Wedding Car Booking

Moheen

Hi all, 
I was due to get married on the 5th April 2020, but due to the lockdown and the covid-19 situation the wedding didn't go ahead. We had a wedding car booked for the day of the wedding. Now due to the current situation we didn't know as a couple when we would be able to get married so we had a little private wedding ceremony with no reception of course. The car hire company are refusing to refund the money for the car hire, which they had to cancel due to the lockdown. They have said we can use the money effectively as credit for when we want to re-book, but there is no guarantee we will want to re-book due to timescales and other commitments/plans we had as a couple most marriage. IS there anything that can be done to recoup any of the money? Any guidance and help will be much appreciated. 
Thank You

Ganga

What was their terms and conditions when you booked the car ,check that and it might give you some guidance

Moheen

under the terms and conditions it says 'APL reserves the right to cancel any hire due to unforeseen circumstances e.g. weather/road conditions/traffic/delays. A full refund of the hire cost paid will be refunded by the same means it was paid'. I'm sure coronavirus would come under unforeseen circumstances? Also it was technically them who cancelled the booking as they had to close down as a non-essential business. 

Alfrescodave

might be worth mentioning to them that the local press might be interested in your story and what effect that could have on their future bookings. If they have any sense they would refund you as per their T&C's

Moheen

I didn't want to stoop to that level, also thought about leaving bad reviews on FB pages. It was a £600 outlay for the car! So I think I might have to if they don't come to some sort or resolution. 

Alan_Bowen

If you paid by card, ask them once again for a refund and if they refuse, contact the acted issuer and ask for a chargeback as the services were nor provided at all

Alan_Bowen

The word acted should read 'card'

Ganga

Did the car company cancel the booking due to covid or did you cancel the need for the car as the wedding could not go ahead ?

Moheen

Technically they cancelled because they couldn’t operate as they had to shutdown regardless of the wedding being cancelled due to mass gatherings being banned.