Beware of this awful holiday company

doodle_bug

cottages4u although their company is:

Spring Mill, Earby, Barnoldswick, Lancashire, BB94 0AA. Tel: +44 08700 782100.
cottages4you is part of Holiday Cottages Group, a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation.

They have numerous websites even Blakes boating is part of their set up.

I booked a holiday on their website and was supposed to get a confirmation email within 48 hrs, it didn't come, I checked the holiday I had booked and it was available, initially it went to unavailable when I'd booked it. I phoned them up and they said they had no record of my reservation so they put me through to reservations, I was waiting in a queue for 45 minutes 0870 number and I gave up. I sent them a complaining email, soon after I received booking ref. that was last saturday. I phoned them on the monday and complained and they apologised about their website having a problem and that there were only 5 staff in so that's why the long wait on the phone. They said they'd send all the tickets etc. out first class that day, I did receive them next day but there was no invoice. I just looked on my credit card and they have billed me £627.27 the cost should be £534 in total plus 1.5% cc charge.

This company is horrendous, I've booked flights and hotels all over the world and never had any trouble.
I go on holiday on saturday but will kick up a fuss when I get back.

loobs40

£627 is £534 + vat. Maybe the prices were advertised vat exclusive ?

mrcow

I make a point of not dealing with any company that uses 'text speak' in it's company name (same as I try not to use any company that deliberately mispells words eg. Kidz...aaarrrgh!)

Thanks for the warning. I hope that you enjoy your holiday anyway.

Murphy_The_Cat

Hi doodle-bug

it sounds like you have had a really bad experience with cottages 4 u.

i have used cottages 4u (or their various offshoots) to book about 7 cottages over 6 years and in my experience the service i have rec'd has been completely flawless.

My purpose in posting here is not to gloat, but rather to share my positive experiences with other posters.

MTC

Westywoodpecker

I have to agree. We have used this company a couple of times with no problems at all. Hope you have a good holiday & that the weather is kind for you.

steverockers

I think you have been unlucky. All business' have blips from time to time and I think you hit one. I have advertised my property in France in Chez Nous (another publication in the group) for a number of years and have never had difficulties. It is a large group and I suppose it would be naive to expect them to get everything right 100%of the time. Enjoy your holiday!!

doodle_bug

Got to France ok. and had a good holiday, first 5 days had glorious weather over 30C.

The Directions to the property were incorrect, took some finding, a French guy phoned the owners who gave him directions and although he couldn't speak English managed to draw me a map.

The caretakers of the property couldn't speak any English but managed to tell me they wanted a 170 Euro deposit, I didn't know about it. I had about 140E on me, was going to use my Nationwide card for everything. I offered them £100 in the end they didn't want any money, they thought they were going to leave me without money for food. When I got back home I had some more paperwork from the holiday company and in it did mention the 170 Euro.

The overcharge was £35 for my dog and the property had a June discount of 10% which they hadn't taken off, they have credited the overcharge back to my C/C.

I will never use this company again, the set-up is prone to mistakes, if I bought something on Amazon I'd see exactly what I'm paying and be able to print it off. On Radio 4's You & Yours they have had companies like this who deliberately keep the phone queues long so that they rake in money on the 0870 number.

doodle_bug

loobs40 wrote:

£627 is £534 + vat. Maybe the prices were advertised vat exclusive ?

If I'd done that sum I'd have had steam coming out my ears, the final amount after going through everything stated total amount to pay £534 inc. The original price was £584 - 10% = £525 + £35 dog +1.5 % CC = £568 and they have credited my card with £59.

oramgepekoe

Have used this company twice a year in the UK for several years with no problems. Have found their cottages are of a higher standard than many similar companies. I always pay them by debit card to avoid the credit card surcharge and do not buy their insurance.