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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be really cross with Center Parcs?

203 replies

SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:06

A little bit of back ground. In January my horse fell on top of and then rolled across me. I'm pretty lucky to still be here, I broke 3 vertabrae, 6 ribs, hip socket and smashed my upper humerous and the ball joint that goes into my shoulder was smashed to pieces I also punctured my lung. I had surgery on the arm and was in hospital for 4 weeks: I have 4 dc and it's been a terrible time for them and us as a family. My dad is also having treatment for cancer and our beloved dog was killed by a car recently, I'm still in horrendous pain and can't sleep at all it's been awful.

I decided we all needed some time as a family so I booked a lodge at Center Parcs, I went for the mid range one its not something we could usually afford but my lovely nan died and left me some money and the mid range has a physiotherm room which I thought may be helpful for me, I also splashed out on a couple of activities each for the dc. We've all been really looking forward to it.

I had a routine xray this week and a pin in my arm has pushed through and it's scraping in my joint each time I move my arm and causing damage and needs operating on asap the only time the surgeon can do is whilst we are booked in at cp I called and asked if we can change the date but all they kept saying was no I should have told them ten weeks ago and they'd have moved it. I'm so upset. Our holiday is ruined and the children are gutted I really thought they could've been a bit more understanding. Ainu?

OP posts:
Toughasoldboots · 23/04/2015 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:32

My dad is having radiotherapy daily so they can't take our place we have no one else. Also I need someone to drive me to and fro as the hospital is 3 hours away from home and I wont be able to do a lot for myself or be left.

OP posts:
TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:33

Poor thing.
Call the surgeon's medical secretary and tell her what has happened.
I wonder if its possible for them to make other arrangents/ try a short term splint/ have someone else perform the op????
You never know. Sometimes people can surprise you.

Dieu · 23/04/2015 20:33

Sorry you're going through such a tough time. Is there anyone else who could take the children, so that they don't miss out. Sounds like you could do with a rest at home anyway.

maddy68 · 23/04/2015 20:34

You may have travel insurance free with your bank account which you Kay not realise. Also if you booked with a credit card, you get some kind of protection, not sure if it would cover your reasons but might be worth a look

justabigdisco · 23/04/2015 20:34

I agree with ringing the consultant and giving it the full sob story Wink you never know!

(Not trying to make light of your situation by calling it a sob story OP, just mean you should tell them what you've told us and exactly why this holiday is so important to you)

TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:35

As a last resort I might consider sending the rest of the family away and muddle through at home -anything to have a night alone in my house--

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:35

Unfortunately the surgeon is only there that day otherwise I have to wait till the middle of May and I'm in too much pain and it's causing way too much damage to wait that long, I am already in a sling. The spot I have is earliest emergency available.

Not really hoping they'll see it, more wanting a vent and cry to be honest.

OP posts:
TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:36

Stikethrough fail Blush

Chocolatefudgebrownieicecream · 23/04/2015 20:40

YABU. You had a major accident and operation from it. You booked the holiday after this (so it appears from the op) and you didn't take out travel insurance. How is it centre parks fault?! This is what insurance is for. If they made an exception for you, then why would anyone take out cancellation insurance? Why should it even be offered? You sound very 'oh wow is me' perhaps concentrate on being thankful for being alive. And notneeding to cancel for your own life saving treatment/ thankful for being alive after your accident. I am ranting but gosh what makes you think you are superior to everyone else who actually takes insurance?

TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:42

So you have called them. I would write. I would do it now and send it by email and detail everything and throw yourself upon their mercy.
They dont have to make the change. They could lose money and you dont't hae insurance, but letters are harder to sidestep than phone calls. I would definitely try that.
Dont tell them they're beng mean. Just appeal to their generosity iyswim.
Sorry you're having a shit time.

Bedsheets4knickers · 23/04/2015 20:43

I know it's a business and all that but where is the empathy , a massive company like centre parks and it's hardly like you haven't been through enough. I'd go to the papers even to just name and shame . Very little good will in business these days

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:43

Yes chocolate I'm very woe is me, I tell you what though, you try and walk a mile in my shoes and see how you feel.

Of course I'm grateful to be alive.

I should have taken out insurance but I didnt. Am I not allowed to express disappointment at my children missing out yet again?!

OP posts:
TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:44

You were foolish not to take out insurance. But maybe admit that to them. Offer to pay the premium or whatever.
Pull out all the stops.

Chocolatefudgebrownieicecream · 23/04/2015 20:46

Yes you can express disappointment of course!!!!, no you shouldn't be cross with centre parks.

momtothree · 23/04/2015 20:47

Hi u need to go higher than the person that picks up the phone....CP. and tell them everything!! You have nothing to lose. Worth a try.

AuntyMag10 · 23/04/2015 20:47

I too would try to appeal to someone there who is a bit more senior. It's worth a try. Sorry that you are having such a horrible time, hope something works out for you.

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:47

I'm sorry if my posts appear defensive, I've just reached the end of my tether. I'm feeling so very low I'm in so much pain that even on very strong opiates im not managing to sleep, I don't know if the meds are affecting me as I'm incredibly tearful and I'm not usually a cryer. There is so much going on and I know it's only a holiday, I know there are people worse off and I feel so lucky to be here but, right now this just feels shit. All of it.

OP posts:
RosesareSublime · 23/04/2015 20:47

Your probably speaking to cust services who is not listening to you,

you need to escalate up immediately and ask to speak to managers, ask them if they want such negative publicity when you go on MN and tweet and go on face book etc....

good luck

lovingmatleave · 23/04/2015 20:48

I think Centre Parcs are being mean. Its not like you want a full refund - you are still willing to spend all your money with them. is it really short notice though? that might be what is making them say no. I wouldn't consider taking out travel insurance for a short uk break and I'm sure most other people wouldn't too.

bendybrickpumpkinpatch · 23/04/2015 20:49

Could you try and sell the holiday ?

TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:49

I would not name and shame.
They are doing nothing wrong. Although I can understand why Op feels so frustrated.
I think it would be diffrerent (for me, not sure why?) if the surgery was completely out of the blue, or lifesaving or, well, ......
But in this situation CP are not really being unreasonable.
You might be able to get them to make a concession though. Worth a try?

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:49

I'm not cross as in ranting down the phone. I'm more upset tbh.

OP posts:
RosesareSublime · 23/04/2015 20:50

ooop lots of X posts there but clearly great minds think alike.

Op in their right mind anyone with more power would not be so cruel and horrid, you need to go higher up and kick up a stink if necessary.

You know I have had similar experience but with independent B and B they couldn't have done more to help, be kind, bend over to help us.

^ A small one man business who lost our booking and yet a huge massive company like center parcs, cant rearrange for a lady who is in medical need?

Fucking hell....

Chocolatefudgebrownieicecream · 23/04/2015 20:50

I am sorry that this has happened of course. But you cannot blame anyone for your failure to take out insurance. Come and say 'oh I am so cross with myself for not taking out insurance' and you'd have all my sympathy, passing the blame gets my back up. And will get centre parks back up if that's your attitude to them.

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