can i have some advise please,,booked holiday to corfu 13th october,payed low deposit of £50 .due to circumstances tried to cancel today but told trhe balance is due 4th august of £700,but to cancel they need £378.or else i will be took to court,this is with thompsons i dont no what to do worried sick any advise would help please sarah
Message posted by Trace (Profile Location Assistant) on 04 July 2006 at 2:18pm - IP Logged
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I guess you've already read this, but here are the Thomson T&Cs with regard to you cancelling a holiday
Cancellation charges These charges are based on how many days before your booked departure we receive your cancellation notice. These charges are a percentage of the total cost of your booking, not including your insurance premium.
Period before departure within which written notice of cancellation is received
% of total booking price
More than 56 days
Loss of deposit*
55-29 days
50%
28-22 days
70%
21-8 days
90%
7-0 days
100%
* Where the standard deposit is increased to secure specific facilities or an additional payment has been made for transport tickets (see Section 10 and 11.3 above) and these are non-refundable in whole or in part, then the scale of charges shown will be calculated based on a % of the cost of all other arrangements and the non-refundable charges will be added to that cancellation charge to give the total charge.
Message posted by Trace (Profile Location Assistant) on 04 July 2006 at 2:19pm - IP Logged
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theywhere 3 of us travelling.i only payed low deposit of 50 but want me to pay 378 the full deposit before i can cancel or i go to court just dont no what to do so upset
Message posted by svs6261 on 04 July 2006 at 2:38pm - IP Logged
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I can understand how you feel. The idea of a low deposit is to get people to book early but the travel agent should have notified you that the remaining balance of your deposit is due at a certain stage. they may have even got you to sign a low deposit indemnity form which states that you agree to pay this even if you cancel so check all your paperwork thoroughly. Also check your insurance because if you are cancelling for conditions covered in your insurance i.e. medical you may be able to claim this back. I would say you only need to pay £330 loss of deposit i would check that your agent isnt charging an admin fee.
Hope this helps.
xx
Message posted by Trace (Profile Location Assistant) on 04 July 2006 at 2:38pm - IP Logged
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I'm afraid that £378 sounds about right, because as per the Thomsons terms and conditions, if you cancel you have to pay the FULL deposit per person, and not just the low deposit.
This should be made clear to you when you choose the low deposit option or, if you've booked online, be soooooo careful and read the Ts&Cs carefully.....I'm afraid it's all there in black and white!
Sorry it looks like bad news.......can't you perhaps transfer your planned trip?
Message posted by Deedee on 04 July 2006 at 2:41pm - IP Logged
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Deedee
Hello sezlou
I know that this is not what you want to hear, it is distressing enough having to cancel your holiday without the threat of court action. That does seem rather insensitive and premature. Unfortunately you may be liable for this amount.
In my experience with low deposit bookings, there is usually a clause stating that the balance of the full deposit must be paid by a later date or if the holiday is subsequently cancelled.
There is also usually a sliding scale for cancellation charges - the closer to the holiday you cancel the more you have to pay. Your holiday booking is a contract and these charges are written in to it. The applicable legislation and industry standards always seem to be on the tour operator's side in these situations.
Check your holiday insurance and see if the circumstances which have caused you to cancel are covered by your policy. If they are you might have to pay the money out then claim it back from your insurance but at least you would get it back.
If the circumstances are not covered, if it's a travel agent you are dealing with try contacting the tour operator direct. If you're already dealing with the tour operator ask to speak to someone senior to whoever answers the phone. If you do have to pay this amount they might accept an installment arrangement. You could also try contacting your local Citizens' Advice Bureau or ABTA.
I am so sorry you are in this situation and that I cannot be more help.
Deedee
Message posted by Trace (Profile Location Assistant) on 04 July 2006 at 2:42pm - IP Logged
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i have tried all sorts and really stuck at what to do.thanks for all your help
Message posted by Deedee on 04 July 2006 at 2:58pm - IP Logged
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Deedee
Quote: Originally posted by Trace on 04 July 2006
I'm afraid that £378 sounds about right, because as per the Thomsons terms and conditions, if you cancel you have to pay the FULL deposit per person, and not just the low deposit.
Surely that should be minus the £50 per person low deposit already paid?
Sezlou
Sounds like the first thing you need to do is get an itemized breakdown of the charges you are being asked to pay. The check each one carefully against your contract (booking documentation) and their terms and conditions to see if you legally have to pay them.
I don't want to give you false hope though, in the end you may have to pay it .
Is anyone helping you through this, even if it's just to be there or make you a cuppa?
Deedee
Message posted by Trace (Profile Location Assistant) on 04 July 2006 at 3:14pm - IP Logged
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Hadn't thought of the Deedee, I'd read it as being a one off charge of £50 had been paid.......you're right about getting a clear breakdown of costs though.
