Booked Low Desposit Holiday - NEED HELP

BennyB111

Hi There,

I recently paid a £50 deposit to HolidayPirates (LoveHoliday) for a week away at the start of May. Now, I'm in a pickle. Due to unforseen circumstances I've needed to either cancel or amend the booking. However to cancel I'm being charged the entire holiday cost about £330 and a £75 admin fee. The agent said amending would be cheaper however I'm being expected to still pay the full fare value for my Ryanair flights, Pay for the new flights and also a amendedment fee.

This cheap holiday is getting really expensive and I'm not currently in the position to help myself.

Need to know the answer to some questions:

Is there any way around this? Still have 2 installements to pay
Could I cancel and then pay the fee at a later date if not in the position now?
What action could they take? (CCJ? Baliffs? Set up Payment Plan?)

Any advice would be majorly welcomed.
Thanks

bradders1983

If it is anything like the "low deposit" Thomas Cook offer, the terms will clearly state that you are agreeing to pay a small amount of the deposit now and the rest of it at a later date. Sadly not many people realise this as they see they are able to secure a holiday for something like £50 and all common sense goes out the window.

Any way round it? Probably not, you probably agreed to pay a deposit in two installment: one at time of booking and another at a specified later date.

bradders1983

https://www.loveholidays.com/spread-the-cost-holidays.html

The initial low deposit is due per person and will be highlighted at the time of booking. A deposit top up amount is required after the low deposit is paid. This top-up will bring the full deposit paid equal to the standard deposit per person. The outstanding second deposit will automatically be deducted from the same credit/debit card used to pay the initial deposit and you will be informed of the due date before booking. In the event of cancellation before the due date of the second deposit, you still remain liable for the full deposit, and this must be paid, in addition to any cancellation charges imposed by the applicable supplier and our administration charges. If you would like to make changes or add extras to your booking, you will be asked to pay the additional associated charges (i.e. amendment charges) when the amendments are applied.

Once final payment has been taken we will issue the relevant tickets/vouchers for your trip.

The Low deposit option is available for online bookings only and is subject to availability (entirely at our discretion).

Question - have you paid the 2nd deposit payment yet?

BennyB111

No I havent paid that yet. Next installment is due on the 27th March and the last 18th April

bradders1983

In which case you should be getting charged for a) the second deposit, plus b) "any cancellation charges imposed by the applicable supplier and our administration charge"

Point these terms out, you shouldnt be getting asked for the full amount to cancel it.

BennyB111

Oooh OK. They are trying to make me pay the entire remaining payment and the cancellation fees.

So sorry to trouble you but what would you suggest would be the best course of action for me to take here please

bradders1983

BennyB111 wrote: »

Oooh OK. They are trying to make me pay the entire remaining payment and the cancellation fees.

So sorry to trouble you but what would you suggest would be the best course of action for me to take here please

To point out their own terms and conditions, as per the link I posted and the bits in bold. I think the issue you have here is that the flights are Ryanair, and their flights are non-refundable, hence why you are being asked for a large amount.

BennyB111

Just spoke with them - The lady on the phone was as stubborn as a metal post.

If worst came to worst and the Cost they come back with to cancel is just
not doable, do you have any advice as what I could do. For example if they chased it would they take me to court or a Collection Agency.

I would rather a hit to my credit and set up a payment plan then stress myself silly as to how I'm gonna draw blood from a stone.

(Smashes keyboard with Frustration)

photome

bradders1983 wrote: »

In which case you should be getting charged for a) the second deposit, plus b) "any cancellation charges imposed by the applicable supplier and our administration charge"

Point these terms out, you shouldnt be getting asked for the full amount to cancel it.

I am not so sure


It may be because the holiday is so close so full payment is required.


It maybe that the holiday is so cheap that the full deposit plus admin fees equal the holiday cost.


It maybe that the flight and hotel are sperate bookings so there is no way to escape the cost of the flight

photome

BennyB111 wrote: »

Just spoke with them - The lady on the phone was as stubborn as a metal post.

If worst came to worst and the Cost they come back with to cancel is just
not doable, do you have any advice as what I could do. For example if they chased it would they take me to court or a Collection Agency.

I would rather a hit to my credit and set up a payment plan then stress myself silly as to how I'm gonna draw blood from a stone.

(Smashes keyboard with Frustration)

was she stubborn because she was adhering to their terms , did she spell them out to you and were they different to what you signed up to


If you dont pay I suspect they will chase you for it.

comeandgo

Are the unforeseen circumstance covered by your insurance policy?
Would you be able to sell the holiday to someone? What would be the extra costs in changing names? Would it be cheaper than paying what you have to pay for cancellation?