What is an e-commerce transaction broker?

This is where the salesperson doesn't represent either party, but handles the transaction only. This is where the transaction broker AsiaRooms.com's responsibilites lie...i.e. the middleman roles of facilitating search, contract, regulation and maintenance (stages of the transaction cost model). AsiaRooms secure all necessary documentary requirements from the hotel (i.e. the seller of the hotel rooms) for the buyer. AsiaRooms is not responsible to ensure that the hotel uphold its reputations and promised services and cannot be sued if the hotel fails to perform. This is the same with the other transaction brokers like Hotels.com, Accomline.com and Octopus.com".

AsiaRooms.com (Number 1 in Asia)

Purpose

AsiaRooms.com provides users a platform to search for hotels that meet their needs, whether it's in terms of comfort, accessibility or even budget. With just a credit card and internet assess, users would find it easy to compare between various hotels and make reservations all in the comfort of their own homes.

AsiaRooms.com also offers rooms that may be cheaper than those offered by tour agencies. This is due to the fact that the price one see on the website is the price one pay with no hidden costs.


Design

The site of AsiaRooms.com has a rather simplistic design with a search engine that can be used to search on the availability of a hotel at any dates. The main partners, like those of HolidayInn and Hilton are prominently featured on the sites so as to further establish the site as a trusted site.

Search engine makes it easy to find hotels

If one were to navigate around, it could be seen that though the site is named as AsiaRooms.com, there are plenty of European hotels that can be booked as well. Pictures are provided too for every hotel on the site to let users know what they are getting. Maps of the hotel and the surronding attractions are listed too, which save users a who likes to research a whole lot of trouble.

Map and review of hotel

Security

One main reason why AsiaRooms.com is so popular is because it is a secured site that takes the protection of their customers' private data seriously. It treats data as an asset that must be protected and use lots of tools (encryption, passwords, physical security, etc.) to protect personal information against unauthorized access and disclosure.


Strength (Story of Mr CL)

So Mr CL was about to embark on a holiday, but which hotel to choose from. With a vast amount of choices available online, it was always hard to choose. But at AsiaRooms.com, with the hotel reviews system, Mr CL can make better decisions. Previous tourists would leave comments, irregardless good or bad. These comments are definitely more objective than the star ratings of hotels themselves, which could be biased.

User reviews system

Using a credit card, one can reserve a room with the hotel of one's preferred choice, however, it would take a day or two to confirm the reservation. With AsiaRooms.com, it deals directly with the hotels thus reservations can be confirmed almost instantly. In fact, Mr CL could not get a hotel room they initially wanted through the hotel's site itself but due to the business deals that AsiaRooms.com has with the hotel, he could even get 2 rooms as he bought their friends along. Furthermore, one can enquire and book rooms anytime 24/7. Mr CL called at 4am and someone indeed answered the phone.

An online receipt confirming reservation

Gotten their hotel rooms, Mr CL had forgotten the most important thing and that is to do resesarch of his surrondings beforehand. Eager to turn his friend's frowns into smiles, he logged into AsiaRooms.com to find that that there are travel guides available. There were many details that he could get, for example, the culture of the country, sightseeing attractions and popular tourist attractions. End of the day, he was everyone's best friend again.

Travel guides are available at AsiaRooms.com

Loss of personal belongings is definitely unwanted but a possibility on every trip. Having lost his passport once, Mr CL doesn't want to repeat his nightmare again. With travel insurance, Mr CL now can feel more assured and travel with a mind of ease. AsiaRooms.com provides travel insurance priced accordingly to Mr CL's needs and duration of stay. No need to engage those pesky insurance agents again.

Travel insurance readily available

Weakness (Story of Miss Sandara)

According to the star rating of AsiaRooms.com, the hotel was supposed to be a 4 star hotel but upon arrival, Miss Sandara could not even give it a 2 star. With the water heater broken down, dirty bedsheets, an air-conditioner which thermostat cannot be adjusted and a television that must be "whacked" repeatedly in order to get reception, this was probably Miss Sandara unluckiest day.

Incidents like this of Miss Sandara is far and common due to the outdated and subjective rating of the hotels. Hotels are not regularly rated in every country, especially those hotels that operate on a smaller scale(budget hotels etc..), thus it would be harder to get a fair view of the hotel.

Furthermore, user ratings could be adjusted too as hotel staff could write good reviews and boost the hotel's ratings, tricking potential customers like Miss Sandara into getting a "hyped-up" hotel room.