Paying for a short break in advance. Best ways to be covered

hellokitty08

Hi,

I am going on a short break in a few days to a self catering cottage, now all seems ok, but they want me to pay in advance of arrival and have given me their details to do a bacs transfer, but I wanted to do something a bit more secure.

Any suggestions to make sure I am covered, just incase the worst happens? They have said they cant take a card payment.

Thanks

heretolearn_2

covered for what exactly?

Wanting to cancel the break?
Turning up to find a shed with a camp bed in it?
Getting double booked?

ThumbRemote

I'd be very wary of making a BACS payment - how do you have any proof they aren't scammers?

Can you post a cheque to the cottage? At least that way you know the cottage exists and the bank account is in the name you expected it to be.

bod1467

Take cash and pay on arrival. Tell them that's what you'll do as you don't trust BACS transfers because they offer no security against fraudulent transactions. (Say you've been stung this way before - even if you haven't).

zfrl

You have booked to go to this self catering accommodation. Why should they be scammers? Where have you booked through?

ThumbRemote

zfrl wrote: »

You have booked to go to this self catering accommodation. Why should they be scammers? Where have you booked through?

In which case they'll happily take a cheque, posted to a proper address, won't they.

hellokitty08

I've bOoked direct with the owner via email. The flat is above a shop which is also owned by the cottage owner. Everything adds up so far. Just over cautious I suppose as I have never been asked to pay in advance before. Do you think it would be ok to phone the shop direct?