what price had you bid when you were given the offer to raise by $6?

[vanclan]

As I understood it, it said that I didn't need to change anything except my bid when it gave the counter offer. So I stayed with I stayed with the same zone(Perrysberg) same star level (2 star) and increased my bid by $2.00 (the counter offer was for $6.00.) I think I'm being too cheap :)

[thereuare]

If you are given a counter-offer and don't change anything except your price you will be rejected. The counter-offer, and the ability to bid again without changing anything except price, is contingent upon you raising your bid the amount they indicate.

You don't have any re-bid zones available at the 2* level, so I would recommend waiting 72 hours and trying $32, if that's rejected wait another 72 hours and try $34, if that's rejected wait another 72 hours and try $35 (if your main concern, as it appears, is to get the absolute lowest price and save a buck or two).

If you didn't want to bid as high as $35 post back with your maximum bid amount and we'll suggest an alternate strategy.