Hi guys,
I'm trying to find out what protection / rights I have with regards to my travel agent knowing that they are not ABTA bonded. They are ATOL bonded but this wont help with my current situation.
The agent demanded full payment for a package holiday 6 months in advance claiming that this was due to the price being a 'special offer'.
Despite making a booking, paying in full, and receiving an ATOL receipt with the correct details (the package was supposedly being operated by Longwood Holidays), the agent has made no actual booking with any operator and forwrded no such confirmation. It would appear that they have never made an actualy confirmed booking with any such tour operator.
Since this time Longwood have cancelled a set of flights causing the agent to 'move' the date of departure to a day on which Longwood have again cancelled flights. When quizzed now the agent can't seem to tell me who is operating the holiday and their supposed flight details now conflict with what they sent out on the second ATOL receipt .
I've now discovered that on the 2nd ATOL receipt they sent (after the first changes) they changed the wording so that they are acting as an agent for themselves as opposed to any major tour operator (this was despite verbally telling me that all holiday details would be the same except for date of departure. If I'd known this at the time I would have pulled the plug their and then.
They have now even suggested that they might not be usin a tour operator after all and that they may try to 'operate' the holiday themselves which seems absolutely ridiculous IMO.
I've told them this morning that the situation is nowhere near satisfactory and that as far as I'm concerned I want to cancel immediately and obtain a full-refund. I'm now awating a call back from somebody with some sort of seniority who can shed some light on the subject. Supposed date of departure is 12th August.
Now, given what has happened, what actual 'rights' do I have? As I said the agent are ATOL bonded but not a member of ABTA. They are a member of the TTA.
Any information which will improve the certainty of my position is much appreciated.
Can you post Correct name and Address of this company?
It is possible to check the financial status of the company via Creditgate or Companies House.
There are several firms that trade under that name.
fwh
It is possible to check the financial status of the company via Creditgate or Companies House.
There are several firms that trade under that name.
fwh
Company is Ezy Travel Ltd
16-18 woodford Road
London
E7 0HA
I think I have seen another address for them though actually.
I'm now suspecting that they may operate in a similar fashion to those 'Firstcall' people, ie take money first and make bookins later. This is no good for me as this was supposed to be a relaxing honeymoon - talk about stress!
cheers
16-18 woodford Road
London
E7 0HA
I think I have seen another address for them though actually.
I'm now suspecting that they may operate in a similar fashion to those 'Firstcall' people, ie take money first and make bookins later. This is no good for me as this was supposed to be a relaxing honeymoon - talk about stress!
cheers
Their internet site lists another postal adress
Ezy Travel Ltd
City Gate House
246 - 250 Romford Road
London
E7 9HZ
Ezy Travel Ltd
City Gate House
246 - 250 Romford Road
London
E7 9HZ
A check with Companies House and Creditgate show nothing adverse. Accounts have been filed upto date.
Perhaps a call to your local Trading Standards and the press - or a threat to Ezy that you are going to do so may move them.
fwh
Perhaps a call to your local Trading Standards and the press - or a threat to Ezy that you are going to do so may move them.
fwh
Yes, accounts look ok.
I've called them again now to be told that the 'supervisor' is due in the office at 4pm and that they will ask him to call me.
I'm hoping that they will concede and allow a full refund.
If not I will have to pursue trading standards etc. Would it be my local trading standards office are the office local to the travel agent themselves?
I'm in the process of trying to speak to my credit card company to enquire as to whether I can try to reclaim funds through them - I've no idea of what conditions apply to that sort of thing.
thanks
I've called them again now to be told that the 'supervisor' is due in the office at 4pm and that they will ask him to call me.
I'm hoping that they will concede and allow a full refund.
If not I will have to pursue trading standards etc. Would it be my local trading standards office are the office local to the travel agent themselves?
I'm in the process of trying to speak to my credit card company to enquire as to whether I can try to reclaim funds through them - I've no idea of what conditions apply to that sort of thing.
thanks
Contact you local TR office first. They can advise what you should do. They can pass it onto the office responsible if needed.
You could also contact ATOL
If you have paid by credit card then should the unforseen happen you are covered. Have a look at the link below - You should never pay by cash, cheque or debit card as they do not give the protection.
With luck you should get it sorted. Please keep us upto date - others may be able to help.
fwh
You could also contact ATOL
If you have paid by credit card then should the unforseen happen you are covered. Have a look at the link below - You should never pay by cash, cheque or debit card as they do not give the protection.
With luck you should get it sorted. Please keep us upto date - others may be able to help.
fwh
Forgot to put in the link - It's an age thing.
fwh
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=68836
fwh
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=68836
Thanks for your help so far.
I only thought that ATOL would help transport stranded travellers etc in the event of company bankruptcy etc???
I'll have a word with them once I've spoken to the agent again if needs be.
I only thought that ATOL would help transport stranded travellers etc in the event of company bankruptcy etc???
I'll have a word with them once I've spoken to the agent again if needs be.
Travel agents can have their own ATOL licence in place and act as the tour operator putting together their own packages. This is perfectly legal and gets the client low prices (as if they were having a DIY hol) but with ATOL protection which protects the different elements of the package.
Not all agents are part of ABTA, but the vast majority are members of one of the different consortia if not ABTA. ABTA protection protects your money more than anything else.
Not all agents are part of ABTA, but the vast majority are members of one of the different consortia if not ABTA. ABTA protection protects your money more than anything else.
Thanks for the comments.
The agent has agreed to pay a 'full refund' and has sent confirmation / a recipt of this. I'm now waiting for it to show on my credit card.
They have not refunded £15.56 worth of 'credit card charges' though. Is this standard practice or should I be expecting to have this back as well? Don't want to get on the phone to them if I should't be getting this back anyway!
regards
The agent has agreed to pay a 'full refund' and has sent confirmation / a recipt of this. I'm now waiting for it to show on my credit card.
They have not refunded £15.56 worth of 'credit card charges' though. Is this standard practice or should I be expecting to have this back as well? Don't want to get on the phone to them if I should't be getting this back anyway!
regards
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