WooHoo for newsstory on WooGoo
May 1st, 2006, 06:35 PM
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WooHoo for newsstory on WooGoo
I just watched the piece on WooGoo and it was impressive. It ran for a full 5 minutes, which is long for a daily news show. They also showed our own Kelly Britt, his wife and kids. Some key points before I forget.
-They mentioned Hotels.com and Expedia as offering the apartments as hotels.
-NYC has cited the owners for 3 violations including offering apartments as an illegal hotel and for Fire Code violations.
-The management lied and denied the apartments were hotels, even when there were hotel guests standing there ready to check in!
-The reporter made a reservation and brought in hidden cameras and brought with them an inspector who confirmed the violations.
-They demonstrated just how small the room was and how you couldn't open the sofabed.
-They detailed how longterm tenants were being forced out because they make more $$$ as a hotel (not for long, thanks Kelly!).
-Tenants were fearful because of decreased security with transients guests.
If I think of more I'll post later, but it was a great piece, much longer and more detailed than I expected. Let's hear it for the unhinged traveler!!!!
-They mentioned Hotels.com and Expedia as offering the apartments as hotels.
-NYC has cited the owners for 3 violations including offering apartments as an illegal hotel and for Fire Code violations.
-The management lied and denied the apartments were hotels, even when there were hotel guests standing there ready to check in!
-The reporter made a reservation and brought in hidden cameras and brought with them an inspector who confirmed the violations.
-They demonstrated just how small the room was and how you couldn't open the sofabed.
-They detailed how longterm tenants were being forced out because they make more $$$ as a hotel (not for long, thanks Kelly!).
-Tenants were fearful because of decreased security with transients guests.
If I think of more I'll post later, but it was a great piece, much longer and more detailed than I expected. Let's hear it for the unhinged traveler!!!!
May 1st, 2006, 07:09 PM
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The REAL good point of the report was the undercover City of New York Building Supervisor. Clearly this is going to be shut down and VERY quickly. It would not surprise me if they are gone by tomorrow.
Hotels.com and Expedia are both reported as no longer listing WooGoo, and the City will have no more sense of humor about an illegal hotel operation, with fire code violations.
Now I am also concerned about tenants in the building, my guess is the management will be gone by tomorrow and then what will the tenants do for building problems. This is a real kettle of worms on all sides.
I am very happy to see Expedia and Hotels.com stepping up and shutting them down as well.
The report also showed "guests" trying to check in, right in front of the Dept of Buildings Supervisor. At least now visitors won't be scammed any longer. Wonder what Expedia will do for people who have already paid for a stay there? If any more is on the news here, I'll let you know what I see.
CONGRATULATIONS for all your work in getting this awful place shut down.
Hotels.com and Expedia are both reported as no longer listing WooGoo, and the City will have no more sense of humor about an illegal hotel operation, with fire code violations.
Now I am also concerned about tenants in the building, my guess is the management will be gone by tomorrow and then what will the tenants do for building problems. This is a real kettle of worms on all sides.
I am very happy to see Expedia and Hotels.com stepping up and shutting them down as well.
The report also showed "guests" trying to check in, right in front of the Dept of Buildings Supervisor. At least now visitors won't be scammed any longer. Wonder what Expedia will do for people who have already paid for a stay there? If any more is on the news here, I'll let you know what I see.
CONGRATULATIONS for all your work in getting this awful place shut down.
May 1st, 2006, 08:10 PM
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There's more work to be done, because you can still book it through Orbitz (I just tried and it still comes up), but this is more progress than I ever expected one person to be able to make on his own--GREAT job Kelly, way to go!
My husband has a great saying for this sort of thing: "They pi**ed on the wrong pair of shoes!"
My husband has a great saying for this sort of thing: "They pi**ed on the wrong pair of shoes!"
May 2nd, 2006, 05:09 AM
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Thanks go, I also forgot to mention that the reporter interviewed some of the hotel guests and their opinions of the accomodations echoed Kelly's. Basically they said the "hotel" sucked.
May 2nd, 2006, 07:18 AM
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Gee, MikeT, what are you doing here? You clearly think the whole topic is garbage. Why did you feel it necessary to click onto a topic that you are not interested in? You know it really is easy to ignore a title that says WooGoo in it, even if there are two or three of them at the same time.
Meanwhile some of us here actually DO care about the closing down of a scam hotel industry, even if you would prefer to see it flourish and think it is a waste of time to do anything about it. What better travel topic is there.
Meanwhile some of us here actually DO care about the closing down of a scam hotel industry, even if you would prefer to see it flourish and think it is a waste of time to do anything about it. What better travel topic is there.
May 2nd, 2006, 07:21 AM
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LOL, I just noticed this thread -- and ... Nick! (Nick, I didn't start this one, sorry!) 
"Basically they said the "hotel" sucked."
Another favorite of mine was the English tourist finishing his 1 1/2 block walk to the "lobby", his opinion is totally bleeped out, but you catch the English accent!
"Basically they said the "hotel" sucked."
Another favorite of mine was the English tourist finishing his 1 1/2 block walk to the "lobby", his opinion is totally bleeped out, but you catch the English accent!
May 2nd, 2006, 07:29 AM
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In searching for this Woogo story, I started checking out Kelly Britt's background, and found some interesting things about this person.
It seems he submitted himself as a candidate on Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" 2nd Season. Found some other details about him too. No time to write now, busy at work. Will chick in later.
I knew there was a reason I felt my nose twitching whin I first started readding his posts.
It seems he submitted himself as a candidate on Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" 2nd Season. Found some other details about him too. No time to write now, busy at work. Will chick in later.
I knew there was a reason I felt my nose twitching whin I first started readding his posts.
May 2nd, 2006, 07:38 AM
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Really. Usually Apprentice candidates are the best and the brightest, so I fail to see how that is a bad thing.
Oh, by the way, I am guilty of starting this heinous thread. Mea culpa.
Oh, by the way, I am guilty of starting this heinous thread. Mea culpa.
May 2nd, 2006, 08:55 AM
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Shame on you nina, there are a few posters now who are twitching every time the name Kelly or WooGoo is mentioned lol..
(twitching and stalking )
I find this such a great Live story of the "Little guy" winning or at least fighting the "Big guy" and coming out on Top.
Yay!
(twitching and stalking )
I find this such a great Live story of the "Little guy" winning or at least fighting the "Big guy" and coming out on Top.
Yay!
