Deposit to travel agency lost but nothing booked!

Tarquin said:
There was one consultation, normally costs 65e but this was waived
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Never heard of a travel agency that charged separately for "consultations"!

Just to clarify - you handed over €300 with no written record of what it was for or no governing agreement?
 
Tarquin said:
But it seems very unlikely and Im not happy about the way it was done. ....... just think its an awful cheek to take 300e off me for it.
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What has happened exactly? Have they definitely said that they wouldn't refund your deposit? It would seem reasonable in the circumstances that you should be prepared to pay them the consultation fee which they waived in the interests of getting more business from you. After that, a case for the Small Claims Court perhaps although it looks to me as though you walked into this one ('Caveat Emptor'?).
 
Jeez Tarquin

It is interesting that travel agencies are now charging a consultation fee.

Speaking as a former travel "consultant" - who specialised in putting together custom made tours and holidays - I have a wry smile on my face writing this now thinking back on the countless hours I would send putting together a package and then client would change their mind or go somewhere else etc etc - I guess maybe 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 would turn into a sale and thats pretty good going in this side of things - yet I got nothing for all the free advice I had given out except good experience that I might be able to use on another deal.

Ok - you gave 300 euros - please tell me you got a receipt - stating exactly what the conditions of the deposit are - if you have and its non-refundable ,well dude , you're up a brown river with no propulsion!

If you got a standard receipt - then I think you definitely have a case - in all honesty you are entitled to your deposit minus the consultation fee only (65e) - they have no right to anymore if you haven't signed a contract and I assume the proposed holiday is months away so there shouldn't be any nonsense about having to hold rooms and the like.

I think a well worded letter to the customers services manager , or higher - the general manager / managing director - stating quite clearly your situation , your displeasure at the quality of service you received (if i read your mail above correctly) and that their company came very highly recommended and you are very disapointed and are telling all your friends and if the matter isn't sorted out to your satisfaction that you are contemplating legal advice ("legal" normally get their full attention).

If you want you can pm me with the name of this operation and I could look up a few old friends in the business and make some discreet enquiries for you.

If you are sure you have a case - I would go with a strong yet dignified letter to the powers that be and see what response you get.

Best of luck
 
If you didn't get any documentation/receipt for your deposit, you would have a fair case to claim that this is an unfair business practice on their part. [Not too smart by you either, of course] Check out the association of Travel Agents (IATA???) website for any code of practice or guideline. Send a letter to the owner of the business, making a strong case for return of your deposit. Contact the Office of Director of Consumer Affairs for more advice.
 
Tarquin said:
Thanks everyone, I DO have a receipt and there is nothing on it to say it is non-refundable. I signed nothing, had a 'chat' in the man's agency (he is the owner of it, so unfortunately there is noone higher in his agency to pass this on to)
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This place isn't on Capel Street, Dublin 1 by any chance?
 
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