consumer rights on the internet

hamco

I saw a holiday on teletext online and rang up. It said 3 star accommodation and the guy assured me this was the case,so I booked it. However, I immediately looked it up on the net and it said," budget accommodation, this should be made clear when booking".Alarmed I rang back to cancel and was told It was too late.I was offered an upgrade for a bit more money which I reluctantly took,but I felt aggrieved that I had been duped.

I contacted my local trading standards office to see if I had any rights and was told I haven't. Surely this can't be right? Does anyone know if it is?

hollydays

The word budget is a generalisation.Also,if someone tells me a hotel is 3 star I always ask if its three star by uk standards,as in places like the carribean,this can mean more like 2 star.Tripadviser is a site you can look for hotel reviews.also I once stayed in a 1star hotel that was really nice,but was rated so cos the bathing facilities were next to the room not in it-but that was ok cos the rest of the hotel was great.I also inadvertantly stayed in a hotel in new york that was budget,that was really bad.Sorry youve had bad luck.

grumbler

hamco wrote:

...I contacted my local trading standards office to see if I had any rights and was told I haven't. Surely this can't be right? Does anyone know if it is?

Which?extra:

...new Distance Selling Regulations give you extra protection for most transactions made when you don't meet the seller face to face. The regulations give you the right to a refund of all money taken through fraudulent use of your credit or other payment card. They also allow you a cooling-off period of seven working days, when you can change your mind and cancel. Orders must be confirmed in writing (or by fax or e-mail) and, unless agreed otherwise, they must be fulfilled within 30 days. There are some exclusions which include:

• goods made to your personal specifications
• goods which are liable to deteriorate rapidly (flowers or fresh foods, for example)
• sealed audio or video recordings or software you have opened. For more details, see www.oft.gov.uk/html/shopping.

pin

While Grumbler is normally right on most things, I hate to disagree with him on this one.

"contracts for the provision of accommodation, transport, catering or leisure services, where the supplier undertakes, when the contract is concluded, to provide these services on a specific date or within a specific period" are partially excluded from the Distance Selling Regulations.

The exclusions include the cooling off period bit.

The regulations can be found here:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2000/20002334.htm

treacle

It may be an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 - can you still access original ad? If so get back to Trading Standards.

tonys_3

If you booked it on a credit card,you can contact them to cancel the transaction.On
the grounds of misrepresentation in the first instance and as a result you now doubt their honesty on the whole deal.
I know it is too late this time but if you see something on the web that you like,
surely it is better to check it out before ringing up to book. I know,I know-hindsight is
a wonderful thing.