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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I inform holiday compsny

51 replies

SharpieDog · 18/09/2021 12:39

So, we booked a holiday with a travel company.

When we arrived at our cottage we immediately removed the following and placed them in a cupboard.

Rug
Blanket
Cushions

We have a puppy and such items are sometimes taken and we didn't want it to be a problem. I noticed when putting the rug away it was stained on the underside, I didn't photograph or report this and it would not have been noticed unless we had picked it up.

Unfortunately on the last evening, our dog damaged the sofa. First thing the next day I informed the holiday company and they in turn sent me a claim form as we'd taken out insurance.

The form required some information from the owner, the holiday company advised to email direct.

When I emailed, he then advised that the rug and cushions were also damaged and he had to buy new ones.

He attached a receipt, it looked very old for something that should only be a week old, the date would be on the bottom and this conveniently was not showing.

I replied that his accusations were totally incorrect and the reasons why.

I honestly think he was trying to pull a fast one, thinking we would just pay it as it's an insurance claim.

I feel I should inform the company we hired the cottage through. They can ask for the full receipt, which I do not believe will show the correct date!

AIBU to inform them?

OP posts:
icedcoffees · 18/09/2021 16:22

I think the receipt shows who is being disingenuous! That receipt not showing the date and looking three months old, tells a story.

The receipt he photographed may well be from the original purchase - that doesn't mean mean he doesn't have a newer receipt or that the items weren't replaced.

Unfortunately you have no proof that you didn't damage the items, so it's your word against his at the end of the day.

Original poster
SharpieDog · 18/09/2021 16:27

@icedcoffees

I think the receipt shows who is being disingenuous! That receipt not showing the date and looking three months old, tells a story.

The receipt he photographed may well be from the original purchase - that doesn't mean mean he doesn't have a newer receipt or that the items weren't replaced.

Unfortunately you have no proof that you didn't damage the items, so it's your word against his at the end of the day.

Exactly, so doesn't make him right and he stated receipt for "new" items attached.

It's not the receipt for the new items, therefore as we didn't damage them, we won't be claiming for them.

We can't have damaged them, we didn't use them.

OP posts:
TedGlenn · 18/09/2021 16:34

I assume the reciept is just to show you how much the items cost. So it would make sense it would be several months old. Once the insurance has paid him, he'll go out and purchase new ones.

Anyway, you should definitely tell the agency he is pulling fast one - it's their insurance policy being claimed off (or they might self-insure, i.e. they put the premium into a kitty and pay out to owners when required) so it is them he is defrauding. They'd definitely want to know!

Clymene · 18/09/2021 16:54

@TedGlenn

I assume the reciept is just to show you how much the items cost. So it would make sense it would be several months old. Once the insurance has paid him, he'll go out and purchase new ones.

Anyway, you should definitely tell the agency he is pulling fast one - it's their insurance policy being claimed off (or they might self-insure, i.e. they put the premium into a kitty and pay out to owners when required) so it is them he is defrauding. They'd definitely want to know!

He's told the OP he's already bought new ones.
Horst · 18/09/2021 17:23

I mean the fact the op owned up to the sofa damage she would have no reason to not own up to others if she did do them since insurance will cover it. His just being a cf

YellowClouds · 18/09/2021 17:45

It from the owners point of view, someone's dog damaged a sofa which is a complete pain. Generally sofas aren't things you can get at short notice.

So that are left with a damaged sofa in a holiday let, which lets be honest really isn't idea, and not great for the next guest.

After finding out about the sofa the owner then does a check of the property and finds the rug is stained, not to much of a leap for them to assume that this was also the dog.

When claiming insurance it's common to show what things cost when bought surely, so the receipt being old makes sense.

You don't buy new items and then present that receipt to the insurance company and say 'this is what I've bought, I'd like thes reimbursed please!' Confused

worrybutterfly · 18/09/2021 18:02

That receipt doesn't look that old to me. Yes it's crumbled up, but the 'ink' looks pretty fresh and the paper hasn't yellowed. The prices are all the current offer prices as well. Although they may be been on offer previously too, or this may be the original receipt just to prove cost/ownership.

I don't think he's trying to pull a fast one. I think he's just done a thorough once over for damage because of the sofa. He's seen the rug and assumed it must have been the dog because you didn't let them know it was already damaged when you first arrived. That or the next people in the let reported the rug and wet cushions to the owner.

