Holiday cottage deposit refund help

Jean_potter

I paid a deposit to West Wales Cottages for a cottage, which is not likely to happen.  I have been in touch with the owner and has offered the usual vouchers or a refund of my deposit but the refund would be less the agents fee she paid, as it is not being refunded to her. I got in touch with West Wales Holiday Cottages who have said the following .
“West Wales Holiday Cottages arrange bookings as an agent on behalf of property owners. This means that you have a direct contract for the supply of holiday accommodation with the owners of the property.
Our role is just to facilitate the booking between you and them by featuring properties on our website and administering the booking on the owner’s behalf.
The deposit that you pay through us when making your booking includes the commission that we earn as booking agent, and as we have fulfilled that role (and continue to do so), this remains non-refundable, despite any cancellation of any booking.”
Can anyone advise how can I get the whole of my deposit back and who it should be from. 

Life__Goes__On

How much was missing?  and what was you expecting?

Jean_potter

I paid £311.25 as a deposit of which, the owner informs me, £181.68 was paid to West Wales Holiday Cottage leaving a balance of £129.57 which is the amount the owner is offering to refund. I am expecting the whole of my deposit back. 

Life__Goes__On

There are a lot of complaints we are seeing on here about different holiday cottage companies

Looks like action will be taken 
https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/369871/holiday-cottage-firms-reported-to-competition-watchdog-over-refunds (Thanks Sooler for link)

How did you pay for the cottage?

Jean_potter

Credit card.

Life__Goes__On

You might be able to reclaim full payment though your credit card, it might take a long long while, but won't cost anything.

Jean_potter

As I paid by credit card I understand I may be able to get the balance of my deposit back but not guaranteed. On the other hand shouldn’t it be the owner of the cottage be the one pressing for a refund from West Wales Cottages and then passing it on to me. These situations really need to be clarified as I’m at a loss now.