Strange Chat Marketing by Ramada Inn

[caption id="attachment_220" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="The $20-Off Ramada Offer Does Not Apply Here!"][/caption]

After making an online reservation through Ramada Inn’s website, I was ready to close out when an automated chat page came up on the site implying that a $20 discount to my reservation could be obtained. 

I copied the chat in its entirety below.

By indicating the word ‘hi’, the automated chat began. When I paused too long to answer, the prompt came up ‘Just Say Hi’. Pushy.  One can see that there really was no $20 discount to be had.  I think this type of marketing is deceiving and intrusive. 

You’ll note that I typed in ‘no thanks’ more than once but the automated chat kept pushing and pushing.  I kept up with this chat because I was quite curious to see where this would lead. I’m always interested in varying ways retailers choose to market other products.  My own bank, Bank of America is using the same tactic by advertising their own products in my Bill Pay screen despite my attempts to click ‘no thanks’ on more than one occasion. 

I’m getting ‘over-marketed’.

Agent: Hi Janine, I’m Jessica and just for making an online reservation with Ramada , Travelers Advantage would like to give you the opportunity to get $20 off your  Ramada  reservation. Please type HI or HELLO in the space below to let me know you are there…
Agent: Just type HI in the space below…
You: HI
Agent: Hi Janine, I have great news!  Just for trying the exciting Ramada, Travelers Advantage program today I can increase your savings from $20 to $30! That’s a $30 cash back mail-in rebate on the reservation you just made!

(At this point, I realize that the first sentence, “…give you the opportunity to get $20 off your  Ramada  reservation….” is a farce.) Let’s play the game…

Agent: This comes along with a membership to Ramada, Travelers Advantage with the first 30 days FREE.  You’ll enjoy FULL ACCESS to our travel agency and get our LOW PRICE GUARANTEE on all of your eligible travel reservations!
Agent: And even if you decide to cancel, you can still get your $30 cash back mail-in rebate … it’s our way of saying THANK YOU just for trying Ramada, Travelers Advantage.
You: No thank you.
Agent: Remember, you’ll have 30 days to look it over and try it out… If you decide that it is not for you, cancel within the first 30 days by calling 800-678-3029, and you will owe NOTHING!
Agent: Keep in mind that by accepting this now, you are not obligated to keep your Ramada Travelers Advantage membership… we’d just like for you to look over the fantastic savings and benefits…
Agent: You have a full month to sample all the money saving benefits after joining the Ramada, Travelers Advantage program.   If you wish to take advantage of this great offer, we will obtain the reservation information that you just provided to Ramada,  including credit card number and billing address, and activate your membership, where the first 30 days are free.
You: No thank you. We don’t need this. I’d like a lower rate, though for this trip.
Agent: Okay, no problem, I’ll note that you have declined the offer and you will NOT be enrolled.  Please note that YOUR CREDIT CARD WILL NOT BE CHARGED.  Thank you for your time and have a good day!

Peculiar, cheap marketing…legal, I’m sure but sneaky nonetheless. Next time I just hit the close button.

Janine

Tagged with: chat • janine gregor • Ramada Inn • reservations • your virtual wizard

Filed under: Marketing Facts and Finds

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