Camp site refusing to refund when my son couldn't get there

Rosieh95

Hello, I'm looking for some advice please. my son made a last minute booking to a campsite on a little island off Brittany for himself and his two kids. he has a Peugeot van (Transit size). the island is accessible via a ferry. A day or so before he was due to go he found out that in peak season they restrict vehicles on the ferry - particularly that size and therefore he had no way of getting him, the children and all his camping equipment to the island. he called the camp site and they said he could not cancel the booking as he needed to cancel within 14 days of the start of the holiday. he had only booked 5 days before. There is no mention of the vehicle restriction on the camp site web page. I guess it is not really 'their problem' however as a single Dad the £300 he cannot reclaim is quite a blow.
Many thanks if anyone can offer any advice.

la531983

Which island is it?

elsien

If those are the terms and conditions, he signed up to then he has no right to a refund. As a  gesture of goodwill he could ask them to move it to a different date, but if it’s been and gone now it may be too late for that.

ETA  - looking at the ferry website they ask for the vehicle dimensions at the time of booking. Did he confirm that they definitely wouldn't let him on before trying to cancel? 

lisyloo

Sorry, it's his responsibility to get there. 
If he had insurance it still might not cover him for him making a mistake in planning transport that could never go.

Rosieh95

I should have been a bit clearer. he booked the camp site 5 days in advance, then tried to book the ferry to get there - they said they could not take his vehicle, then the campsite said he could not cancel as it was not 14 days before arrival.  

la531983

Rosieh95 said:

I should have been a bit clearer. he booked the camp site 5 days in advance, then tried to book the ferry to get there - they said they could not take his vehicle, then the campsite said he could not cancel as it was not 14 days before arrival.  

It doesnt really change much. Assuming its not a private island and a ferry run by the campsite, they didnt really have any obligation to tell him about the ferry restriction. Can you name the island please?

tacpot12

Rosieh95 said:

I should have been a bit clearer. he booked the camp site 5 days in advance, then tried to book the ferry to get there - they said they could not take his vehicle, then the campsite said he could not cancel as it was not 14 days before arrival.  

That doesn't change anything. The advice you have been given is correct. 

sammynunes

Probably worth rocking up to the ferry and seeing if an additional 20 euro fare will assist a ferry employee in measuring the van size incorrectly.

michele-p

Could there be another work around, could he borrow a smaller van or car to get there? Or even hire something? It might be cheaper than loosing his money.