ARGHH Eurocamp/Ryanair/Carhire

QuidsInn_2

OK, I am going to rant a bit here, and I dont think there is a solution to my problem now, but it may serve as a warning to others.

In December last year I booked a fly-drive holiday with Eurocamp in France, for myself, my 3 kids, a friend and her 2 kids. We have seperate caravans but wanted a 7 seater people carrier so we could all travel together. I have never driven abroad and am a bit nervous plus having an adult
co-driver/mapreader would be great. All was going well until a couple of weeks ago (we are due to go next weekend). Ryanair changed the flight times, I informed Eurocamp who in-turn informed me that the car hire was no longer available as their affiliated company did not offer "out of hours" service (we now land at 6pm. We are holidaying Sunday to Sunday. Apparently nearly eveywhere is shut in France on a Sunday.

Now i find that there are NO 7 seater cars available from any bl**dy where and we have had to book 2 separate cars. Eurocamp would not accept any responsibility as they said it was Ryanairs fault for changing the flight times. Ryanair said it was nothing to do with them, they just provided the flights - nothing to do with a package holiday.

I have said to Eurocamp that if they are providing fly-drive holidays they should be using a car company that offer out of hour pick-up (Hertz will meet any Ryanair flight - Eurocamp decided not to use them this year....). I have also said that they should not offer Sunday fly-drives as they know damn well that there is very limited car hire available.

Well thanks Eurocamp. I am NOT impressed. I am dreading the holiday that I have been looking forward to for the last 8 months.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

mrcow

Was there no way of cancelling with Ryanair (as they had now changed their flights to unsuitbale times) and looking for flights with an alternative company?

Or alternatively, how much for a Hertz rental? Could you not cancel the car you've hired and get your money back for that part of the holiday and then go to Hertz directly?

Sorry that you're not looking forward to your holiday. I'm sure that when you get there it will be great.

madduck

If I follow this - you've booked a package deal with Eurocamp and they have failed (at very short notice) to provide an essential element of the package ie the car hire?

Have you checked the booking terms of your package holiday? Does this change - so close to the date of departure either give you the opportunity to cancel (and book with a more reliable operator) or provide compensation?

What would they have done if there was only one driver in the group? Actually - do they know that there are 2 drivers? Could you play the game a bit with them and 'pretend' that only one of you drive and see what they do?

QuidsInn_2

Thanks for your replies

Mrcow - Only Ryanair fly to LaRochelle from Stanstead (my very local airport). There is something on their website that states that if your flight time is changed by 4 hours or more (mine is) and your car hire has to be changed then they offer vouchers for a future time (Gee - thanx Ryanair, really helpful right now). Actually i am going to check that out as may be useful for next years holiday!

Madduck - Wish I had thought of that! I have now booked directly with Hertz as its all getting a bit last minute. I am sure that when I originally booked with Eurocamp I stated that there would be a second driver anyway, as they have to sort out additional insurance.:rolleyes: Would be a good ploy for future though - smart thinking!

It is just sooooo frustrating. I am livid with Eurocamp for not accepting any responsibility or even trying to help. I have been told to write to their Customer Services department after my holiday. Too right I will!