Can a Tour Company Suddenly Change The Package?

makeusvisible

I'm feeling quite angry and frustrated at an email I have just had.

We are travelling to Liverpool for a few days stay next week.  It's a family trip for the 4 of us.  As part of this we decided to book the Magical Mystery Tour, which is a coach trip around the city, Beatles focused.  We specifically booked this tour because it also offers free entry into the Cavern Club afterwards, which would normally cost a family of 4 £20.

The free entry to the cavern was specifically advertised on the website when booking, and it also states so on the e- tickets which I received.

I have had an email this morning, that to my reading, basically says 'because we are very busy this week, we cant give you free entry'.

I don't particularly want to turn up on the day and have to argue with their rather large bouncers on the door.  Nor do I want to cancel the bus tour, as at this stage it would be too late to book an alternative.

I'm pasting the email below I have received from them. 

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We hope that you are looking forward to joining us on the Magical Mystery Tour this week.

You may or may not be aware that this week the Cavern Club on Mathew Street, is hosting Beatleweek festival until 31st August.

While capacity is still reduced due to covid safety measures that remain in place and the general increased pre-purchased tickets to the festival, we are unable to waive the Cavern door charge to Magical Mystery Tour customers between 25th and 31st August.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. You are of course, welcome to enter the Cavern Club (subject to availability) where you can pay on the door. Entry is £5 per person for single entry or £10 for an all day pass.

We hope you enjoy your Beatles tour. All the best.

Cavern City Tours

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I don't know what angers me more.  The fact that they arent honoring the agreement, or the fact they mention they cant honor it due to covid....but can if we pay extra.

Any advice would be appreciated as to a responce email (if worthwhile).

Jenni_D

Ask the bus tour people for a £20 refund?

PS ... the UK spelling is honour.

TripleH

Check fully your terms and conditions.

Get all support documentation to show the tour to the cavern club was free and send to the tour company.

There could because clause that says certain attractions could be subject to a charge beyond the agent control.

The key point is what outcome do you want?

If you want to go to the cavern club you will have to pay but argue to see if you could get your money back or you don't go.

makeusvisible

TripleH said:

Check fully your terms and conditions.

Get all support documentation to show the tour to the cavern club was free and send to the tour company.

There could because clause that says certain attractions could be subject to a charge beyond the agent control.

The key point is what outcome do you want?

If you want to go to the cavern club you will have to pay but argue to see if you could get your money back or you don't go.

I have been back to the booking page and terms and conditions.

As a side-note, the Cavern Club are the company that run the tours... it's one company.

Their terms and conditions do say they can change pricing, but with 28 days notice for prior bookings. There isn't any clause about removing free entry to the club during busy periods.

To be honest, I think we'll do the tour, but won't pay extra to go to the club.  Not a lot we can do about it.

ItsComingRome

Either go on the tour and pay on the door or argue for a refund.  From a consumer rights angle you can't force them to give you what you initially paid for, only a refund.

IvanOpinion

Jenni_D said:

PS ... the UK spelling is honour.

An interesting aside, prior to the standardisation of spelling, the spelling of words was quite variable with many words being spelt with and without the 'u' and even some other variations (even Shakespeare used both versions).  Both the US and UK decided to standardise their spelling.

In the UK Samuel Johnson standardised by taking a very 'purist' approach and looked at the origin of the words.  If it was clear that the word had its origins in latin then that spelling was used, if not then they assumed french origin and used that spelling.

In the US similar was being driven by Noah Webster who looked to standardise through simplicity and removal of redundancy.  So the 'u's got removed and, in some words the 're' was reversed (e.g. centre/center).  Several of his other suggestions did not make it to the final cut (e.g. dropping silent letters in the likes of 'island').

So while the spelling in the UK generally differs to the US, strictly speaking neither spelling is wrong (accepted you did not suggest this).

makeusvisible

IvanOpinion said:

Jenni_D said:

PS ... the UK spelling is honour.

An interesting aside, prior to the standardisation of spelling, the spelling of words was quite variable with many words being spelt with and without the the 'u' and even some other variations (even Shakespeare used both versions).  Both the US and UK decided to standardise their spelling.

In the UK Samuel Johnson standardised by taking a very 'purist' approach an looked at the origin of the words.  If it was clear that the word had its origins in latin then that spelling was used, if not then they assumed french origin and used that spelling.

In the US similar was being driven by Noah Webster who looked to use standardise through simplicity and removal of redundancy.  So the 'u's got removed and, in some words 're', for reversed (e.g. centre/center).  Several of his other suggestions di not make it to the final cut (e.g. dropping silent letters in the likes of 'island').

So while the spelling in the UK generally differs to the US, strictly speaking neither spelling is wrong (accepted you did not suggest this).

Thanks for this, actually quite interesting.  I believe money saving expert is an online forum, and not limited to the uk, so as you correctly say, neither spelling is incorrect.  

I never find it useful when people attempt to correct grammar or spelling on a forum. It shows a lack of knowledge in the actual topic, and an overeagerness to say something, even when they might have nothing of value to add. Aside from that, it's just rude.

Jenni_D

To be pedantic ... this is a UK forum. It may have a .com address but MSE is very much UK-based. (Martin Lewis - who founded MSE - is very much British). 😉 As such an observation on US vs UK spelling is not without merit ... it is not unknown for US people to come to this forum without realising that it is not a US one.

PS - Which part of the first line of my previous post was not helpful? 🙄

makeusvisible

Jenni_D said:

To be pedantic ... this is a UK forum. It may have a .com address but MSE is very much UK-based. (Martin Lewis - who founded MSE - is very much British). 😉 As such an observation on US vs UK spelling is not without merit ... it is not unknown for US people to come to this forum without realising that it is not a US one.

PS - Which part of the first line of my previous post was not helpful? 🙄

.

Well, the site is on a .com domain (not .co.uk) and is hosted in Chicago, IL. That is about American as it gets.  Regardless, picking people up on grammar or spelling in such a way, is just plain rude and patronizing... actually, come to think of it, it just isn't very British.

Jenni_D

I am sorry you took offence to my innocent remark ... none was intended. x

Aylesbury_Duck

makeusvisible said:

Jenni_D said:

To be pedantic ... this is a UK forum. It may have a .com address but MSE is very much UK-based. (Martin Lewis - who founded MSE - is very much British). 😉 As such an observation on US vs UK spelling is not without merit ... it is not unknown for US people to come to this forum without realising that it is not a US one.

PS - Which part of the first line of my previous post was not helpful? 🙄

.

Well, the site is on a .com domain (not .co.uk) and is hosted in Chicago, IL. That is about American as it gets.  Regardless, picking people up on grammar or spelling in such a way, is just plain rude and patronizing... actually, come to think of it, it just isn't very British.

Being bothered by something so inconsequential isn't very British, either.  We're supposed to be a bit more stoic than that.  

Patronizing is American English.  It's patronising over here