Booking.com refusing to pay out

lawrieanne

Recently I rented my home on via Booking.com for the COP26 conference in Glasgow.

Booking.com took a reservation on the 20th of October and payment for a stay between Sunday 31st of October and Friday 5th November.

I was due to be paid this money 10 days after departure which was the 15th of November. This did not happen

When I called I was told it was 10 working days after departure and I would defiantly get my money on the 18th of November.  This did not happen.

 

I have called and e-mailed every day since and keep getting fobbed off with excuses.  They are telling me my property needs to be "verified" before they can pay me.  Verification surely is that someone stayed here and they took payment for the visit?!  Sometimes they tell me I need to be assessed by the finance department... assessed for what?  They have my money, they have my bank details but are refusing to give me my money.

 

I only rented my flat out for COP26 due to the shortage of accommodation in Glasgow and won't be doing it again but if I was I would definitely not be using Bookin.com.

 

I have done a bit of research and this seems a common issue - they just refuse to pay out on bookings they have taken for peoples personal property.  I would understand completely if they had to verify your property before they took bookings but that was not the case - they are happy to take the bookings then the money then tell you they need to verity the property.  They know the guests stayed here - they have had communication from them.  This is obviously how they make their money - just illegally withhold it from the people that are due it.  

 

Also of the payment they are due commission - I have told them I will fight them for this as they haven't done their job!

 

I am so frustrated - the constant calls every day having to chase are getting me down.  How can a big company like this bully owners like this and think it acceptable?

 

I wanted to flag as I'm sure there are hundreds if not thousands of people in the same situation as me.

 

If anyone has any advice on this please let me know - I fear I will never get what I am due

Jenni_D

What do their T&Cs say as regards the law which applies to the contract? (England + Wales?)

I suppose you could send them a Letter Before Claim and then follow it up with a court claim (Simple Procedure in Scotland), but whether you can reasonably bring a claim in Scotland may depend on the T&Cs.

How much do they owe you? The simple procedure means you can't recover costs for any claim under £300 - and I'm not sure if the claim has to be physically served on the defendant. (In England a claim can be filed with the court and served on the defendant online via MCOL).

JJ_Egan

Should be posted in Praise Vent and WARNINGS section .

Advice , wait a few more weeks then send an LBA  letter before action  see google for templates .