Bad news for Tapestry fans + advice please

Wizwoo

:sad: As you'll see from their website Tapestry (http://www.tapestryholidays.com/ ) have gone bust. Having been with them to both Cephalonia and Turkey I shall be very sad to see them go.

I have raved about them so much in fact that a friend of mine was due to go with them to Croatia in September. She paid by debit card direct to the company.

She has put a claim form in through ATOL but when she phoned through to ask how long these things can take their reply was "Don't know" and she was then hung up on (how rude!!!)

Has anyone got any advice as to how she can make sure the claim goes through as quickly as possible?

Without the money back they're not in a position to pay for another one :sad: .

Wizwoo

Anyone with advice on this?

saveapenny

It will be quicker for her to get it back via the credit card compnay ATOL/ABTA can take upto 6mths

Ignore that I thought you said Credit but you said debit.

I am sure there is nothing else that can be done just have to keep on at them

Wizwoo

Thanks for that saveapenny - thought that was probably the case. To be honest I know her well enough to know that she will keep following it up. I think she was shocked however at the rudeness she encountered at the other end! And that's after just the initial call.

Anybody have any experience of this and got a good story to tell? Anyone out there work for ATOL?

budgetflyer

If she paid with debit card shes had it. Only Credit cards are covered. Shel need to wait on ATOL refunding at their leisure. Perhaps TRAVELMAN or BARON can advise. They are always punting the benefits of ATOL.
Personally Id rely on a credit card first for speedy refund

basill

"Personally Id rely on a credit card first for speedy refund"

I have thought about this but nearly all travel firms want 1-2% extra for this method, the chances of being stung are still pretty small so I go for the cheap method ie debit card and in the unlikely event of the firm going belly up would be happy to wait for my refund via abta.
Its quite ok to book an emergency holiday on the card under those circumstances. For most its going to be a once in a lifetime problem.

B

saveapenny

For most its going to be a once in a lifetime problem

3 times its happened to me ... Thankfully 2 packages (Intersun and a Greek specialist I cant remeber the name of) and 1 cruise were both refunded very quickly via ABTA
When BookNGo went P&O just stepped in and took all the bookings over so didnt even have to wait for a refund.
I would always pay with CC for the extra few quid it costs I look at it as holiday insurance

basill

Oh dear, I`m sorry to hear you have had such bad luck with your tour operators. I quite understand your preference for cc payments.

B

coolagarry

If I understand correctly it is possible to pay the deposit by credit card and as long as it is £100 or more you are covered for the full loss of the holiday no matter how the rest was paid for. At the most you lose £2 !!

barron_2

Hi,
budgetflyer.
Firstly its spelt with rr ,
Secondly,Not everyone has the benefit of a creditcard,some people do still use cash.!
Wizwoo.,
Sorry to hear about your friend,credit card or not,at least she's covered.
Instead of me going on about the ATOL and hope it works ,I have posted a couple of links to help you and your friend.
Some companies will help with the situation,again I have posted a link.
Dependant if she booked direct or through an agent,some agents MAY rebook and the ATOL claim will be signed over to them.
Check out all the links.

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=1139&pagetype=90
http://www.travelbulletin.co.uk/email/croat110806.htm
http://www.travelbulletin.co.uk/email/absolute110806.htm

The above links are very good companies,who will help as much as they can.
(I have no financial interest!!)There is also others that will help.
Hope it has answered some of your worries,good luck.
baRRon.

barron_2

Some more info,just in case some do not understand.
Travel Agents
Information for Travel Agents


Everyone who had bought flights or air packages departing from the UK from Tapestry Holidays Ltd is protected by ATOL, and people who have made advance payments will be able to claim refunds from the CAA. Details are given below.

ATOL protection – people currently abroad

If you have customers currently abroad, they should be able to complete their holiday. In most cases, the CAA will pay hotels and other accommodation providers so that customers do not incur any additional expenses. If they do need to make any payments for items like hotels or transfers, they should get receipts. The CAA will be able to consider claims on the ATOL bond for these amounts upon their return.

A flight will be arranged to bring them home. Customers should check with their holiday rep for information about any changes to their flight arrangements to ensure that an earlier replacement flight has not been arranged for them.

*********** ATOL protection – customers with advance bookings**************

People who booked and have not yet travelled will be able to claim a refund.

The CAA is advising customers to see their travel agent about making a claim or whether their booking can be transferred to another tour operator’s holiday.
You can either -**********************************************
Ask customers to pay again for the new holiday. If you do, they will need to make their own claim for a refund from the bond, and you should give them a claim form to assist them to do so. You can download a form by clicking here;
or************************************************************
Provide the new booking in exchange for an assigned bond claim. This involves the customer completing the form and handing over his claim to you so that you can claim a refund from the bond instead; you can then claim the money from the ATOL bond.
Points to remember if you take an assigned claim are –

You must make sure that the customer provides all the necessary documentation like proof of payment, because we cannot pay if this is incomplete. You may find it difficult to persuade customers to provide documents after they have had their holiday.

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Make sure that the customer who paid completes Section 8 of the form, nominating you to receive payment.
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If the cost of the new booking is more than the amount paid to Tapestry Holidays Ltd, the customer will need to pay the difference, as the bond claim will be limited to the amount paid to the tour operator.
******************************************************************