steve C.
1/5
It pains me to have to write this email. However, this company has severely stung my family and myself. So this is more of a warning
than a review…
Without going into emotion, I just wanted to set a few facts, so no one else goes through the same unnecessary financial pain I had to go through.
On the 30th of June 2021 I pre-booked this holiday at a cost of £1895
For the 2nd December 2022 to 9th December 2022 my wife’s birthday. When I pre-booked this holiday Covid was at its height.
Being a complete honest and open book, I paid upfront the total amount in good faith, believing the company would be fair and straight back with their client
Fast forward to the 21st of March 2022 I enquired with the company after my sons school contacted myself stating due to the lack of absence, they can no longer grant official leave to any students.
I have three amazing Boys at the age of 10 eight and six with are two eldest having special needs so keeping the school happy is my priority.
I contacted amazing holiday homes on receipt of the schools message to enquire if I could change the date of the booking giving them 8 to 9 months notice this was declined straight away
Further contact with amazing holiday homes. I requested a refund which was denied stating that they need to sell the holiday before any refund would be processed again. This was all 8 to 9 months before actually going on holiday.
With regular emails in April May and June asking for any update again I was just constantly told no one has booked the holiday and to wait because no doubt someone will book the holiday and then they will issue a refund
Fast forward to November the holiday still not sold after constant phone calls and emails still not getting any further in a refund or changing the date. I was informed that a refund would not be possible because I’ve not given them enough notice and should I have given them more notice say two months ago, they would’ve issued me a refund.
The fact is I gave them notice eight months ago! Looking for a positive outcome for everyone I offered to pay a £400 admin fee in order to get a refund again this was declined.
I also offered to change the date to 2023 or even 2024 for the same dates so that nobody was losing, again, declined.
Eventually, it appears they sold the holiday for £1295 meaning £595 loss
So who ever purchased the holiday managed to get the holiday at a discounted rate down to £1285. However, the company kept the original cost of £1895 keeping my £595.
Again after many messages emails, which I’ll gladly show anyone who wants to investigate further amazing holiday homes would not meet me halfway or subsidise the loss and actually blamed me the client for losing the money
I honestly couldn’t have given a more notice, time or flexibility. I offered to move the date, I offered a partial refund, I offered to lose £400 for a admin fee which was still ridiculous and it’s eventually ended up me losing £595.00 and they deem this an acceptable loss.
Unfortunately I never got to see the cottage which I’m sure would be amazing. However the process and dealing with this company is completely unacceptable. In hindsight I should never have paid upfront and in good faith and it’s a lesson learnt to myself. The problem with me is, I’m just very honest and open and believe in people. Unfortunately I am not wealthy enough to lose £595 so a word of advice please please please do not pay upfront pay the minimum on and because this company is not flexible
The whole experience was unnecessary and feel like I’ve been wrongfully punished from the greed of this company
