Independent Travel.

[Paul B]

Be on tomorrow when I've (finally) received full details of our trip to Athens but I've heard there's going to be some serious problems. The problems THEY'LL have will mostly be coming from my direction but what they've done to make problems for those booking with them in good faith is VVV bad. I cannot believe how angry I am at their sheer lies and total incompetence. If anyone else has had the misfortune to book with them, let's hear your stories and get together to get compensation via ABTA or ATOL.

[anny road]

jesus whats happened here

[Jeff guitar]

If its the same one i booked with - i just cancelled as they have moved my flights Airport and departure time.

[Lark]

more details please.....

[Paul B]

In AM, watching Secrets and Lies now. (How appropriate!)

[Kop_on]

  Paul B said:

Be on tomorrow when I've (finally) received full details of our trip to Athens but I've heard there's going to be some serious problems. The problems THEY'LL have will mostly be coming from my direction but what they've done to make problems for those booking with them in good faith is VVV bad. I cannot believe how angry I am at their sheer lies and total incompetence. If anyone else has had the misfortune to book with them, let's hear your stories and get together to get compensation via ABTA or ATOL.

 

I know how you feel -

 

I booked flights with a crowd called Airborn Direct based in Romford.

 

The "flights" they booked me were out via Krakow with a 12 hour stop over, back via Glasgow with a 13 hour stop over, despite leading me to believe they were direct flights

 

And whats worse, the return flight left Athens @ 1AM - if the match went to extra time it would still be on going at that point.

 

I told them to stuff it & that I would be reporting them to ABTA.

 

Haven't got round to it yet 'cos I've been busy making alternative arrangements.

[mm2259]

  Jeff guitar said:

If its the same one i booked with - i just cancelled as they have moved my flights Airport and departure time.

 

They did the same to me in 2005, all very last minute as well... I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole ever again.....

[eskton]

i booked with sportingeventsglobal.com they called me today to say the flight is not going out at 2am as promised it now goes at 10am

[Scally Bob]

Scheduled flights are the way to go. Budget airlines and these agents look OK on paper but they don't have the clout for landing and take-off times. That means when it's busy they get rescheduled.

 

It might cost a bit more but there's less chanced of being dicked about.

[Paul B]

Right, here's what they've done:

 

We paid £719 for flights on the basis we'd get a 7am flight and 2 nights accommodation in central Athens. I called them on Wednesday as we hadn't had confirmation, tickets, an itinerary or anything. I was assured everything had "gone in the post last night" and that I would receive it all on Thursday "at the latest." Yesterday, still nothing had arrived but they called at 6pm to say the accommodation in Athens was double booked and they were moving us to a coastal resort! I told them in no uncertain terms I was far from happy. The reason we'd booked with them was to avoid just such an inconvenience. Furthermore, despite the promise of a 7am flight, we're now told our flight is at 3AM!!! Three in the f***ing morning! I lost it a bit and the guy offered me a full refund! It's far too late to book anything else so what choice do I have? He then told another lie by saying all details had been posted but this morning, still nothing. This leaves only Monday's post to bring the stuff as Tuesday will obviously be too late.

 

They've taken the money though. My credit card statement this morning tells me I've paid out to a company called "Cuba Connections" and for that money, I'd be enjoying a top class hotel in Havana for a fortnight not two poxy nights in a country I'd never have otherwise thought of visiting.

 

I know some will think "Stop moaning, at least you're going" but we are being severely ripped off for this and it must not be forgotten. We all need to act otherwise we'll all face the same situation again and again in the future. Has anyone else been messed about by these utter cowboys?

[Mondavi]

That's really sh!tty PaulB, but having worked in the industry for 14 years, i am unfortunately not surprised. Further more, the current legislation through ABTA etc, doesn't give you a leg to stand on for complaint. It's pathetic, but they can move your flight by 4 hours with no compensation needed, and if they overbook a hotel, they need onlyoffer you a "reasonable" alternative or the chance of a refund.

 

Clearly the refund is of no fookin use to anyone, as these things always happen when cities are full for special events, so there's often no chance of finding something else at the last minute.

 

If they've offered you a coaastal resort (no idea how far from athens), they are however obliged to cover your additional transport expenses.

