SCAM: Dont get booked accommodation on Booking.com and cancelled without refund

shripal

Upon arrival at the listed property address, I was unexpectedly redirected to a different location that lacked even the most basic amenities. The room provided was in an unacceptable condition—unclean and poorly maintained. When I requested essentials such as drinking water and blankets, I was informed by the cleaner that none were available.

I was traveling with my elderly parents (both over 60) and my 6-year-old child. It is deeply concerning that such basic provisions were not met, especially given the needs of my family. The situation became even more distressing when, on 24th August, I was informed that my booking had been cancelled by the property owner without justification. This forced me to urgently search for alternative accommodation, causing significant stress and disruption to our vacation.

I trust you are aware of the circumstances surrounding this booking and the unjust cancellation. I was present at the property at the correct check-in time, and the cancellation was made without valid reason. I ask you to consider how difficult this situation would be for any family, and I hope you can empathize with the position I was placed in.

Given the lack of service, the poor condition of the accommodation, and the abrupt cancellation, I respectfully request a full refund for this booking.

DE_612183

Hi, think this is on the wrong board - also you've just copy and pasted what looks like a complaint email.

By the way - booking.com is in fact the top travel and tourism website globally. It is the most visited travel site.

you may have a complaint about an individual issue - but the site itself is not a scam and to claim so could get you in trouble legally wise...

Voyager2002

I suggest you post on the consumer rights section of this forum, asking what you should do now. Since your booking was cancelled on you, I have no doubt that you will receive a refund, but the cost of last-minute accommodation is likely to be more than this and you are likely to be able to claim some of these additional costs. I don't know; you obviously don't know; but some of the experts on this board do know and will be happy to give advice if asked.

Beeblebr0x

I've heard so many bad things about Booking.com recently that it's caused me to avoid it altogether 

Exodi

Beeblebr0x said:

I've heard so many bad things about Booking.com recently that it's caused me to avoid it altogether 

Why? The crux of the OP's issue is due to the state of the accommodation (not booking.com's fault) and the behaviour of the property owner (also not booking.com's fault).

I think the OP is conflating the two.

Likewise you would expect the biggest companies would receive the biggest amount of feedback (positive and negative). FWIW I have only ever had a positive experience with booking.com

I also wonder whether it truly is the coincidence the OP describes wherein they arrive, feel the room was unacceptable, has issues of cleanliness, poor maintenance, etc. They request things like bottled water and blankets and were denied, suggesting that basic provisions were not met and then totally out of the blue the booking is cancelled mid-stay by the property owner.

The property could have of an unacceptably poor standard, however the OP loses all favour with those on this forum by suggesting that booking.com has scammed him, when neither has happened.

They likely will receive a refund, but I've no idea whether it will be part or in full - but I have some suspicion about the events that led to the cancellation.

screech_78

Crikey. Are over 60’s considered elderly now?! 😳

Voyager2002

Exodi said:

Beeblebr0x said:

I've heard so many bad things about Booking.com recently that it's caused me to avoid it altogether 

Why? The crux of the OP's issue is due to the state of the accommodation (not booking.com's fault) and the behaviour of the property owner (also not booking.com's fault).

I think the OP is conflating the two.

Likewise you would expect the biggest companies would receive the biggest amount of feedback (positive and negative). FWIW I have only ever had a positive experience with booking.com

I also wonder whether it truly is the coincidence the OP describes wherein they arrive, feel the room was unacceptable, has issues of cleanliness, poor maintenance, etc. They request things like bottled water and blankets and were denied, suggesting that basic provisions were not met and then totally out of the blue the booking is cancelled mid-stay by the property owner.

The property could have of an unacceptably poor standard, however the OP loses all favour with those on this forum by suggesting that booking.com has scammed him, when neither has happened.

They likely will receive a refund, but I've no idea whether it will be part or in full - but I have some suspicion about the events that led to the cancellation.

The website does seem to be vulnerable to poor behaviour by property owners, with minimal to zero customer support.

My own experience a few years ago: when I arrived at the property I had booked in Turkey, the owner was very surprised: it was his home, and he had emphatically not made it available to visitors. I contacted Booking immediately: clearly I had been defrauded, and was keen to make a police report. However, my messages and telephone calls went unanswered, and so the scammer did not face any penalties. Booking did eventually refund my payment, but of course there was nothing for the considerable time wasted and inconvenience. 

At least they used to be cheap and offered some good properties. Their 'best price' guarantee is now just history; they tend to charge more than rival platforms now and so I see no reason at all to continue using them.

Beeblebr0x

@Exodi

Why my wish to avoid Booking.com?

Too many stories about the lack of interest taken by Booking.com in response to people's complaints about the condition of accommodation. I think that's enough reason.

Grumpy_chap

shripal said:

Upon arrival at the listed property address, I was unexpectedly redirected to a different location that lacked even the most basic amenities. The room provided was in an unacceptable condition—unclean and poorly maintained. When I requested essentials such as drinking water and blankets, I was informed by the cleaner that none were available.

I was traveling with my elderly parents (both over 60) and my 6-year-old child. It is deeply concerning that such basic provisions were not met, especially given the needs of my family. The situation became even more distressing when, on 24th August, I was informed that my booking had been cancelled by the property owner without justification. This forced me to urgently search for alternative accommodation, causing significant stress and disruption to our vacation.

I trust you are aware of the circumstances surrounding this booking and the unjust cancellation. I was present at the property at the correct check-in time, and the cancellation was made without valid reason. I ask you to consider how difficult this situation would be for any family, and I hope you can empathize with the position I was placed in.

Given the lack of service, the poor condition of the accommodation, and the abrupt cancellation, I respectfully request a full refund for this booking.

I take umbrage at your parents (over 60) being designated as "elderly".

Putting that aside, I read the post as stating that the cancellation occurred on 24th August (Sunday) and it is now only Wednesday following a Bank Holiday Monday.  There quite possibly simply has not been sufficient time for the refund to be processed and show in your account.  Has the booking agent (or anyone else for that matter) stated that a refund will not be processed?

How long was the original booking for?
How long did you actually stay at the accommodation you were admitted to?

Can you also clarify the nature of the accommodation?  Is this some camping / glamping type facility?  Is this a "back-to-basics" experience?  It is just the reference to requesting essentials (blanket / water) and being advised neither are available reads a bit oddly, assuming this is a UK destination where mains services are common.

Okell

Over 60?  Elderly?

The OP knows how to win friends and influence people.

Not.

born_again

shripal said:

Upon arrival at the listed property address, I was unexpectedly redirected to a different location that lacked even the most basic amenities. The room provided was in an unacceptable condition—unclean and poorly maintained. When I requested essentials such as drinking water and blankets, I was informed by the cleaner that none were available.

I was traveling with my elderly parents (both over 60) and my 6-year-old child. It is deeply concerning that such basic provisions were not met, especially given the needs of my family. The situation became even more distressing when, on 24th August, I was informed that my booking had been cancelled by the property owner without justification. This forced me to urgently search for alternative accommodation, causing significant stress and disruption to our vacation.

I trust you are aware of the circumstances surrounding this booking and the unjust cancellation. I was present at the property at the correct check-in time, and the cancellation was made without valid reason. I ask you to consider how difficult this situation would be for any family, and I hope you can empathize with the position I was placed in.

Given the lack of service, the poor condition of the accommodation, and the abrupt cancellation, I respectfully request a full refund for this booking.

What date was the stay? Given the mention of 24 Aug?
So if owner cancelled booking who sent you to the other property?
What was the reason for the cancelation?