Earlier on this afternoon I was attempting to book a hotel in Oxford. Here is the cheery email I received, confirming my booking…

Thank you for your order with Visit Oxford today, 19 January 2009. Below are the details of your order. Please visit us again soon.

Accommodation at Newton House from 6 February 2009 for 2 nights (Telephone: 01865 240561; Email: newton.house@btinternet.com)

Booking 435626-5: 1 x Budget Double (3 adults): £128.62
Total: £128.62
Deposit: £12.86
Booking Fee: £5.00
Payable Now: £17.86
Balance: £115.76

Cancelled – your payment to Newton House failed

If you have any queries about the above items, please contact the provider using the relevant telephone or email given above. Many thanks again for your order.

You would have thought a ‘booking failed’ message would be a bit more obvious, and at least offer some sort of ‘click here to try again’ option. Even better, the website version said ‘Success! Thank you for booking… Cancelled – your payment failed’.

I solved this failure of ICT by ringing the hotel and speaking to a Man. The Man booked me in and all is well.