Sykes cottages

flower77g

Anyone else received on of these?

Re: Letter of Claim
We have received your communication to Sykes Cottages and are treating it as a Letter of Claim, pursuant to paragraph 6 (a) of the Practice Direction Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols, contained within the Civil Procedure Rules. This letter is Sykes Cottages’ Letter of Response, pursuant to paragraph 6 (b).
As you should already be aware, Sykes Cottages denies that it is liable to you for the sum claimed in
your letter or at all. You can find a detailed explanation of the current position for you and other Sykes Cottages
customers, including why your claim is disputed at https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/coronavirus-
covid-19.html If you are unable to access our website for any reason, please let us know and we can provide a copy
of that information by alternative means. If you still believe that Sykes Cottages owes you money, the only appropriate next step would be to issue a claim in the County Court. If you do so, Sykes Cottages will be forced to instruct its solicitors
to defend the claim. Sykes Cottages continues to value you and all of its customers, we ask you for continued patience
and support in this very difficult time.
We strongly recommend you take independent legal advice.
Yours faithfully
Sykes Cottages Limited

flower77g

Which I thought bizarre -  I hadn't spoken to or written to Sykes: they've tried to ring me.   Nor have I asked for any money back ... the dates of my holiday are in the future so there is always the chance lock down restrictions will be lifted by then.

Aylesbury_Duck

They've certainly jumped onto the front foot. A very combative stance. Put up or shut up, basically.  Interesting to see how this plays out 

Life__Goes__On

Badly I think, especially  as it's a mass sending without any checks in place.

flower77g

Yes, I too suspect a mass mailing without checks.  Here's what went before (and how I knew they were trying to phone)

From [Sykes - customerrelations@sykescottages.co.uk ]
I hope this email finds you well. I have tried contacting you to discuss your booking but unfortunately have not been able to speak to you.  Could I please ask you to contact me between 10am and 4pm or reply to this email with a suitable time I can contact you.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
[Name]
The Customer Relations Team
Sykes Cottages
01244 345700 (Option 1 followed by Option 3)
www.sykescottages.co.uk

 
To which I had replied:

Hello [Name]

I'm busy at the moment - lots of work to do, and no spare time: could you put whatever it is in writing or an email to me?   Especially given your phone number isn't being answered.

Best regards

marlot

flower77g said:

Anyone else received on of these?

Re: Letter of Claim
We have received your communication to Sykes Cottages and are treating it as a Letter of Claim, pursuant to paragraph 6 (a) of the Practice Direction Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols, contained within the Civil Procedure Rules. This letter is Sykes Cottages’ Letter of Response, pursuant to paragraph 6 (b).
As you should already be aware, Sykes Cottages denies that it is liable to you for the sum claimed in
your letter or at all. You can find a detailed explanation of the current position for you and other Sykes Cottages
customers, including why your claim is disputed at https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/coronavirus-
covid-19.html If you are unable to access our website for any reason, please let us know and we can provide a copy
of that information by alternative means. If you still believe that Sykes Cottages owes you money, the only appropriate next step would be to issue a claim in the County Court. If you do so, Sykes Cottages will be forced to instruct its solicitors
to defend the claim. Sykes Cottages continues to value you and all of its customers, we ask you for continued patience
and support in this very difficult time.
We strongly recommend you take independent legal advice.
Yours faithfully
Sykes Cottages Limited

I believe that lots of people have been getting refunds from the cottage owners by using the template letters at https://theconsumerlawyer.blog/category/consumer-rights/coronavirus-your-rights/
I suspect that Sykes are trying to make sure that they are not on the hook if the cottage owners fail to pay up.
I've been following this as I expect to have to make a claim in due course.

pault6670

I have seen an article on bbc news today about Sykes. I have a cottage booked with them for a 7 night stay due to start on 5th June 2020. As optimistic as I am I would love to still be able to go as it is a family gathering for my 50th birthday. I have spoken with Sykes who wanted me to amend my booking. I declined as I made my original booking in December 2019. The total cost of the booking is a little over £3,500. The lady I spoke to said that if I am unable to travel they would ask the property owner to refund the rent portion of my booking but I would be given a credit for future booking for the Sykes booking fees. In reality the credit will probably be okay as we use holiday cottages quite a bit but I am more concerned about the refund of the rent which I am guessing will be around £2,800-£3,400 (Sykes have not been clear on this). I paid by credit card and Sykes took the balance payment on 23rd April which I believe I had to allow so as I am not deemed to have cancelled my booking. I am hoping that I will get the refund from Sykes but if I don't then I am hoping that my credit card will refund me accordingly. I really hope that this doesn't result in businesses like Sykes going under as it is not their fault the outbreak happened. I hope everyone is able to stay safe and enjoy a future holiday in the UK.

Sianbez

I had a cottage booked through Sykes for 5th June.After some deliberation I thought as it was still somewhere I'd like to stay in the future I'd rebook and felt I was being cooperative to Sykes by making it easy and changed the booking to September.It was £76 cheaper so I expected a cash refund and also requested one by email.
Of course (after being blocked on Twitter for asking questions,join the gang,eh!) I received a reply to my email saying they could only give me a credit on my account to be used within 2 years.
I have no intention of using Sykes again so the credit is of no use.
I have emailed back requesting the refund in cash again,probably won't get me anywhere but thought I'd try.
Can I do anything or do I have the right to insist on cash?
There were some terms attached to their email including this:
8. Please note you will be unable to use this credit (i.e. it will be void) if you take any action against the homeowner or against Sykes Cottages Ltd or if you receive any full or partial refund in respect of the holiday cottage booking related to this credit.

Life__Goes__On

Sianbez said:

8. Please note you will be unable to use this credit (i.e. it will be void) if you take any action against the homeowner or against Sykes Cottages Ltd or if you receive any full or partial refund in respect of the holiday cottage booking related to this credit.

Those terms are simply aren't allowed, as they are "unfair" and would be classed as null and void.
You can never wave your rights in a contract

Sianbez

I have emailed them back saying I believe they are acting unfairly especially as I was being so cooperative and rebooked and was trying to be fair to them.I asked them to reconsider paying me in cash.The email I sent was a lot more polite than I wanted to be!
Is a cash refund (as it was cheaper) currently something I have any legal rights to insist on having instead of credit?
Or is this all still being discussed/debated?
Seems to be a lot of debate as they are "agents"so I'm getting confused as to how hardcore I can get legally