I can empathize with Shop2. I conducted a telephone shop in which I was directed to schedule a stay, then, call back the next day to cancel the reservation. The hotel had assured me that they would not charge my credit card until the actual stay.
I made the reservation during one month, scheduling my stay the next month.
I called to cancel and they could not find my reservation initially. The hotel employee advised me to call during the day and speak with a supervisor; I told her that I would. Later, she called me (in the middle of the night, but still her shift) and left me a voice mail that she had located the reservation and cancelled it. Something made me call the hotel the next day to confirm the cancellation. Again they could no find any trail.
Then, after my persistence, they shared that they had located the reservation and that my credit card had been charged as a "no-show." I almost went ballistic. I asked how that could happen when the reservation was in late October and the call had been made in late September. She nonchalantly explained that when I had made the call, the reservation agent had made the reservation for the SAME NIGHT as my call. I asked to speak to the supervisor, telling the agent that the deal was unacceptable. The agent conferred with her supervisor, then, advised me that the charge had not been sent through to the credit card company.
I notified the MSC scheduler of the situation. The reservation call, fortunately, was recorded so my requested and confirmed date was clearly heard on the audiotape. I told my MSC scheduler that if the hotel did not honor their promise that I might have to call them in for back-up.
I've been keeping an eye on that credit card and the charge has not been posted. Thank the Lord!