Xscape snow slope - selling ski lessons which they can't give you!

Kyss

Xscape have an online booking system for their snow slope, and they are quite strict about cancellations. They need 'at least 48 hours notice' for a change to a booking and it can't be done online - you have to get through to them by phone. Once you have booked, you have to turn up a certain amount of time before your session [I think it's 45 minutes], or your booking is cancelled and no refund given. Even if you book and everything goes to plan, it's a bit of a pain as you're obliged to get there early to book in - allowing for traffic that means I usually would get there over an hour in advance just so that I can check in at the desk with 45 minutes to spare. I then have to hang about for that hour or so - presumably spending more money at Xscape.

Bearing all this in mind, it makes more sense NOT to book in advance and just hope there's space on the day. Considering a lesson is from about £27 upwards, it's a lot of money to lose if you end up getting ill on the day, or held up in traffic and only arriving half an hour beforehand but having your lesson cancelled anyway.

Unfortunately, before I'd worked this out I made the mistake of booking online. I was booking for two people - I got one booking through the system and added another. Unfortunately when I went back to the add the other one the dates changed on the screen and I didn't notice, so I made a booking for the morning of booking [which had already gone - I booked in the afternoon], instead of a couple of days letter. When the booking was confirmed I realised my mistake and rang to change the booking. However, Xscape refused to cancel it because I wasn't giving 48 hours notice. I pointed out that there was no way I could have given ANY notice or even have attended the session, because the booking was for a time BEFORE I made the booking. I had no idea that they would even sell bookings for times in the past. They finally agreed to change the booking to another session which wasn't very suitable for me, but refused to refund the money.

Is it even legal for them to sell something which they can't offer? i.e. a lesson for a time which has already past? Isn't a bit like a shop taking your money for something and then saying they don't have it? Why are they allowed to do this?

hollydays

Yes i thing they are being unfair,this is just a brainless moron following the rules to the nth degree.Would be inclined to put the complaint in writing.Maybe mention this site too.Dont know if they are breaking the law,one would think so-it comes under the supply of goods and services Act-do some googling-or someone else will probably give you the answer.

zappomatic

Stupid that they will sell you something you've no hope of being able to take, even more stupid that they don't seem to understand!