Racing Breaks Refund

jannerbee

Apologies if this in the wrong section but it did seem most suitable. 
I booked 12 tickets in two bookings for a racing break in mid august that is now cancelled. I am now struggling to get a refund, which is made worse as i paid by debit card due to friends transferring money to my account.
I have emailed numerous times and had no response, phone calls are ignored and go to voicemail. I managed to find a 020 number when i googled them, which went through to a sales agent that flatly refused to provide any contact number for the office or accounts team. He stated that the events wouldn't be refunded till the date of which the original meeting was due to take place, which is the first i had heard. After a brief discussion he hung up and refuses to answer the phone.  Judging by reviews online, this is standard practice, with people still asking for refunds from April events. The company has received money back from the organisers (the racecourse) but are refusing to pass this on. 
Any advice would be appreciated, is there a way to complain through this site? An ombudsman for such things? Or do i serve them a pre court letter? 
It is frustrating that they ignore all correspondence but are happy to take sales calls! 
Thanks in advance 
James

bradders1983

"He stated that the events wouldn't be refunded till the date of which the original meeting was due to take place"

Hmm. Which meeting is it? All the big ones have or are gone/going ahead behind closed doors bar the 2020 Grand National meeting, either in their usual spot or a month or so later. Cant think of any big meeting in mid August other then the Ebor, so maybe wait until it happens behind closed doors and then try again?

JJ_Egan

August last one is usually Goodwood .

No racegoers until final Day Saturday then 5000 members only .

bradders1983

JJ_Egan said:

August last one is usually Goodwood .

No racegoers until final Day Saturday then 5000 members only .

Goodwood is always late July/ early August, so cant be the one the OP is on about. 

In any case even if it was the crowd trial this Saturday is only for the annual members.

jannerbee

It was for the market rasen meeting on 15th August. He refused to put it in writing or give me any contact number, which seemed strange. I found another random email online for an employee but this hasn't helped. I found the facebook page of the owner so i have messaged him! I don't want to have to do such things but they just won't speak to anyone (judging by trust pilot) . Just don't know what to do!?

bradders1983

So not even a big meet then, unless that is when the Summer Plate usually is but they ran that the other week. They tore up the original fixture list months ago and did a new one, Market Rasen no longer has a 15th Aug meet behind closed doors HOWEVER they do have one on the 16th. So maybe wait until after that as they can no longer use the "wait until the original date" as an excuse. 

Failing that...how did you pay, and what was the total?

jannerbee

thanks for the replies by the way! 

I paid by debit card as friends just transferred me the money and i bought tickets once received. Total paid was £546 including a delivery fee. I have even been contacting them on messenger, which they read and then ignore! 

bradders1983

i would try one more time after the 16th, if that fails then initiate procedures with your bank.

Gutted I wont be able to go to the horses this summer tbh, even if it was just the low grade Doncaster evening meet that should have been around now.

jannerbee

Thanks for the help. I don't hold much hope that they will respond after 16th as i have received little confirmation so far. I have checked with the bank but it says it might not be able to dispute items over 120 days old. I paid in Jan & Feb but it wasn;t cancelled until June so wasn't possible to dispute in this time frame.

bradders1983

I was under the assumption you have 120 days from when the service was meant to have been delivered (in your case, the 15th Aug) but someone may correct me on that.

jannerbee

Thanks for that. I am asking the bank online now for more info but been awaiting someone on chat for 15 minutes. 
Cheers again for your help and advice.