coast and country cottages. Nasty!!

[Deleted User]

They are getting a real hammering on don`t get done Dom on BBC2

I wouldn`t touch them with a bargepole after seeing this. Very bad cottage supposed to be 5 star, really disgusting place and the people cannot get their money back

:eek:

lisyloo

I would say always pay with a credit card, then the card company are jointly liable and you have a much better chance of getting your money back.

If you are going somewhere that doesn't accept credit cards then proceed with caution.

I use a site called
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk

which contains reviews of hotels, B&B, guesthouses etc.
It contains reviews from other travellers.
Obviously you have to allow for taste and expectations and there is nothing to stop the owners ramping the place themselves but provided you use common sense the it's a useful addition to any other protection you use.

trisontana

I have just watched to programme and it really annoyed me that when the family first complained about the dirty conditions both inside and out of the property, they were threatened by Coast and Country Cottage's solicitor.

When Dom first spoke to him, he was making light of of such things as mould inside a cupboard and the generally dirty state of the cottage. But then (for some reason or other) there was a complete about-face and a full refund was offered.

Even with this gesture of goodwill this has put the company in a very bad light. If you look at their website :-
http://www.welsh-cottages.co.uk/

Some of the things they say on there about cleanliness and customer service seems to be at odds to what happened to the family featured on the TV programme.

trets77

i have really enjoyed this "don't get done get dom" series.

have never heard of Coast and Country cottages but i know the name for all the wrong reasons now. totally disgusting they hung the phone up on him and then tried to let thier attack dog solictor do their dirty work.

my friend regualry goes to country cottages i will be sure he knows to avoids them .

TomsMom

trisontana wrote: »

But then (for some reason or other) there was a complete about-face and a full refund was offered.

Dom found out that one of the partners of Coast & Country Cottages was actually the wife of the owner of the dirty holiday cottage in question. This probably played a big part in the about-face!

trisontana

TomsMom wrote: »

Dom found out that one of the partners of Coast & Country Cottages was actually the wife of the owner of the dirty holiday cottage in question. This probably played a big part in the about-face!

All the more reason why the property should not have been in the state it was. I can understand when the company is marketing a cottage owned by a third party, and things like this happen. It's different when the company partner's husband owns the property. Don't they talk to each other?

paulfromwales_2

I will declare an interest.

I am a web consultant and I work for a number of Holiday firms in Wales, including Coast and Country.

If they had asked my opinion, having seen the original complaint and the farmhouse in question, I would have simply said "See you in Court" I would not have settled - make of that what you will.

Secondly, do you always believe what you see on TV? Some of the respondents above I would call rather innocent of the ways of the world. Dom was simply playing/acting "hard nosed investigator" There was little or no regard for the truth. Unfortunately the laws of libel prevent me from outlining the case for the defence.

Once a firm has been labelled as "Wealthy owners scamming the peasantry" there is not much that one can say that will allow the other side of the case to be aired.

Suffice it to say, lots of holidaymakers are now encouraged by the spate of TV programmes whose general message is "beware holiday firm scammers!" In a compensation culture it is far too easy for a customer to learn from these programmes and think "That's what I'll do" The problem is some of them are unable to separate truth from fiction - ask any overseas tour operator - they bear the brunt of it.

On eBay seller's forums, they have a term for it they call it "Sellers Remorse" Weather Bad? Claim. Don't like the area? Claim. Small problem? Don't sort it. Claim.

Most firms settle, they have to because of the unfavourable publicity that is generated. So ask yourself "Why was this not settled earlier?" Answer - well I daren't put that in print can I?

As an aside they didn't settle because of the programme (another Dom invention)
, that was done weeks earlier because of pressure from the Welsh Tourist Board, who were also involved and, in my opinion much to blame for this customers disatisfaction because they had issued the wrong grading!

If anybody wants me to take pictures of this "slum farmhouse" feel free. If there are enough enquiries I'll build a web page with the photos of it. I can assure you its a lovely old detached house that has had thousands & thousands spent on modernising it. Did Dom see it? Did he hell!

A few questions for the Ralph Nadars amongst you

Why would a farmhouse not be on a farm?
Why would a farm not have a barn?
Why would a barn not have 12 volt electric fencing batteries?
What do you store in your Garage/garden shed Weedkiller? Ratpoison? None of those in that barn, just dangerous 12 volt batteries. How is 12 volts dangerous? You tell me?
Why would a 200 year old house not have a lath & plaster wall?
Why is it possible for spider's web to exist in an old building?
Why should a cleaning lady use a double extending ladder to clean a first bathroom window?

Why did the Dom give a bunch of flowers he bought & pretend it was from C & C?
Why did Dom always talk to the home answerphone, when there were seven people in the office?

I had better not go on, you are bored already!

No I didn't ask C & C permission to post this. No I am not a paid "lackey" I just think when a programme pillories a small family business (established fifteen years) then somebody should spring to their defence.

Not only was most of it unfair, it was also untrue.

Paul

Sam_Bee

Paul,

I didn't see the programme, so I have no general idea as to the problems generated.

But good for you for standing up and being counted!

I'm not saying what you said is correct etc, but often it takes guts to go against the commonly-held belief, especially if it might get you in trouble.

Davy_Jones

We spent a week last year in self catering accommodation let via this company. Everything was as described in the brochure except that, on arrival, we were told there was a colony of bats in the roof space. In the event, they ruined the holiday for us. So, why didn’t we complain? We didn’t want an argument at the beginning of our holiday and we’d driven a long way to get there. Also we’re positive, nature-loving people and we thought we might be able to cope with them. Not so, they became a nightmare because it was impossible to keep them out of the accommodation even with the windows closed. It was like being in a building overrun by mice, except they were flying. We didn’t complain then and I’m not complaining now. I’m just saying “If you book, ask the obvious question before committing yourself.”. I would never have thought of it either.