Hi ALL have any of you seen the bbc tv's holiday hit squad report's????
Here is the link if you haven't already seen......
http://allinclusiveingreece.bravehost.com/
ponge-
i totally agree with what you say, surley it is false advertising!!!!!!!!!
i am totally rubbish at writing letter, i need it too be strong, to the point, with lots of info............
can any of you give me some pointers how to word it, there cant just be me, rubbish at letter writing..............
i booked 14 months in advance,
we really wanted to visit the island of kos, and the hotels facilitys were great.
we had the fiasco at the costa del sol in spain!
FC refused to bugde after several phone calls, after seeing photos etc on the net, and holiday hit squad, i phoned again, and they agreed to a change, which i paid extra for..........
this hotel does not have the same facilities as the KABC.........
what else???????????????????
forgot to add, pm me the info, as you never know who watches this sight, !!!!
Firstly write down what comes into your head - then read over it and you can adjust where you see fit.
It would be better being in your own words.
What are most of us doing that are booked up for 2007?
A customer service advisor told me that they couldn't guarantee First Choice pulling out of KABC altogether now next year!
She has offered to waiver the admin costs if we want to change now. Only problem is you are looking at ridiculous prices now. I can't believe that we are all being forced to take a holiday at all with them next year. God they make sure they don't miss out on the money don't they? I am sure that they will be getting a nice hefty settlement also from the developer!
I am thinking now that we should book an alternative and go away to Cyprus with our minds at rest. If FC are going to be suing the developer the whole KABC could come to a full stop anyway while the case goes on for Legal inspection purposes etc.
On the other hand I am thinking it is down to FC to really cancel our bookings.
We should all know better for a company who are sponsors for "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here". And don't We just know it!
http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/info/latestnews2.html
For important advice from Travel Law Solicitor, Ros Fernihough, please click here:
http://holidayforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=73371
Due to legal and libel reasons the time has come for Holiday Truth to ask anyone wishing to discuss legal action regarding Kos Aqua Beach Club and First Choice to please do so away from our forums.
Whilst we understand how angry and upset you all must be we must ask you to please not use the site to rally group actions and so on.
We wish you all the best with any claims you may make.
Holiday Truth
i just dont see how they can continue doing what they do, i wish they would learn to be more open and honest with there customers, and not leave things till last minute.
and i have too say i feel for all the staff manning the telephones, as its so hard not to shout at them, when you feel so totally let down.
We have had months of stress leading up to this - how much more do you want. It will take forever to get settlement.
I received my refund today £853.00 - not bad as I am now going to 5* Hotel.
I do feel for those who didn't get a good deal, and are now out of pocket.
And especially for the 1st & 5th Julyers, did not have much time to find another holiday.
I would carry on complaint if I was them or was out of pocket.
Best of luck to those who decide to pursue the claim.
I am confused and wonder what to do for the best. In all honesty the solicitor advice was no good at all to me. They couldn't help they couldn't do nothing to help me.
I have always remained polite and calm when talking to the FC Advisors. I know that they are on the receiving end and that they cannot come up with the answers that we all want so badly. They probably don't even know the truth themselves.
All I am trying to do is make good of a bad situation. I am not after compensation, legal action etc. That is why I have contacted them early so something positive can come of this mess.
I was merely asking if others are booking or are they leaving it until later to see what does happen. In all honesty we usually book our summer holiday January or February anyway through FC! This year we have done it earlier than usual because we liked the look of this complex.
Yes it is a mess at the moment but nothing that can't be sorted. Worst case scenario We end up going elsewhere. in fact I feel more sorry for the customers this year than I do for us lot booked for 2007 because at least we know in advance and have the opportunity to make amends now.
All In all I think that I have handled this situation well. But I will learn from this experience and think very careful before booking any holiday again of all the facts in front of me.
However, I am gratefull they did cancel the holiday, rather than give my partner, son and I a room in a building which may of had running water, through the roof, a swimming pool which was half full, of bricks, a slide which had steps but no decking at the top (mind boggles) etc etc.
My partner, by taking a deep breath and using incredible negotiation skills has managed to get us a fantastic place in Cuba, an upgrade in room, and over £500 returned discount.
If we took them to court for breach of contract, which they have done, a judge will not only look at our side of the story, but he will listen to FC's side.
He will then decide on the following, did FC breach contract?..... yes they did.
Did FC try to resolve the problems in Kos?....... we have no idea, but I am sure they will have numerous field reports stating they did.
Did FC try to contact as many people as possible as soon as the hotel was cancelled?.......... They posted a notice on their web site, timed ????, and telephone records.
Did they offer compensation? yes 10 - 20% plus a standard top up of £150 each towards extras on another holiday, plus whatever we each have managed to secure individually
and finally the judge will want to know, did FC offer more compensation, in all forms, than they are obliged to?......... Again, the answer which i hate to say this, is most certainly yes.
