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May 14, 02, 9:06 am
...Consumers are encouraged to do their homework to ensure that their bids are realistic...
...Mr Braddock said Priceline worked because it gave something to both consumers and companies.
He said it gave consumers tickets that were cheaper than they might otherwise get, and it gave airlines a way to offer seats at different discount rates without forcing them to reveal all their prices.
There was no fear that the airlines would set up their own discount seat selling system anytime soon, or use e-commerce to such efficiency that the room for discounts almost disappears.
"Any ticket sale over the internet is more efficient than the way that airlines supplied them through travel agents," said Mr Braddock, "I don't think it will be obviated by airline cost reductions or anything else they can do."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1979000/1979360.stm
...Mr Braddock said Priceline worked because it gave something to both consumers and companies.
He said it gave consumers tickets that were cheaper than they might otherwise get, and it gave airlines a way to offer seats at different discount rates without forcing them to reveal all their prices.
There was no fear that the airlines would set up their own discount seat selling system anytime soon, or use e-commerce to such efficiency that the room for discounts almost disappears.
"Any ticket sale over the internet is more efficient than the way that airlines supplied them through travel agents," said Mr Braddock, "I don't think it will be obviated by airline cost reductions or anything else they can do."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1979000/1979360.stm