Roomsnet.com

[notdeadfred]

Does anyone on here ever use this website? It's a hotel booking agency that offers varying amounts of cashback on your bookings which can then be used against future bookings. I have been a member for several years, and made a number of bookings with them at very favourable rates and had no problem at all.  Until now.
I was trying to book a 1 night stay in London, and got all the way through to the final payment stage, but received a message that the transaction had been blocked by my card provider.
So I rang the bank, who informed me that I must have stupidly miskeyed the card security code and that was the reason it had failed.
Back to the booking, entered the correct card details, payment accepted, then - crash, severe error message, booking not completed!
All attempts since then to contact Roomsnet.com have failed - emails not replied to, and most worringly when I phone the London office number of Roomsnet International Ltd there is a recorded message to the effect that "this number is inactive due to suspected or actual fraudulent use".
I can still access my roomsnet.com account online, and the booking is definitely not there. I contacted the hotel who confirmed they do not have my booking, but my credit card account has been charged with the full cost of the booking.
I will eventually get the cash refunded through the card protection system, but I wondered if anyone else has any knowledge of this company, and to issue a warning to be careful if you either have any current bookings with them or are thinking of using them. My web searches have found some old references to some issues at Roomsnet, but nothing current it seems.
Would appreciate any info that may be out there, thanks.

[djk99]

Seems they have been having probs as far back as 2009, but you may have used them since ?? http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187439-i318-k3054163-Warning_Do_not_use_Roomsnet_com-Marbella_Costa_del_Sol_Province_of_Malaga_Andalucia.html
A bit more up to date stuff here http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g1-i12290-k5432096-Roomsnet-Bargain_Travel.html

[notdeadfred]

Thanks djk99. Yes I knew about the 2009 stuff, but only recently. I had my account from sometime in 2010 with no issues, and my last booking with them was January 2013, where everything worked fine and I even successfully redeemed some of my cashback.

But I didn't see the more recent postings on Tripadvisor. Looks like the writing's been on the wall for a few months then.
You expect the occasional failed transaction when working online, but it's the lack of response that starting ringing alarm bells, and of course the message about possible fraudulent activity. I think it's time to close my account and move on.

[djk99]

You could get much the same deal with a lot more security using Quidco or one of the other cash back sites. I've been using Quidco for years and have (touch wood) not encountered a problem. They give cashback on a number of reputable hotel booking sites as well as a host of other products. If you are not already a member, take a look at their site and if you use my referral link http://www.quidco.com/user/345240/1793288/ I'll get the princely sum of £2.50 when you earn your first £5.   

[notdeadfred]

Haha, nice bit of opportunism there, I like that. I'm actually a member of topcashback, which I think might be part of the same group, but I'll have a look at Quidco and if I join it too I will use your link!

I could usually get much better rates on certain hotels using Roomsnet, which was much more beneficial, as well as the reward credit. But I use cashback  sites for everything else. Begins to look like the Roomsnet model wasn't sustainable and they've "done a runner". (Although according to Companies House they are up to date with their accounts filings).

Cheers

[djk99]

Looks as if you are correct - which is quite worrying, as their website is still up and running and offering 'Special Offers' on four hotels in Fuerteventura along with similar deals in the other Canary islands and elsewhere. Showing net assets of MINUS 1.2 million pounds, they are due to file annual returns next month... Thanks for the initial info - it may save someone on here a lot of grief !

[notdeadfred]

Yes exactly, that's the main reason I made the post. And if their last accounts showed negative net assets of -£1.2m they were obviously struggling. (I only have access to Companies House Webcheck so thanks for that additional info). If anyone on here does have any current bookings via roomsnet.com I suggest they contact the hotel directly to ensure the booking has been confirmed.