MIL has been ripped off

[MarshmallowMeadow]

We’re staying 2 nights in a holiday cottage which was booked by MIL and cost her over £1000. It’s disappointing to say the least - it’s cold and drafty, on a main road in a not nice part of town, the TV doesn’t work and it generally looks really tired.

I couldn’t believe the price so have just Googled it to see the reviews and it’s listed on Booking.com, Trip Advisor and Air Bnb for around £250 per night. MIL booked by phone through a specialist holiday cottages travel agent who suggested this when the cottage she wanted was fully booked.

I feel like she’s been ripped off by the travel agent and was wondering if we had any recourse? It’s been so kind of her to pay for this and I hate to see her being overcharged. It would be (just about) okay for £250 per night but not for over £500 per night! Any advice welcome!

2 nights in autumn in the UK for £1000. What was she thinking?!

I know!! I was expecting something fabulous for that price so was shocked when we got here, hence why I googled it as I couldn’t believe she’d paid so much money!

I’d screen shot the cheaper prices and contact the company stating you believe they’ve made a pricing error and go from there, who is the travel company?

@villanellesproudmum that’s a good shout, thank you, will do that tomorrow. I’d prefer not to name the company at this stage to give them a chance to put it right first.

I don’t know where she stands. How was it advertised to her? Definitely take photos as evidence .

Even £250 a night seems far too much for a midweek break in a not very nice place.

Did the £1000 include a refundable deposit?

For £500 a night I could stay at a top luxury hotel in London!!

I don't think she has much choice to demand a lower rate now it's all been paid and you're there though perhaps you could get some money back because the TV is faulty. A painful lesson learned for your MIL.

@hmmwhatatodo I don’t know, I think they suggested it to her as it had availability at short notice (I now know why!!). I’ve tried googling where she stands but haven’t really found any info, so thought I’d ask the wise people of Mumsnet!

Thanks for your replies. I’m going to call the company tomorrow morning and see what they say, wish me luck! She’s quite elderly and not very computer savvy so more easily taken in. It just makes me feel so sad to see her overcharged like this when she’s done a kind thing

Good luck. Hope you get somewhere.

Social media might also be your friend here. Hope they are reasonable.

She's certainly been taken advantage of, which would make me very annoyed.