Money Moral Dilemma: Should I lose my holiday deposits?

SimonSimpleOne

You could always issue a County Court Claim form for the return of your monies. You will not require a Solicitor to do this (unless you want one to act for you, in which case, find one that specialises in County Court debt recovery) but check their fees first, as if defended the legal fees could be high!
Issue of a Claim Form can be done on-line, or you can pop down the local County Court. Assuming no defence is filed, you may apply for a Judgment, and then take enforcement action. Depending on the value of the debt, a Judgment may be registered automatically, which could affect the friends future credit rating.
Or, go to a specialist solicitor, and ask them to send a Letter requesting payment. Many will only charge a "commission" if payment is made. Often a letter will have the desired affect, if it doesn't, you can then issue a Claim Form yourself, to keep the cost to a minimum!
Always ask a solicitor to send written details of their costs for dealing with a defended debt matter before instructing them, otherwise you may require treatment for shock!

sk240

Unfortunatly this thing does seem to happen to people quite often, over the years I myself have loaned money to people (including family members) to be let down or give short notice etc.
Now due to these occurnces i will no longer arrange things or loan money to people after being let down time and time again.

Ebenezer_Screwj

You have answered this one yourself, you paid the deposits because your friend had no money therefore you lose the deposits now that the arrangements have fallen through. Likewise, only you can answer the question : "Why on earth did you pay her deposits in the first place ?"

BNT

Morally, there should be no lost deposit. Your friend made a commitment to go on holiday with you. The fact that she has another friend sounds like a flimsy excuse not to honor an existing commitment. Even if she is only able to cope with one friend at a time she has a moral obligation to ensure that her failure to honor her commitment does not leave you out of pocket.

housesitter

Friendships and money lending dont mix well.

Had a year to collect the cash. Possibly a cooling off period too?
I wouldn't know for sure, I never leave a despoit for anything by choice.
Why would you? - be in control of your money.

You'll lose it. It's your fault not the company's.
Time for some new friends or an expensive lesson.

fromexperience_2

Yes - let that be a lesson to you - never trust anyone in that kind of situation.

Tabitha

Maybe she never had the money in the first place hence why you paid? The new friend might be an excuse as she still may not have the money. If you have been good friends for 22 years then I am sure the new friend would have understood that your friend was committed to the holidays. Yes of course she should pay you back so you are not out of pocket.

As suggested before look at the terms of your booking for return of deposit as you may get a percentage back, try your credit card company if you paid the deposit with one and look at your insurance.

If this is the first time she has really let you downin 22 years then maybe you can forgive but not forget.

MattLG

I don't have any friends who would do this to me. At least, not any more.

I think you've learned a valuable (although expensive) lesson, that even after 22 years, she is not your friend. Life is full of lessons like this trying to teach you how to choose your friends.

If you let them get away with it, they'll just do it again. Get your money back or ditch her, or both.

MattLG

taxing

Hi

While I agree your friend's behaviour was wrong - I do wonder as to how you lost both deposits.

Most hols I have booked allow for a refund of the deposit up until pretty close (if not after) the date when the balance becomes due for payment: no doubt to 'recognise' that plans do change and booking far in advance would be very 'risky' if there was no such opportunity for a refund; and probably because more people would then think twice about booking in advance - which would be a serious dis-advantage for holiday companies who need the 'security' of those advance bookings.

So, short question is, was it not apparent at near to that 'refund of deposit' deadline - that it was unlikely your friend would be going? Her inability to come up with the balance due might have been a good indicator?

Certainly if she baled out of the first holiday, too late for you to do something about reclaiming that deposit, then why didn't you simply cut your losses and cancel (and get a deposit refund) for the second?

Her letting you down is bad , but I do think that maybe you could have 'cut your losses' here.

Lesson learned in any event.

Cheers. :beer:

wondermouse

MattLG wrote: »

I don't have any friends who would do this to me. At least, not any more.

Sorry but this did make me smile! :rotfl: