Friends Holiday Cancelled

MissClaireT

My friend and I was talking about going on holiday and next thing she sent me a message she had booked a holiday for us and paid both our deposits without my knowledge. I was happy to go so I paid 3 months of instalments to her and then she said she couldn’t go anymore and would need to cancel. She offered to pay for a name change for my sister instead but I preferred just to cancel it as it wasn’t really a holiday of my choice anyway. I’ve essentially paid her for nothing so was wondering should she pay me back my 3 payments(£120)? Am I being reasonable to ask for it or should I just let it go? 

oldernonethewiser

How much was the deposit and how much did she lose by cancelling?

eskbanker

Does cancellation just involve loss of deposit or are there potentially more cancellation charges to come?

I don't think there are any right or wrong answers to the issue of who between the two of you is more at fault, but questions like "Am I being reasonable..." generate plenty of opinion on the likes of Mumsnet!

DullGreyGuy

MissClaireT said:

My friend and I was talking about going on holiday and next thing she sent me a message she had booked a holiday for us and paid both our deposits without my knowledge. I was happy to go so I paid 3 months of instalments to her and then she said she couldn’t go anymore and would need to cancel. She offered to pay for a name change for my sister instead but I preferred just to cancel it as it wasn’t really a holiday of my choice anyway. I’ve essentially paid her for nothing so was wondering should she pay me back my 3 payments(£120)? Am I being reasonable to ask for it or should I just let it go? 

So she has a formal agreement with a company and you have an informal agreement with your friend.

As it's a "friend" you need to work out your priorities... they will be bound by the terms of their contract which normally means no cancellation but a fee to realign. 

Having paid 3 installations its not clear if its all paid off or only 1/3 of the way there

sheramber

Does she have a reason for cancelling that could be covered by travel insurance ( assuming you took out cover) or os it just a change of mind.

If it the latter I would want her to refund my money but it depends how much you value the friendship, as that may end it.

tightauldgit

It's a bit of a weird situation given that she booked it without your knowledge but you seemed quite happy to pay for it and go on the holiday until she changed her mind so there's nothing really stopping you from going on your own or with someone else is there?

Given the terms and conditions of most holidays she may not simply be able to cancel it and she might end up having to pay for it anyway. 

Since shes a friend you probably need to have a discussion about what is expected/reasonable - if she has to pay up for the rest of the holiday is she going to expect you to pay "your half"?

TELLIT01

Many tour operators accept low initial deposit but the full deposit will still have to be paid in the event of cancellation.  Have the payments made so far covered that full deposit cost?  If not there may still be more to pay.  Also, depending on how long it is until the holiday should be happening there may be more than just the deposit to pay.  You need to speak to your friend to find out exactly what the financial situation is.

Ganga

If she is a really good friend she will either return your money or you could just write it off and stay friends ,up to you.

NoodleDoodleMan

Oh dear - a bit of a mess.

Firstly (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) but your friend hasn't paid "both" deposits as separate amounts - the tour operator will have taken one initial deposit amount in the name of the lead passenger, for all parties on the booking.

The payment of your part of the deposit to her is an arrangement between the pair of you only.

She shouldn't have made any reservation without your approval - nor should you have compounded her error by paying her instalments, as this is tantamount to retrospectively agreeing to her arrangerments.

As mentioned above, the booking deposit situation needs clarification - she may have to pay the full deposit, which is likely to be more than the £120 already given to her.

MissClaireT

 I was just wondering what others thought about the situation before I spoke to her about it. Different ways of looking at it really so will just need to discuss it and find out whats happened with the booking and go from there. Thanks for the advice everyone  

Voyager2002

I suggest that you ask her, as a matter of urgency, to find out how much more has to be paid if the whole holiday is simply cancelled. Note that the company is highly unlikely to refund anything, but may require further payments, and since your friend is the "lead passenger" she is legally liable to make these payments. I suspect that once she finds out that cancellation means that not only does she not get any money back but might have to pay more, she will realise that she can go after all.

If she still "cannot" go then consider whether or not you ask her to refund the money that you have already paid (and consider whether or not she would actually return it to you anyway).