IndiaHotelReview.com

ptharri · Apr 19th, 2008, 03:47

Just a warning to anyone who may book a hotel using IndiaHotelReview.com. I recently booked a room in New Delhi via the hotel's website, which allowed me to pre-pay for my room. Upon making the reservation I discovered that it was being handled by a group in Gurgaon called IndiaHotelReview.com (IHR). All went fine at first and I found their customer service to be good and the hotel tariff competitive.

Before the beginning of my visit to New Delhi I was invited to stay with a friend and in a timely manner canceled my hotel reservations. According to the Terms and Conditions of my reservation, I was entitled to a refund minus a small booking fee. I have never received this refund and now IHR claims that no cancellation message was ever received, and in fact I had "unfortunately" only been in contact with the hotel directly, which is simply not the truth.

A battle of words has now begun and I have enlisted the help of my credit card company, the hotel where I had made the booking, and a solicitor in New Delhi to clear up what is now amounting to a case of internet fraud. It is very discouraging that IHR was more than happy to assist me when I was spending money but now are trying to turn the tables on me as if this were all my doing.

Caveat emptor!

Nick-H · Apr 19th, 2008, 12:55

This seems to be a regular feature of a lot of on-line shopping. I don't do it much these days, but I read of unfair (and even illegal) terms, and similar lack of interest after the sale, from a number of the computer equipment and electronics sites.

Mind you, I read of such things about real-life shops too. Some big chains in USA just fined for selling a heap of TVs that will be obsolete next year?

Good luck sorting out your problem.

Radjesh · Apr 20th, 2008, 01:12

Thanx for the warning... Now these things have become the norm rather than the exception, being in India we get used to all this. Its just new for you.

ptharri · Apr 20th, 2008, 05:40

Thank you for the reply. In past visits to India I had always dealt directly with any hotel I would be staying in so yes, this was my first experience (and last) with a booking agency.

rebeccam · Apr 20th, 2008, 09:38

IF you cannot book with the hotel or its chain directly (which i've found to be the least expensive option) but IF the hotels in India you want are listed on the following sites, use one of these: Expedia, Travelocity, or Orbitz. I've never had problems with cancellations with any of them (though there is always a first time). These were among the first of the on-line hotel booking sites, and have an excellent reputaion to maintain.

vasuki · Apr 20th, 2008, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptharri

and in fact I had "unfortunately" only been in contact with the hotel directly, which is simply not the truth.

This happens. Most of the time these websites integrates there reservation page with the hotel websites. So at front end you may be dealing with the IHR but all back end processes are handled by the hotel itself.

While making reservations in India I beleive Make My Trip is the best. They have a good database of hotels and service is pretty good

Apr 19th, 2008, 03:47	#1
ptharri Flight Attendant Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gainesville, Virginia, USA Posts: 10	IndiaHotelReview.com Just a warning to anyone who may book a hotel using IndiaHotelReview.com. I recently booked a room in New Delhi via the hotel's website, which allowed me to pre-pay for my room. Upon making the reservation I discovered that it was being handled by a group in Gurgaon called IndiaHotelReview.com (IHR). All went fine at first and I found their customer service to be good and the hotel tariff competitive. Before the beginning of my visit to New Delhi I was invited to stay with a friend and in a timely manner canceled my hotel reservations. According to the Terms and Conditions of my reservation, I was entitled to a refund minus a small booking fee. I have never received this refund and now IHR claims that no cancellation message was ever received, and in fact I had "unfortunately" only been in contact with the hotel directly, which is simply not the truth. A battle of words has now begun and I have enlisted the help of my credit card company, the hotel where I had made the booking, and a solicitor in New Delhi to clear up what is now amounting to a case of internet fraud. It is very discouraging that IHR was more than happy to assist me when I was spending money but now are trying to turn the tables on me as if this were all my doing. Caveat emptor!

Apr 19th, 2008, 12:55	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,615	This seems to be a regular feature of a lot of on-line shopping. I don't do it much these days, but I read of unfair (and even illegal) terms, and similar lack of interest after the sale, from a number of the computer equipment and electronics sites. Mind you, I read of such things about real-life shops too. Some big chains in USA just fined for selling a heap of TVs that will be obsolete next year? Good luck sorting out your problem. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 20th, 2008, 09:38	#5
rebeccam Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakland, California, USA Posts: 109	try these instead IF you cannot book with the hotel or its chain directly (which i've found to be the least expensive option) but IF the hotels in India you want are listed on the following sites, use one of these: Expedia, Travelocity, or Orbitz. I've never had problems with cancellations with any of them (though there is always a first time). These were among the first of the on-line hotel booking sites, and have an excellent reputaion to maintain.

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Apr 20th, 2008, 01:12	#3
Radjesh Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 626	Thanx for the warning... Now these things have become the norm rather than the exception, being in India we get used to all this. Its just new for you.

Apr 20th, 2008, 05:40	#4
ptharri Flight Attendant Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gainesville, Virginia, USA Posts: 10	Thank you for the reply. In past visits to India I had always dealt directly with any hotel I would be staying in so yes, this was my first experience (and last) with a booking agency.

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