CHOICE HOTELS, QUALITY INN Quality Inn overbooking scam. Foral Park, New York

"What might have happened, as at my hotel, the "inventory" might have been out of balance. That is not the fault of the hotel OR the internet/general reservation system."

   Really?   So whose fault is it, then?  Paul, this is a pretty lame rebuttal.  The fact is that your hotel is responsible for tracking the inventory and keeping it in balance.  If your hotel fails to do that, it is your fault.  You need to fix your system so that it does not leave paying customers out in the cold.  

   On the other hand, I could see how your system could be self repairing.   As you piss off more and more paying customers, they will reserve rooms elsewhere, thereby leaving many rooms available every night.

If it's your hotel, then you are responsible for all advertisement.  I don't see a need for confirmation when the reservation is made only days before.  My telephone number is left on the reservation so why not call when you know there is a problem?  Better yet, why use the web for reservations if you know there is a problem?

Doesn't sound like a very professional way to run a business.  The average traveler will not understand nor forgive your vague excuse, especially when they show up in the middle of the night and have no room to stay.

Weak, very weak.

I currently work for a hotel that does have issues with the "Overbooking" problems.  The clerk might have been right on the money, by saying the website sold rooms that the hotel did not have available.  What might have happened, as at my hotel, the "inventory" might have been out of balance.  That is not the fault of the hotel OR the internet/general reservation system.  What happens, is that if the hotel handles long-term guests, and they check out or extend their stay, it does mess with the inventory, as the updates with a central res might not catch the changes.  We have been in the "over sold" status before, and only had to walk about 3 guests in 6 months.  The hotel really does not like to overbook, as if everyone shows up, then what will happen, as bad comments will start flying.

What you should have done, as what I do, is recomfirm with the hotel to make sure your reservation stands.

Paul