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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be pissed off at this accommodation

75 replies

RainbowBriteUk · 17/12/2021 12:46

I booked a seaside getaway for a treat. Very excited!

The accommodation looks truly lovely.

After I booked via a website (and they took my money) I received an email saying (in a nice way) that they're charging £20 extra for a deep clean per stay due to covid. Fair enough but I'm pissed off that this wasn't in writing before I booked. I wouldn't have gone for it otherwise. It was clear in the email that if I didn't agree with the charge then I could opt for a refund but come on now, they've already taken the money from my account, a refund could take a while and rebooking somewhere else would obviously mean even more money coming from my account which isn't feasible at the moment!

AIBU?

OP posts:
ChangeChingyChange · 17/12/2021 12:47

It's £20. Unclench.

alksiehru · 17/12/2021 12:48

Yeah they should have told you before you booked, but they are also offering a full refund if you aren't happy so I don't think it's too unreasonable really.

JudgeRindersMinder · 17/12/2021 12:50

Pretty underhand of them but unfortunately you just have to suck it up or cancel. I’d mention it on any review you do though

StrawBeretMoose · 17/12/2021 12:50

YANBU to be annoyed at the charge but you're making a bit of a song and dance about the refund option. There are places you can book which take your card details but don't take payment immediately.

Mrsjayy · 17/12/2021 12:51

I mean they should have put it in their advert it was probably an oversight it's £20 I don't think I'd be overly annoyed pay it and enjoy my break.

peboh · 17/12/2021 12:52

Yes it's mildly annoying that it wasn't mentioned before paying, however for the sake of £20 and a little break I couldn't find it in me to be super pissed off. They've offered a full refund if you aren't happy with the extra charge.

sirfredfredgeorge · 17/12/2021 12:52

Trading Standards, it's a straight up bait advertising isn't it which is just a banned practice?

Original poster
RainbowBriteUk · 17/12/2021 12:53

Maybe i'm just being dickish then. I shall just go and enjoy myself!

OP posts:
sirfredfredgeorge · 17/12/2021 13:02

*Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price and then—

(b)refusing to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time, or

with the intention of promoting a different product (bait and switch).*

They've advertised the product at price X, knowing they can't deliver it, attempting to sell the new product (it + covid cleaning) for X+20.

This is a banned practice in all circumstances, and it's banned because so many people here are encouraging you to just go "shrug it's 20 quid, write it off" and it's therefore profitable, at the disadvantage of the consumer and honest traders (who'd advertised a fair price at the start and instead you went with these charlatans)

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/12/2021 13:06

I'm not sure if that's even legal of them!

They advertised a price and didn't mention a non-negotiable additional charge. I'n pretty sure airlines got handed their arse for this sort of shite years ago.

TBH I'd be taking a refund - if they'll pull that stunt, what else will you find when you get there?

Mrsjayy · 17/12/2021 13:08

I think people are just being super cautious with this Omicron enjoy your holiday leave a review like a pp said and don't let it wind you up any more.

IntermittentParps · 17/12/2021 13:31

@sirfredfredgeorge

*Making an invitation to purchase products at a specified price and then—

(b)refusing to take orders for it or deliver it within a reasonable time, or

with the intention of promoting a different product (bait and switch).*

They've advertised the product at price X, knowing they can't deliver it, attempting to sell the new product (it + covid cleaning) for X+20.

This is a banned practice in all circumstances, and it's banned because so many people here are encouraging you to just go "shrug it's 20 quid, write it off" and it's therefore profitable, at the disadvantage of the consumer and honest traders (who'd advertised a fair price at the start and instead you went with these charlatans)

Yes, this. It's very sharp practice; they've deliberately constructed a fait accompli. No way would someone cancel now (as you should/would be well within your rights to do, really, as it's banned) as it means they won't get their holiday.

I'd email them and remind them that it's a banned practice (offer to send on the email to Trading Standards for them so they can double-check). Tell them you will take the holiday at the advertised price, not a penny more. See what they say to that.

3beesinmybonnet · 17/12/2021 13:43

We rent out a sc apartment via airbnb and we would never do this. It's underhand and probably illegal as pps have said. We have been doing a deep clean for Covid since we were allowed bookings last year and are always upfront about our cleaning charges.

Most people won't want the hassle of cancelling and rebooking. How many times have they got away with this? You could try refusing to pay it but I wouldn't hesitate to mention this in your review to warn future customers.

Hoppinggreen · 17/12/2021 13:47

It is shot they didn’t mention it before but don’t let it spoil your break

2bazookas · 17/12/2021 13:49

Did you read ALL the T and |C| before you booked.pd deposit?

Or, did they point out this universal new charge in case you HADNT read the T and C.

thevassal · 17/12/2021 13:56

I agree with the posters who are saying it's sneaky and illegal. Covid has been going on for a long time now, there is no reason why they should have only suddenly realised they'd need to introduce deep cleans between each resident, and shouldn't have added that on to the price.

Lovely that so many posters are so rich that 20 quid means nothing to them...maybe think about donating it rather than insulting posters online as there are people to whom that amount would mean the difference between heating/eating for a fortnight.

Lacedwithgrace · 17/12/2021 13:59

Instead of going on holiday during covid, stay home! If you're more worried about £20 than the harm you could be causing you have more problems than you realise

IntermittentParps · 17/12/2021 14:13

@Lacedwithgrace

Instead of going on holiday during covid, stay home! If you're more worried about £20 than the harm you could be causing you have more problems than you realise
That misses the point. It's banned. As in, businesses are not meant to do it.
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 17/12/2021 14:18

They should have told you, but I’d just pay the £20 if it looks truly lovely

ElftonWednesday · 17/12/2021 14:23

Pay it, have a nice stay then report them to trading standards and mention the extra last minute payment in the review.

ThatsNiiice · 17/12/2021 14:45

@ChangeChingyChange

It's £20. Unclench.
This gave me the giggles, thankyou Grin
valadon68 · 17/12/2021 14:48

I would write to them nicely and ask them to reconsider. Explain what you've explained here. The price isn't set in stone, they're human too, and maybe you can reach a compromise e.g. £10. People will often respond reasonably if you put it in a friendly and polite way.

AbandonedCharacter · 17/12/2021 14:50

@ChangeChingyChange

It's £20. Unclench.
You're very fortunate that £20 obviously is nothing to you.
momtoboys · 17/12/2021 14:54

You wouldn't have booked a "truly lovely" getaway over a $20 cleaning fee?

Dozer · 17/12/2021 14:57

I’d respond in writing stating that I wanted to keep the booking at the advertised price, referring to the regulations PPs mention.