Sykes cottage cancellation fee for cancelled wedding accoms end of Aug

gettingtheresometime

MalMonroe said:

There's been a lot of publicity about Sykes and how at first they refused to return deposits but then they reversed their policy. I'd keep going at them and asking them to cancel. Just because SOME restrictions may have been lifted (although coronavirus is still with us) doesn't mean that they can refuse to refund your deposit. They could offer you some vouchers if you book later on but they've been having such adverse publicity I think their popularity will be affected, I hope so anyway.

These are unusual times and obviously you wouldn't have cancelled normally. It's like an act of god, out of your control. You could try contacting somewhere like the Guardian, they have a facility where you can tell them your problem and they help you - my daughter had a big problem with PayPal and as soon as they intervened, hey presto! - she received a full refund and a big apology plus compensation. Sykes needs to be publicised as a company who are selfish and money grabbing. What kind of holiday would it be in semi-lockdown, without the prior wedding, anyway?! You need to keep contacting them and asking for your money back and cancellation. They are obviously losing money hand over fist but this is absolute and utter daylight robbery. I wouldn't pay them a penny more, either.

So what would your response be if COVID wasn't the reason but the wedding had been cancelled because the couple had split up for example?

mr_stripey

MalMonroe said:

There's been a lot of publicity about Sykes and how at first they refused to return deposits but then they reversed their policy. I'd keep going at them and asking them to cancel. Just because SOME restrictions may have been lifted (although coronavirus is still with us) doesn't mean that they can refuse to refund your deposit. They could offer you some vouchers if you book later on but they've been having such adverse publicity I think their popularity will be affected, I hope so anyway.

These are unusual times and obviously you wouldn't have cancelled normally. It's like an act of god, out of your control. You could try contacting somewhere like the Guardian, they have a facility where you can tell them your problem and they help you - my daughter had a big problem with PayPal and as soon as they intervened, hey presto! - she received a full refund and a big apology plus compensation. Sykes needs to be publicised as a company who are selfish and money grabbing. What kind of holiday would it be in semi-lockdown, without the prior wedding, anyway?! You need to keep contacting them and asking for your money back and cancellation. They are obviously losing money hand over fist but this is absolute and utter daylight robbery. I wouldn't pay them a penny more, either.

But you are now allowed to go an stay in holiday cottages. Ergo, the booking is valid and cancelling it will incur the cancellation fee as per the T&C's of the booking.

That is a different situation from Sykes retaining deposits during "full" lockdown.

The OP can complain, and who knows, maybe Sykes willl give a goodwill refund - but I doubt it and they are by no means compelled to.

isplumm

mr_stripey said:

MalMonroe said:

There's been a lot of publicity about Sykes and how at first they refused to return deposits but then they reversed their policy. I'd keep going at them and asking them to cancel. Just because SOME restrictions may have been lifted (although coronavirus is still with us) doesn't mean that they can refuse to refund your deposit. They could offer you some vouchers if you book later on but they've been having such adverse publicity I think their popularity will be affected, I hope so anyway.

These are unusual times and obviously you wouldn't have cancelled normally. It's like an act of god, out of your control. You could try contacting somewhere like the Guardian, they have a facility where you can tell them your problem and they help you - my daughter had a big problem with PayPal and as soon as they intervened, hey presto! - she received a full refund and a big apology plus compensation. Sykes needs to be publicised as a company who are selfish and money grabbing. What kind of holiday would it be in semi-lockdown, without the prior wedding, anyway?! You need to keep contacting them and asking for your money back and cancellation. They are obviously losing money hand over fist but this is absolute and utter daylight robbery. I wouldn't pay them a penny more, either.

But you are now allowed to go an stay in holiday cottages. Ergo, the booking is valid and cancelling it will incur the cancellation fee as per the T&C's of the booking.

That is a different situation from Sykes retaining deposits during "full" lockdown.

The OP can complain, and who knows, maybe Sykes willl give a goodwill refund - but I doubt it and they are by no means compelled to.

Totally agree with you Mr Stripey - the cottage is available, so I am not sure what Sykes have done wrong here?  I don't see that they are being selfish & money grabbing?? I own a gite in France which I rent out & would not allow someone to cancel a booking if the gite was available - obviously if the area that the gite is in was in lockdown, then I would allow the customer to move the booking.

Mark

goenry

Thanks for input everyone, the main issue was that there would be 4 households that was due to occupy the space and under current rules, that would not be allowed under gov guidance. That may well change end of aug, but we couldn't use the cottage as we had planned. I managed to get hold of the owner and tried to discuss a postponement and take up the dates in march where the wedding was moved to or a cancellation but was told he is bound by Sykes normal t&c. Ultimately I wasn't going to let the booking drag on where I may end up being charged the full amount so have cancelled yesterday so liable for the remainder of the deposit. Welcome thoughts on how to complain or indeed the guardian route if you have more info.

mattyprice4004

MalMonroe said:

Deleted_User said:

Sykes aren't responsible for the wedding so that's not a good case at all.

I doubt your insurance would cover you for a cancelled event but check the policy documents.

That's just not helpful, is it?

It's relevant and accurate, just because it doesn't conform to your 'treat everyone with kid gloves' mentality doesn't mean it's wrong or unhelpful. 

The information posted was entirely accurate, and asking to check the policy documents was in fact helpful. 
One could easily argue it's more helpful than your post, ironically enough  

goenry

So there was loads of dead links on their website but the one that does work is the cancellation button! I selected cancel, a new window pops up with a button to confirm you wish to cancel and that I would owe £360 (not exact figure). if I choose to accept this option, it said they will deduct that amount from my chosen payment method. I hit submit and then assume that was the end of the matter. I've now received an email saying that I have chosen to cancel but I have to get in touch to make payment. Do I need to be up front for this or let them get in touch for payment?