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AIBU?

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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:
Selks · 23/04/2015 20:51

Wow Chocolatefudge, could you be any less sympathetic? Hmm

Flowers for you, OP.

Chocolatefudgebrownieicecream · 23/04/2015 20:51

Have you tried asking fb friends if they want to buy the holiday from you.

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:51

It is an emergency operation. I wasn't expecting it.

I don't have the energy to fight and name and shame stuff. I'll try and email but I'm not holding out much hope.

I can sell the holiday but it's such short notice that I doubt anyone would buy it.

I'm just going to have to suck it up.

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 23/04/2015 20:51

Is there any way the rest can go without you? I know it's shit having to deal with things like going into hospital and getting home again alone, but thousands do every day. Get a taxi.

If CP really won't budge, and there is no reason why they should, then I would try to make the best of it and make DH and the kids go without me.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:52

Of course you'ree upset. How horribly disappointing.
Get drafting a letter.

soapboxqueen · 23/04/2015 20:52

I'd be crying down the phone at them. Ask to speak to a more senior person and cry at them. It can't make things worse.

Negative publicity won't get you anywhere. CP are very popular. Hence why they can get away with the prices they charge.

I always get the insurance because the holidays cost so much.

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:53

I was nothing but polite to the cp people I spoke to. It isn't their fault is it.

OP posts:
Chocolatefudgebrownieicecream · 23/04/2015 20:53

I am very sympathetic I just think sibu to blame cp.

RosesareSublime · 23/04/2015 20:54

Op, I have been in all sorts of situations and had to simply argue and put my case forward, and I have never lost out and I would be dammed to have a huge company like this - crap all over our holiday in such circumstances.

Just go higher up.

write emails....a few to people higher up, say whats happened to you and you thought they would be more understanding and helpful.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:54

When were you going? Which CP?
Don't "try" to write an email. You have been very eloquent here about an unpleasant situation and you are capable of writing a decent letter in support of your case.

LynetteScavo · 23/04/2015 20:55

I think it's mean of them not to agree to move it to a later date...it's really not going to cost them any money to do so.

I'd take the matter higher, saying you have learned a valuable lesson about insurance!

Altinkum · 23/04/2015 20:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SharpPencil · 23/04/2015 20:56

skipper, don't beat yourself up about not taking insurance as they would've regarded the complication with your arm as a pre existing condition, as you were injured already when you booked the holiday (by the sounds of things).
dh went skiing after an ankle injury, and we were not covered for anything relating to that. although i guess you could've got cover if you'd had a massive excess....

i know that doesn't help your current situation, but at least you can stop kicking yourself, iyswim.

good luck with it. agree you should try head office or similar.

RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 23/04/2015 20:57

PM'ed you Skipper

TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 20:58

You love CP. Your kids have always wanted to go and to be ale to tell other ppl about how great CP is. The facilities are awesome.
You know you were foolish to imagine that insurance wasn't something that you might need. Please can they help you in this matter

Original poster
SkipperBlueEyes · 23/04/2015 20:58

Who should I aim to email? I'll have a look on their site in a minute.

We are meant to go on Monday. I only found out yesterday about op and called straight away

OP posts:
PastPerfect · 23/04/2015 20:58

chocolate that was gratuitously spiteful post.

OP I sympathise - I'm sure the majority of people don't even think about insurance on a UK holiday.

Sorry you're having such an awful time

Alabamarama · 23/04/2015 20:59

I really feel for you OP, but in this instance, you've made a mistake by not taking CP's insurance. They make it really clear on the phone and on their website that it's optional, but if you don't take it, you are fully liable for the cost of your stay if you have to cancel, and your booking is not transferable. No ifs, no buts I'm afraid. It's not fair of you to expect them to lose money. That's what insurance is for.

Regarding the point about them still having lodges available - that unfortunately makes it less likely that they'll agree to your request, because if they were fully booked, they might have a waiting list, which means they'd be able to give you a refund then re-sell your lodge, and not lose the money they'd make on that unit.

RosesareSublime · 23/04/2015 20:59

Skipper NO, you dont have to suck it up, copy and paste your op with a few amendments, and send it to a few people higher up.

of course she can blame cp how difficult will it be to be flexible, for someone to press a button to reorg her trip. honestly.

why people choose these places in the first place! this is what you get!

Loads of free accommodation, no trouble to them at all, but no, who cares someone nearly died, wanted a break and now needs an emergency op!

Has no one been seriously ill, or had a parent with cancer? Your poor DC op, the tension and fear and worry you have all been through and are still going through is awful.

These things make me so cross.

Sirzy · 23/04/2015 21:00

Sharp - insurance will cover pre existing things, ok it costs more but well worth it for peace of mind.

RosesareSublime · 23/04/2015 21:01

It's not fair of you to expect them to lose money

Very true, poor center parcs shall we start a MN collection for the poor dears?

they should never ever make exceptions, cancer, life threatening accidents, no, tough titties Angry

SharpPencil · 23/04/2015 21:01

ok sirzy, i was told that we weren't covered so i guess it must depend on shopping around for cover.

RosesareSublime · 23/04/2015 21:02

I think it's mean of them not to agree to move it to a later date...it's really not going to cost them any money to do so

of course its not.

monkeysaymoo · 23/04/2015 21:04

I feel for you OP I must admit when it comes to booking UK holidays I often forget about travel insurance too. Something similar happened to me a few years back I landed in hospital a week before we were due to go to eurodisney, we did have insurance but I phoned eurodisney first to see if I could swap dates and was told no so phoned travel insurance who told me the excess would be £50 per person, so £200 for the four of us (which was annoying as the 2 children were stay and play free).

I decided to try eurodisney one more time, spoke to someone different who just said "sure what date do you want to come instead" and change our booking to another date without extra cost. I'm glad I phoned again as I thought £200 excess on a £700 holiday was crazy!

You have nothing to lose by trying to contact someone else about the matter, obviously it is at their discretion but worth a try. My friend had to leave her holiday at center parcs after the 2nd day as her ds got chicken pox and they were given a voucher to cover the cost of another holiday. Mind you I think that was because they didn't want to risk them staying for the rest of the week!

TheRealAmandaClarke · 23/04/2015 21:04

Martin P Dalby is their CEO according to google.

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