|
21 Apr 10 - 03:59 AM (#2891166) Subject: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Arnie 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. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 12:10 PM (#2891403) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: MikeL2 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 |
|
21 Apr 10 - 12:39 PM (#2891428) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Ebbie I hate people! |
|
21 Apr 10 - 01:32 PM (#2891468) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: gnu Me too! |
|
21 Apr 10 - 01:34 PM (#2891470) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Sorcha Sick, sick, sick. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 01:58 PM (#2891483) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Maryrrf 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. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 02:18 PM (#2891503) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: McGrath of Harlow 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. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 02:33 PM (#2891518) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: GUEST,mg 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 |
|
21 Apr 10 - 02:49 PM (#2891532) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: gnu 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. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 02:50 PM (#2891534) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: VirginiaTam 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. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 03:02 PM (#2891539) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: McGrath of Harlow All decisions are made by individuals. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 03:10 PM (#2891543) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: gnu I hope the names of the price gougers are well published in every newspaper possible. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 05:02 PM (#2891611) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: VirginiaTam Just saw the Royal Navy did transport some stranded holiday makers from Spain to Portsmouth. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 06:18 PM (#2891651) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Q (Frank Staplin) Lots of cheap standard or budget hotels in Singapore- about $60SG per night. Arnie's friend doesn't know how to look. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 06:26 PM (#2891659) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Q (Frank Staplin) Or do it up right- Raffles starts at S$700. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 06:42 PM (#2891666) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Amergin 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.... |
|
21 Apr 10 - 07:05 PM (#2891687) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: michaelr The volcano eruption is an "act of God" - no refunds. |
|
21 Apr 10 - 07:09 PM (#2891690) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: gnu "act of God" - no refunds. I agree. Insurance can't cover that. Why should it? |
|
21 Apr 10 - 10:48 PM (#2891792) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Tangledwood 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? |
|
22 Apr 10 - 12:56 AM (#2891838) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity Al Gore must be pissed, that he missed his opportunity!!!! |
|
22 Apr 10 - 05:01 AM (#2891890) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser) Is Jimmy Buffett profiteering from the Volcano? |
|
22 Apr 10 - 05:30 AM (#2891902) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Newport Boy "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 |
|
22 Apr 10 - 05:38 AM (#2891908) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Jim Carroll I see Ryanair are heading their ad for cheap filghts 'NOW THE DUST HAS SETTLED'. Jim Carroll |
|
22 Apr 10 - 05:43 AM (#2891912) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Dave the Gnome 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 |
|
22 Apr 10 - 07:57 PM (#2892405) Subject: RE: BS: Profiteering from the volcano From: Joe_F It's an ill wind. |