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Have you ever been enticed by a travel auction website? There are bargains to be had, but there are also some "traps" you need to be aware of.
Travel auction websites have been around for awhile but are becoming more and more popular especially since the launch of now commonly used, eBay. Travelers are now able to place bids on everything from hotel rooms to tours and airline tickets to cruises.
In many cases there are, like I said, deals to be had. But there are also some instances where everything is not as it seems.
A recent informal survey done out of Australia showed a number of examples where the promised prize was grossly overstated. Five star hotel rooms turning out to be two stars, and luxury condos that were actually rundown dives.
In other cases, prices found on auction websites turned out to be the same as those available through other sources. This included prices that you could find through tour operators and in some cases the same prices were available by booking directly through the hotel, resort, airline or cruise line.
The report touched on other traps as well. Apparently one popular auction site offered what looked like a great deal but had a condition that the buyer must attend a presentation during their vacation.
Another problem with many of these sites is that you can never be sure who you're dealing with. Make sure you look at the seller's ratings on the website. There is usually a section on reputable auction sites where people who have bought from the seller in the past rate their services and give you a heads up on who you should watch out for.
Here are some things to remember before spending what could be hours bidding on so-called bargain holidays...
Be sure there is a licensed travel agency behind the site or that they are registered with a government agency or the Better Business Bureau. You can usually find this type of information on the bottom of the webpage under "About Us" or "Affiliates".
It is important to cross-check prices against other sources. This could be with the hotel or cruise line directly or through other online purchasing sites.
Be sure to check for blackout dates and special conditions. Often when people are selling off a travel prize that they won there are terms that state that the "winner" is only eligible. This means that you could be denied entry if you purchase this.
Be sure to check what currency the price is in. You don't want to think something is a bargain only because it is in US dollars or British Pounds.
And one last thing... don't be rushed into making the wrong decision. Auction sites tend to use words like "book now" and "last chance" - but in many cases an identical vacation package will show up after that first one has sold. Pressure tactics are how they try to make a sale. Don't fall for it!
Watch out for Mandatory Presentations!
In the fine print of some travel auction websites you might only get the ‘deal' if you agree to attend a mandatory presentation. These are often high-pressure selling sessions such as those imposed by time-share companies. A presentation could end up being as much as 4 to 6 hours long - ultimately time that you could have spent relaxing on the beach, playing golf, or shopping. And more often than not, if you don't attend the presentation, you will end up having to pay the full price for your vacation! So watch out!
