I have transcribed what I wrote as a comment to your article
http://mount-kinabalu-borneo.com/blog/kinabalu-forum-where-we-could-do-something-with-ssl.html
Am most displeased with how SSL has been handling reservations. =( X(
Oh I totally agree with the article.
I have been steadily going to climb Mt Kinabalu steadily since 2004; this year’s trip will be my fifth. All my previous trips were arranged on my own; in fact most of the trips were done in the comfort of my home via emails.
However while preparing for a trip this March 2008,I have been having the most unpleasant experience booking for Laban Rata.
First of all, last August, wanting to get ahead in booking as my group is quite large this year, I decided to book ahead of time just in case. I was told the marketing department has instructed reservations to be made for next year. I promptly left off requesting them to let me know when reservations is open for next year( 2008 ). And then in October, I get a call out of the blue that if I do not pay for the reservation I would lose my booking; I had not been informed my booking was processed. In a panic, I asked for the reservation details to arrange payment. To my surprise they had seperated my group, 6 in Laban Rata and another 6 in Waras Hut. Laban Rata guests are charges RM 188 per pax, under their new packages… and Waras Hut guests RM 30 per pax. On top of that I was given a 2 Twin Share room for RM 150; as I had a friend who could not secure availability, I gave them the twin share. Payment was arranged and that was the end of the story; reservation totales RM 1400++. I rested in peace… for a while.
Last week, Feb 2008, I receive another call asking me to complete my payment of RM 1200++ to confirm my reservation. In another fit of panic, I asked for the reservation details to be faxed to me. To my unpleasant surprise, the charges have now gone up. Waras Hut and Laban Rata guests are charged RM 188 per pax and the Twin share went from RM 150 to RM 498. These charges were increased without my knowledge and without prior notification. After fuming over this sudden shock, I decided to pay to secure the reservation knowing how scarce availability is; and the trip being a month away. I have since made payment arrangements, and as of yesterday was unable to get through to reservations office to get confirmation that my payment is received.
The prices is a real shock, Laban Rata stay has shot up from RM 50 to RM 188. True that the new rates now include meals, but it used to be optional. Meals have always been served at elevated prices at Laban Rata. I understand that food and supplies are manually brought up to Laban Rata and this should be factored into the cost. However, at least we used to have a choice. Sometimes to cut cost we would bring our food up. But we still do end up having meals for the need of warm food.
Cost has gone up so much, I am seriously reconsidering this annual homage of mine up the mountain. At these elevated prices, I might as well spend them elsewhere.
I just might make one more trip next year just to try out the Via Ferrata, and perhaps no more after that =( Sad to say.
Over the years there has been a slow steady decline in the reservation service.=(
