We are going to Blue Bay Escape Resort in Corfu, 21/7 so only have to change our holidays by 2 days. We went there 3 years ago when that was first built by FC, as a rule, we never go back to the same place, purely because there are so many places in the world still to see, don't mind different resorts of the same place - at a push..... but this is a kind of a safety net really, as you do in such desperate, forced circumstances, and it had enough room for all of us.

We have looked at that one still thinking about it
I did try my luck and asked about Lykia world in Turkey but came up £3600 for 4 of us no way would I pay that or should I say the other half pay that!!
Really as of today I am still booked for Kos least we will be only ones there place to ourselfs.
Did I read somewhere that Dutch guests have gone to Kos Aqua or was I dreaming

Kelly,
If you have a hands free phone, turn the volume up and just let it ring, it takes about 30 minutes plus to get through, but at least you don't end up with a stiff arm and a sweaty ear, cus you will have that anyway by the end of the 1 hour 45 minutes it will take you to sort this out. Any help?!!!

Hello everyone including Wizzard,

Just when I thought all of my problems were over after booking the Larespark. First Choice decided to throw in another spanner to keep me up all night.

I hope you are going to be able you follow this because it is very complicated..........However, some of you may find yourselves in the same boat later...

Booked KABC through Thomsons, they matched the online price and threw in free insurance. F/C have only paid Thomsons the price they paid to them for the holiday and not the price they charged me. Now Thomsons are refusing to give me all my money because they haven't been paid in full. I have now forked out for 2 holidays. 1 with Thompsons that F/C cancelled but are saying I cancelled. (How when there was no KABC). The other direct to F/C, because this was the only way they would match the current internet price, which was £581.00 pounds cheaper than they were quoting me. They insisted I had to cancel KABC and rebook with them. Now Thompsons are with holding my money and F/C have got the other £4000.

Hope you are following........................

Please, Please, Please any advise would be really welcome because I am pulling my hair out. I will also loose my free insurance at £170 because I am no longer traveling with Thomsons. I have been well and truly ripped off.

HELP!

Paula

javascript:emoticon(':twisted:')
Twisted Evil

Grrr someone has just pm me that FC has told them that this hotel may not either be open for May 2007.
BUT We can't get our deposits back as We would lose them in breach of contract by cancelling now.

Would it not be easier for them to offer us an alternative now for next year rather than later? After all they are happy to cling on to our deposits for the next 12 months

They have you over a barrel don't they? ffs have they even started building the place?

Out of order. People have booked weeks off work in advance, especially for you guys due out soon. I myself now am starting to feel the heat and paying of a deposit for possibly nowhere

beth72 - you can change now, my friend has just done it, they waivered the admin costs too, she was due to go this june with me, but we were cancelled, as she still wanted to go to KABC she rebooked for 13th June 2007, this week she has changed to club alize in turkey. I know that themcs and lisa london are also booked for 2007. Id say get out now while you can.

Paula - what can I say, thats a terrible situation you are now in, hope it all gets sorted out quickly, xxx

Oh Paula I was just going back through the posts and was thinking you got a fantastic deal then you go and post this!!!!

How can they say you cancelled Kos Aqua when there is no Kos Aqua!!
I am not sure on this one except do not pay out anymore money to either FC or Thompsons!!

Hope someone can help you !

Hi Kelly,

I was just begginning to feel really chuffed when I got the phone call from Thompsons at 5. Now I have to wait till the morning to see whats what.

I have already paid KABC in full because we were flying on the 19/7 and I had to pay by credit card for Larespark because they had to send my KABC money to Thomsons. What a mess.

It wasn't a problem because Thompsons were going to do a cash tranaction for me today. I would bank that pay off credit card. Finished.

If I have to spend one more minute on the phone between Thomsons and F/c. I am seriously going to murder someone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paula

Kelly, this is how we did it!!!
You will need A first choice book, we used last years and this years. A packet of posit notes (I borrowed mine from work) a pencil, a sheet of paper, a good supply of coffee and a lot of patience.

We first of all stuck postit notes on every single 4* AI in the books.

