Buying a holiday on Ebay

newmum2007

Do I have any rights, after buying a caravan holiday last september, if the seller then cancels 3 weeks before we go?

theonlywayisup

When and how did you pay.

Did you pay in whole or a deposit and balance.

What documentation have you received.

What is the reason for cancellation.

Has the owner offered another date/refund.

newmum2007

Paid a deposit in september and the balance was due on arrival. No documentation, just a note on the paypal receipt.
There is apparently now no caravan as it has "burnt to the ground".
They will refund my deposit but Im now stuck with tickets for days out, a travelodge room for the night before the holiday was due to start and very disappointed children!

starrybee

You could try your travel insurance, but I don't know (and very much doubt) if they would compensate based on something bought from ebay...seems like a strange place to go in the first place. I think you're lucky to even be getting your deposit back tbh, you have no recourse via paypal or ebay if they didn't refund as you bought it so long ago.
Next time I'd pay a bit more and book with a proper company if I were you...

newmum2007

starrybee wrote: »

You could try your travel insurance, but I don't know (and very much doubt) if they would compensate based on something bought from ebay...seems like a strange place to go in the first place. I think you're lucky to even be getting your deposit back tbh, you have no recourse via paypal or ebay if they didn't refund as you bought it so long ago.
Next time I'd pay a bit more and book with a proper company if I were you...

Thanks for the compassion and your opinion. I don't see how ebay is a strange place to buy a holiday, have you seen how many thousands of listings there are?
I would have booked with a "proper company" but I was trying to save money :money:

hermum

Paypal protection only covers you if you pay in one go, paying a deposit changes buyer protection.
Have you tried calling the site to see if there's another caravan available for the dates you need. Or look on ebay or Gumtree.

EssexGirl

hermum wrote: »

Have you tried calling the site to see if there's another caravan available for the dates you need.

Or to find out if what the person you bought it off is telling the truth!

McKneff

If youre getting your deposit back, then you are actually back in the same position.

Look up the site, or ring to see if there are any more caravans available on the site for the dates you wanted.

Hopefully there will be something, somewhere so your pre bookings wont be wasted.