BS: Profiteering from the volcano

Subject: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Arnie
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 03:59 AM

Just as well that flights are starting up again. An acquaintance of my wife's is stranded in Malta following a short holiday there. She reports that Maltese hoteliers have doubled the price of a room to take advantage of the hundreds of stranded tourists. British tourists have poured an awful lot of money into the Maltese economy over the years and deserve better than this. Hardly the wartime spirit from the VC island is it? I hope that this type of blatant profiteering results in a downturn in there future tourist trade. No doubt as stranded passengers start to arrive home, there will be many more such tales.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: MikeL2
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 12:10 PM

Subject: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Arnie - PM
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 03:59 AM

Hi arnie

I agree with you whole-heartedly. But everyone is at the same thing; not just Malta.

They just had a guy on the radio who was flying home from New Zealand. They got him to Singapore but his UK connection was cancelled. He was told that he would be transferred to another flight IN 8 DAYS Time !!

So he went to a hotel to book a room for this period. He was informed that the room would cost him the equivalent of £500 per night. He said he would try to find somewhere cheaper. He couldn't. So he went back an hour later and was told the room was now £600 !!!

Daylight robbery.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 12:39 PM

I hate people!

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 01:32 PM

Me too!

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Sorcha
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 01:34 PM

Sick, sick, sick.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Maryrrf
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 01:58 PM

Unfortunately stories are pouring in from all over about just this sort of thing. Sometimes a crisis can bring out the best in people - but too often that is not the case and the prospect of making an easy profit off of someone who is in a difficult situation is just too much temptation. I'd hate to think of saving for a vacation and then having to extend it under those circumstances when your money has run out. In some cases people have just had to spend days and nights in the airport, eating one meal a day and occasionally getting a few handouts from the airlines. What a misery.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 02:18 PM

Malta GC, not VC

You'd imagine that holiday insurance would be liable for any extra expence in a situation like this volcano. But it's amazing what you can do with small print when you are in the insurance racket.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 02:33 PM

What I don't get is why aren't we hearing about more boats taking over? If we depend for airlines for everything, especially in a crisis, we are doomed. They are surrounded by water in some of those cities and countries. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 02:49 PM

And I see the Airlines think they should get $1.7B from the British Government because they claim the ban was was an over-reaction and not lifted early enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 02:50 PM

Why don't Navies step in to help get people home? Certainly do call out the National Guard or Territorial Army or whatever to assist in catastrophic situations both home and abroad.

I think governments should penalise hoteliers and car rental companies for fleecing stranded people. And travel insurance companies should be forced to accept some of the costs of ruined trips. Airlines should be opening up first class lounges and shower facilities for use by stranded passengers.

Somebody said I hate people. It was not an individual's decision to raise cost of hotel room or hire car. It was a corporate decision. Capitalism at its worst.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 03:02 PM

All decisions are made by individuals.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 03:10 PM

I hope the names of the price gougers are well published in every newspaper possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 05:02 PM

Just saw the Royal Navy did transport some stranded holiday makers from Spain to Portsmouth.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 06:18 PM

Lots of cheap standard or budget hotels in Singapore- about $60SG per night.
Arnie's friend doesn't know how to look.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 06:26 PM

Or do it up right- Raffles starts at S$700.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Amergin
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 06:42 PM

My kid brother has been stranded in Kuwait because of this....Hopefully he will be able to come home in the next few days or so....

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: michaelr
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 07:05 PM

The volcano eruption is an "act of God" - no refunds.

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: gnu
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 07:09 PM

"act of God" - no refunds.

I agree. Insurance can't cover that. Why should it?

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Tangledwood
Date: 21 Apr 10 - 10:48 PM

Much travel is done as a package, for example containing airfare, accommodation, hire car, maybe a local tour. Components of that are at discount rates to help fill rooms or seats that would otherwise be empty and producing zero income. If the demand is such that there would be no empty spaces why would the provider feel compelled to offer special rates?
Yes, difficult and seemingly unfair for the stranded customer, and no doubt there is some profiteering going on, but businesses still have to return profits and cover themselves for the inevitable lean times.

"act of God" - no refunds.

I agree. Insurance can't cover that. Why should it?

Does that exclusion apply to an atheist's travel insurance too?

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 12:56 AM

Al Gore must be pissed, that he missed his opportunity!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 05:01 AM

Is Jimmy Buffett profiteering from the Volcano?

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Newport Boy
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 05:30 AM

"act of God" - no refunds

Some years ago, just up the road, one of the big evangelists held a series of meetings in a huge marquee. A gale one night blew the marquee down - and the insurers refused to pay - "Act of God"!

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 05:38 AM

I see Ryanair are heading their ad for cheap filghts 'NOW THE DUST HAS SETTLED'.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 05:43 AM

Some insurances are paying out. It all depends on the company and the claim. The hoteliers, car-hire firms, bus companies that are exploiting the situation know that some Insurance companies will pay. They are therefore trying to make a fast buck out of them rather than the unfortunate people that are stuck. No excuse for it of course, but I can sort of understand why, in a sitaution where there is a hundred people for every room/car/bus seat, thay are trying to sell to the highest bidder. Capitalism in action at it's best (or worst!).

DeG

Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano
From: Joe_F
Date: 22 Apr 10 - 07:57 PM

It's an ill wind.