Horatio Motor Inn

I wanted a booking for Horatio Motor Inn for April 19th 2008. I called the motor inn directly on 3rd April 2008 having seen a rate on a booking website for $129 with breakfast. Having worked for 10+ years as a hotel manager at a very large Sydney property, I understand completely how the site works and know its best to always book directly with the hotel as the policies are more flexible. I spoke with a lady at the motel on April 3rd 2008 and told her about the online offer I had seen and asked if she could match it. She said yes. She then took my Name, Arrival and departure dates, confirmed a rate and room type and then I provided a credit card number and expiry date to confirm my booking. I asked for an email confirmation to be sent to me to which she informed me the manger would do later that day. The next day I received a call from someone at the motel telling me that the rate was now $130 room only and that my reservation had never actually been confirmed. I enquired as to why if had never been confirmed, did they take a credit card number and they said they had no record of that. I pressed the matter for a while as they had already confirmed a rate inc of breakfast with me and I was not about to be ripped off. The lady then told me she "wouldnt bother talking to me" any more and passed me on to the manager who simply said that my booking would not be honoured. I dont expect much from a small country town motor inn but the way they treat prospective guests is wrong. I recommend you book elsewhere.