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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to expect campsite to honour PAID booking?

33 replies

Pamelaaaaa · 03/06/2021 13:43

Booked a weekend camping for last May. Covid closed the campsite so they phoned and asked if I wanted a refund or the booking carried over to this year for the same weekend, same pitch, same price. I asked them to carry it over and they sent me an invoice and confirmation showing the price, balance etc, all paid.

I randomly logged in to the booking today on their website and the booking shows £4 outstanding. Phoned them up and asked why and they said prices have gone up this year. I explained to the lady on the phone that the booking was rolled over from last year and I was told it was the same price. I have an invoice showing balance as £0 etc and she didn't care and just kept saying prices have gone up. I know it's only £4 but it's the principle! Can they even legally do this?

OP posts:
Lockheart · 03/06/2021 13:46

Can they even legally do this?

What do the T&C's of your booking say?

Original poster
Pamelaaaaa · 03/06/2021 13:56

T&Cs say "We reserve the right to add or amend terms, conditions and prices from time to time if considered necessary."
But you can't change the price AFTER payment surely? Otherwise you can just double everyone's prices a day before they arrive??

OP posts:
Lockheart · 03/06/2021 14:09

@Pamelaaaaa

T&Cs say "We reserve the right to add or amend terms, conditions and prices from time to time if considered necessary." But you can't change the price AFTER payment surely? Otherwise you can just double everyone's prices a day before they arrive??
It seems like they can, if it's in their T&C's. Obviously you wouldn't double everyone's price the day before because you'd lose custom and go out of business very quickly.

I agree it doesn't seem fair but for the sake of £4, how much energy are you willing to expend arguing with them about this?

If it were me I'd just pay it and grumble (and make excessive use of the facilities).

CeibaTree · 03/06/2021 14:10

Meh, I'd just pay it without query - campsites and other hospitality type places have lost so much money over the past year. It's not actually their fault they couldn't open last year. Just consider it a donation to keep a small business going.

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 03/06/2021 14:25

Agree with others, it’s not worth getting stressed about for the amount.

I know what you mean about the principle and if this was, say, a hotel or self catering place that had whacked £200 on the bill, I’d be livid - but for the sake of £4, I’d just pay it without much of a second thought.

Enjoy the trip!

RubyGoat · 03/06/2021 14:28

TBH I do think that while they are BU here, for the sake of £4 I’d probably just pay it rather than lose the space. It’s shoddy practice though.

CraftyGin · 03/06/2021 14:28

They will have to fund Covid measures, so should pass these costs onto the customer.

Smartiepants79 · 03/06/2021 14:29

For £4? I’d not be allowing it to take up so much of my mental energy.

MrsTerryPratchett · 03/06/2021 14:31

I have the same with one of DD's activities. They offered a refund, but said they'd really appreciate the support if everyone kept their money in the pot as it would help keep the lights on. We did (aren't we nice) then when the time came, prices had gone up. I paid it but I was pissed off.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 03/06/2021 14:31

It doesn't seem right if you had already paid although their Ts & Cs do cover potential rises so seems 'legal'. To be honest, for £4 I'd just be grateful they've managed to reopen at all else you'd have lost the whole lot.

Killahangilion · 03/06/2021 14:31

No, their terms and conditions cannot override basic contract law.

You have an agreement in writing that the price was £xx and the balance after payment is £0. The business cannot increase the price afterwards just because they’re making less profit or for any other reason. They are legally obliged to provide the service for the price you agreed to pay originally.

Changes to terms can reasonably include the availability of amenities during your stay but no, they cannot change the offer once you’ve paid, otherwise they’re in breach of contract and you can sue them.

MyDcAreMarvel · 03/06/2021 14:31

It’s £4 just pay it .

purplecorkheart · 03/06/2021 14:32

I was expecting you to say they doubled the price or something. £4 honestly I could not be bother to give it a second thought.

Lockheart · 03/06/2021 14:34

@Killahangilion

No, their terms and conditions cannot override basic contract law.

You have an agreement in writing that the price was £xx and the balance after payment is £0. The business cannot increase the price afterwards just because they’re making less profit or for any other reason. They are legally obliged to provide the service for the price you agreed to pay originally.

Changes to terms can reasonably include the availability of amenities during your stay but no, they cannot change the offer once you’ve paid, otherwise they’re in breach of contract and you can sue them.

I suspect the cost of suing them may run to rather more than the extra £4.
notanothertakeaway · 03/06/2021 14:34

@Smartiepants79

For £4? I’d not be allowing it to take up so much of my mental energy.
I think that cuts both ways. For the sake of £4, I wouldn't want to lose customer goodwill
bluntness1001 · 03/06/2021 14:35

Jesus just pay the bloody money!
I never read anything so ridiculous 🙄

Original poster
Pamelaaaaa · 03/06/2021 14:36

They've reconsidered and taken the £4 off. We'll be spending plenty in the restaurant etc anyway (I can't be bothered to do camping cooking this weekend). I agree £4 seems silly to lose the booking over, it was definitely the principle that I allowed them to roll the booking over rather than give me a refund as I thought that would be better for them!

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 03/06/2021 14:36

It’s £4. I wouldn’t risk losing my booking for the tiny sum of £4

Now it was £50+ I would argue

Floralnomad · 03/06/2021 14:36

@bluntness1001

Jesus just pay the bloody money! I never read anything so ridiculous 🙄
Exactly
Grizalda · 03/06/2021 14:36

@CeibaTree

Meh, I'd just pay it without query - campsites and other hospitality type places have lost so much money over the past year. It's not actually their fault they couldn't open last year. Just consider it a donation to keep a small business going.

In normal times I'd pay it but make a mental note to maybe looks elsewhere next time but with everything that has gone on the last 18 months I wouldn't even give it a second thought.
£4 to potentially save a business, I'd happily pay it … and if it was a business that I used often and valued, I'd maybe look into giving a bigger donation, tbh.

RipplesBips · 03/06/2021 14:37
  1. They are BU
  2. They legally cannot do this. My terms and conditions could state that I get to kill you if you annoy me, doesn't mean it's allowed. Terms and conditions have to abide by the law. Basic contract law means they cannot unilaterally alter key terms of a contract after it's been agreed.
  3. It's £4, just pay it and be smug that you're not as petty and ridiculous as they are and that you're entirely in the right.
  4. The idiots will lose themselves a lot of business with this kind of behaviour - it's only £4 but I'm sure it's put you off going back, OP.
PhatPhanny · 03/06/2021 14:37

Its £4, not worth the argument

Original poster
Pamelaaaaa · 03/06/2021 14:42

£4 clearly means more to some people than others. Doesn't really matter if it's £4 or £400 really does it?
I've lost £2.5k because of covid. It's been shit for a lot of people.

Thank you kill that's essentially what I wanted to know if it did continue.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pamelaaaaa · 03/06/2021 14:42

Thanks ripples

OP posts:
Original poster
Pamelaaaaa · 03/06/2021 14:44

bluntness I'm happy you live in a world that law, principles and MONEY have no meaning to you.

OP posts: