Originally Posted by biggestbopper
The whole mini-bar thing is kind of a scam (those insane prices), made worse by the hotels incorrect claims that they can tell by computer sensor if you took something from the bar. Apparently, the slightest tremor, heavy truck going by, or just bad (by design?) sensor can set it off.
This happens all too often and I suspect that charging back the bogus bill to the credit card company is a valid response. The merchant is charged by the card company for chargebacks and, if it has too many, can have other problems. Maybe complaining to the card company will help cut down on this routine.
To say it's a "scam" may be an exaggeration. How about it was probably "human error". Think about how many hotel rooms there are and charges are usually posted by hand. Perhaps they typed in the wrong room number by one digit??? I love it when everyone is so critical and thinks everything is a "scam" but half the posts on here are about how to "find discounts", "travel free", blah blah blah.....who's really trying to scam who?? The world doesn't come free!!
If you have a posting that seems odd on your credit card, just advise the hotel of the error rather than make such a big deal out of it. No one is out to rule the world $4 at a time. One way to avoid this is to advise the front desk at check out that you did not take anything from the mini-bar or to advise what you did have (1 diet coke, 1 snickers bar, etc.).
Here's a thought, would you ever speak up at check-out and advise what you did take from the mini-bar???? Or if a vendor charged you less than what the price is???