Travelodge damages to room

dacouch

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/uncivil_recovery

There's been a thread on MSE from a poster in a similar situation who had the charge over turned and an apology.

dacouch

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg74/features/travelodge-fines

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3580701

Coupon-mad

muckybutt wrote: »

I can see your point but I can also see Travellodge's view as well seeing as I used to work for the Forte group.

The charges although seem high to you and everyone else on here would be for commercial graded quatity equipment, its the same in the maintenance job im in at the moment, for example if you had used an ordinary water fire extinguisher you would be charged around the £100 mark - these to buy cost around the £20 mark. The reason the costs are inflated are because they then have to be fitted and a new service contract will be formed which is all part of the cost.

Like wise the curtains wont be cheap tat, the curtain rail will need to be refitted / replaced by a tradesman, and again the cleaning might need a carpet shampoo'r which again still needs someone to use it - if they dont have one it'll go to a contractor to do it for them.

So you see they arent unjustified prices really.

In my past dealings with hotel work you need to contact the hotel manager or duty manager of that hotel - deal with them unless its gone to the head office, clearly explain to them what happened and how it happened, offer them a sum you think is justified for repairs / cleaning - they might reduce it but probably they wont,unfortunately its your name on the agreement so it will be you they come after.

When I worked at Forte I know of a couple of cases that went to court for damage to fixtures and furnishings and know the hotel won...its up to you what you do but if they issue court papers dont ignore them.

Interesting to have inside knowledge. But this is Travelodge so the curtains are cheap tat IMHO. Not saying the person should not pay for cleaning but £406, given Travelodge's Watchdog 'outing' as trying it on, is extortion. Everyone should look at the links given above and then judge, with knowledge of what Travelodge do.

As trisontana says, it would be perfectly reasonable to require a full breakdown of costs - I would suggest also along with photos of the new fittings in place (as well as the 'before' photos). I suspect they have replaced nothing and if it were me I would call their bluff with a lot of questions and requesting evidence, then make a lower, more appropriate offer.

In fact if the OP is local enough I would really call their bluff and turn up unannounced clutching the letter, around 11am one weekday when the rooms are empty, and ask calmly to see the evidence of the new curtains and rail in that room. I reckon they are making some of it up and it would be funny to see them jump around when faced with the person they have decided to hit for £406! If you do this, take a dictaphone or set your phone on record so you get their reaction, then make your mind up who has the most compelling evidence if wrong-doing, them or you!

Stroma

Be interesting of them trying to enforce this

2) You may make a booking on someone else's behalf. You are responsible for ensuring that any customer in your booking complies with these terms as if that customer had made the booking.

6) You must not damage or interfere with any items belonging to us. If you do so we will terminate your booking. We will instruct a third party to contact you after your stay to recover the costs for any repair, replacement or specialist cleaning we incur if you damage our hotel or property. If you request it, we will send a breakdown of these costs to the address used for the booking.

http://www.travelodge.co.uk/terms/

esmerobbo

Being in the pub trade for many years I agree with Muckybutt, although the curtains and carpet are cheap tat because they have to be fire rated the manufacturers rip you off!
Last pub I had five windows 8ft x 5ft cost me £2K!:eek:

vikingaero

Travelodge will most probably use a Facilities Management company to repair the damage and replace the curtains/rail. It's not going to be a job that the receptionist will undertake.

Most FM companies will have a callout charge and a skilled handyman to repair and replace may well cost £160. I think that on MSE we underestimate the cost of items and think that you can pop down to Paul Simon in a sale and pick up things for £15.

Remember that we only have the OP's side of the story and the damage may well have been worse than described. Plus there may have been costs involved if Travelodge were unable to rent out the room or were fully booked and had to pay costs of taxis for guest who needed to be transported to another branch. Of course they should itemise this and be more transparent.

Sir_Roger_deLodger

vikingaero wrote: »

Plus there may have been costs involved if Travelodge were unable to rent out the room or were fully booked and had to pay costs of taxis for guest who needed to be transported to another branch.

They overbook the rooms anyway. Horrible company.
Premier Inn is much better, where you get a guaranteed room, a pub/restaurant on site and a car park that isn't infested by a PPC.

fisherjim

We avoid Travelodge like the plague following stays at a number of grubby, scruffy hotels with unmotivated staff who can only talk from a scripted greeting.
The company is also in financial difficulties, and does not own its hotels but rents them, some at unsustainable rents according to their advisers.
They are fighting for their existence and will try on anything for cash-flow, a bit like a ppc!

henauvin

Just to temper the criticism, I stay often in Travelodge often on business. For no frills easy in and out hotel, find it difficult to beat at the price, last one was £19!! Staff friendly and helpful.

fisherjim

henauvin wrote: »

Just to temper the criticism, I stay often in Travelodge often on business. For no frills easy in and out hotel, find it difficult to beat at the price, last one was £19!! Staff friendly and helpful.

Yes I agree at that price about right!