You admitted the rug was damaged, so he's not making a false claim. Fair enough message back and tell him it was already damaged and see what he says. But I don't think there is need for all the 'he's trying to con me'

Original poster
SharpieDog · 18/09/2021 18:39

@worrybutterfly

That receipt doesn't look that old to me. Yes it's crumbled up, but the 'ink' looks pretty fresh and the paper hasn't yellowed. The prices are all the current offer prices as well. Although they may be been on offer previously too, or this may be the original receipt just to prove cost/ownership.

I don't think he's trying to pull a fast one. I think he's just done a thorough once over for damage because of the sofa. He's seen the rug and assumed it must have been the dog because you didn't let them know it was already damaged when you first arrived. That or the next people in the let reported the rug and wet cushions to the owner.

You admitted the rug was damaged, so he's not making a false claim. Fair enough message back and tell him it was already damaged and see what he says. But I don't think there is need for all the 'he's trying to con me'

I have messaged back? As said in my op?
OP posts:
KatherineOfGaunt · 18/09/2021 18:52

I don't think technically it's your fault you didn't report the damage to the underside of the rug. After all, had I been staying there, I don't have a dog so wouldn't have lifted the rug to notice and is have been oblivious. I think the fact you reported the sofa straight away shows you're willing to own up to damage. Therefore you would have owned up about the rug, too.

Mindymomo · 18/09/2021 19:05

He’s trying it on, knowing there is a stain on rug that was there previously and wants you to claim on insurance. He would have to show that the rug had no stain before you stayed. Like previous people have said he needs to show receipt with date on, otherwise no insurance claim will be processed.

icedcoffees · 18/09/2021 19:07

We can't have damaged them, we didn't use them.

But he doesn't know that. So it's your word against his as to whether you did the damage or not.

MoreStuffingMatron · 18/09/2021 20:28

I’ve not stayed in many holiday cottages (must get out more!) so I can’t understand why you are being charged for damage.

Is this not covered under the owner’s insurance?

Happy to be corrected!

icedcoffees · 18/09/2021 21:44

It's normal to charge for damage caused by the customer - it's why you take out holiday insurance.

The owners' insurance will cover things like damage due to fire, flood or faulty appliances.

MMAMPWGHAP · 18/09/2021 22:00

I had a paper receipt in Dunedin this week.

MMAMPWGHAP · 18/09/2021 22:00

Dunelm

QuestionableMouse · 18/09/2021 22:37

@MMAMPWGHAP

I had a paper receipt in Dunedin this week.
They refused to give me one which was kinda annoying!
RAFHercules · 18/09/2021 23:58

Urgh, I hate this. You are clearly honest as you owned up to the more considerable damage. I reckon he is pulling a fast one.
We had problems in a holiday cottage last year. DS sat on a bed whilst unpacking and it collapsed underneath him. Owners tried to accuse him of jumping on it, he is 22 and a nurse Hmm he isn't particularly given to bouncing on beds. We had literally been in the property for 5minutes.
Same cottage had horrendous head "grease" stains on the leather sofa that had been covered with a throw. We photographed them and reported in case they tried to accuse us of that too.

ThinWomansBrain · 19/09/2021 00:09

I don't understand why the receipt should only be a week old - why would they replace rugs and cushions that frequently?
I do understand earlier explanation that owner may not have noticed damage to rug between lets - particularly if cleaning is outsourced - but they should accept your explanation that you'd put them away at the start of the week and not your damage.

NorthCountryMam · 19/09/2021 00:15

The date in the receipt barcode is showing 10/09/21. Is that after your stay finished?

Wingedharpy · 19/09/2021 00:27

How can you tell @NorthCountryMam?
Genuinely interested to know.
I want your skills.Grin

NorthCountryMam · 19/09/2021 00:42

Sadly not that skilled, I just work in retail!
If you ignore the last 7 digits on this receipt it's the 6 digits in the format of yy/mm/dd.

Wingedharpy · 19/09/2021 00:48

Thanks Mam.
Every day's a school day round these parts.Flowers

msbevvy · 19/09/2021 00:51

The rug is currently on special offer and that is the price on the reciept.

WeBurnedSoBrightWeBurnedOut · 19/09/2021 00:54

@NorthCountryMam

16 years in retail and I didn't know that! I take my hat off to you!

I was going to suggest OP phone the store and give the receipt details and they should be able to find the date, but no need now!

icedcoffees · 19/09/2021 07:27

@NorthCountryMam

Sadly not that skilled, I just work in retail! If you ignore the last 7 digits on this receipt it's the 6 digits in the format of yy/mm/dd.
Interesting!

So it looks owner may be telling the truth about when the items were replaced.

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