Holiday deposit.. stolen?

SwiftY

Alikay wrote: »

You'd lose your deposit on a holiday anyway, now that you've split up and won't be going, so I don't understand why you think it's theft that your £150 isn't being returned.

It may be worth contacting the tour operator though and making sure that the lead passenger (assume this is your ex's mum?) has cancelled your place officially, as more money will become due the closer you get to the holiday. If the holiday is booked using a "low deposit" scheme (where the full deposit amount is deferred til a later date) you may in fact owe more than the £150 you've paid, so check that one out too.

Well, If you look at it from my point of view I've paid £150 to her mother and have received nothing back as proof etc. I don't know where my £150 is and I expect it back as I have no proof that It's even down as a deposit. I'm classing it as theft as the fact she broke it off with me moments after I stated I couldn't afford the remainder of the holiday until a further date.

I'm £150 out of pocket, no documentation, nothing. As an above post stated, It could be classed as claiming money under false pretenses.

bagpussbear

I presume you have asked the girlfriend's mother directly about having them pay back the money to you? If so, what was the response?

TBagpuss

why did you pay a deposit without checking what the balance would be and whether you could afford it?

Unless you can prove that the mother never paid a deposit in the first place then you are going to struggle.

Alikay

SwiftY wrote: »

My girlfriend of 7 months invited me on holiday with her family in June this year, after a few weeks I had to pay off the deposit of £150 which I paid directly into her mothers bank account with a reference stating the location of the holiday, out of no where in the last week of July I was told I'd need to pay more suddenly and said that I couldn't do it as I was originally told I'd have until the end of the year.

It is usual to pay the balance of the deposit a few weeks after the booking has been made, so that's probably why GF's mum asked you for more money. Here's a link to First Choice's Low Deposit details (other operators will be similar). I think it's likely you'll have to pay the difference between the £150 and the full deposit which will be shown on your party's confirmation invoice.

http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/fcsun/page/booking/tandc.page?lang=en&accommInvSys=FIRST_CHOICE&flightInvSys=FIRST_CHOICE&depDate=2009-09-10

See section 12

SwiftY

bagpussbear wrote: »

I presume you have asked the girlfriend's mother directly about having them pay back the money to you? If so, what was the response?

I have asked her directly yes, her response was something worded similar to because I didn't want to be with her daughter anymore that It's nothing to do with them despite the fact the relationship was ended by her.

why did you pay a deposit without checking what the balance would be and whether you could afford it?

Unless you can prove that the mother never paid a deposit in the first place then you are going to struggle.

I was told that the fully amount would be payable by November 2014 meaning I would have sufficient time and money to pay it off month by month. However, as of July 31st (possibly 30th) I was informed It was to be paid off by September 2014 leaving me unable to pay the full amount. Swiftly after I made them aware of it, they cut contact with me. Parents, siblings and ex all blocked me within a matter of 10 minutes on any form of contact I had with them.

SwiftY

Alikay wrote: »

It is usual to pay the balance of the deposit a few weeks after the booking has been made, so that's probably why GF's mum asked you for more money. Here's a link to First Choice's Low Deposit details (other operators will be similar). I think it's likely you'll have to pay the difference between the £150 and the full deposit which will be shown on your party's confirmation invoice.

http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/fcsun/page/booking/tandc.page?lang=en&accommInvSys=FIRST_CHOICE&flightInvSys=FIRST_CHOICE&depDate=2009-09-10

See section 12

I have no documentation etc from the booking therefore I am unaware of any payments that may of been made or need to be made therefore I will not be making them as the booking was not made by myself.

Alikay

SwiftY wrote: »

Well, If you look at it from my point of view I've paid £150 to her mother and have received nothing back as proof etc. I don't know where my £150 is and I expect it back as I have no proof that It's even down as a deposit. I'm classing it as theft as the fact she broke it off with me moments after I stated I couldn't afford the remainder of the holiday until a further date.

I'm £150 out of pocket, no documentation, nothing. As an above post stated, It could be classed as claiming money under false pretenses.

Your could certainly ask the girl's mum for a copy of the confirmation invoice, and cancellation invoice (assuming she's cancelled your place), but the travel agent or tour operator will be communicating with the lead passenger, as that's who their contract is with. If you try going through the small claims court I doubt you'd be successful unless you could prove that a booking including you wasn't ever made. Have you considered the fact that they may be feeling a little peeved too as the overall cost of their holiday will now be higher as there will be under occupancy charges in the apatment or a single supplement for your ex GF's room dependent on the type of accommodation booked?

SwiftY

Alikay wrote: »

Your could certainly ask the girl's mum for a copy of the confirmation invoice, and cancellation invoice (assuming she's cancelled your place), but the travel agent or tour operator will be communicating with the lead passenger, as that's who their contract is with. If you try going through the small claims court I doubt you'd be successful unless you could prove that a booking including you wasn't ever made. Have you considered the fact that they may be feeling a little peeved too as the overall cost of their holiday will now be higher as there will be under occupancy charges in the apatment or a single supplement for your ex GF's room dependent on the type of accommodation booked?

Unfortunately It doesn't look like that's a route I can take as this is the response I've most recently got:

who the f*** do you think you are you have lost your deposit check it out you go and do what the f*** you like you f***** !!!!!! pis of and this is f**** becky teling you go and do one pal

bagpussbear

I wonder if it would be worth your while sending quite a formal sounding letter to the mother, recorded delivery, asking for your money and that you do not accept it is nothing to do with her given a bank to bank transaction to her account.

If ignored, send another letter stating the fact you will be consulting a solicitor.

I have no idea if that will work! And I'm not sure you can prove the money you paid was for a holiday. But I'd use that approach and see how far it gets you. It may well be you have to chalk this one up to experience though.

also wondering if the deposit was non-refundable anyway?

SwiftY

bagpussbear wrote: »

I wonder if it would be worth your while sending quite a formal sounding letter to the mother, recorded delivery, asking for your money and that you do not accept it is nothing to do with her given a bank to bank transaction to her account.

If ignored, send another letter stating the fact you will be consulting a solicitor.

I have no idea if that will work! And I'm not sure you can prove the money you paid was for a holiday. But I'd use that approach and see how far it gets you. It may well be you have to chalk this one up to experience though.

also wondering if the deposit was non-refundable anyway?

I'll do exactly that, thank you.

Any chance this latest reply may actually help my case?

"you gp and f*** your self fat f***** freek dont send eny more mesages am blockin you we will have a f****** good drink on hols with the deposit now go and f*** your self p*** face"