Hangzhou: 3 Days, Ripped Off 3 Times!
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Hello, everyone! Today, I wish to share some truly frustrating stories about my experiences in Hangzhou. This city is fraught with difficulties whether you’re looking at accommodations or transport!
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Why was my room that I had booked back in March suddenly canceled? Because the hotel wanted to raise its rates!
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Back then, I was quick on my feet and managed to snag a twin room located just 1.5 kilometers away from the convention center (yes, the huge venue for various activities) before ticket sales were open for CP31, a major comic convention. I couldn't help but show off a little bit to my friends on WeChat about how quick I was.
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However, right around March when I was buried in school work, I received a call from Baidu Maps (a popular booking app) service telling me that “the merchant had canceled your order, as they stated the room was fully booked.” My anger got the better of me. I could not accept it!
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Later, the customer service told me the truth — “The hotel set its price too low, so they canceled the order and asked us to rebook. We can offer you a free upgrade and penalize the merchant.”
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But how could I bear it? I just wanted to stay close for convenience; CP31 tickets were long gone by then. March was simply not the time for new bookings unless I wanted to splurge over 1400 RMB a night! When I asked them for the merchant’s contact information, they were reluctant to share it, but I eventually agreed to have my refund processed. Perhaps buying those event tickets would come first.
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Warning! A few hotel booking tips:
- Be wary of hotels offering low prices during large events such as conventions or concerts, as they may cancel orders due to higher profit margins.- **What should I do?** Book with trusted platforms and keep records of all conversations. If your order is canceled, try to negotiate compensation with the app customer service, or make sure you get a refund. Additionally, consider pre-ordering accommodations that allow free cancellations.
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Why did I pay three times for a short trip of only 1.5 kilometers, once for 10 RMB, another time for 5 RMB, and once more for 6 RMB? Did you overcharge me with the platform service fee?
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It was said that Jinsahake’s natural scenery was pretty impressive (although, to be honest, I just booked a room around there because CP31 tickets were all sold out). As the hotel was about 1.5 km away from the subway station, I thought it would be perfect.
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The initial cost of taking a car in Hangzhou was 13 RMB; however, my app displayed that the predicted price would be around 5 RMB after using a coupon. But, to my surprise, 10 RMB were deducted from my account instead! Upon looking at the breakdown, 3 RMB was stated as “platform service charges”. Yet, upon reviewing the order details in the app, it still clearly showed 5 RMB – meaning the driver added in a service fee they never should have.
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I thought that 5 RMB wasn’t a big deal at the time so I decided not to complain since taxi rides in Hangzhou were quite affordable. Additionally, I acknowledged that increasing one’s price as a form of compensation could be acceptable (Although later on, I realized that the actual fare should have been 6 RMB — I chose a “fixed-fare” option instead of the ride-meter).
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Warning! Taxi tips in Hangzhou
- When booking a cab through an App platform in Hangzhou and maybe other parts of China, watch out for the discrepancy between actual charges and app predictions. Some drivers would charge you extra for their service fees or because the "fixed fares" they select might be different from what the app is charging.- **What to do?** If overcharged, communicate with the driver first. If the two of you can't resolve it, keep your payment records and screenshots of order details to file a formal complaint with the taxi app customer service. Choosing a "fixed-rate" will probably mean you don’t pay more than that unless there is more toll fees.
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I got blocked at the door by the proprietor, did I get scammed due to a low room price?
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Upon arriving at the inn, I had this proprietress suddenly stand her ground, her hand gripping my luggage and blocking me at the very door, demanding I cancel the online booking with Baidu.
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She told me they had their hotel prices increased recently due to test events – or maybe that was simply an excuse made up by convention fans. In either case, the surrounding hotels were rising to at least 200 RMB. Therefore, they could increase their prices too! She emphasized that, while she couldn’t change the platform price herself yet, I might as well cancel my booking with Baidu and pay her personally instead to avoid any intermediary fees.
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Of course I rejected! What if the price shoots up after I cancel? Then, what would I do if someone’s safety (such as a solo, female traveler, coming all the way from Hebei Province) depends on that confirmation only?
