Everything was going so well...

[sha_sha]

Hiya...

I have lost my disney cheer a liitle bit!

We were all good to go, flights booked, villa booked, tickets booked.

I logged onto the Daltons website to show a friend the villa we have booked. I couldn't find it.. it's simply just not there, so I googled it as I have the address. The villa is up for sale it's listed on a few websites in the USA. It has been up for sale for 17 days. Nice of the villa owner to tell us...
I have emailed him, but have had no reply. I am going to call him tomorrow to try and get our money back as the home is being advertised as a 'family home' not a holiday home, so if a family buy it, it's unlikely they will honour our booking.
I have this horrible gut feeling that I'm not going to get my £700 back. We have no protection either as we paid by cheque.

Any advice or pixie dust would be much appreciated!

 

[Sapper383]

Sorry, not much help........just think how lucky you are to have checked!!!


but keeping my fingers crossed for you

 

[sha_sha]

I am pleased I checked. I feel like I have let all my party members down though. Were not going until Feb, I really hope that we get our money back or assurance our booking is safe, but I don't understand how it would be.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

From what you've said, it doesn't look like your booking is safe. You must concentrate on getting your money back and seek alternate accommodation elsewhere. Have you got holiday insurance?

 

[2Tiggies]

When are you going? If it is soon it is unlikely that the transaction will be completed even if it does sell before you arrive.

That said, I would also feel better getting a refund and finding one elsewhere.

 

[wilma-bride]

That is awful - I really hope you can get your money back from the owner

 

[T16GEM]

Oh no, how terrible, please let us know how you get on, do you have the address of the UK owner?

 

[2Tiggies]

We have no protection either as we paid by cheque.

A cheque is linked to a bank account. There may be measures you can take for recovery of this money. However before you do that, try and ascertain what is happening. Your booking may be secure (although again, why would you want to stay there after this?!) but first get to the bottom of it. If your efforts to obtain a response are fruitless, then you can look at your options the next steps.

One step at a time. You want to be focused now. Oh and I am not going to say don't worry about it, because that would be stupid advice . Try and get everything or as much as you can in writing. Log every phone call you make and recieve to include the date, approximate time and the name of the person who you spoke to. Even if calls aren't recorded, they can still be traced if it ever comes to that.

 

[sha_sha]

Hello,

I have just spoken to the owners, and they did indeed confirm that the villa is up for sale.

They did also say not to worry as part of the sale conditions all bookings must be honoured. They said that they have their own holiday booked and depart the villa the same day we arrive or the day before, I can't remember which. So they would ensure its fine for us to use. The owner did then say that it probably wouldn't even sell for a while and could still be on the market when we go, and this is why they have taken it off the Daltons website to avoid any more future bookings.

We have also emailed the sales agent, to confirm that all booking will be honoured. So I am waiting to hear back from them.

Alot of people had booked this villa, so I can't see them messing us all around. There are too many people who know too much information, eg, where they work etc, as all they cheques went there, so the police could be easily called. I don't know! I still have some doubts but will just go with it.

Thank You all for your messages.

 

[sha_sha]

Oh I forgot to say also, that all the original bookings and reciepts and correspondance,I have copies of as it was all done through email.

 

[2Tiggies]

I was hoping this is what you were going to say. I am so pleased for you. Now you need to find someone to take you out for lunch to relax after the morning's stress!

 

[kristieuk]

If it is any further reassurance to you, we rent houses in Florida every trip, and on a least a couple of occasions, the property has been for sale. It has never been obvious though - no for sale sign, and no effect on our rental at all. I suppose it is quite a common situation. Hope everything continues as planned now

 

[T16GEM]

I'm so pleased that it's ok!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

having started at the beginning and reading the bad news I was terribly sad for you but I'm glad as I read on the situation get better. I hope everything stays good news and you have a fab holiday.

 

[sha_sha]

Thank you all for your replies. I am just sooo relieved.

 

[sha_sha]

I just wanted to give you all an update. We emailed the sales agent regarding the property being up for sale and today we recieved a lovely email back telling us not to worry, as he also owns the management company that look after our particular villa. He said that all vacations would be honoured and in the unlikely circumstance that the booking should go wrong he would upgrade us to another villa free of charge.

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for the update glad it worked out for you.

 

[kristieuk]

Great news

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Glad it's turned out ok for you