Comments on: EU cracks down on ‘serious and persistent’ problems at travel sites while US authorities snooze http://www.elliott.org/blog/eu-cracks-down-on-serious-and-persistent-problems-at-travel-sites-while-us-authorities-snooze/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Christopher Elliott http://www.elliott.org/blog/eu-cracks-down-on-serious-and-persistent-problems-at-travel-sites-while-us-authorities-snooze/comment-page-1/#comment-12010 Christopher Elliott Tue, 13 May 2008 19:18:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5017#comment-12010 Jasper, I think it should be part of the price. Our DOT doesn't think so, but I disagree. I think breaking out these fees is maddening and customer-hostile. Jasper, I think it should be part of the price. Our DOT doesn’t think so, but I disagree. I think breaking out these fees is maddening and customer-hostile.

]]> By: Jasper http://www.elliott.org/blog/eu-cracks-down-on-serious-and-persistent-problems-at-travel-sites-while-us-authorities-snooze/comment-page-1/#comment-12000 Jasper Tue, 13 May 2008 13:29:41 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5017#comment-12000 @ Joe (and Chris): The biggest issue they are trying to tackle is 'hidden' fees. Ryanair is very much under fire for advertising their 0.99€ fees, which always end up being €50-60 when you start including the airport taxes. Ryanair is pretty open about this, but most providers hide local tourist taxes, booking fees etc. Europeans, not used to even having their sales tax/VAT added at the counter, get very upset when they end up paying more than what was promised. In the Netherlands, brick stores are ever required by law to sell stuff for the price they slap on it, even if they slap on a wrong price by mistake (unless they can show the customer slapped on a cheaper price tag). At least once a year some electronic store forgets a digit in some nice sale (new computer for €99 in stead of €999). They have to keep selling for €99 until they've posted the error clearly at the store front (which may take a couple of hours). Problem under debate is what to include in the legally required prince. Ryanair charges every single checked bag. Should that be in the ticket price? @ Joe (and Chris): The biggest issue they are trying to tackle is ‘hidden’ fees. Ryanair is very much under fire for advertising their 0.99€ fees, which always end up being €50-60 when you start including the airport taxes. Ryanair is pretty open about this, but most providers hide local tourist taxes, booking fees etc. Europeans, not used to even having their sales tax/VAT added at the counter, get very upset when they end up paying more than what was promised.

In the Netherlands, brick stores are ever required by law to sell stuff for the price they slap on it, even if they slap on a wrong price by mistake (unless they can show the customer slapped on a cheaper price tag). At least once a year some electronic store forgets a digit in some nice sale (new computer for €99 in stead of €999). They have to keep selling for €99 until they’ve posted the error clearly at the store front (which may take a couple of hours).

Problem under debate is what to include in the legally required prince. Ryanair charges every single checked bag. Should that be in the ticket price?

]]> By: Joe Farrell http://www.elliott.org/blog/eu-cracks-down-on-serious-and-persistent-problems-at-travel-sites-while-us-authorities-snooze/comment-page-1/#comment-11990 Joe Farrell Mon, 12 May 2008 19:34:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5017#comment-11990 Want to see it? Go to British Airways website. Advertised 2 nights free buying a deal to London. Can you book it anywhere on the site? You can make reservations for airline tickets- there is NO place to confirm the 2 free nights- even though its clearly advertised. If you call them up, its $25 a ticket to book it - plus - a booking fee but they can help you. They will NOT find it online. Want to see it? Go to British Airways website. Advertised 2 nights free buying a deal to London. Can you book it anywhere on the site? You can make reservations for airline tickets- there is NO place to confirm the 2 free nights- even though its clearly advertised. If you call them up, its $25 a ticket to book it – plus – a booking fee but they can help you. They will NOT find it online.

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