I've poured Sezlou a large brandy, hope it helps
Message posted by hellerscatch on 04 July 2006 at 3:36pm - IP Logged
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I don't have a solution gor your problem, but just want to say, you have my sympathy.... what a sickener... bad enough that you've had to cancel your holiday, without this !!!!!
Angela
Message posted by Terry and Julia on 04 July 2006 at 3:37pm - IP Logged
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I am sorry to hear of your plight Sezlou. I agree with Robbie and Sinead and think you should try to sell your tickets to someone else. There should only be an administration charge to cover the change of name. You may have to take a small loss on the price you paid but that will be little in comparison.
Why don't you advertise them on here, we can check with Nathan first that he has no objections. You could also try ebay.
Julia
Message posted by TAZMAN on 04 July 2006 at 3:49pm - IP Logged
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CHEERS ALL... im MIKE.. partner of SEZLOU. this is really upsetting for both of us....
ok please check with NATHAN if its ok to advertise it on here thanks...
once again this seems like a classic case of tour operators having the genuine customer over a barrell.
thanks again for all the advice...
Message posted by Guest on 04 July 2006 at 4:06pm - IP Logged
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Guest
I think I am the only travel agent on this board so I can speak with some authority.
If you have paid a low deposit as you have said, i.e. only £50.00 p.p. when it should have been £130.00 p.p. as per brochure then if you cancel you will have to pay the extra deposit to effect the cancellation, i.e. the extra £80.00 p.p. or whatever it is.
If you booked on the web, then you will have ticked a box stating that you accept the booking conditions; it is impossible not to do that because it won't take the booking otherwise. If you booked through a travel agent then you should have asigned a booking form. If you didn't but you have received the ATOL confirmation and you haven't queried anything, then that denotes acceptance of their booking conditions as well. Either way they have got you.
Speaking from experience, I know they have an enforcement department so if you don't pay up they will take action for breach of contract.
Sorry I cannot give you good news but at least it is from the horse's mouth.
Regards.
Message posted by TAZMAN on 04 July 2006 at 4:10pm - IP Logged
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THANKS PETER. your comments are noted. still trying to think of a solution . hopefully we can find a way out of this mess.. not looking good at present tho.. MIKE
Message posted by sezlou on 04 July 2006 at 4:17pm - IP Logged
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well thanks all just got off thr phone to thompsons cant advertise tickets and they want £378 buy 4th august,,,then if not they will send baliffs round...it is very upsetting over this and if it has to be not alot we can do thanks alot for all u help
Message posted by Trace (Profile Location Assistant) on 04 July 2006 at 4:21pm - IP Logged
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We purchased some tickets a few years ago from Thomson and didn't need all of them so for about £15 per ticket we changed them into the names of other people who bought them off us. Were we perhaps allowed to do that because the lead passenger was still flying with them?
Why don't you contact ABTA (www.abta.com) and ask about transferring tickets to someone else?
Julia
Message posted by sezlou on 04 July 2006 at 4:49pm - IP Logged
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WE could transfer it but then we would need to pay all the transfer fees etc and before that we need a date when we can travel.. its all very complicated isnt it ??
Message posted by whalj2 on 04 July 2006 at 11:19pm - IP Logged
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Sezlou, I have worked as an operator in tours before (now a trainee solicitor in greece) and my experience is that you should contact a solicitor or Local advice of citizens to look into the case, Find out your rights, Seeing im greek i couldnt help as english laws may be different. Good luck with the fight, Thompson is a good company as a whole and i think if you get through to the right person then they should help. Perhaps write a letter to the Managing Director (MD) at the Thompson HQ, BY LAW THE MD HAS TO OPEN THE LETTER. Good Luck Keep us posted
Message posted by sezlou on 05 July 2006 at 9:49am - IP Logged
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Ok, assume your liability for deposit is absolute, you owe Thomsons this amount..
Reality is Thomsons wont want to go to Court, they will have to pay most of their own costs as it will be in Small Claims Court, therefore throw yourself at their mercy. Write to head office immediately explaining the problem, explaining that you cant afford to pay in any even and that they will have to go to Court. Then make them a without prejudice offer of a proportion of the amount (token gesture of a hundred quid or so).
If they issue proceedings then you will have to pay the amount plus about 13o quid costs. However, they make accept the offer.
Next time read the print!
All the best
m (solicitor)
Message posted by whalj2 on 05 July 2006 at 10:20am - IP Logged
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What have your booking agents said? I remember from my studies in England, 118118? Directory Enquiries? Ring them up, ask for Thomson HQ, then request the main address and head the letter to the managing director. One thing i advise my clients is to frankly play the 'guilt train' of the people by stressing your upset and concern, Whatever you do dont get angry, make them feel sorry for you! No probs Mico
Message posted by whalj2 on 05 July 2006 at 10:22am - IP Logged
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They are just trying to scare you, there are other ways arround it. i have checked with my boss here and thats what he thinks. Seek legal advice as i know alot offer free advice which is a benefit.
