Showing posts with label Tourist Attractions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tourist Attractions. Show all posts

Hooters...rips off Vegas Tourists! Expedia scam involves Supervisor Noe Monarrez & Hotel staff!







When you’re booking a Hotel in Las Vegas, by-pass Hooter’s Hotel, unless you want to get ripped off by scam artists like Hotel Supervisor Noe Monarrez and Lisa Krasn who are involved in a conspiracy with Expedia to book rooms without fully disclosing applicable fees and charges in advance.

For example, disgruntled guests were shocked when they appeared at Hooters recently to check in for a brief holiday and a Hotel staff member – Supervisor Noe Monarrez – proceeded to extort money from the tourist.

Although the guests paid for a four-room stay in advance, and booked the room based on the facts and information disclosed on the Expedia reservation site, they were greatly incensed (and felt ripped off) when the Hotel employee demanded a security deposit in excess of $100.00.

Usually, when travelers book rooms and pay in advance, Hotels waive the requirement of a deposit - or if there is one going to be applied at check-in- it is disclosed on the front page of the reservation page.

There is a good reason for this upfront disclosure.

If a tourist does not like the terms and conditions of the booking – or the fees, surcharges and deposits being billed – they have the right to book at another Hotel.

And that is the crux of it!

Expedia is involved in a conspiracy with Hotels like Hooters to hoodwink, deceive, and connive tourists into booking rooms that appear to be a good bargain on their face when they are not!

In fact, because Expedia and Hooters failed to disclose the full details of the financial terms and conditions as aforementioned, the dishonest conduct smacks of deceptive business practices and fraud!

When the guest understandably complains to the Management at the Hotel, they are given the run-around.

“You have to take that up with Expedia, they shrug,” as they lie through their teeth to protect their sorry asses.

Then, when the customer calls Expedia, the booking agency tosses the blame on the Hotel.

“The Hotel did not inform us of their policy,” they argue back.

Essentially, the two companies know they are ripping tourists off, but to avoid blame (and to mitigate responsibility for damages in the event of a lawsuit) they proceed to engage in endless “denials”.

It’s not only called the bum’s rush, but yes, smacks of deceptive business practices and outright fraud.

In addition to the scam regarding deposits, another sinister practice is also about to erupt, which may just land Expedia and Hooters (and others participating in the scam) in court facing criminal charges.

Of course, I am talking about resort fees.

Folks travelling to Las Vegas may be in for a shock when they check in at the front desk of their Hotel (Hooters, for example) and are under the mistaken impression that their upfront payment in advance has taken care of all the sums due.

Surprise.

They may find themselves dinged for – say what? – resort fees!

In retrospect, the despicable conduct of the employees at Expedia and Hooters becomes crystal clear, at last.

The reason why Hotels like Hooters ask for a deposit at the front desk is so that they can collect those “non-disclosed” resort fees at check out when the tourist turns in their room key.

Because the resort fees have not been “disclosed”, Hotels like Hooters are required by law to inform the guest at check in (not at check out) that the resort fees will be charged at the end of their stay.

The reason they don’t reveal the information up-front is because they know the guest will balk, complain, and refuse to pay the fees.

In sum, Expedia and Hooters are involved in a scam to defraud tourists in the dark about ethical business standards that must be adhered to on U.S. Shores.

In a nutshell?

Expedia posts a low-ball Hotel rate (for Hooters, for instance) on the Internet which appears to be a good price to tourists when compared with other Hotels listed on the booking site.

However, when the resort fees (which weren’t disclosed) are figured in later, bet you ten-to-1 that the other Hotels listed alongside Hooters are a better bargain than the one they chose (because they were scammed).

Because Expedia and Hooters, in this instant case, failed to fully disclose the terms and conditions and applicable fees, the two couples willfully and wrongfully denied a consumer the opportunity to shop and compare and choose a Hotel at the best rate within their budget needs elsewhere.

In sum, tourists are being overcharged because the resort fees were not disclosed upfront, as required by U.S. State and Federal Laws.

Frankly, I am appalled by this practice, which has been running rampant for a year or two now in Las Vegas.

It is high time that Law Enforcement (the Dept. of Justice?) conducted a full investigation with the ultimate aim of rectifying the wrongs, including – but not limited to – criminal charges being brought against Expedia and Hooters (and other Motel and Hotels involved in the scam) on behalf of the consumer-at-large.

In addition, the Federal Trade Commission should swoop in and conduct a full investigation of the scam, and likewise, levy heavy fines against the guilty parties to deter such despicable fraudulent conduct in the future.

As to the staff, well the snotty Afro-American clerks at the front desk (who are routinely rude to the guests at the Hotel) leave a lot to be desired (or so I hear from my inside sources in Vegas).

Needless to say, Hooters and Expedia are on my shit list!

Avoid both of these companies like the plague!

Amen!
http://www.thetattler.biz



 

San Francisco...panhandling troubling to tourists! Union Square top attraction!






 






Obviously, tourists holidaying in the picturesque city by the Bay are leaving a piece of their hearts behind when they jet home after a brief stint catching the local sights.

According to a recent poll, a whopping 98.3 % of the visitors surveyed were enthusiastic about repeat vacations to tony San Francisco down-the-road.

Not surprisingly, the top tourist attractions in the bustling European-style metropolis turned out to be Union Square (65.2 percent), Fisherman's Wharf (56 percent), Chinatown (38.4 percent), the Embarcadero Center and Ferry Building (37.9 percent), and last - but not least - North Beach (31.7 percent).

Obviously, savvy world travellers are not that keen on patronizing the local strip joints, or retracing the footsteps of cult heroes like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg who once frequented character-driven haunts in the North Beach neighborhood.

Unfortunately, a couple of troubling problems running rampant in the streets have sent up red flags.

Top annoyances?

Aggressive panhandling and noticeable homelessness in garbage-strewn streets - were not only a turn-off to the jaded few - but triggered worries over unwanted advances and potential threats to their overall well-being and safety while hunkered down in the West Coast enclave.

Recently, the city passed a tough ordinance in a deliberate effort to curb loitering in high-traffic tourist areas, but the jury is not in yet on how effective the measures have been in alleviating those glaring social dilemmas.

According to one columnist in a local daily, until San Franciscans find long-term solutions to the problems, the West Coast destination may not realize its full economic potential.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz





Cable Cars still a big draw!
(even while being overhauled)



San Francisco International Airport...dazzling sculptures grace Terminal! April 9th unveiling!











When savvy travellers trot into the lobby entrance of the newly-renovated Terminal 2 at the San Francisco International Airport next week, they'll be dazzled when they encounter two 24 x 24 x 16 foot sculptures dangling from the ceiling above.

"The unique pieces by artist Kendall Buster are reminiscent of clouds," one art-lover marvelled.

Magical!

The eye-catching installation is part of a $388 million make-over which will be officially unveiled to the public on April 9th (2011).

The Director of the City's public art purchase program underscored that the exquisite creations are a welcome contribution in light of the fact San Francisco has always been a community rich and vibrant culturally.

The exhibit also includes a glass structure titled - Air Over Under - outside the Airport which acts as a terminal facade.

5 sculptures are intended for the site in all.

American Airlines and Virgin America will set up shop in soothing environs sure to please both the locals and tourists alike.

Art aficionados may arrange for a tour of the sculptures commencing the 9th of April.

INFORMATION

650.352.43431

http://www.thetattler.biz




Dazzling environs of San Francisco Terminal