Direct Ferries nightmare

havingaball74

After buying a flexi ferry ticket, and paying extra for the ability to cancel/amend, our online account stated that cancellation wasn't an option. We didn't need to cancel but e mailed them anyway to check why the flexibility wasn't available online. We stated clearly that we didn't want to cancel, just to check our ticket type. Now Direct Ferries have emailed to state that they have infact cancelled our booking anyway! I've now heard awful stories of people not being refunded. There's no phone line, e mail communication is terrible and they aren't covered by ABTA. I just wish we hadn't emailed to check our ticket type and just got the ferry! We are now £400 down in an increasingly frustrating situation. What should we do?

Aylesbury_Duck

Re-book, I guess.  When's the holiday?  If it's soon, your best bet is surely to re-book and chase the refund separately.

comeandgo

I’d book direct with the ferry company you are using and chase Direct Ferries for your repayment.

havingaball74

Thank you. We've booked with the ferry company directly and are chasing up the refund as suggested. My concern is the terrible reviews online about refunds not being received. The company isn't covered by ABTA either 

sheramber

How dod you pay?

TELLIT01

To late for the OP now, but I'll never understand why people don't book direct with the ferry company/tour operator/airline in the first place.  Check consolidator prices by all means but avoid booking with them.  Any problem is always going to be more hassle when more than one organisation is involved.

Aylesbury_Duck

TELLIT01 said:

To late for the OP now, but I'll never understand why people don't book direct with the ferry company/tour operator/airline in the first place.  Check consolidator prices by all means but avoid booking with them.  Any problem is always going to be more hassle when more than one organisation is involved.

Because....cheap.

Same reason people go for wowcher and the like.

Jumblebumble

TELLIT01 said:

To late for the OP now, but I'll never understand why people don't book direct with the ferry company/tour operator/airline in the first place.  Check consolidator prices by all means but avoid booking with them.  Any problem is always going to be more hassle when more than one organisation is involved.

I agree in principal but sometimes it is far cheaper 
 A few years back Virgin from LHR to BOS and back from JFK to LHR
Consolidator price £400
Virgin direct £900

havingaball74

sheramber said:

How dod you pay?

Debit card, frustratingly. 

havingaball74

Direct Ferries aren't covered by any governing body so I'm not sure where to go next if they don't pay up. 

sheramber

chargeback through your bank.