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dreadangel1 
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Post subject: Seasonaires Major Problem
 Posted: Jul 26, 2010 - 09:48 PM
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First post: Aug 29, 2007
Total posts: 213
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
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So I did my first season with Seasonaires and thought everything was fine and acceptable until recently. Anyone else had this problem?
I have tried (MANY) times along with my fellow ex-housemates to get my deposits back off seasonaires and am still owed the money. I have emailed many times, getting no answer, thinking it was only me with no money back, only to find out that quite a few of the housemates haven't got it back. But some do.
I agree that you must ***FIRST*** try to solve the problem. And I have. Then I was told that the payment had been put through/processed/scheduled (whatever you want to call it) but it was on Paypal which should be instant. The money still isn't there and that was over 2 weeks ago. Since then I haven't had a reply.
I have also heard this has happened in the past from a friend. However even if it hadn't happened in the past this is NO way to treat a customer that paid VERY early and in advance the full amounts without question or complaint and then obeyed all the rules and did all that was asked... Filling out feedback forms at the end of the season WITH POSITIVE FEEDBACK and still not getting the money on time. You have to be more organised if you expect to run a business.
I was hoping coming here would get me some help/support. The others have told me that they have emailed (one has even texted) and there is no reply. Not only is that a problem but on the website it CLEARLY states that emails will be replied to on Mon-Thurs and within 72 hours.
I am owed twice as much as the others so obviously this affects me more.... Not only that but I am only 19 and most of the money I spent to go with Seasonaires was out of a savings account I have had for 18 years and saved with etc!
I do not think it is too much to ask to keep email boxes checked regularly, after all I check mine almost every day at least once and if I am expecting contact I will check whenever possible. I think there needs to be a change and some more organisation because I am VERY unhappy that it had to come to this. It could be sorted so easily and it is distressing, especially as I don't really have any other complaints about the company!
I know SCUK has a lot of dealings with Seasonaires (although I don't see any advertising anymore), and I had planned on emailing or calling to get some advice or see if you could help with this before I had to complain publically. However most of my family and people I have told about it believe that they no longer have our money/have spent it. That sort of trading cannot continue and if it happened to my parents (both of whom own and have owned several businesses then they would be complained about everywhere and different organisations would be called etc etc so why should Seasonaires get away with not paying me back? If they had paid up when it was meant to be then this wouldn't be happening and everyone would go away happy. Learn from this.
I just want my money back then I will be happy and hope it won't happen to anyone in the future because it should NOT be ignored.
Just wanted to warn people and see what is the general advice or views! |
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YourMum
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Post subject:
Posted: Jul 26, 2010 - 10:28 PM
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First post: Oct 12, 2004
Total posts: 190
Status: Offline
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Yeah, it certainly sounds like they don't have the money to pay your deposit back.
Do you know (or have you heard any rumours) about if they are struggling financially? Or perhaps they have, or are about to, wind things up?
For a start I'd get in touch with trading standards..... they'll help you out - in lots of cases have template letters (which they'll supply you free of charge) that will highlight which laws / regulations they should be trading by. Send them one of the templates as a formal letter by recorded / registered post. It's far too easy to ignore emails / texts
Getting trading standards involved usually gives people the required kick up the arse. If that fails, seeking some sort of legal advice and letting seasonairres that your prepared to take this to small claims court if they don't respond should get some sort answers from them. |
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philboarder
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Post subject:
Posted: Jul 27, 2010 - 07:17 AM
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First post: Jul 29, 2006
Total posts: 887
Status: Offline
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| This happened to my mate a couple of years back in the end they paid up after they sent a load of letters threating court and stuff. |
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dreadangel1
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Post subject:
Posted: Jul 27, 2010 - 10:15 AM
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First post: Aug 29, 2007
Total posts: 213
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
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yeah my friend was probably part of that group he said it happened to a whistler group a few years back...
Everyone is just SO angry its a nightmare. I will be ringing them I was just trying to actually give him a chance to sort it out. But its too late now.
They were talking about closing it up etc and financial stuff while we were there but at the end of the day that is not our problem and deposits should NOT be touched or used they are there to be returned at the end. Its bad business.
Thanks guys. will ring Trading Standards today and see what can be done. Also want to make sure people know that this is going on because I would hate for anyone else to go through this. |
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YourMum
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Post subject:
Posted: Jul 27, 2010 - 11:15 AM
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First post: Oct 12, 2004
Total posts: 190
Status: Offline
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Your completely right, the fact that they are struggling financially shouldn't mean they use your deposit to fund the business. Unfortunately if they cant pay a bill and they have a bank account full of deposits they'll dip into it.
I think the problem really stems back to the recession really. Most companies that do seasonal lets make little money at it and rely heavily on other parts of the business - i.e weekly holiday makers.
Although your chalet may have been full, there may have been several weekly apartments or chalets with empty spaces that were costing a fortune. Most seasonairre companies don't own their places and simply rent them and obviously the rent isn't any cheaper if you have 4 instead of 6 people staying.
