Booking.com and Sykes Cottages

Chattykathyblueblue

I'd like some advice on this situation please. I booked an apartment via Booking.com in Lyme Regis for June which stated it had a parking space. I had a confirmation email from Sykes (who own/manage the property confirming the booking with a description of the property saying it had a parking space and this was repeated with the driving directions i.e 'the parking space is on the forecourt'. A few days ago I received an email from Sykes via Booking.com saying there had been an error and there isn't a parking space. So admitting it is their error. This is an absolute must for us so I requested a cancellation with a full refund. This has been denied! I have spoken to Booking.com twice and they are just repeating Sykes' view that I cannot have a refund!. The listing has also been changed and the parking space is no longer mentioned.  Luckily I booked with a credit card so have been in touch with my bank and will instigate a chargeback. Is here anything else I can do? As far as I am concerned I made the booking with and paid booking.com but they are being hopeless. Surely they are responsible for the change in the service? Thanks in advance.

in_my_wellies

I wish you good luck!
My brother, who lives in NZ, booked a Sykes cottage via Booking.com just before lockdown and they refused to refund his deposit. Both said the other was responsible. He never did get the money back. Every other company gave a full refund. He travels a lot and will never use Booking,com again

daveyjp

Sykes are an agent for cottages with their own website, using booking.com adds another party to a transaction so blame can happily be passed between them, it makes little sense to use booking.com.  Booking.com are also based abroad so options for UK residents to bring action are very limited.

You may want to have a look at twitter @sykescottages and see the replies tab,  terrible company who like booking.com can't handle the number of complaints they receive.

Chattykathyblueblue

I hadn't realised the apartment was with Sykes when I booked on Booking . com. I'm hoping Lloyds come through for us.