Any legal minded/trading standards people around?

Mumstheword

Hi,

This follows from a thread in the travel section, so I'll breifly repeat myself!

We go away on sat for a week at a haven park. Usually, I would wait til the last minute to book, and just take the chance that I may miss out. It's the only way we can afford to get away!!

Anyway, I received a mailing from Haven to say that their prices were at their lowest and would start to go up on 12july.

I phoned them and they confirmed over the phone that there was definitely no chance of a last minute bargain, the only way the prices would move was up. The cheapest holiday I could get was by booking straight away. So I did.

About a week ago, I noticed the price of the same holiday I booked had gone down, so I complained about the advice I had been given both verbally and in writing, and have been promised (not yet reached my bank) a refund of the difference. Today, I notice the prices have been further reduced! So I emailed them again and have been told it is not company policy to refund where prices have dropped, and they cannot help me further.

What do you think? I was tempted to forget it, but having re-read the mailing I received from them, there is no 'small print' to wangle out of their claim that the holiday prices would only rise.

Thanks in advance!
Mumxx

ps, if I don't reply, I will when I return!!

divadee

I would contact trading standards and see what they say. If you have it in writing on this advert that prices will definately not go down, then you should be able to claim for mis-leading advertising or something.


Let us know how you get on.

Mumstheword

thanks, that's my take on it too!

The ad doesn't actually say prices won't go down, it says prices will go up...."don't wait the clock's ticking....from 12 july prices will rise"

seems quite clear to me!

will speak to trading standards on my return and keep you posted

Freebie_Hunter_2

As said, if there's nothing in writing then theres nothing you can do. Small print covers them and no doubt they have put in a clause to cover themselves hsould you buy a holiday early and the same holiday drops in price.

If the advert said that the prices were low and you paid more than quoted in the advert (do read small print for hidden extras) then thats misleading advertising, but if the price advertised is high and you pay less then the customer benefits, there would be no case for compensation.

Unfortunately a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on!

They obviously didn't get the bookings they wanted so they've dropped the prices (of course the operator probably wouldn't tell you that as they want you to pay more!) which they are entitled to do.At least you got SOME money back which they don't have to do, so be thankful for that.

Just chalk it down to experience and enjoy your holiday!

rizla01

Since you frequently use the same Company for your holidays, I would think that knowing that they are certain to lose a frequent user of their services, that if they had any sense that they would compensate, if only to keep your custom.

Worth mentioning?

Mumstheword

thanks all,

they are aware that i am a regular, which is why i think i got the first refund maybe. i think it's within their better interests to keep regulars happy, and indeed the head office told me the reason for dropping the prices early the increasing them again was so that regulars would get the best prices, rather than last minuters!

there is def no smallprint, and the ad states that prices would rise from 12 july. the opposite happened, and they fell. It was that statement which made me buy when i did, ie i bought under false pretenses due to false advertising.

i dont think i'll get anywhere, but will try because it has really annoyed me. I wouldnt be annoyed if they hadnt told me this statement, because i would expect prices to drop for last minute left overs. It's just the lie that's angered me!!

still, we are all excited for tmrw, and hopefully we'll have a great week away.

will let you know whether trading standards think the company have done anything wrong when i get back next week,

mumxx

Turning_into_scrooge

http://www.consumeradvice.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi

http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

2 websites that may be of help to you.

Mumstheword

thanks t-i-s, i'll have a proper read through those on my return,

mumxx

DaveK

There is a trend emerging with all sorts of companies advertising something only to go back on it with no consquence. I'm sure it's because the competition is so fiery these days that underhand tactics are now becoming commonplace. If you speak to your local trading standards office they'd be in the best postion to advise.

shopbot

Mumstheword wrote:

The ad doesn't actually say prices won't go down, it says prices will go up...."don't wait the clock's ticking....from 12 july prices will rise"

I understand how annoying it must be but.........
if you read the sentence above, the only thing that the company has committed to is that the price will rise after 12 July. It does'nt say that the prices are at there lowest and won't go lower before 12 July.

As you said "the ad does'nt say actually prices won't go down" . Unfortunately in your case the price went lower! Very annoying but one to chalk up to experience maybe?

Mumstheword

Hi all,
Had a lovely holiday, despite my annoyance re the price!

Shopbot- the price reduction was after the 12th july, dont know if that makes any difference to your view point.

I'll have a word with trading standards today and see what they think too, will keep you posted!