Re: Entitlement to refund when one person cancels on a group holiday

Strictly_Buttercup

I really hope someone can help me. I have been looking on Google and also Butlins website but can't find an answer to this
I was due to go on a girls weekend to Butlins on the weekend of 10th June this year which Butlins have billed as their Hot Summer Weekend. I have paid my share of the cost in full but I am no longer going due to my friendship ending with my best friend who is the lead booker of the group.
Does anyone know if I am entitled to my money back minus the deposit because I am no longer going? There is no one else who will be able to take my place at such short notice so can't get my money back that way.
I know there's a chance that I will get nothing back at all because it's such short notice but wanted to see where I stood with this.
Thanks in advance for your help.

ARandomMiser

I doubt if 'falling out' with someone is covered by any kind of insurance. You could look at the cancellation charges on tbe booking, that should let you know what you may be entitled to, but if it is last minute it may not be much.

DCFC79

Can you sort out the friendship so you can go ?

Strictly_Buttercup

No unfortunately the friendship is irreparable which is why I need to cancel.

agrinnall

Could someone else take your place and make a contribution towards what you've paid for the holiday? I guess the difficulty is the lead booker will have little incentive to resolve this as it won't cost her anything if you don't go. I think you should consider the money as gone then if you do get anything it'll be a bonus.

hollydays

If someone else did take your place, would you even find out?

Strictly_Buttercup

Agrinnall - I don't think there is anyone else that she could ask at this short notice. I think you're right about just accepting the money is gone, I thought I would ask just in case there was a chance for me to get some of it back.

daytona0

Well technically yes...

BUT you have to bear in mind that the contract will likely be formed between Butlins and the event organiser, and for the purposes of the law the organiser is the one who has paid the full balance (even though it was collected).

In that respect, the organiser can approach Butlins and should usually be legally entitled to a refund which has reasonable costs deducted (such as loss of sales for Butlins etc). The organiser can also theoretically ask someone else, charge them and give that money directly to you as reimbursement.

All of this boils down to the fact that you need to speak to the event organiser, whom you no longer get on with, so I don't see a refund as forthcoming.

In a nutshell I would suggest that you just either speak to event organiser and plead your case, try and clear the air or just write off the money. I would also recommend avoiding any actions (reflect on your own) which could have contributed to the bust up.

unholyangel

Strictly_Buttercup wrote: »

Agrinnall - I don't think there is anyone else that she could ask at this short notice. I think you're right about just accepting the money is gone, I thought I would ask just in case there was a chance for me to get some of it back.

The tour operator may allow you to split the booking - perhaps paying an amendment fee + any extra and change the date, would really depend on the booking terms & conditions and how reasonable things are between you two - given as lead passenger, she'd have to make the changes. Obviously none of us know whats transpired so I'm only suggesting possibilities on the off chance.

If it really was that bad and shes that bad a friend, perhaps look on it that its only cost you the price of the holiday to have her out of your life.

ThumbRemote

Were you staying in your own accomodation, or sharing with someone else?

If the former, then there is a small chance that Butlins could re-sell the unit. However if the booking is in your friends name then you're reliant on the friend contacting them to sort this out. There's no incentive for her to do this, since you've already paid.

If you were sharing with someone else, Butlins charge full price for unoccupied beds anyway (ie it costs the same for 3 people to stay in a 4-bed unit as it would for 4 people to stay in it), so the booking price would be the same even if you didn't go.

AnnieO1234

Who did you pay? Zx