Pennine Helicopters - no flight over 2 years later

Happyjaw

I bought a co-pilot seat helicopter ride pleasure flight for my fathers 50th birthday in 2007 with Pennine Helicopters.
I paid for it in approximately the last week of August 2007 in preparation for his birthday on 12th September and the first booking for the helicopter flight was made.
25 months and 12 cancelled bookings later I've asked for a refund for the gift voucher on numerous occasions which the company are refusing to give me and insist that we must continue to book the flight over and over again.
We have been told that in exceptional circumstances they will refund to the value of 75% but in my opinion I should not be charged for any part of a service I have not received, at this time no offer of recompense has been made.

We have written a letter which explained that if the most recent booking at that time in 2008 was cancelled, we would expect a full refund, which was been refused, by letter.
We've even gone so far as to book yet another flight with them, which unsurprisingly was cancelled.

I feel we have given them reasonable time in which to deliver and no service is forthcoming.

We need help and advice to resolve this situation.

I've been to trading standards who are still looking into it and have been, allegedly, for over a year.
I tried the newspapers letters pages, those consumer warriors types, no interest.
I've spoken to the company on the phone, written letters and achieved nothing.
I've even spoken to my insurance company who pointed us to trading standards.

My Dad still doesn't have his 50th birthday gift but that wretched company have my money and the interest on it.
Help, please.

DVardysShadow

Small Claims Court.

molerat

Recorded delivery letter before action then if no refund small claims court.

MUMMYTO2BOYS

I think under the circumstances Martin should step in.......

Happyjaw

I'm really hoping he will. I did message him last year but was advised to post on the forum, which I did to no avail and I can't even find the last one now.....

I sometimes wonder if they're just trying to grind me down. Pennine that is.

MUMMYTO2BOYS

Well come on Martin, you know your influence can help the OP out so get in touch and sort it out!

pinkshoes

I would book one more flight with them, and send an accompanying letter (recorded delivery of course) stating that as you have already had 12 bookings cancelled by them over the last 2 years, then this is your final attempt to book. If the trip is cancelled, then you will be expecting a full refund of <£insert amount> within 14 days of the cancelled trip. If no full refund is received by < insert date 2 weeks after cancelled trip date>, then you shall be starting small claims court proceedings against them to claim back the money.

DVardysShadow

MUMMYTO2BOYS wrote: »

Well come on Martin, you know your influence can help the OP out so get in touch and sort it out!

I thoroughly disagree with this. We should all fight our own battles and win on the merits of our case.

I can think of nothing so disempowering as only being able to winif you can get a celebrity such as Martin Lewis or Anne Robinson to take up your case.

Happyjaw

Hi Pinkshoes,
We've tried the warning of final booking and letters, as you suggested, last year. We haven't gone down the small claims route because I don't have a clue what I'm doing with that and it shouldn't need to come to it.
My Dad rebooked a flight with them just a few weeks ago which keep the ticket valid for another year, but it only keeps it open for us to fight. The flight would no longer be a pleasure that's for sure.

I feel entirely disempowered now, all my garnered knowledge has achieved precisely nothing except further expense and stress.

pinkshoes

Happyjaw wrote: »

Hi Pinkshoes,
We've tried the warning of final booking and letters, as you suggested, last year. We haven't gone down the small claims route because I don't have a clue what I'm doing with that and it shouldn't need to come to it.
My Dad rebooked a flight with them just a few weeks ago which keep the ticket valid for another year, but it only keeps it open for us to fight. The flight would no longer be a pleasure that's for sure.

I feel entirely disempowered now, all my garnered knowledge has achieved precisely nothing except further expense and stress.

Small claims court isn't too stressful, as it's all done online (for up to £10k I think).

Just follow the steps online, and it's only a small initial fee.

As you've made SO many attempts already and wouldn't enjoy the experience, then send them one last recorded delivery letting them know the stress they've caused you, and give them 14 days to pay you back every penny, otherwise you will start small claims court procedure.

If they don't send a cheque, just start the claim online. Most companies will have the sense to settle before it even gets to court, and will pay your initial claim cost (£30? £50?) too. You have very little to lose...

Anihilator

Why have the flights been cancelled so far?

This seems vital to me. I would suggest people are jumping the gun without this as if its due to wind or such it may well be entirely feasible flights have been cancelled and the terms will likely cover it.

So what are the reasons for cancellation?