Eliminate the middle men
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381953)
Rockingham, Australia
January 17, 2020 5:26pm CST
Dick Smith is an adventurer, entrepreneur and business man who is passionate about his Australian homeland and always fighting for better ways to promote and advance Australian causes. One of his ventures was to produce a range of products in a bid to capture some of the buying power of the ‘common people’.
His latest impassioned plea on YouTube was regarding the use of sites such as TripAdvisor, Trivago, Booking.com. Small establishments have no option but to pay to join these organisations or their sites don’t come up in search engines. To get to the home page of many smaller accommodation sites, you need to go two or three pages down. Not only do they pay to join these places but they pay a percentage of what they receive from customers. This makes it very difficult for family businesses.
Just something to think about. And here’s the link to his page. A warning: It’s very pro-Australian – but then so I am!! 
Dick Smith exposes foreign booking sites for extorting millions from small Australian businesses - WATCH NOW!! SHARE WITH EVERYONE! THIS NEEDS TO GO VIRAL!!
15 people like this
13 responses
@rebelann (117218)
• El Paso, Texas
18 Jan 20
Yep, you really have to be careful how you buy the things you want. I don't travel and I would never use those agencies as they're bilking the average American as well as anyone else who might fall victim to their schemes.
Often when one travels it's much better to contact the airline you plan to use to see if they have a deal with any hotels or motels that would offer a discount ...... usually age related.
3 people like this
@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
18 Jan 20
It's getting harder and harder to create a new little business and make a living. There's always someone bigger than you who will put you out of business!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381953)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Jan 20
That's very true. Everyone is out to get their piece of the action.
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
19 Jan 20
I always research and plan my own trips.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
21 Jan 20
@JudyEv I think so. I know what we like and what we can afford.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208832)
• United States
18 Jan 20
That is really too bad, but then again I guess it is the "Price to Play Poker" as they say.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
21 Jan 20
i love this fella! he's spot'n, sadly much 'f that happens right here'n the u.s. which runs the mom/pop places straight out'ta business, too. they jest can't 'fford to complete :( there's jest so much screwed'p'n this ol' world, eh? i wish more folks'd get fired'p 'n tell't like 't 'tis :)
@garymarsh6 (23998)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 20
Good on him. I do quite a bit of homework before I book anywhere. I know it takes hours to do but it is the only way for us.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381953)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Jan 20
I know I've tried to find places but you run a huge gauntlet of other sites suggesting this and that before you manage to find what you're looking for.
@JudyEv (381953)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Jan 20
I'd never thought about it either but now I'll be trying to find the home page of the facility and booking direct.