Then we did dummy bookings on everyone to see which had availability (within 4 or 5 days of when our holidays are booked for) removing the ones that were not available. Believe me that whittled it down a bit.

We then went back through, and made a list of all available holidays.

We then numbered each destination in order of preference

Then looked at the properties and gave them a score out of ten.

We then looked again at the destinations and decided where we did not want to go and crossed them off.

Then we looked again at the properties and crossed off the lower scoring ones.

This left us with a short list of 4 holidays, we then choose 1 to 4 and when we got through, this is the order of choices we gave them - and ended up with number 4.

It's a long process, but at least you know you have not missed anything and what you are left with, you know is the best (ALTERNATIVE) choice for you.

Good luck, give it a go.

PS we also stayed with our original departure airport, or if it provided a suitable alternative, we checked it out through the booking process.

Thanks ctaylor
You have just given me the kick up the bum I needed I am now armed with brochure, post it's, coffee and the other half going to sit in garden and score holidays from 1-5.
If I am not back on in a bit send for the police

Help, has anybody got the address of FC Main headquarters or where to write to, as I would like to send the letter (Reg post) indicating I wish to proceed with my dissatisfaction after we come back from the holiday due to it being cancelled, even though we have had to switch.

Regards

Jeff

Jeff

Customer Services, First Choice Holidays, Diamond House, Peel Cross Road, Salford, Manchester, M5 4DT.

It's in the contact us part of the FC web site if you need it again

Carole

Great thanks CTaylor

Regards

Jeff

Jeff, glad to see ctaylor sorted you out, hope you don`t mind ctaylor but I will now paste the excellent advice that you gave earlier to go with it .This how you should address your letter to them.

"I now formally wish to notify you in writing, that I have accepted an alternative offer of accommodation UNDER DURESS and I reserve my right to pursue a claim on my return from holiday. Also, I have not accepted any compensation in final settlement of the matter and again, I am reserving my right to pursue a claim for further compensation. This is under the 1992 Package Tour and Travel Regulations Act.

In addition to this, I will be contacting Ros Fernihough, Travel Law Solicitor."

WE MUST ALL MAKE SURE WE DO THIS, once we have re-booked, cancelled or re-negotiated anything other than our original bookings.

Thanks all just copied and pasted this for the letter, which I shall be sending this week.

It only seems right that if we were to cancel we would lose out big time, surley it's the turn of the fat cat's to fall, and get what is truly our right.

Regards
Jeff

Paula, would it help if I MSN'd you, don't know if I can help, but we might be able to pick it down into pieces, so you can tackle it tomorrow.

The offer is there if you want it.

Regards
Carole

Wizard or Net Det., can you offer any help to Paula?

Hi Michellefromessex,

That is a good thing to know that We can change.

Okay please may I ask you some question

I like a lot of people have booked a holiday advertised by Eclipse available for my dates of arrival.

Then I find out after Eclipse accepting our deposit and confirming that this holiday is now ours. Only then to hear that the holiday is not guaranteed.
Okay is this not classed as "False Advertising"? Or "Buying Good Which May Not Be Received".

Therefore if I decide to change our holiday now. Are we still eligible for compensation? We booked this holiday as it was in our budget! To change it now could cost us lots more and we may of got a better deal through a different travel agents. BUT We cannot go to a different travel agents now as Eclipse has our money tied up.

I feel that if We were to approach them now and say UNDER DURRESS We feel that it is best to change our holiday now rather than later as you cannot guarantee us that KABC will still be ready. I mean the whole point is We want to know where we will be going. Is that not why you book early in the first place and to get yourself a good deal?

It is really bad that they have let things go this far down the line. They should be forced to give those who wish their money back plus instead of being greedy keeping our customer UNDER DURRESS!

well what can i say firstchoice have messed many families holidays up including ours i had my heart set on the KABC and were due to fly tomorrow, we are now going to pegasus tropical in the morning, we have our outbound tickets which arrived today but still have to queue at the airport to get our accomodation vouchers and return tickets!!!
i wish the rest of you still looking all the best i know how you feel believe me and i hope you get the hols you want and deserve.

see you all soon
michelle