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Original poster

Feather Down Farm - last minute group split... Advice

461 replies

Nicky1234 · 02/08/2011 17:37

A group of 5 families has booked early in the year to stay with feather down farm and were advised that we would all be together. Now 2 weeks before our stay we have been advised that in actual fact we are being split up because a group of 2 wants specific tents and so it makes that field too small for us.
Anyone been to one of these farms and do you think it will be a problem, we have 10 kids between us, 6 and under, so I am worried that they'll disturb other guests (rather than all being together they'll have to find each other). Also though there is a brook between the 2 fields so we're going to have to shepherd them about and it seems such a shame they cant just roam a little free (poor loves get no freedom). Selfishly the adults won't be able to hang out in the evenings either...
Im also really upset that we have to split up as seems unnecessary and unfair...
Any thoughts/ideas/suggestions to put my mind at ease.
Thanks

OP posts:

Geordieminx · 08/08/2011 15:06

I keep coming back to this thread, expecting to see the MD or marketing dept from FDF has posted, offering frazzled a free break and making a huge apology.

Bastards

AlmaMartyr · 08/08/2011 15:29

Sorry you still haven't found an alternative Feelingvfrazzled :( I linked this thread FeatherDown Farm on Twitter but no response (unsurprisingly!)

Given what's been said on the thread about the way they treat their farmers, I'd definitely not book with them now. I'd rather go somewhere independent (NettleTea's place looks amazing!).

feelingvfrazzled · 08/08/2011 17:41

We have written again to FDF explaining that we are not happy with the situation and would really like it to be rectified straight away. Have also made it clear that compensation for a future holiday is at best presumptious, at worst offensive.

Something has to work - doesnt it???

Geordiemix - you and me both! Every time my friend calls, I think we have a solution!

feelingvfrazzled · 08/08/2011 17:42

almamartyr - i dont have a twitter account but i'll take a look - Thank you so much :)

xmyboys · 08/08/2011 18:28

I'm one to avoid feather down farms now to and will definitely look at independant.
Those prices paid to farmers are dismal.

victoriasmith · 08/08/2011 19:53

I completely agree that the price the farmers get is disgustingly low considering how much FDF charge but the only problem in boycotting FDF on these grounds is that the farmer then loses out on the pittance that they would receive if they had guests. I guess if everyone stopped booking because of this then FDF may have to reconsider their payments to farmers but I can't see that happening unfortunately.

I can't believe FDF have still not offered you any money back on this years holiday! They must be aware of this thread by now so many people seemed to have posted and linked to it on other sites.

gapants · 08/08/2011 20:59

seems like total exploitation of the farmers and i am really put off!

FDF need to do a lot better than this.

sockpoppet · 08/08/2011 21:00

Is it worth calling watchdog about them?

feelingvfrazzled · 09/08/2011 14:00

We've had a response from Feather Down Farm, still no apology and still no offer of compensation. Only thing offered is that the MD will talk to us post holiday to discuss....

If they tell me one more time that we will have a great time I might cry. This is not what this is about... We booked a holiday, they haven't delivered it.

Awful customer service :(

AitchTwoOh · 09/08/2011 14:11

and what's that supposed to mean anyway, that if you come home and tell them that you did have a good holiday (and i sincerely hope you do) then the fact that you spent the preceding fortnight stressed out of your box won't matter any more? bollocks to that. and why can't the MD speak to you now?

i am reporting this to HQ, i really want FDF to stop using MN in their marketing material.

gapants · 09/08/2011 17:11

I would feel very upset that FDF are exploiting you like this, basically taking your cash in the hope that you have a good time and then the MD can basically sit you down and say "told you so!" Sounds like total arsehole behaviour to me.

bumpybecky · 09/08/2011 17:21

I can't believe this is still going on! I was sure FDF would have seen sense and offered the frazzled party a sensible compromise by now. We regularly camp as part of a much larger family group (expected 24 of is this year) and have never seen such appalling customer service

levantine · 09/08/2011 17:27

They are clueless aren't they. Had they handled this graciously, with an apology and a decent discount and I dunno, some sort of flowers/biscuits/wine/treats on arrival they would have had some pretty good publicity really.

They just come across as very money grabbing. It totally undermines the homely nice feel of what they are trying to do.

RollingInTheAisles · 09/08/2011 17:28

I think the problem is it's moved on from their initial mistake to what now seems like a complete resistance from them to resolve the issue. Regardless of whether you really have a real grievance (which I think you do) at this point you would think good business sense would determine that they offer you something worthwhile to resolve this issue.

Either - work it out so you're all together or give you a significant discount on this specific booking. Anything else is just a token gesture really which isn't enough. The sad thing is this is probably going to cost them far more in future bookings and customer goodwill than if they just made it right for you.

And - really - you think they would worry that there might be strained relations between you and the campers you're sharing with too! I mean, you're going to want to know what's so special about them that they can break FDF supposed own 'rules' about not only guaranteeing to keep a part together but also letting them choose their own specific location. You're going to be hoping for at least someone famous aren't you? :o

RollingInTheAisles · 09/08/2011 17:29

I think Levantine said what I said but managed to do it in a couple of sentences instead

Quenelle · 09/08/2011 17:30

Ridiculous. So if you make the best of it and enjoy yourselves despite their cock-up you have nothing to complain about???

What an awful, awful company.

levantine · 09/08/2011 17:36

ha ha great minds Rolling. I wonder who it is too.

Anyway OP, I hope you have a lovely time though I wouldn't give FDF the satisfaction of telling them if you do

smugtandemfeeder · 09/08/2011 17:54

If this thread showed how many views it has had, then FDF would probably see that although this thread has 218 messages, there have been many many times more than that who have read it. Perhaps they really are stupid enough to underestimate the power of mumsnet.....

Maybe everyone who reads should at least post. I for one have been reading and feeling horrified at your treatment. I would never consider FDF after your treatment - I mean, what if something went wrong? There would, in my mind, be a very high chance that they wouldnt care.

sockpoppet · 09/08/2011 17:57

Has anyone put this on consumer warnings on the moneysaving expert forum

CroissantNeuf · 09/08/2011 18:02

When I first read this thread the other day I was convinced that FDF would instantly sort everything out so that the OPs group could all be together.

After all, every business out there is surely aware that publicity like this (on an internet forum which is easily searchable) has a massive effect on their reputation but it seems that FDF have underestimated the power of Mumsnet.

I really cannot understand how they can be reacting in the way they are and expect to come out of it with their reputation unscathed.

How many MN members are there? Every time those MNers who have read this thread hear FDF mentioned by friends, family, colleagues, Mums in the playground or at toddler group their first thought and response is going to be about the shabby treatment that this group have received.

going · 09/08/2011 18:02

I'm shocked at how FDF teat both customers and farmers. Hopefully in a couple of years when contracts run out some of the farmers will be able to offer a fab experience at a lower cost but bigger profit for them!

DarrellRivers · 09/08/2011 18:04

Agree about posting if you have read and it has altered whether you would book a holiday with FDF.
I so would not book a FDF holiday now

HippyHippopotamus · 09/08/2011 18:36

another one here who has been put off from booking a holiday with FDF

Zippylovesgeorge · 09/08/2011 18:50

We were looking at using this company for a large group booking for next summer - forget it. Will find an independant campsite & use our own tents etc.

DioneTheDiabolist · 09/08/2011 19:02

I am absolutely disgusted. How dare any company treat their customers like this. The only good thing to come out of it is you are a MNetter and could warn others. I know it still doesn't help with your holiday though Frazzled.

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