Having been overcharged for a hire car in Toulouse (Avis/Budget) Booking.com were unable to look into the overcharge in the space of 6 weeks. Despite promising to do so on serval occasions, I sadly realised my emails and complaints were merely answered by AI and not an actual human. Although differing in response from each 'complaint handler (a term loosely applied) all noted they were 'unable to access the PDF from AVIS' and therefore will close my complaint and mark as resolved. Feel free to read some of my sarcastic responses to their blanket and in-personable emails but take my advice, don't bother using this service. Great for booking, not so great for getting any funds back. ENJOY FRIENDS :) Email to Booking.com (6th attempt at getting my money back)Good afternoon Mohamed,I must say, your customer service team is a masterclass in coordinated chaos. It’s honestly impressive how many people can email from the same address while simultaneously managing to say absolutely nothing — it's like a magic trick. Every message I receive seems carefully crafted to say, “we're on it,” while ensuring that absolutely no progress is made.The sheer choreography involved in passing a single complaint from person to person, only to have it vanish into a black hole of apathy, is truly next-level. I’m now collecting each message like rare stamps — I figure if I get the whole set, I win a prize. Or maybe a refund? No, definitely just more empty promises. Also, I couldn’t help but notice that each response from each person involved over the past 6 weeks, despite offering little in the way of actual help, is desperately eager for feedback. It’s genuinely touching — like watching a student confidently hand in a blank exam paper and still ask for a gold star. I’m tempted to leave a glowing review just for the sheer audacity of it allIn addition from my elevating frustration is the increasing desire to write a comedic sketch book of my whole experience. Perhaps that might be my only hope of recouping some of my 'missing funds’.At this stage, I’d welcome a chatbot — at least it wouldn’t pretend to escalate something it clearly has no intention of resolving. And while we’re at it, if someone is actually looking into my complaint, could they please let me know which decade I should expect a resolution? I like to plan ahead.I look forward with excitement for the next response.Warmest regards,(Potential author of “Fifty Shades of Sorry – Tales from the Booking.com Abyss”)P.S if there is anyone out there still remotely interested, I have attached yet another copy of my hire car charges Yet another email to Booking.com after they replied to the above in less than 60 seconds (attempt number 7 here we go).Dear Mariem,Thank you ever so much for your extremely swift response — and for your truly remarkable ability to glide gracefully past every ounce of sarcasm in my previous email. That’s an extraordinary skill. Honestly, you should consider it a superpower.I must also applaud the sheer velocity with which you produced your 197-word response and allegedly attempted to open the attached PDF — all in under 60 seconds. Incredible. Perhaps you should be seconded to the complaints department as a case study in speed and evasion.Now, I’m increasingly amused (and just a touch suspicious) by the fact that yet again, someone from Booking.com is unable to open the PDF. Strangely, every single other person I’ve sent it to — 18 and counting — has managed just fine. But sure, let’s assume the file is the problem. Not the system. Or the customer service strategy. Or a thinly veiled method of dodging accountability.No access to the file = no need to answer the complaint = no need to issue a refund. Eureka! It all makes sense now. Clearly, my laptop and 18 other people’s devices are colluding in a grand anti-Booking.com conspiracy. How careless of me not to realise this sooner.Anyway, I’ll leave you and the ever-growing team — currently featuring Yara, Mohamed, Maida, Mahmoud, and now your good self — to continue not resolving this complaint in glorious unison. Should the five of you somehow manage to crack the case in the coming hours, I’ll make sure to leave the glowing feedback you're all so desperate to receive. Perhaps even with a few gold stars and a round of applause.And should your tenure at Booking.com come to a premature end, I’m currently working on my new book “Fifty Shades of Sorry – Tales from the Booking.com Abyss.” A ghost writer who can type 197 words per minute while successfully dodging accountability would be an invaluable addition to the team.Speak soon (I'm sure),P.S. I’ve attached the PDF again — the same one that 18 other people have opened without issue, just for your records. Fingers crossed!
