To be pissed off at this accommodation

[RainbowBriteUk]

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?

Yanbu. They shouldn’t have taken your money before telling you of all their charges. Covid isn’t new, they’ve had plenty of time to work out how to make sure customers know this before booking.

First thing to do when you got there is inspect how clean it is, and if it doesn’t appear to have been ‘deep cleaned’ before your visit, or it’s no cleaner than you would expect it to be anyway, then ask for the money back.

People will often respond reasonably if you put it in a friendly and polite way

They appear to be breaking the law, just how reasonable are such people?

They should have told you in advance but remember they have had an incredibly difficult few years. Hopefully the place will be sparkling when you arrive!

@dotparker

They should have told you in advance but remember they have had an incredibly difficult few years. Hopefully the place will be sparkling when you arrive!

So has everyone, and they're in the holiday business. No sympathy for someone trying to pull a fast one.

Depending on when you booked and when your travelling, I’d say that the covid situation has got considerably worse again over the last week or so and understandable they are ramping up the cleaning again.

@FawnFrenchieMum

Depending on when you booked and when your travelling, I’d say that the covid situation has got considerably worse again over the last week or so and understandable they are ramping up the cleaning again.

Not the point. They can ramp up the cleaning, that's not a problem, but they shouldn't hide the charge until the point where people can't/won't be willing to cancel.

So are we to imagine that they do not normally have a satisfactory clean between guests. Do they usually just give it a cursory wipe down? Extra charges really annoy me. I had dental appointment a week ago, I had paid when I made the appointment a while ago, but on arrival I was informed that there would be an extra £5 charge for PPE. I was a little perplexed as the dentist and assistant have always worn PPE prior to Covid, so was unsure of what the extra charge was for. Anyway I didn't complain as I figured 1 dentist and 1 nurse using a mask, visor plus apron each may just about justify the price. However I was a little annoyed to be met be just the dentist, as nurses was not allowed in room for fear of passing on the virus. The dentist himself was just wearing a disposable mask, no visor and no apron, disposable or otherwise.
All charges should be given upfront imho.

I suspect they are charging enough for the rental to be able to absorb a £20 cleaning charge because covid has got worse. That said, covid is airborne - open the windows for a couple of hours and the place will be perfectly safe without using a whole bottle of Dettol.

You might want to point out that it's against consumer protection law to make unilateral changes to contracts once they are entered into OP . But maybe save it for the review. If you have a nice time you might feel more charitable about it - if there are other wrinkles you might not!

I've had similar when I ordered a TV stand. The shop phoned me a week or so later and said they'd quoted the wrong price. Well we've entered into a contract I said. Yes but we're not selling it to you at that price - you either pay the new price or we'll refund your deposit. I could have gone to court to compel them to give it to me at the old price, but it would have been too much hassle. Which is what traders rely on, and why we need a much more efficient and low level mediation system.

@ChangeChingyChange

It's £20. Unclench.

It’s illegal.

My dentist is charging £5 for PPE too. They do tell you in advance. But they also make you wear one of their masks, I'd rather wear an FFP2 one of my own.

It's underhanded and I'd mention it in any online reviews, to warn others.

No, that's very poor customer service. Hit them with a bad review.

YANBU at all.

People have linked to why it is wrong.

Depends on whether you had a good choice of other options ot not will determine whether you end up still going there (and writing about it on the review) or whether you cancel and go elsewhere.

It isn't only £20 though, it is the principle of advertising at once price then adding money that has to be paid after the contract is signed.

Thank you all for your comments. Yes, it just felt sneaky that the money had already been taken for me to change my mind and book somewhere else. That would leave some people short on cash. It better had be bloody stunning!!!

The other thing is it's a very late check in (because of extra cleaning due to Omicron) so I won't even get to see the seaview until morning and it's only one night! Serves me right for being greedy. I usually book a cheap but very pleasant B&B. I thought I would treat myself.

It better had be bloody stunning!!!

The same thought occurred to me, OP; since they're already breaking the law I'd be concerned it's more about chiselling a bit extra than any actual cleaning

Fingers crossed I'm wrong though, and that you have a lovely break

How late is check in and check out??

I'm sure it is illegal. Personally I'll tell them to get stuffed. It is not just about the 20 pounds, it is the sneakiness.

If you booked through an intermediary company I’d complain to them.
If you booked direct I’d lint out to them that this may be illegal. They have entered into a contract with you to supply your accommodation at X price. They now want to charge X+£20, changing the contract.
Yes it might be “ only £20” but they could increase it, double it if everyone pays up.
I’d definitely put it on a review as well.

@Coyoacan

I'm sure it is illegal. Personally I'll tell them to get stuffed. It is not just about the 20 pounds, it is the sneakiness.

Illegal? They'll be arrested?

Really?

OP either agree and enjoy your holiday or call their bluff, they'll cave and then enjoy your holiday.

Whatever, enjoy your holiday.

@RainbowBriteUk

Thank you all for your comments. Yes, it just felt sneaky that the money had already been taken for me to change my mind and book somewhere else. That would leave some people short on cash. It better had be bloody stunning!!!

The other thing is it's a very late check in (because of extra cleaning due to Omicron) so I won't even get to see the seaview until morning and it's only one night! Serves me right for being greedy. I usually book a cheap but very pleasant B&B. I thought I would treat myself.

Amazed you're only allowed to book for one night!

@JuergenSchwarzwald

My dentist is charging £5 for PPE too. They do tell you in advance. But they also make you wear one of their masks, I'd rather wear an FFP2 one of my own.

Don't go then! give me a break 🤷🏽‍♀️

I’d be interested to know what cleaning they’re doing now that they weren’t before 🤨

Tell me you’re not going with Dull Man? 🤣
Did you go on the date?

@Offmyfence we've booked one nights October, December, and next February

The owners should be doing a thorough clean regardless of Covid. If they want to do an extra deep clean then surely it's down to them to fund it.

You wouldn't expect to book into a hotel and then be charged extra as they deep cleaned it!