Lapland New Forest Scam. How to get money back...

GomerPyle wrote: »

Oh and cynical-lady I wasn't being rude to you with my 'pompous demagogue' comment, it was a self mocking remark, as I can be a little 'Captain Mainwaring' meets 'Genghis Khan'..

Thanks Gomer, it was all going so well until that last sentence. Now I am scared, unless you tell us that Captain Mainwaring can convince Genghis Khan to kick the wrong way as he did in that classic episode. (apologies to younger listeners).

Mind you, bank manager/Genhis Khan, could we spot the difference?;)

GomerPyle wrote: »

Oh and cynical-lady I wasn't being rude to you with my 'pompous demagogue' comment, it was a self mocking remark, as I can be a little 'Captain Mainwaring' meets 'Genghis Khan'..

I didn't think that for a minute Gomer,why would I?

I understood your message completely (I think) and one day I'm sure your special services will be needed again.

Up Up and awaaayyyy!:A


xx

I spoke to Barclaycard (MasterCard) yesterday and got the official response

..... as the tickets were £30 each (therefore under the £100 limit), no matter how many were brought Barclays wouldn't be able to process a claim through "section 75"......

It certainly isn't the last time my Barclaycard hears from me!

As others have said so well on this thread it is now up to all of us to put pressure on the banks to do the right thing and not be associated with this scam.

Thank you GomerPyle, and others for all your hard work to help bring the scam to an end and therefore preventing any more money being swindled from unsuspecting families.

Can I also say thank you for some of the light hearted posts that have helped make a terrible situation a little easier to handle for me and my own family. Nothing like a smile to put things in perspective!

Excuse me asking Rockerfella but how many tickets did you buy and what was the cost, how was it worked out and did that include children and the ages ?

I own up to being a bank's worst nightmare and have an irritating lust for small details and once spent 2 years arguing a case with the Financial Ombudsman Service and I won largely because the bank lost the will to live.

I'm not intending to do the same to you Rockerfella, but maybe if a few principles can be established, it will help others.

Let me give a hint of the way my mind is working. Certain of the terms and conditions made it obligatory that children of a certain age had to be accompanied by an adult, in which case the tickets are tied together. also certain discounts were offered, in which case (and this is not established legally as mentioned on this site) it may join them together, not making them individual transactions. It may be a long shot, but worth investigating. It will be necessary to review the company's terms and conditions at the time you booked, and the credit card company is hardly in a position to dictate to you, as the company ran a shambolic event and website.

The bottom line is that taking disputes to the FOS is an expensive and time wasting ordeal for a financial institution, so if you can mount a reasoned explanation and you have a good reason for disputing the payment, they won't waste hundreds of pounds to challenge your modest claim. If they face many claims like this, it becomes easier to behave with your best interests uppermost.

You may not wish to go to the trouble, or wish to be so confrontational with your bank and card company, though you are only seeking to ensure that you are treated fairly, but if you wish to proceed, it is your choice.

I can't give details (to retain my anonymity), but recently I had a dispute with a bank, and you'd be surprised what I got them to do with some stern words and a clear willingness to turn it into a fight. Not all people are like me, and what you do is your choice. You may also find that funds will become available in due course to repay all people with a complaint.

Here's some evidence.

The ITN newsreader specifically states that family tickets cost £100 - which is a clear reference to it as a unit. You win legal disputes with evidence and a good argument.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oRnyDgDYlAs&feature=related

[minirant]Apart from the trader I have some anger with the party who was legally obliged to know their customer, their business operation and what they were doing, and who facilitated the one thing that allowed them to take money prior to providing a service before it was visible on site. Immediately they saw a problem coming, they took steps to protect their position, but nothing to protect the victims.[/minirant]

Providing this trader with a merchant facility doesn't seem to have been a very wise decision, in my opinion, which may be confirmed when the various authorities have completed their investigations.

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone here.:T

I am still worried about being able to claim a full refund, but we can only try. Halifax is posting a form out for completion. Good luck to all others trying to reclaim.

I must say that the research that certain members have done and the efforts that most have gone to is astounding. It really warms my heart to know that there are people that care about other peoples misfortune. The jokes have left me laughing so hard :rotfl: in such a time that has been very worrying.

All that is left to do now is find somewhere to take the three children where they can enjoy a genuine day out at a reasonable cost. They seem to be limited in the South, but i'm sure we will manage.

Have a super Christmas everyone :j