I had a similar problem years ago with snowboard lodge (who became Alpine Elements / Seasons on Snow, or whatever they are calling themselves these days) and I don't want to tar all season let companies with the same brush but typically, I believe, you'll get a much better standard of accom at a better price if you book it independently |
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lez_s
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Post subject:
Posted: Jul 27, 2010 - 11:27 AM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 11637
Location: Whistler
Status: Offline
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When I stayed with Seasonaires in Whistler a few seasons ago I didn't have a problem with getting my money back.
The only thing that happen, which was in the small print was that the exchange rate changed so had to pay a surcharge.
I paid in pounds but as the rate changed it didn't come to the total of $CAD which had to be paid in full. At the end of the season the difference came out of my deposit and so did the cost of the end of season cleaning cost which left with not a lot and I know people that it cost them their full deposit.
I hear bad stories about seasonaires, but I can say I don't have a bad thing to say about them. |
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'Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'
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R1ch
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Post subject:
Posted: Jul 28, 2010 - 02:12 PM
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First post: Jan 07, 2005
Total posts: 574
Location: London
Status: Offline
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You left Les Arcs on April 30th wasn't it?
That's nearly 13 weeks ago.
The Seasonaires website booking terms and conditions state:
"d) The security deposit will be returned when all cleaning and damage repair is complete. Normally no
later than eight weeks after the end of that resorts season."
You said yourself that all cleaning and damages were assessed and completed sometime ago. I know when I stayed with Seasonaires that I got my damage deposit back within that time frame, though I seem to remember a few people didn't and had to hassle somewhat. |
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dreadangel1
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 06, 2010 - 11:14 AM
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First post: Aug 29, 2007
Total posts: 213
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
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I don't believe you would get better service going independently, I think we deserve better especially when we pay early/on time! Its a disgrace I think. I have spoken to Trading Standards and will be taking their advice and then if nothing happens further action will be taken by them. They are a Ltd company so Trading Standards have a strong hold on them and seemed quite positive about it. I just wish that they could help the others out too...
Also to stress the point that its NOT just the money not coming back that is the problem. Most of the others have had NO REPLY to any emails or messages. I have had replies but then no money, but its terrible that they can be so disorganised they wouldn't even contact people in time.
The experience during the season was fine! No problems there. That is what makes this so infuriating! |
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dreadangel1
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 01:11 PM
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First post: Aug 29, 2007
Total posts: 213
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
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I threatened etc and sent a warning email that I was going to take action etc and then a few days later (when he got the email I guess) I got 200 euros of 509 back... The 2 week deadline has been missed though and now I still don't have the other 309 and so I am going to further trouble to get it.
PLEASE GUYS DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU READ ON THE WEBSITE (FOR EXAMPLE THE 'WE REPLY WITHIN 72 HOURS') BECAUSE IT IS COMPLETELY RUINING MY PLANS FOR WINTER! I now have to cut back on all sorts of silly stuff to make sure I have enough money to afford the Winter and help my girlfriend too! |
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nickmotture
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 02:16 PM
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First post: Jan 09, 2006
Total posts: 10414
Location: Washington DC USA
Status: Offline
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| youve had a bad experience yes and it sounds sh1t but they deal with thousand of people every year and telling no one to trust them because of what happened to you and constantly writing about it on the internet is a little OTT. Hope you get it sorted but this isnt helping is it and claming no one should trust a big company because of what happened to just one person is just wrong. Thats like saying no one should by a car because youre broke down. |
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nickmotture
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 02:17 PM
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First post: Jan 09, 2006
Total posts: 10414
Location: Washington DC USA
Status: Offline
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snowgirl1324
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 02:48 PM
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First post: Jan 26, 2005
Total posts: 3799
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
Status: Offline
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You'll prolly get your money when they get payments for next season, they are ATOL bonded so try looking into that  |
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Oh don't be so silly!
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snowgirl1324
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 02:53 PM
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First post: Jan 26, 2005
Total posts: 3799
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
Status: Offline
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snowgirl1324
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 02:56 PM
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First post: Jan 26, 2005
Total posts: 3799
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
Status: Offline
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dreadangel1
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 30, 2010 - 05:41 PM
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First post: Aug 29, 2007
Total posts: 213
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
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Yeah i didn't book a flight with them and I have heard that ATOL is only applicable if I booked a flight through them. I know that might be what is happening but what about next season's guests? That can't happen forever, somewhere someone will lose out!
NickMotture its not really on the same principle of a faulty product, its more about the fact that it at times seems like they are just trying to run away with the money. In case you haven't seen stories before there is plenty of that going on in the world where people run into difficulty and run away with peoples' money. I'm not actually at any point saying 'NO ONE TRUST THEM' I'm trying to alert people to the fact this is going on and its not fair and its a very low way of making your money or bailing yourself out.
Also its a bit different when you aren't going through it and struggling to figure out if you are actually going to have the money to eat next Winter... Considering I'm 19 and struggling to get work in Summer let alone Winter, I'd say I have right to be REALLY pissed off about it!
Also yeah trading standards said send a recorded letter and give 2 weeks and then (because the West Yorkshire rules say it) I might have to send a second before Trading Standards will actually take action with me (or advise me or whatever they do). Thanks for those links though. |
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