last minute cancellation UK holiday

lisyloo

We have cancelled 9 nights in a chalet in the UK.
There is no insurance (it's canine surgery so would probably not be covered by standard travel policies anyway and we don't a travel extension on the pet insurance as I didn't realise they performed surgery at the drop of a hat).
The Ts&Cs are clear - total loss.

Is there any obligation on the company to try to resell and refund us if they do - for example the second weekend (bank holiday) it's possible to get a booking?

I do not have expectations or judgements and understand the Ts&Cs.
I am just asking as I have a vague recollection that they should offer it for resale.
I would only know if it's booked by checking it on-line.

We are trying to find a family or friend to give it to but most of them work so have not found anyone as yet.

Their position has been all along - no refund even if re-booked.
I have complained mentioning unfair terms and they have now said they would make an exception.

tightauldgit

In theory at least yes they should only charge you for the actual loss they incur - so if they resell it then that should be deducted from anything you need to pay, although they can include any costs they incur in reselling it. How easy/difficult that is to enforce I have no idea.

saajan_12

Less also any costs of readvertising, booking in the new people etc - which it would be hard to argue. 
Where were you going? Can you try to advertise it yourself? 

lisyloo

saajan_12 said:

Less also any costs of readvertising, booking in the new people etc - which it would be hard to argue. 
Where were you going? Can you try to advertise it yourself? 

Gower penisula.
I have been trying to give it away to people we know. Everyone so far is either working or doing other things.
I'm not sure I'd want to re-advertise it to complete strangers as I'd be responsible for cleaning/damage and it's likely to be a weekend only now for most people.
It would be very easy for the holiday company to re-advertise as they already have website up and running they just need to mark as available on their system.
Harder for me as I'm not set up in the business and not a massive network on social media.

tightauldgit

Have you actually cancelled it or are you trying to give it away to other people? Those two things seem to be contradictory

lisyloo

tightauldgit said:

Have you actually cancelled it or are you trying to give it away to other people? Those two things seem to be contradictory

I haven't actually cancelled it with them so they are not at the moment re-advertising it (sorry for confusion - tried to get in all the detail). It's currently standing empty and paid for.

It's an option I'm considering once I exhaust all friends and family, but it's probably weekend only minus their costs and I may have to persuade them to get them to do it and they may have to contact the owner which could delay things. So far only stock answer from call centre people. Was checking facts here first and seems they should re-advertise (minus costs of course).

tightauldgit

Well bear in mind they can't actually market it again until you formally cancel it and the closer the date gets the less chance there  is of them selling it. 

sheramber

It's currently standing empty and paid for.

but it's probably weekend only minus their costs 

Do you mean the chalet is booked for the current week and you have not occupied it, and want to cancel the days left?

lisyloo

sheramber said:

It's currently standing empty and paid for.

but it's probably weekend only minus their costs 

Do you mean the chalet is booked for the current week and you have not occupied it, and want to cancel the days left?

It's booked and paid for.
We aren't occupying it.
Not yet formally cancelled.

It's unlikely to get booked during the week, but it's possible someone might want it for the bank holiday weekend at short notice.
I was just asking where we stand as the call centre people weren't overly helpful (which is exactly what I'd expect).

lisyloo

tightauldgit said:

In theory at least yes they should only charge you for the actual loss they incur - so if they resell it then that should be deducted from anything you need to pay, although they can include any costs they incur in reselling it. How easy/difficult that is to enforce I have no idea.

Are you able to quote anything that says they have to do this? or do you mean morally/good customer service wise they should?

I will google, but this info is the nub of the question.

tightauldgit

lisyloo said:

sheramber said:

It's currently standing empty and paid for.

but it's probably weekend only minus their costs 

Do you mean the chalet is booked for the current week and you have not occupied it, and want to cancel the days left?

It's booked and paid for.
We aren't occupying it.
Not yet formally cancelled.

It's unlikely to get booked during the week, but it's possible someone might want it for the bank holiday weekend at short notice.
I was just asking where we stand as the call centre people weren't overly helpful (which is exactly what I'd expect).

Hang on... do you mean you should be there now but you haven't gone and you haven't informed them that you aren't going? 

That's not a cancellation, that's a no show. I suspect not only have you lost all your money but you may not even be able to transfer it to someone else now even if you found someone.