The Story
OP had booked a budget-friendly B&B in Dublin for St. Patrick’s weekend, snagging a spot for €115—a steal for the busiest weekend of the year. It wasn’t fancy (think ancient charm), but it was a bed to crash in and the cheapest option available. The booking was set to be paid on arrival, so no money had changed hands yet.
Three weeks before the trip, things started to get shady. The accommodation manager reached out, telling OP there was a “problem” and insisted OP cancel the booking immediately. No apology, no alternative offered—just pressure to cancel. Then came the daily phone calls and text messages, borderline harassing OP to cancel the reservation. Something wasn’t adding up.
A quick peek at the listing revealed why: the B&B had relisted the same room for double the price. Clearly, they realized St. Patrick’s weekend was a cash cow and wanted to boot OP for a higher-paying guest. But OP didn’t bite. Instead of cancelling, OP called Booking.com and explained everything. The booking rep agreed the property was acting unfairly and promised to find OP a replacement stay within 1km, with the original property footing any price difference.
Now here’s where it gets delicious. With the city nearly booked out, the only available accommodation nearby was a four-star hotel charging €350 a night. After some approvals and hold music, Booking.com locked it in. OP had to pay the full price upfront, but the original B&B was now on the hook for the €235 difference. A huge upgrade for OP, and a costly lesson for the shady property owner.
Our Take
This is chef’s kiss Malicious Compliance. The B&B tried to play the “oops, cancel on your side please” scam, assuming OP would fold and they’d cash in. Instead, OP followed the rules, called in the pros, and watched as their little hustle backfired spectacularly.
The best part? OP didn’t argue, didn’t get nasty, just calmly explained the situation and let Booking.com do what Booking.com does. The shady manager wanted to be sneaky, but in the end, they paid for it—literally.
Let’s be honest: this is exactly why policies exist. People who play dirty games to squeeze extra cash out of customers deserve every bit of that €235 sting. OP played it smart, stayed patient, and got a swanky hotel room as a bonus. Sweet, sweet compliance.
Reader Takes
We’re not the only ones with opinions. Here are some top takes from the Reddit crowd that caught our eye:
u/ThisIsWhyReceipts:
“Props to you for standing your ground. So many people would’ve just cancelled and taken the hit. You played this perfectly. Love it.”
u/ScammyMcScammer:
“The audacity of trying to double dip like that. Glad Booking.com had your back. That €235 loss is karma served cold.”
u/PoliteButPetty:
“There’s nothing better than malicious compliance that ends with a free upgrade. Well played. You made their greed cost them.”
u/BookingBoss:
“I hope they remember this next time they try to hustle a customer. You handled it like a pro. Enjoy that four-star life.”
u/StPaddysWin:
“As an Irish local, I’m cheering for you. Hotels jack up prices like crazy that weekend. You won the Dublin hustle.”
Tea & Feels Sassy Rating
🎯 “Cash Grab Backfire of the Year”
