BFT has its rules and Sheryl insists on asking people who post help requests to do a homework exercise that is like a skiil-testing question on a cheap prize offer. The information requested reminds me of a fortune teller asking you the name of your departed loved one and their shoe size and they report back with a prediction of tomorow's weather.
I was cruising the Hawaii forums on BFT, and found this reply from Sheryl hilarious (to a poster who kept following the rules, step by step, asking for help bidding):
Been trying for more than two months to book a hotel though PL but no luck, even though I was in line with what others were reporting as winning bids. I had a back-up plan so was not out of luck. For each bid, I used the "recommended link" from BFT (not really sure why since I totally disagree with Sheryl's management style - would I want someone like that representing my company - I do not think so) and also used my Amex platinum card. Each and every bid was rejected, even when bidding higher than what others had reported for the exact same date - never once did I receive a counter offer) A few days before my desired stay, my bid was again rejected and I was unwilling to go higher because my back-up reservation was also a good deal. Out of curiosity, I immediately bid again (rebooting and clearing out my cookies), this time using the name of my travel companion, used no link and a VISA card. I bid $20.00 less than I had just bid five minutes earlier using my name, the "link" and an Amex card and the bid was accepted for the hotel I had been trying to get on my own . The only differences were the non-use of the "link" and using a VISA instead of an Amex card. Anyone else have similar experiences?
This is really interesting.
I'm not disputing the facts above, but I do find it hard to believe Priceline would reject bids because a customer used an affiliate's link. I know that Priceline has a very large affiliate program (my site, www.hoteldealsrevealed.com uses them). Priceline pays a lot of money to Commission Junction (cj.com) to manage their affiliate program, and they pay affiliates a much higher rate than other sites such as Hotwire. They also have a great affiliate support team, keep affiliates apprised of PL promos, and even have a good social media presence (@pcln_affiliates on twitter).
So.. who knows for sure. On the one hand, people have experienced rejected bids that appear to be caused by affiliate links. On the other, they do a lot to promote and support their affiliate program.
BFT has its rules and Sheryl insists on asking people who post help requests to do a homework exercise that is like a skiil-testing question on a cheap prize offer. The information requested reminds me of a fortune teller asking you the name of your departed loved one and their shoe size and they report back with a prediction of tomorow's weather.
Sheryl has her own "issues". Sometimes we "pile" on. Reading her FAQ takes time. Probably more time then many people want to spend. Asking posters who use her services, anyone who posts and asks for her opinion is using her services, to compensate her by using her links is reasonable. Asking people to post rates at hotels in the zone where they're bidding, for the dates in question, is a reasonable request. Has a direct bearing on how much to bid. Nothing like your shoe size and weather comparison.
I don't think the thread you linked is an example of Sheryl being rude or unreasonable. Of course I have no way of knowing if Sheryl edited any of the posts between the time you posted and now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ranman1973
This is really interesting.
I'm not disputing the facts above, but I do find it hard to believe Priceline would reject bids because a customer used an affiliate's link. I know that Priceline has a very large affiliate program (my site, www.hoteldealsrevealed.com uses them). Priceline pays a lot of money to Commission Junction (cj.com) to manage their affiliate program, and they pay affiliates a much higher rate than other sites such as Hotwire. They also have a great affiliate support team, keep affiliates apprised of PL promos, and even have a good social media presence (@pcln_affiliates on twitter).
So.. who knows for sure. On the one hand, people have experienced rejected bids that appear to be caused by affiliate links. On the other, they do a lot to promote and support their affiliate program.
The question is if PL requires a higher bid from a person using an affiliate link. There are some cases where PL appears to be accepting a bid below the hotels price. PL appears to be taking a dollar or two out of their fee in order to pay the hotel. It wouldn't be a reach to think PL might not be willing to do the same if an affiliate commission has to be paid.
Asking people to post rates at hotels in the zone where they're bidding, for the dates in question, is a reasonable request. Has a direct bearing on how much to bid. Nothing like your shoe size and weather comparison.
I don't think the thread you linked is an example of Sheryl being rude or unreasonable. Of course I have no way of knowing if Sheryl edited any of the posts between the time you posted and now.
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First, I didn't link to anything and I have no interest in dealing with personal attacks. Second the point of the absurd analogy isn't whether she's entitled to the information - the issue is whether the exercise is worth the trouble and how the information correlates to the actual lowest bid one should make. And that's an opinion - obviously and its based on experience.
I have to agree about Sheryl. I can't cite specifics, but in general she seems to slap down people for not being helpful enough. I'm not talking about people who don't complete her whole quiz for bidding assistance, I'm talking about people who post their bidding experience but don't make it complete enough for her. I was banned from BFT, and I am quite sure I didn't do anything offensive. (I'm back on under a different name, which is not redtop.)
I did learn a LOT from the site, still use it, and still post my winning bids. But Sheryl could be a lot nicer.
I think for all the ranting, we are being too hard on Sheryl, because she says in the article:
"My business partner and mentor, Rolando Zamora, deserves equal credit and helps me put into perspective the challenges we face and the way we deal with them."
Well, it sounds like Ronaldo has a lot to answer for!
. The only differences were the non-use of the "link" and using a VISA instead of an Amex card. Anyone else have similar experiences?
