Hotels.com is a scam

I am also a user (7-10 X per year) and fan of hotels.com and priceline (even used kayak for a few flights).  I have had some awesome experiences and saved a lot of money on bidding on my own price. 

I will agree with Pitt on this one, I think your first experiece was unfair but strong to verbage to say the site is a scam.

I'm going to agree with the others here. When I'm going to a place with no real preference or needs (such as *having* to have a certain bed type or location), I book with Travelocity or hotels.com. I've gotten GREAT deals on 'name your own' Travelocity price. But, as you've learned, you are not guaranteed a room type.

As with flights, you might save with these services, but if you have a specific need, book directly with the hotel or airline where you will be more protected AND they can do more to honor your requests.

Side note: I've had great service and room requests honored when booking through Travelocity. However, it was when I arrived at the hotel and asked the front desk staff nicely upon check-in. But, it's never something I expect when booking through a discount site.

I'd just take it as a lesson learned...

^^  I have to agree with the above - we've had nothing but good experiences (and saved money) with Hotwire, Priceline, Hotels.com, and we've used Kayak to book flights as well. 

I'm sorry it didn't go well for you in using their services, but to call the entire company a scam from your personal experience isn't warranted. 

I had a problem with a flight once, booked through a discount site. The airline told me I was SOL, since I didn't book directly. I take that into consideration now, no matter the trip. If I *have* to be somewhere or in a certain hotel, I book direct. If not, I do discount sites.

Now, this is on the Hotels.com policy page:
http://service.hotels.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1112

"Hotels.com cannot guarantee the fulfillment of your request, as this is controlled by the property. We suggest calling the hotel prior to arrival to confirm any special requests, such as specific bedding types, an early check-in time, etc."

"For additional special room preferences, our hotel experts can also ensure the hotel is notified of your special requests, but please remember that special requests cannot be guaranteed by Hotels.com."

So, your only recourse is with the hotel, but they are probably not bound to honor your request, especially since you didn't book directly. I've also booked directly with hotels for a certain bed type, only to get a different one (say, King instead of 2 queens). That just happens sometimes.

I agree completely. It's very rare I don't use Travelocity name-your-own now. I think I've only not used it once in a year.

That's a great steal! My best was in Seattle. I flew into the city, without a place to stay. On purpose. Met a friend at Pike's and got some oysters. Pulled out my iPad, and named my own price for the neighborhood. I got a top-floor room, for 3 nights, overlooking the market and harbor, for $65 a night! The staff obviously put me up on the top, and the only thing I asked when I checked in was for a water-view room. Sure, some stays aren't that fabulous, but I'm rarely spending time in the room anyway.
That same trip, my friend has his work book him a hotel though their travel office, and he paid $200/night for farther away in a hotel that wasn't as nice.

I had a bad experience with them.

Booked a room for a race based on the proximity to the finish line (1/2 mile away) - about 3 months in advance. Got an email the day before departure that we were being bumped to a hotel 5 miles away. Not cool for after a marathon. We were on the phone with their reps from India for HOURS trying to negotiate something, but since it was 2 days before a HUGE marathon it was a mess. We were hung up on multiple times.

The hotel could do nothing since if you don't book with them they aren't responsible, all though they were sympathetic as it turns out Hotels.com had overbooked by something like 20 rooms at this particular hotel so lots of unhappy people. In the end we got a room about 2 miles away and $200/night more expensive but they covered the cost gap (after we had to ask/demand of course).

I'm not sure I'd call it a scam, but it's frustrating for sure. They blatantly overbook, like lots of industrys do, but they way the handled it left a bad taste in my mouth.

That was the last time I booked through them. For me it's a much better experience and I get better rewards sticking with one chain and booking directly through them.

I think there was a mistake or misunderstanding - definately a bad first experience. 

Bit, I don't think hotels.com is trying to defraud or swidle people or running a fake business scheme.  If they were, word would get out FAST being an online operation and all...

I just booked a room that was $144 on the hotel website (with my AAA discount) for $70 on Priceline (name my own price) at a historic downtown hotel.

Haven't gone on the trip yet, but I'm already excited about that rate.