Message posted by TAZMAN on 05 July 2006 at 11:20am - IP Logged
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Sorry if this is a daft thing to say - do you have holiday insurance? The last three holidays we have booked (admitedly not through Thomsons) we have had to supply proof of holiday insurance before we could book the holiday.
Message posted by TAZMAN on 05 July 2006 at 12:14pm - IP Logged
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i will try not to but 383 to pay is dead money want it buy 4th august...i have been straight with them wish i had off lied now maybe got better thought off
Message posted by whalj2 on 05 July 2006 at 3:25pm - IP Logged
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Sorry to hear you may have to cancel your hols, it must be heart breaking. I do hope you can sort it out. You not have any family and friends which would like to go instead?
Failing that the most you should have to pay is £340.00, thats if you just paid £50.00 deposit for all three but if you paid £50.00 pp, then you should only have to pay £240.00. 3 x £130 - £50.00 = £340.00, so where are they getting the extra from?
I do hope you can resolve this horrid situation. I agree with sending a letter to the MD as they have to respond and if you tell them why you have to cancel and you have no other choice but to i can not see why they will still make you pay, or at least not as much, they will only re-sell it anyway.
Good luck, Gem
Message posted by sezlou on 05 July 2006 at 5:26pm - IP Logged
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thanks all for been so kind,,,i havent giving up hope yet and trying everything possible...There is light at the end of the tunnel but i need to find it...lol
Message posted by Guest on 05 July 2006 at 6:25pm - IP Logged
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Guest
If you write a letter to the MD of Thomsons I can 100% guarantee that it will be passed to Customer Services who then have 28 days to reply with their usual photocopied letter saying read the booking conditions.
Whoever said the MD of Thomsons has to read his mail BY LAW is talking absolute rubbish. 99% of it won't even get near his desk and the law has nothing to do with it at all.
I am afraid that if you cannot do name changes or alter the dates you are stuck with paying the difference up to the proper deposit.
I can assure you that Thomsons have an enforcement dept and although it may take months, if you don't pay up they will not only take you to court but they will also have to pay their costs.
Caveat emptor (buyer beware)!!
You cannot have booked these flights without either ticking the box on the website saying you have read and agree the booking conditions or else if you booked in a Thomson shop by signing a booking form, especially for their low deposit scheme.
Regards.
Message posted by Judie on 05 July 2006 at 6:45pm - IP Logged
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What I don't understand is why the insurance is invalid just because you paid a low deposit. Perhaps you could try ringing the helpline telephone number on the insurance and ask them.
Message posted by Guest on 05 July 2006 at 7:19pm - IP Logged
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Guest
What on earth has travel insurance got to do with under paying a deposit on a flight booking!!!!!!!!!
Message posted by sezlou on 05 July 2006 at 7:30pm - IP Logged
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it will all sort out in the end cant worry anymore...thanks all for your replies yes i signed forms but didnt read the small print i will in future wont get caught again
Message posted by MartynG on 05 July 2006 at 7:34pm - IP Logged
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Without wishing to add to your grief over this, if a client owes me money, I always sue for the debt. The reason for this is that, if you make an exception for one person a precedent has been established and it is difficult to argue your case against future clients is similar circumstances.
As Peter says, "buyer beware".
Having said that, I cannot understand why your insurance policy doesn't cover you for these costs - you may have to pay the full deposit in the first instance, but surely then you would have a claim. Of course, if it is a Thompson's policy and they insist you take out the insurance, only then to refuse a claim because you didn't pay the full deposit, perhaps there is a conflict of interests and the Insurance Ombusdsman might be interested. Just a thought.
Martyn
Message posted by sezlou on 05 July 2006 at 7:36pm - IP Logged
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The reason I was querying the travel insurance was as martyn said surely once the full deposit was paid it could be claimed back if you have a valid insurable reason for cancellation
Message posted by JanC on 05 July 2006 at 8:49pm - IP Logged
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What a horrible situation, I feel so sorry for you. If the reason you can't go is because of needing to care for a relative (I think that's right) could you get a letter from the doctor and then the company would know it was a genuine case? Just a thought, hope you get it sorted.
Jan
Message posted by funbabe78 on 05 July 2006 at 8:58pm - IP Logged
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My family thought they would have to cancel their holiday, but found Thompson, to be really helpful,they suggested to my mum, not to cancel, but to change their holiday for another date, ie,the following year, this way they wouldnt loose the deposit.
Think all they paid was an administration cost of £75, for three of them ! plus the holiday was cheaper!!lol
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