I've traveled a bunch in my life, and I've always been pretty savvy (or lucky) at finding impressive airfare deals, but discovering Skiplagged four years ago was a true game-changer that made even MORE travel possible. I heart them so much that I was reluctant to write this review for fear that once everyone finds out about them, they'll end up (gasp) sucking since that happens to a lot of companies when they get "discovered."
So Skiplagged, if you're reading this, hello, I love you, and I want you to live long and prosper, but please don't change, because you are perfect exactly as you are! (For reals.)
Everyone else, I'm finally writing this because I realized that withholding my adoration could mean people stay home instead of getting on planes, and that would just be, well, selfish of me. The more people see the world, the more fun they have and the happier they are, and the more they see and learn and experience, the more compassionate and tolerant they are, all of which makes the world a better place.
My biggest PSA in using Skiplagged effectively and honorably is this: Yes, it occasionally finds itineraries that utilize "hidden city" or "throwaway" ticketing, i. E., you buy a ticket from City A to City C that has a layover in City B, which is your actual destination, and therefore, where you get off the plane. Technically, it's legal, but if you do it too many times with certain airlines, you'll end up on the "$#*! list" and ultimately be denied boarding since disappearing passengers do create more work with head counts, calculations, etc. So use your discretion and proceed with caution if you choose to do it.
That said, in the entire time I've used them, only 1 out of 20 tickets had a hidden city... the other 19 were straight-up epic deals selected from an abundant list of options. Case in point: Oakland to Paris round-trip on Norwegian for $492 (on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner), and no, that's not a typo.
I'll be loyal to Skiplagged for that reason alone, but it doesn't suck that their app AND website are also super easy to use, exceptionally well designed, multifunctional, and rapid-loading.
Hi Beth C., thank you for reaching out. We pride ourselves on our seller friendly tools and policies designed to help entrepreneurs succeed, and we apologize that this has not been your experience so far!
Regarding your sales and cross-posting trouble, our support team would be happy to take a look at your booth and provide advice on ways to increase your sales, as well as fix any importer issues. You can contact them directly via email at support@bonanza.com.
Regarding your concern about items not being approved by Google Shopping, one of the optional services Bonanza provides is the ability to advertise your items outside the Bonanza marketplace, through 3rd party services like Google Shopping. In order to advertise your listings on Google Shopping, however, your listings do need to comply with Google's requirements. In cases where they do not, we notify you so that you can make the necessary changes to your listings. You are not required to advertise through Google Shopping, however, and if your change your advertising settings in your Bonanza account to the lower tier that does not include Google Shopping, you won't receive notifications of this type any longer.
– This page has helpful information about Bonanza's advertising options: https://www.bonanza.com/site_help/general/Use_bonanza_feed_partners_to_maximize_traffic_and_sales
– This page has Frequently Asked Questions about sending items to Google: https://www.bonanza.com/site_help/booths_setup/google_base_faq
Regarding your concern about your feedback on Bonanza, many sellers put in years of work and dedication offering great service to their customers on other marketplaces and we think that effort should count for something on Bonanza as well. Bonanza allows sellers to import their existing feedback on eBay in order to help build trust with buyers when they first start selling on Bonanza. This page contains more information: https://www.bonanza.com/site_help/general_selling/feedback_importer
Regarding the item you mentioned, many laws, regulations and policies, in a variety of jurisdictions, regulate the goods and services that may be bought and sold. Here is a list of some of the types of prohibited and restricted items the advertisement for sale of which is not permitted on Bonanza: https://www.bonanza.com/site_help/general_selling/prohibited_items
Again, please do feel free to contact our support team via email at support@bonanza.com at any time if we can be of further assistance, Beth C. We appreciate you taking the time to write to us, and thank you for being part of the Bonanza community.