Caravan owner ignoring request for return of deposit

Kastanie

zaksmum wrote: »

I know it's only £50 but I feel totally ripped off.

I would feel mightily p'd off about 50 quid OP, there's no "only" about it!

Don't wade in with the bad reviews yet in case there's a legitimate reason - is she on holiday? Illness? Family crisis? Forgetful/stupid?? (these aren't excuses, but they could be reasons).

How did you make the booking originally? Via email? Get a friend to email a fake booking request and see how quickly she replies. Or get a friend to phone up.

If you don't get any joy being pleasant and you're sure she really IS ignoring you, send a letter.

If she's dishonest, she could be making a packet out of unreturned deposits from unsuspecting holidaymakers! Perhaps you should post the name of the caravan park on Praise, Vents and Warnings as a service to others?

Takeaway_Addict

foxwales wrote: »

Civil court would be pointless for £50.

Don't email, telephone her, if she still fails to pay you back then write scathing reviews anywhere they advertise.

As you paid with cash, you have no protection what so ever I'm afraid.

Why? The costs would be added on the claim surely? Just the time and effort from the OP needed.

zaksmum

I made the original booking via email, the same one she is now ignoring.

It's the email address for her website so I'm sure she won't be ignoring all communications on that address with the main holiday season approaching. She has several caravans on various sites in that area so not much point in naming the caravan park as it's not a fault with the actual park - her caravans are privately owned and rented out on that park.

She also had my mobile number so could easily just block my number when it comes up on screen.

The site on which I saw her advert has a disclaimer saying they just provide the advertising, and any disputes are between the advertiser and the hirer, so they won't have any subsequent involvement.

As Kastanie says, she could be doing this all the time hoping people won't make a fuss over £50, and making a fortune out of it, in which case it's fraud really.

And I'm wondering if the taxman might be interested, too?

DKLS

Sneak into mens public toilets in a service station with a marker pen and write on the bog wall.

For no strings fun with Multiple Caravan owning Hussy - call 01234 45678890

JemmaM91

I know this is a bit naughty, but have you tried ringing from another number/email.

Possibly get a friend to pretend they are interested in booking, then you'll know whether or not she is ignoring you.

I personally would threaten court action in the most official looking way possible but prepare myself to write it off and put down to experience.

ska_lover

DKLS wrote: »

Sneak into mens public toilets in a service station with a marker pen and write on the bog wall.

For no strings fun with Multiple Caravan owning Hussy - call 01234 45678890

hahhahaha:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

foxwales

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Why? The costs would be added on the claim surely? Just the time and effort from the OP needed.

It would cost £35 to lodge a claim, the OP is then £85 out of pocket and even with a court award there are no legitimate ways to enforce a civil ruling.

mountainofdebt

zaksmum wrote: »

Thanks everyone. Yes I've called her but the phone goes straight to voicemail. I did get a receipt but only on the back of an envelope - I asked the caretaker for the receipt and he said he didn't have one for me, so I wrote it on the back of an envelope I had in my bag and specified that £50 of the total amount was the returnable deposit, and got him to sign it.

I do agree with foxwales that court action is pointless for £50. If she's ordered to pay up, or just doesn't attend, I'd be chasing up even more money then.

I like the idea of negative reviews but I'm not on Facebook myself so no idea if she has a Facebook page. Trip Advisor might be an idea though.

I know it's only £50 but I feel totally ripped off.

well next time you fancy giving away £50 throw it my way lol!

Whilst you have to pay the court costs iniitally, these are added to the amount owed. If she doesn't cough up she gets a CCJ making life difficult for her!

But the thought of court action may just focus her mind and she coughs up - but don't call off the dogs until the cheque clears!

Savvy_Sue

JemmaM91 wrote: »

I know this is a bit naughty, but have you tried ringing from another number/email.

Possibly get a friend to pretend they are interested in booking, then you'll know whether or not she is ignoring you.

I might ask a friend to phone while you are there, and then say "oh, and I have zaksmum here, before I finish my booking could you have a quick word with her about her deposit?" and see what happens.

mountainofdebt

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I might ask a friend to phone while you are there, and then say "oh, and I have zaksmum here, before I finish my booking could you have a quick word with her about her deposit?" and see what happens.

Oh you are sneaky ......but I like you!