[company name edited out]

[vespasean]

I have booked a villa with a company called [edited out as it's against the forum rules] and have become nervous about the transaction. Has anybody had any dealings with this company?

The deadline for the exact details of my villa is three weeks prior to departure. I was wondering whether this is standard practice.

vespa

[ShirleyD]

Hi Sean if this is a tour operator type company, then this is probably normal. This is why many people like to book directly with the owners on a site like this where all the homes are verified and you get to choose the home as opposed to having it allocated to you. I send my guests all the details once the final payment is made

[Snapper]

This probably isn't going to be great news but if you have booked via a tour company you will almost certainly fall into the category called 'allocate on arrival'. Basically what this means is that you won't know for definite which actual villa you will get (including it's location) until you arrive in Orlando.

It is standard practice for tour companies to operate this way. What you will likely get three weeks prior to departure is either a specification of a set of villas, one of which you will get; or the villa that you are currently targetted for. There is no guarantee that this villa will still be available when you reach Orlando and so the tour company will reserve the right to re-home you should it be necessary.

I know that isn't the best news in the world, but at least you know where you stand.

The good news is that you've found these forums, and the attached villa rental sites. If there is any way you can cancel the tour company booking I would pretty much guarantee that you will have a better experience if you book direct with an owner. You will know exactly which villa you are staying in and for the most part you will find privately rented villas furnished and equipped to a much higher standard than the villas available to tour companies. I know that might sound a bit like a sales pitch - but surf some of the villa listings and you will soon see what I mean. If you can't escape from the tour co for this trip then there is always the next one. [msnwink] Whatever though, don't let it spoil your looking forward to a great trip to Florida. [msnsmile2]

[sammibabe]

Whenever we have rented we have paid a deposit upon booking, balance is usually about 6 weeks before departure, might be more but not less and then all details like directions, where the key is upon arrival etc are sent. However if through a company it may well be different. If you are at all concerned you could ring another company to make a 'casual' enquiry and ask the questions or ask a friend to enquire with the cpmpany you are using to ask the questions. I am sure all is fine and it is just their way. Have a fab holiday.

[vespasean]

the reason I ask is that I have read a worrying forum post on money saving expert about the same company, in which a woman had become concerned also.

I did actually try to cancel our booking with this company and they refused. We were called certain Anglo-Saxon words beginning with C when we asked for a booking confirmation and communication has broken down.

In their terms and conditions they state that they send the details three weeks prior to departure. For us, this is this coming tuesday - but from their attitude I am worried this deadline will come and go.

We are getting married on Clearwater beach four weeks today and this is ruining it for us. We don't even have money to re-book, not to mention the money we have paid for tickets, flights, car etc. I feel so foolish.

vespa

[Kazzie]

Is this company abta or atol bonded, if so contact either of them and tell them how you have been treated. If the company are not bonded then I am not sure what to suggest.

[sammibabe]

I really hope all is ok and you get your details etc. Let us know how you get on.