Hoseasons, trying to charge me to cancel.

[BerkyWithTheGoodHair]

I had a week long uk caravan holiday booked since last year.
I paid deposit only.
I have just lost my job due to the current economic issues (worked in a retail shop that's probably about to go under)
I've got no money. Not not enough money, no money at all. I also have an urgent maintenance issue in the house that I've just been quoted 1k for, which absolutely needs doing. I feel utterly screwed.

Hoseasons emailed about the balance deadline approaching so I rang them to cancel. They want 200+ to cancel (and it's 700+ for the balance) and when I said I simply do not have the money, the guy literally just did an audible shrug and said tough, it's non negotiable. He was not the slightest bit understanding or kind.

Has anyone got experience with this? Would they chase me for it? The card I paid the deposit on has since been replaced and is a new number so I don't think they could put a charge on it, and even if they did - it would bounce!

Have you read their terms and conditions ? Quite often there is a sliding scale of how much you have to pay depending on how long it is until your holiday ?

Sadly if it’s in their T&C’s they could be right that you need to pay to cancel I’m afraid.

I had a similar experience with Hoseasons when I forgot to add a dog to a booking. When I called the day after booking I was told the accommodation that allows dogs were sold out and was as offered a lower standard chalet for £250 more or £250 to cancel. I asked to speak to someone in management who offered no solution and was rude. I took it to Twitter and within 10 mins was offered a refund. Post a summary of the issue on their home page!

Worst case scenario is they take you to court. You can show the court your financial situation and they can set a realistic repayment plan.

This is their cancellation policy which you will have accepted as part of the terms and conditions when you booked the holiday, so it depends on how many days it is until your holiday. I don’t think you’re going to be able to not pay without consequences but if they take you to court, the court will allow you to sort out a payment plan, I would imagine.

Number of days before the start date of your trip that we receive your notice to cancel (or on which you are deemed to have cancelled)
Cancellation charge (in addition to any Enhanced Cancellation Terms fee or administration fees you have already paid which are non-refundable)

More than 70 days
Full standard deposit

57 to 70 days
50% of total accommodation cost

43 to 56 days
60% of total accommodation cost

29 to 42 days
75% of total accommodation cost

8 to 28 days
90% of total accommodation cost

7 days or less
95% of total accommodation cost

We use Hoseasons a lot and if you paid the low deposit of £25 when you booked then it's in their t's & c's that to cancel, you'll need to pay the rest of the deposit which is why they're telling you there's money owing to cancel.
Not much you can do as you have to tick the box when you book to say you've read their t's & c's so as far as they're concerned, you owe the money and they could chase you for it.
Sorry to hear your bad news and hopefully they'll be understanding but I wouldn't hold my breath tbh. 💐

They fucked me over last year and l will never ever book with them again.
So sorry for your situation op but depends on the & case l guess

Can you not delay holiday for another year

Can you sell the holiday on to someone?

how do you audibly shrug?

They have done this for years. When you pay a low deposit you have to agree to pay up to the full deposit if you cancel. Whether or not they will pursue a claim I don't know, but if you booked online the information would have been there.

Unfortunately it's in the T&Cs. The low deposit is what gets you in. I had this exact scenario and they were so quick to chase me for it. I now have a CCJ.

Try and see if you have any other options rather than just not paying.

The fee to change dates is probably cheaper and then even if you don't think you can do it then, you can cancel with more notice so hopefully less to pay. Worth a try anyway.