GVI Volunteer Programme Abroad - Cancellation due to COVID-19

eskbanker

Douglas14 said:

I am continuing the battle with GVi who continue to dig their heels in and also refuse a refund claiming Force Majeure !  Very interesting about addition of this on 5th May 2020 but difficult to locate this as their links seem only to show the updated version with this clause.  I booked in Oct 2019 so any idea where I can get the T's&C's from then to prove they have added it since ?     

Previous versions can be viewed via Web Archive, including those captured on 18 October 2019 and 23 July 2019:
https://web.archive.org/web/20191018142118/https://www.gvi.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/
https://web.archive.org/web/20190723054510/https://www.gvi.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/

Douglas14

Thanks eskbanker 

hm7

I too have also been trying to get my money back from GVI. After being refused a refund out right when I initially emailed them, I have since called the Citizens Advice helpline- 03454040506 who were very helpful.
The lady I spoke to urged me to encourage anyone else going through the same thing to get in contact with them as soon as possible as the more complaints they receive, the larger the claim they can make against GVI. Definitely give them a call if you are in the same position- we can't let them get away with this! The way they have handled this situation is awful and underhanded.
 I have now sent a written letter of complaint to GVI and am expecting a reply within a week. I will update on the response!
PS. I was told to ring back the day after recieving their response if they are still refusing to refund me to take secondary steps. I hope this helps someone!

calijakes1

Thanks everyone for replying. Just to update that I know of a few people that have received refunds now from GVI but only if the person travelling is under 18 as it's classed as a package. This doesn't help my situation but it may help some of you? 
I'm still battling but will try Citizen's Advice as well! Keep us updated if you have any success!

calijakes1

hm7 said:

I too have also been trying to get my money back from GVI. After being refused a refund out right when I initially emailed them, I have since called the Citizens Advice helpline- 03454040506 who were very helpful.
The lady I spoke to urged me to encourage anyone else going through the same thing to get in contact with them as soon as possible as the more complaints they receive, the larger the claim they can make against GVI. Definitely give them a call if you are in the same position- we can't let them get away with this! The way they have handled this situation is awful and underhanded.
 I have now sent a written letter of complaint to GVI and am expecting a reply within a week. I will update on the response!
PS. I was told to ring back the day after recieving their response if they are still refusing to refund me to take secondary steps. I hope this helps someone!

Have you had any luck?

hm7

No unfortunately GVI are still refusing to refund me. After I received their letter I rang back Citizens Advice and spoke to a different person who said my options were now arbitration or small claims. It now looks like I will have to try arbitration.
What routes are others trying?

calijakes1

hm7 said:

No unfortunately GVI are still refusing to refund me. After I received their letter I rang back Citizens Advice and spoke to a different person who said my options were now arbitration or small claims. It now looks like I will have to try arbitration.
What routes are others trying?

Oh no! I've been thinking of small claims so I guess it's time to go ahead and file. I've made one last plea to GVI and in the event they still don't refund, I'll submit a GDPR request so that I have everything they have on me. It seems incredibly difficult to get hold of copies of contracts/terms and conditions/booking documents from them, apart from those very vague emails they send that hyperlink to their website. The problem is that the website has been updated so now I don't have a copy of the terms and conditions as they were when I booked It's a real shame they're treating us like this.

hm7

I know its awful🙄. Also If you scroll back through this thread someone has linked previous versions of the terms and conditions that you can view.

Douglas14

Hi all GVi claimants ,   I have also been going around in circles with this whole thing and also been in contact with CAB , CMA , travel insurance company etc.   GVi believe ,or at least think ,they  have a case on the grounds of "force majeure" but they did change the wording of this clause in March to include disease etc.  All said and done I am coming round to accept that the best way forward is probably to commence proceedings against them via arbitration / small claims as all the rest seems just to be waisting time.  Whether or not it is possible to take a joint action of some description or not I don't know - does anyone have more knowledge on this , I guess we all have CAB complaint reference numbers and really feel they should be helping more ? 

PS; I believe from the Facebook group someone got a refund but GVi withheld £350 as a booking / admin fee !!!

Douglas14

I have just received a full refund of everything I paid to GVi. I managed this through my bank who were very helpful and used the ChargeBack Procedure with VISA debit.  GVi initially resisted making a repayment quoting a lot of nonsense which does not apply under UK law.  They had to yield to VISA & the bank eventually, however, who effectively forced them into action. It has taken all this time though to get here.
If you are still having problems with GVi and paid by VISA Debit & Standing Order/ Direct Debit, as I did , contact your bank and they should be able to help.           
Good Luck and I certainly will be cautioning anyone from doing anything with GVi.