 

The best I can suggest is that you negotiate some compensation in this regard BEFORE travelling. Get them to agree to as much as possible in advance, you'll struggle like hell later, as they are effectively within their obligations believe it or not. Worth a narky phone call on Monday to the Supervisor to sound off and demand some cash. Get an email or fax off them agreeing to "x" in compensation specifically for transport costs.

[Gunga Din]

its f***ing not on that. thast disgraceful. Paul, make sure you report them, because they cant legaly be conducting business like that.

 

i wont use those type of companies for that very reason, i'm flying with BA, at least they are reasonably reliable, organised my own hotel and transfers. worked out an awful lot less too

Edited May 19, 2007 by big wayne

[Paul B]

  Mondavi said:

The best I can suggest is that you negotiate some compensation in this regard BEFORE travelling. Get them to agree to as much as possible in advance, you'll struggle like hell later, as they are effectively within their obligations believe it or not. Worth a narky phone call on Monday to the Supervisor to sound off and demand some cash. Get an email or fax off them agreeing to "x" in compensation specifically for transport costs.

 

Thanks for that info Mondavi. I will certainly be taking up the issue of compensation with them on Monday morning. As stated, I only booked on the assurance of a 7am flight (which I still think is too early) and a central Athens hotel. As it is now, we'll miss a full night's sleep and have to then get bussed to some resort miles from the city itself. What would ABTA think about this situation though, particularly with regard to the sky high price? The guy at Independent I spoke to told me the cost was ridiculous and he'd never pay anything like that. He then went on to say the travel industry was s***ty and full of backstabbers and in an appalling mess. I don't know how these people sleep, I really don't; promising one thing until you part with your cash and then delivering something you'd never have gone into had you known the reality in advance.

[Mondavi]

  Paul B said:

Thanks for that info Mondavi. I will certainly be taking up the issue of compensation with them on Monday morning. As stated, I only booked on the assurance of a 7am flight (which I still think is too early) and a central Athens hotel. As it is now, we'll miss a full night's sleep and have to then get bussed to some resort miles from the city itself. What would ABTA think about this situation though, particularly with regard to the sky high price? The guy at Independent I spoke to told me the cost was ridiculous and he'd never pay anything like that. He then went on to say the travel industry was s***ty and full of backstabbers and in an appalling mess. I don't know how these people sleep, I really don't; promising one thing until you part with your cash and then delivering something you'd never have gone into had you known the reality in advance.

 

 

The industry is indeed in a right mess. You wouldn't believe the number of new company's that start up each year, not to mention the number that go under. Far too many cowboys, entering the market place with unsustainable business plans (if any at all), trying to make money where they can on events such as this, instead of growing a good solid, reliable business.

 

The thing with the flight times, as it's less than 12 hours difference they don't NEED to offer you anything else from an ABTA/legal standpoint. Therefore, in that regard you need to play the " loyal customer, will look elsewhere in the future card", in the hope they offer you something in order to get your future business, which I'm sure you'd have no intention of giving them mind.

 

With regards to price, they can effectively charge pretty much what they want for a "package". Especially if it's a special for the final. There is no real regulation on what they can charge, it's just left to supply and demand of the market.

 

They will, however, have a hefty profit margin in that price they've charged you. The supervisor/manager will know exactly how much, and will use that "pool of cash" to offer what he/she thinks they need to offer to shut you up, and hopefully keep your business for future. You need to play just the right mix of pissed off customer, and reasonable bloke who'll accept a fair deal in terms of accepting they're doing they're best to put things right. Too pissed off, and they'll stick to their legal rights, too soft and you'll get nowt.

[Paul B]

  Mondavi said:

You need to play just the right mix of pissed off customer, and reasonable bloke who'll accept a fair deal in terms of accepting they're doing they're best to put things right. Too pissed off, and they'll stick to their legal rights, too soft and you'll get nowt.

 

How would walking in their shop threatening to break kneecaps with a baseball bat? Does that come somewhere in the middle ground there?

[Mondavi]

  Paul B said:

How would walking in their shop threatening to break kneecaps with a baseball bat? Does that come somewhere in the middle ground there?

 

 

metal or wood ?