Complain about a product or service

Howard Johnson - False Advertising

Howard Johnson's •Poor service, filthy rooms •Rate disputes •Cancellation policy •False advertising •

Michael of Elmira Heights NY writes (5/27/03):
Last week I complained to Howard Johnson that the Howard Johnson Express in Williamsville, NY, advertised having HBO, but really did not have it. (I had decided to stay there because there was a show I wanted to see, and I was upset.) Now I am abolutely dumbfounded by the rude and totally moronic response I received from the Williamsville Howard Johnson manager, who accused me of lying, and was cowardly enough to not even sign his name.

HOWARD JOHNSON 6619 TRANSIT RD. WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. 14221
May 21, 2003

Case Nbr. 1347201

Dear Mr. S****,

With all due respect we must disagree with you. A review of the information within the current directory (copy enclosed) clearly reveals that there are no claims of this establishment advertising "having HBO".

Perhaps the most troubling of all is the fact that in spite of all efforts on the part of this establishment to insure guest comfort, including posting a notice on the inside of all room doors (at eye level over the lock) advertising to the guest "should it not meet your expectations, please notify the clerk". You made no attempt to express your concern to this establishment. We have no explanation for the misinformation, we can only conclude that (A) you looked up a different property or (B) the HBO is not the real issue? Malicious intent may be.

Sincerely,
Mgr.

My complaint stated that the hotel was advertised in the Howard Johnson directory, and on the Internet. as having "full cable including HBO." After arriving at the hotel I called the front desk to ask about HBO, and the girl at the desk said that the hotel did not have it. By that time it was too late to move to another hotel.

The stupid manager included a copy of the page from the current Howard Johnson directory, which clearly DOES advertise "full cable including HBO," but he still maintained that there are no clains advertising HBO. Is he illiterate? (Look for yourself at the enclosed copy of the directory page he sent.)

The most unbelievable part of the unsigned manager's letter was that after lying that the hotel did not claim to have HBO he accused me of lying and being malicious.

Because of the false advertising, unwillingness to live up to their written satisfaction guarantee, and husiness strategy of accusing customers of lying when they complain, I am filing a formal consumer complaint with your organization both against the Howard Johnson chain (I Sylvan Way, Parsippany, New Jersey 07054) and the Howard Johnson Express (6619 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 1422

If Michael has the time and energy and really wants to make an issue of it, we suggest he sue the hotel in Small Claims Court, seeking the return of his room charges and any expenses he has incurred.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.