Reclaiming money paid via bank transfer.

UpTheStags

Hello everyone.

Me and my wife recently booked a night's stay in an apartment for July this year. We made the booking through a vendor advertising on holidaylettings.co.uk and paid £88 in to his account via a bank transfer.

However we are now unable to make any contact with him to confirm the booking and have received an email from holidaylettings saying that following feedback from holiday makers the vendor is no longer in ownership of the apartment and have taken the advert off the site.

They suggest contacting our payment provider (Santander) to discuss the retrieval of any monies paid. Will this be straight forward? Is it possible for our bank to reclaim the money paid in to his account?

Obviously we need to speak to the bank directly, just thought i would see if anyone had any advise or has been in a similar situation.

Thanks in advance.

scottishblondie

Sorry to say that the bank will not be able to retrieve the money, as the payment was not sent in error there is nothing they can do about it. Unless the website takes any responsibility for problems like this, I would suggest small claims court is probably the only option to get the money back.

UpTheStags

scottishblondie wrote: »

Sorry to say that the bank will not be able to retrieve the money, as the payment was not sent in error there is nothing they can do about it. Unless the website takes any responsibility for problems like this, I would suggest small claims court is probably the only option to get the money back.

Thanks for your quick response. The website state that they are only an online advertising company and is not involved with the booking process, any problem are between the holidaymaker and the advertiser.

How much would a small claims court case cost, surely more than the £88 that has been paid?

opinions4u

Put it down to experience and walk away.

You've been had.

You could involve the police, or trading standards ... but for the amount involved is it worth it?

Mikeyorks

UpTheStags wrote: »

How much would a small claims court case cost, surely more than the £88 that has been paid?

But you would recover your costs .... if you can trace the vendor and - if you win.

For £88 I would write it off as experience ..... and remind myself to never, ever, make a direct payment into a stranger's account in the future! Always use a card ..... although under £100 you may even then struggle to reclaim.

[Deleted User]

unfortunately not retrievable since bank transfer
Santander would be unlikely to do anything anyway considering them :S