I personally feel the people which went to the airports on Sat / Sun / Mon are entitled to something for certain..... as for the rest of us, lets face it, things happen in life. We all use computers, therefore even the travellers from 5th onwards could of spent a few hours on the net looking at other options, on Friday night / Saturday morning, so a better holiday could of been sort rather than post dozens of "how could they do this" reports, when it isnt a case of how could they, they have done it, end of story.
So for all our sakes and our families sakes lets chalk this up to experience and look forward to our new holidays wherever they may be.
And really hand on heart we all knew the risks of booking a holiday on artists impressions, that has been said many times over, even holiday watchdog said that in cases like that beware!!
I'm sorry if some of you take this the wrong way, but seriously isnt there enough stress in our lives without adding to it.
chippenham - I have been to cuba twice. I loved it.
Playa Costa Verde, in Guardalavaca.......... is that right??? I have read loads of reports, very few bad ones, but all of those were from Canadians, one complained there is only one bridge over the swimming pool??? another complained that there is a coral reef 50yrds out to sea and fish gather there, so he felt that is a safety issue??? and the last bad one was from an idiot saying he felt the burger and fries were not as good as McDonalds............oh there was also one from a girl claiming to be from essex, saying she had a great time, but couldnt find anywhere to get the morning after jab!!! lol
I went to Varadero, but I am sure there is not much difference.
The people are really nice, they are very poor though.
We took pencils, toothpaste and soap etc... and when we went on excursions we gave them to the local kids who beg. It is quite upsetting.
You need to make the trip to Havana - it is a good day out.
Hi beth72 .... although Sarah HT Admin's post happened to follow immediately after yours, the comments were not aimed specifically at you. To protect the legal interests of Holidaytruths, it is a general request which you may now see popping up on each new page of this thread.
Still left travel agents feeling ripped off as they used my £150 per person and my 10% compensation but I have a hotel that is built.
This will be my last holiday with FC never ever again so make the most of my money FC cos you won't see another penny!!
Wizard this will on be said once as I do not want to get told off but we are going to Fuerteventura Club Caleta Dorada.
Ctaylor will be waiting eagley for you report!!
I hope everyone gets sorted out and enjoys there holidays we all deserve them. I am excited now have not had those holiday feelings untill today even got some more holiday clothes.
One good thing out of Kos Aqua is talking to all you lovely people for weeks and weeks my holiday is now nearly here!!
we jumped ship after the bbc program, and changed to cuba but we are in the hotel next to you the blau costa verde, because we jumped ship early we did not get any comp at all so we had to pay a extra £700 having said that 2 weeks later the price had come down and so after more discussions with first choice they did refund me the £700 back, we go on thurs 13th , we too have read many good reports and a few bad oness, my sister has stayed in the costa verde and she says it wonderful, when do you go???
First Choice has taken the decision not to put customers into the Kos Aqua Beach Club this summer, and will now be taking legal action against the developer. For full details of the statement, please click here:
http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/info/latestnews2.html
For important advice from Travel Law Solicitor, Ros Fernihough, please click here:
http://holidayforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=73371
Due to legal and libel reasons the time has come for Holiday Truth to ask anyone wishing to discuss legal action regarding Kos Aqua Beach Club and First Choice to please do so away from our forums.
Whilst we understand how angry and upset you all must be we must ask you to please not use the site to rally group actions and so on.
We wish you all the best with any claims you may make.
Holiday Truth
We will of course respect your wishes with the greatest of understanding and conduct any further negotiations surrounding this matter away form the forum. I for one have the utmost respect, praise and above all big up THANK-YOU to all of the dedication that must be required to oversee such a fantastic forum. Without which, most of us would have met a fate far worse than we have and I know for sure that there must be many many more of THEM than us who were not fortunate enough to have found and joined this site.
Net Detective, thank-you, you have raised very valid points and provided very interesting reading material over the last few pages, anything more would be much appreciated.
HT admin and mods, again a huge thank-you, we have bent the rules in every way we could and taken liberties to the extremes, your patience, guidance, and support is greatly appreciated.
Now if I may, just one last question! Could any of you suggest how we might best collect together away from the forum? Could we pm each other, or would that still connect us to you? (Sorry I lied, that's two questions) and just to push it a bit further, would I be sensible in offering my personal email address via pm to those who showed an interest in taking this matter further.
Again thank-you to each and every member of the forum who has helped and saved us all going round the bend at some point or another, and may I wish all of you members a very HAPPY HOLIDAY
if you wish to contact each other by personal message in the first instant then perhaps you could swap MSM or e-mail contacts where they will not be see by others or encourage spamming.
on a personal note can i thank you for trying to keep to the topic, i know it has been difficult for you all at times, but i have seen a forum of members turn into an association of friends with a common problem, all i can hope is that you all remain active members of HT and post your thoughts and reviews on whatever holiday you have ( IN the appropriate forum)
Brian (wizard)