Travelodge grrrrrrrr check your statements!!!

louby_2

Having been able to pick up a two night stay in Halifax on the Travelodge tenner per night deal (very pleased with that as we love the yorkshire moors) and having also paid in full - as you have to over the internet, we were unable to go due to a death in the family.

I've now had an "invoice" and letter throught the post advising them as I didn't cancel or turn up I was being charged £20!

I rang the number on the letter, was advised to ring their booking department and have been told there is nothing they can do (although they admit I shouldn't have been charged) unless I WRITE IN!!! Arghhhhhhhhh! escalation to a manager and still no change, except he told me this was to ensure queries were dealt with in a chronological order!!!!

so if you made a booking on this deal and can't make it, call and cancel and check your statements!

jenniferpa

I'm surprised they say you shouldn't have been charged - the website says no refunds available with supersavers

Jennifer

louby_2

ahh but for supersavers you have to pay the full amount in advance which I did. the details state:

"If the first night of a pre-paid multi night stay booked on Supersaver, Saver or Event is missed (you need to check in by 6am), the room will be re-sold and the whole booking forfeited. No refund will be provided"

so I have in fact been charged both the full booking amount (which I knew and wasn't too bothered about given the circumstances) AND a penalty

headcovers

jenniferpa wrote:

I'm surprised they say you shouldn't have been charged - the website says no refunds available with supersavers

Jennifer

The OP's point is that this deal requires payment in full in advance. They get their money in full whether you turn up or not.

As the OP paid in full, there is no way that he should have been charged again for the rooms, which is effectively what they have done. That is why they have stated that he has been invoiced by accident.

jenniferpa

Ah, I see, another charge - when you put "invoice" in inverted commas I thought you meant the original charge. An interesting money making opportunity for them! Can you not dispute this with your credit card company? That would be quicker.

louby_2

debit card! they can't do anything!

taxiphil

louby wrote:

debit card! they can't do anything!

Just because someone has your card details on record from a previous transaction, it doesn't entitle them to take whatever amount they wish from your account without your permission!

I'd tell your bank it's an illegal transaction since you never authorised it.

Godders

louby wrote:

debit card! they can't do anything!

You should be able to dispute the transaction with your bank in the same way as a credit card. I know someone who has just done this and has had a refund "pending the investigation".

ruthyjo

Similarly I booked a travel lodge for xmas eve and paid the £10 room cost in full at the time of booking. As things turned out we didn't need the room and just didn't turn up. I spotted that a further ten pound charge had been taken from my credit card. I checked the t and cs to confirm they shouldn't have taken any more money and then disputed the charge with my credit card company. Credit card company first of all suggested that a cancellation charge must be in the t and cs but when I pressed the case refunded me the money. They didn't dispute anything with travelodge as it would have cost them more than ten pounds to do so.

I am sure that you can dispute a switch card amount under the same circumstances i.e. that it has been taken without authority - you're just not covered if a company goes bust etc in the same way. Ask your bank to dispute it and see what happens.

RAMBLER

It is disgusting that a National company can just take money out of a customers account without permission or reason.

Would you be justified contacting Watchdog or Trading Standards. This is a clear case of theft.

taxiphil

RAMBLER wrote:

It is disgusting that a National company can just take money out of a customers account without permission or reason.

Would you be justified contacting Watchdog or Trading Standards. This is a clear case of theft.

Couldn't agree more. If you or me were to use someone else's bank or card details to take money out of their account without their permission, it's a clear case of theft and a police matter.

Yet when a company does it, for some reason it's not regarded as a crime, and you have to mess around with inadequate civil procedures to get your money back. Disgraceful.