Holiday Cancelling -not the right forum but I am desperate

[ScarletRed]

I know this isn't the right forum - but I am a desperate woman! and I have put it in legal as well.

I booked a holiday 2 weeks ago for the first week in July. Then yesterday I get a phone call from my brother-in-law - he has set his wedding date for 9th July - bang in the middle of the holiday.

So I asked the holiday stay place if they can return my 35% deposit and cancel the booking. They said that if they don't let the place for the period we were looking at staying there we are liable for the full cost of the booking.

What can I do? I didn't sign a booking form, or do it over the internet but by phone and paid for by electronic transfer from our account into their account.

Thanks in advance.

Try and find someone you know to take it? Give them a discount of 20% so they'll be tempted?

Try the Citizens Advice Bureau or the Which? Legal Consumer Service.

Or failing that email [email protected] they often have "experts" on the show who answer queries like this. Watchdog, perhaps?

Is it a well-known travel company? What does the small print in the contract say?

Honeymoon for the newly-weds perhaps?

Do you have your contract?
Any 14 day cooling pff period? Not sure if applicable but worth a shot.
Normally you are only liable for a %age depending on how soon it is to the start of the holiday.

Who did you book with?

They can't get the full cost off you. Is there a website with t&c's?

What were the booking/cancellation conditions? These should have beeb stated wherever the holiday was advertised....

I know that say owners of rental properties tend to be more stringent that big companies.....

Okay I am going to try and answer all the questions:

The holiday rental is in Bude, Cornwall - the wedding is in Australia (my husband is an Aussie)

The T&C on the website is: Cancellations - In the event of a cancellation, we will endeavour to re-let the cottage. If we re-let we will refund monies paid less a small administrative charge. If we are unable to re-let the hirer is legally responsible for the balance in full.

I didn't sign anything so no contract - I have no confirmation of the booking except an email from them saying they can confirm my payment of 35% went into their account.

The place is a cottage in Cornwall - is it fair on them to print their name on this forum?

The holiday is booked for 10 weeks away from 3rd to 10 July. The wedding is in Australia on the 9th July.

I think you'll have more success trying to change the date than cancel...people are usually amenable to changes (as long as not at the last minute)

I have done this for a cottage in Cornwall.

I emailed the owners directly with a sob story about family breakdown (sorry, God ) and then just faced it out

The initial reply I got was like the blurb re. if they don't relet, you are liable etc

However, cottages in that area are at an absolute premium and ours was relet easily and in the end we just had a 20 quid admin charge to pay.

Then I felt really bad because she sent me a lovely email wishing me all the best for my situation