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Yet, pressured by her stern attitude, I gave up and agreed to cancel the order. However, I thank the heavens that Baidu Maps had to charge a fee for this cancellation, which became a perfect excuse for me not to cancel it after all!
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Frustrated by low-cost bookings?
- Some inns attempt to persuade guests to cancel orders with booking apps so they can pocket intermediary fees- **What to do?** Always stick to booking apps! They provide solid protection. In case of harassment, report them immediately to the app. Under no circumstances, should you risk paying without intermediary fees, especially if you are traveling alone and have security concerns.
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@Hangzhou文旅
#CP31 #Hangzhou #AvoidingPitfallsInHangzhou #HotelAvoidanceTips -
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I didn't report the hotel because I had just arrived and didn't want any trouble. But I did report the taxi driver.
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Taking a taxi from Hangzhou Railway Station to the Grand Convention and Exhibition Center cost me 136 yuan. I'd originally wanted to use a ride-hailing app, but a taxi driver approached us offering 2.5 yuan per kilometer. I estimated it would be around 50-60 yuan, which seemed reasonable, so we got in. However, when we arrived, he demanded 136 yuan. On our return trip, I tried using an app again, learning from the previous experience. But due to crowds and poor signal, the app froze. Desperate to catch our train, we asked a nearby taxi driver the fare to Hangzhou Station. He quoted 150 yuan, claiming it would be the same even on the meter. We mentioned our earlier metered fare was 136 yuan, but he just pointed out we couldn't get another ride. We reluctantly got in. Then, he wouldn't leave, saying 150 yuan was too low for just two people, and only drove off after finding two more passengers, charging 150 yuan for each pair.
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OP, check your feed – so many people have experienced similar things! I thought it was just me, but it looks like I'm not the unluckiest one after all.
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Honey, events like the teacher qualification exams do happen, but these sudden price gouges are unacceptable. If you have proof, you can report it on the 'Zheli Ban' app or use the official complaint channels. Xiaohongshu probably has tutorials on this.
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Actually, I wasn't overcharged in the end because I stood my ground and fought for my rights. So, I don't have evidence to report them for that. However, they retaliated by not giving me the correct room (please see Part 2 for more on that).
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It's best to book legitimate hotels. While there are some larger, reputable guesthouses, small private ones often don't live up to their descriptions – take it from someone who's been burned before (not in Hangzhou, but elsewhere). Now, I always book proper hotels, no matter the cost.
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Definitely next time. The issue this time was that HXG (the event organizer) released the tickets too late.
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It wasn't even a holiday; room prices nearby skyrocketed solely because of the CP event. And honestly, the rooms were nowhere near worth what they charged. This is something that definitely needs tighter control.
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There's more to this story, please see Part 2 (FYI, the OP isn't a pushover – those who deserved it have already faced the consequences).
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Exactly! Problems should be addressed. I hope it's organized much better next time.
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Honey, I actually live near the convention center and I've never even heard of these places you stayed at, which just shows how shady they must be. Next time, try booking a chain hotel like Hanting Inn for a few potential dates in advance (there are some near the venue), and then cancel the unnecessary ones once the event dates are set, haha! Also, for taxi scams or check-out disputes, don't hesitate to call the police or a consumer hotline; they usually resolve things quickly.
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I snagged my tickets on the 15th, booked a room on the morning of the 16th, and got to Hangzhou that same afternoon. For events like CP31, honey, most people book hotels super early. My original booking was cancelled, and since I heard CP tickets were tough to get, I waited until I had my ticket to book a room. By then, almost everything was already taken.
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Definitely stick to booking legitimate hotels.
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Next time for sure. Lesson learned the hard way.
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The Grand Convention Center is quite remote, so it's mostly surrounded by countryside. The places they call 'hotels' there are often just unlicensed rural guesthouses or private B&Bs, and they seem to operate with impunity. I'd really advise sticking to chain hotels or bigger, more reputable establishments.
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'Operate with impunity' – OMG, that's spot on!
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Do ride-hailing apps have a base fare too? I thought only regular street-hailed taxis had that.
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Yes, that's what it shows on the app.