December
2000
PCCC Member’s experiences with Priceline.com
We investigated Priceline about three weeks ago. After following all the directions and checking into groceries, we were offered six 'tokens' to use as new members. We sent for a Priceline card, chose five items at the lowest bid offered. The bill amounted to $10.25. In a short time the plastic charge card arrived. It was put aside with the idea that someday we might use it.
When our Visa charges arrived in the mail there was a $10.25 charge from Priceline! We quickly went back to the web site and printed out the grocery list, and went shopping at Win Dixie, the only store in this area that recognizes Priceline.
If
you have the time and patience try Priceline.
We've not checked out gas or any other offer made at this site. We're not
sure we will use Priceline on a regular basis. If you do, be careful.
Remember that what is bought on line is charged to you and you need to collect
it at the store.
Used Priceline.com two times!
The first order was 2 large bottles of cranberry juice and one pound of bacon. I bought 2 64 oz. bottles of Apple & Eve Cranberry Juice for $1.60 each. Usually $2.50 each. Quality was great - better than Ocean Spray and no tax on it because it does not say "cocktail" on the label. The bacon was Oscar Mayer usually $4.40 per pound and I bought it for $2.19 a pound. I did not use the 'service' again until after I received my credit card bill. It was the correct amount ($5.39) so I prepared another order.
On the second order My Grocery list included:
Ground Beef, Round or Sirloin up to 90% Lean.
Up to 5 lb package $1.50 per package
1 Tropicana Premium Refrigerated Orange Juice, 65 oz Carton, Any Variety $1.40 per carton
1 Arnold Multi Grain Bread, 24 oz loaf, Any Blend $1.30 per loaf That order was charge correctly - $4.27 But a third order which included 3 items that the store did not carry was charged to my card in the agreed upon amount and I have 90 days to get those items when they are available at the agreed price or the store manager will substitute to our mutual satisfaction. I was very enthused about the system until this incident. I will continue to use and observe.
One Item Ordered!
My granddaughter told me about the discounts she was getting through Priceline, so I thought I'd give it a try. Just today I became validated as a Priceline member and placed my first order. For simplicity sake I only ordered one item -- a half-gallon of Edy frozen yogurt. I got it for $2.50, even though it is marked at $4.65. Since the system worked so well I plan on using it regularly. The store clerk told me I was the third person she has processed through the system.
Airline Tickets save $200.00!
We
have purchased airline tickets via Priceline.com and this is our most recent
experience:
Last week we received an e-mail from Travelocity where we have bought tickets
and reserved rental cars before. The ad said there were great fall
savings available in airline tickets. As we were planning a trip next
week and planning to drive, I decided to check them out. I found that
tickets would be $220 each, round trip, plus whatever fuel
charges, taxes, etc., they might add. So I decided to check Priceline
while I was about it. I put in a bid of $120 per ticket and subscribed to
Discover card which upped my bid to $140. We received reservations based
on that bid. With added charges it comes to $295.90 for two tickets
according to the statement I printed from the acceptance page on their internet
site. Today I checked the charges which had been made on my credit card and
$295.90 is exactly what has been charged by PLN*PRICELINE AIR TKT. So no
surprises there. The reservations are for the days we wanted and at reasonable
hours – a schedule we have purchased from this same airline when making this
same trip more than one time before. The only problem we may encounter is that
we decided not to pay extra for paper tickets. Whether that will give us
a problem or not we won't know until we get to the counter on Sat.
However, we plan to be there 1 1/2 to 2 hours early - just in case.
If you wish, I can e-mail you from our destination to let you know if it all
went off without a hitch.
Thanks to all who replied to our survey about Priceline.
Send your Internet and E-mail questions to:
Q&AComputerClub@comphelp2000.com
Dale Wiley J
Computer Help ã December 2000