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

GomerPyle

Ooooops

Try this

http://issuu.com/search?q=lapland%20new%20forest&st=document

That works - I checked it this time.

Scamming 41 child victims of Chernobyl - not a lot you can say about that.

whitewing

GomerPyle wrote: »

Ooooops

Try this

http://issuu.com/search?q=lapland%20new%20forest&st=document

That works - I checked it this time.

Scamming 41 child victims of Chernobyl - not a lot you can say about that.

Yes it works. 'Where dreams come true!' - if only...

I wonder if the Chernoybl charity have had their refund yet.

______________________________________________________________

ATTENTION PLEASE! Added mid-Jan 2009: Just as a reminder, the latest Lapland New Forest Refund Guide is here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=17633351#post17633351

GomerPyle

If they haven't - I'm sure they will.

It's a large charity and I can't see anyone denying them. They'd be foolish to try.

Mr Mears might - but he has a history of making bad decisions, and it would be sensible to take the decisions out of his hands permanently.

whitewing

Looks like even Finland is keeping an eye on the situation. This report is from the Helsinki Times - the first weekly English language newspaper in Finland -dated 20th Dec and I don't think it has been posted before here. (You will all, of course, be familiar with the content already).

http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4660:lapland-style-theme-park-scams-thousands-in-uk&catid=14:international-news&Itemid=160

______________________________________________________________

ATTENTION PLEASE! Added mid-Jan 2009: Just as a reminder, the latest Lapland New Forest Refund Guide is here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=17633351#post17633351

GomerPyle

Yes whitewing the Scandinavian countries have reported this widely as they see it as encouraging tourism to their events.

The Mears clan have managed to drag the reputation of Brighton and the UK tourist industry through the mud worldwide. I would have thought it in the area's best interests to ensure that this does not happen, especially in these tough trading conditions.

I am also reminded of this article dated 20th October 2008

http://www.thisisdorset.co.uk/stourandavon/news/Winter-break-Matchams-noisearticle-405979-details/article.html

QUOTE
Matchams South Coast Ltd has applied to East Dorset District Council for permission for a temporary Christmas Fair from 28th November to 24th December. This will feature an ice skating rink, an ice slide, Christmas decorations and involves erecting nine log cabins. The fair will be a joint venture between the company and Lapland New Forest, a Brighton based company with 25 years experience of running Christmas fairs.
UNQUOTE

Someone was being economical with the truth perhaps, in view of Lapland New Forest Ltd only having been established two months prior to that article, and the proprietor Mr Victor Mears, having been in prison for part of those 25 years. Unless he happened to being playing Santa and running Christmas fairs inside the nick.

To correct myself, the article specifies that the company, as a separate entity, had 25 years experience - clearly not so.

Considering the track record of those involved, and the fact that a little scrutiny of what was going on would have brought this to light, it is amazing that this enterprise ever got off the ground.

codger

Well done, Gomer, on preserving the original website details.

I know I shouldn't say this, but o-dear-Gawd, when you re-read even some of the text you realise not just how loathsome this scam truly was, but also how ludicrously inept:

QUOTE

Creating a Winter Wonderland really does take a lot of care and expertise. . . For this reason we have bought [brought?] in many specialists and showmen, including the multi award-winning Hollywood film and tv special fx's experts who made the awesome winter scenes in films such as:

Archangel Gladiators Vertical Limit Day After Tomorrow Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone Band of Brothers Doctor Who and more

UNQUOTE

Which translates as:

We've hired a firm to come and spray some fake snow around.


Mr Mears and his associates may now wish they had also "bought in" the expertise of those associated with another major Hollywood production, so that what is about to overwhelm them is foretasted now.

The movie was called 'Armageddon'.


Happy New Year to everyone

pancho_villa

Iv'e just realised that I have heard nothing from Tesco!!! Will have to chase it up!!;)

cynical-lady

Hi all,

Just to say I have finally had my money back from Barclaycard Mastercard...and the £4.60 I paid for the 'special delivery' letter I had to send.
It's taken them a while but I've just checked my online account before I planned to call them again! tomorrow,and there it is! :j

On another note a friend of mine has also been declined a refund by Lloyds credit card.I believe they have said it was not one payment and quoting a minimum of £100.01p.

Happy new year everyone ...good to see this isn't being dropped until everyone gets their money back and the culprits get whats coming to them!

Just a shame the banks that allowed this aren't suffering too....l

As requested by Whitewing.....mine was New Forest.

roversforever

I have been given the brush-off (very politely) by Virgin One Account regarding a refund. I paid £100 using my Maestro card and they say that this is effectively the same as paying by cash - so no refund. This after I had lodged a formal complaint and tried every angle in the book to get them to be sympathetic.
Has anyone else had any better success with getting a refund from a Maestro debit card payment and if so what banks? Also, does anyone else have any experiences of dealing with Virgin One Account over this matter?
I'll be damned if I am prepared to give up, but I am not sure what to do now.

dancing_lynne

Thanks to all for advice.

I've spoken to Lloyds this morning and Mastercard have changed their stance on this. Lloyds are sending me a form to claim under the chargeback scheme.

I have to jump through what I think are unnecessary hoops to provide information i.e. written evidence from Dorset Trading standards that the park is closed - How ridiculous, every one knows it's closed!! - copies of all correspondence, tickets etc. But once I've done that I should get my money back. Hoorah! Here's hoping!