I think this is one for Ros Fernihough who is a travel law solicitor and she often assists our members. Ros can be reached :-

The direct number to Ros's PA Pam is 01922 705134

Or try the switchboard number 01922 633214 and ask for Travel Dept.

She will offer you free advice

Reading between the lines would it not be more accurate to say that you were moved because the hotel wasn't actually built (or refurbished)? The truck drivers strike seems a bit lame as an excuse for even that. But even so, TC can't be claiming that the day before the hotel was ready, then everything was ripped out for an overnight conversion that suddenly went wrong! They must have known that the hotel wouldn't be ready at least a couple of days before you went and should have contacted you. If I've read this correct then this seems a good example to give to the ITV researcher who has posted lower down the complaints board.

To let you get to the airport and then issue the ultimatum is outrageous - but from what has been posted on this board recently seems typical of this company. I'm coming to the conclusion that people would be better off giving their money to the Mafia - you've more chance of getting what you paid for and their customer service can't be any worse!

We did complain to the rep several times and completed a customer relations form, however we were told that we would not be entitled to any compensation because it was strike action that led to the original hotel being unable to receive final fixtures and fittings.

The best advice has already been given.

I would ignore comments such as this from the rep. They do not make company policy and Thos Cook were already in breach of contract if, as Steve says, the hotel was not actually built.

Wonder how many have fallen for it.

fwh

HI

As we are going on holiday to Crete shortly I have been watching the forums run by Brits in Crete. there has been a lot of serious strike action in Greece over the past couple of months. The banks have been on strike and so have the refuse collection men. There has been serious problems with the hauliers and tanker drivers being on strike. A lot of places ran out of petrol, there was also a lot of trouble at some ports as the farmers were unable to get their produce off the islands. The drivers are in dispute with the government. The strikes were over on 14th May -ish I think but it would certainly be beyond the control of the tour operators. Whether there will be any more strikes remains to be seen. Hopefully there will be no more disruption.

Hope you can get some compensation for your ruined holiday. We do loads of research before booking and would be gutted if it were changed by someone else.

Regards, Jean

Greece is always in a state of perpetual strikes - one week it is truck drivers, the next refuse collectors and the next someone else will be out. This is absolutely normal for Greece and has been so for many, many years.
Thus, to use this as an excuse for a property build/refurbishment being late is lame indeed - the change in accommodation is a significant change and thus you are entitled to compensation as set out in their T&Cs.

Cheers,
Jet

Thankyou all for your recent posts and advice, I am in the process of writing a letter of complaint to Thomas Cook and will be in contact with Ros for some guidance if their response is unfavourable. The orginal hotel, was part of the well known Sani Resort in Halkidiki and was undergoing refurbishment and the building of some new rooms. Thomas Cook are attempting to use the clause "circumstances beyond our control" and claim Sani advised tour operators the day before. It was such a disappointing start to our holiday and although their alternative hotel was nice, it was by no means what we were expecting as it was more suited to couples than those with a young family (four hours of harp playing it really didn't cut the mustard with our eldest son).
Thanks again for any advice.

I am in the process of writing a letter of complaint to Thomas Cook and will be in contact with Ros for some guidance if their response is unfavourable.

As you are new to HT may I just advise you regarding your letter to TC - We often get postings from people asking why they have not heard anything.

Do not send originals of anything. Copies only. Photos that you may have as proof should not be supplied.

Send your letter "signed for" or recorded delivery. You are then able to track it and see that it has been delivered.

Should you decide to communicate with them by email do not send multiples as that will only confuse the matter. You must wait for a reply - not acknowledgement - with emails. They also often use the excuse that emails have been lost or they have no record.

They do have 28 days in which to reply. Your first communication is likely to be an acknowledgement of receipt and telling you it is under investigation.

At that point they go into another 28 days cycle.

Some of us do advise that you apply your own time limits - a concluding phrase such as .

Unless a reply is received within 14 days (or by such a date) you will seek recourse through legal means for compensation is acceptable, providing you give the a reasonable period of time for the matter to be investigated.

From previous postings here on HT you may well be in for a long drawn out period of time before you reach a conclusion that is satisfactory.

Please when you receive a reply/offer - before accepting post details on here where we may be able to assist.

Finally - please when you finally sort it all out post the details here on HT. Feedback from members is very important as it helps others.

Good luck

fwh

Sorry stresshead, I know you are fed up but the thought of a teen(?) sitting there having to listen to 4 hours of a harp rendition on a family sunshine holiday really made me chuckle.

I do hope you get some recompense, these TOs are just so full of carp - why don't they just admit they are constantly overbooking?