First choice holiday

mspig

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cheapscate

similar type of thread on the travel forum
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1106331&highlight=complaint
perhaps the advice there will be of help?
Sounds like you had a horrid time.

VfM4meplse

Try contacting ABTA if you get no joy directly

fruity1_2

Sounds like an awful place to stay! I stayed at the 'Bahia Blanca Rock Hotel' in Playa Blanca last year and it was great, look it up, it's great for kids. However, I would say persist, persist, persist. They are never going to relent on the first letter of complaint. Did you take any photos of the conditions, did you get the Rep to take down your complaint in writing at the time? How was/is the complex described in the brochure/online (child friendly, money exchange, etc). If you haven't a brochure, look it up online and print it off (twice) and keep one as a record. It's a bit late in that it will have today's date on the printout (cause they are crafty and change things) but it's worth a try if they haven't. You just need 'Child Friendly' or words to that effect. Good luck and don't give up, it can take a while though.

hollydays

Was the fridge and cooker listed in the facilities in the brochure,or did you pay separately in resort?
How did you manage without a fridge?
Who did you report the fridge to,anyone other than the rep?
Was this classed as a self catering holiday or were you full or half board too?
as regards the windows,could you not have requested a ground floor apartment on booking?
And the balcony, in what way was it unsafe? Gaps?
Did the brochure make any claims about the accommodations suitability for children,or otherwise?
If you didn't even have a brush,how was the apartment kept clean?
Were you given any indication the accommodation was basic and well-worn,before you went?

feclmum

try www.holidaytravelwatch.net they are fantastic

fruity1_2

Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your letter dated .......... the contents of which have been noted.

However, I feel that you have not addressed the issues raised in my oringinal letter therefore I have enclosed a further copy for your information.

(If you have any material to back up your claim, enclose copies, state who you spoke to at the complex and the date. Reiterate your disappointment at the quality of the apartment you booked stating that it was well below the standard that you expected from the illustrations/details/descriptions given otherwise you would never have booked with them. This was not a child friendly environment as advertised, ie, that the children could not be left unsupervised in the apartment. (Also, I have never gone on a self catering holiday whereupon there has not been maid service and had to clean for myself for the duration of my vacation!!) Ending:-

I should appreciate a response at your earliest convenience

hollydays

I think the failure to replace the fridge, (one of the main pieces of equipment you need for a self catering holiday) the faulty cooker,together with the dangerous balcony and window would be the points they can't ignore.I am not quite sure about the balcony thing as my kids are grown up now,and I am out of practice with that sort of thing.
The issues of the unclean apartment are important too. I have stayed in apartments where as soon as the last person has cleaned it,the next is in,so its no surprise it wasn't that clean given the lack of cleaning equipment.

I would definitely be querying the points with them.As to what is acceptable as to balconies. Maybe you could get advice from the Child Accident Prevention trust. Although British legislation isn't applicable abroad,it would be inteesting to ask first choice how they assess balconies, for their safety audit.

mrcow

First Choice saying there is "nothing they can do" after they've taken £2500 of your money is a complete joke. Keep it up with them. They need to be giving you all of your money back and I wouldn't be settling for less.

Also don't forget to name and shame the holiday complex, just so we all know never to book there.....it sounds a complete nighmare.

MrsE_2

mrcow wrote: »

Also don't forget to name and shame the holiday complex, just so we all know never to book there.....it sounds a complete nighmare.

PUT A FULL REVIEW ON EVERY HOLIDAY WEBSITE YOU CAN THINK OF, & COPY FIRST CHOICE IN ON THEM:D

Name & shame the apartments (with the resort name) so people can make sure they don't book there & First Choice won't get more people [STRIKE]being conned[/STRIKE] booking them.

The TV & radio not working is annoying.
The staff selling headphones you can't use it daylight robbery:mad:

fruity1_2

Reviews are a guideline, people wanting more than they expect for their money. This is not the same in your case, £2,500, I'd want AI not self catering!! However, reviews are just that, I've seen some bad one's and still booked and can't complain for the price I paid. Never had your experience though and never had to ask for a change of bed linen, towels, let alone no maid service, clean my own room, well I've had the equipment!! Oops, forgot to say, follow up in writing, don't rely on anyone doing it for you cause the won't!!