Low cost holiday deposit

EdLilly

Ten days ago I booked a holiday cottage through Hoseasons by telephone. I was offered the option of paying a low cost deposit. No reference was made to the fact that if I cancelled I would be liable for the balance of the deposit.
I have just advised Hoseasons that I wish to cancel my booking and they advised me that I will have to pay the balance of the deposit as per the booking conditions.
I'm so frustrated. Has this happened to anyone else? My first sight of the booking conditions was when I received my confirmation email. Can they really enforce a booking condition when they didn't advise me of it?

The_Unready

I know you booked by phone, but are their T&Cs not shown on their website?

Humphreyshalfmoon

Yes, every 'low-cost deposit scheme' operates precisely the same way. Unless you could show you had never seen the website before booking, which could be very difficult, then you have probably seen, but clearly not read the booking conditions. I suspect they have a fixed statement that all their staff are required to read out during the booking, asking you to confirm you have accepted the booking conditions, if you think they didn't you could ask for a copy of the call.

I am assuming you have no insurance or the reason for cancelling is not covered by it?