OMG no Villa

[shellees]

I am at the end of my tether, I have just reeived an phone call from ABTA atating that the people I have booked my villa with for This coming Monday (28th July) has gone into liquidation and no money has been paid.
I didn't book a villa with an owner as I could get one for the time I needed whn booked in May, so i thought I would go with reputible comapany, how arong can you be.

After two hours of crying I have had a phone call from someone at Florida homes (anyone heard of them)stating theare dealing with all the people that have been let down and can get me a villa tomorrow, now I'm worried in case they run off with my money too, has anyone got any advise, this holiday was myy first to Florida and a urprise for my children, they think we are going to spain

[canarypam]

Oh my what a shock! I don't think I have heard of this company but why don't you put a search on the links above somebody may have availability or had a cancellation. Good luck I'm sure it will all work out ok.

[dawn]

How awful for you. Put out an enquiry on the following sites - you will be booking directly with the owners and have the added security that all homes have been verified

www.orlandovillas.com
www.villasflorida.com
www.onlinefloridavillas.com

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

[shellees]

Thank you both so much for replying, I will put out an enquiry but I do realise this is a very busy time. I am so stressed that I can't think straight this evening but will get on to it tomorrow, I have had an email fom the lady hat telephoned me confirming our conversation so maybe things will work out ok, if so I'll be in Orlando Monday evening.

[orchidvilla]

Hi... i know the company you mean and have been speaking to a staff member that told me what happend. Just be carefull on any callers contacting you as there have been many with suspect intentions trawling sites to try and get pickings.
There are good persons on this site that i am sure will offer assistance and you will get sound advice. Contact the sponsors on here as they may be able to give guidance.

Pray you get thins sorted and your stay is less stressfull....

[mfairhurst]

Hope you get it sorted and finish up having a lovely holiday .
As said before go on these sites and you may get a late booking or split your dates to 2 villas just for this holiday as once you have been you will go again .GOOD LUCK I feel for you
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

[sammibabe]

If it is ABTA do you not have a certain amount of protection from them? Are the company that are 'helping you out' with a villa asking for more money? Is it worth talking to ABTA again to find out where you stand as far as they go, this company that may have villa etc. I am sure with the shock of that initial phone call you would not have asked all that you wanted or needed to. I really feel for you and hope it all works out.

[jpusa66]

I know of the company which you are talking about. I know someone who booked flights through them and it has now been sorted out by ABTA. The phone no. to ring is 01243 621 500 explain your situation and they hopefully can help you. Good luck!

[steph_goodrum]

Unfortunately this is the downside of dealing with a tour operator for accommodation. since they typically will not pay the supplier (usually a management company (sometimes the owner) until after the guest has stayed it does not afford the same protection as if the accommodation is paid in advance. As you ave discovered if it had been then ABTA would likely hav assisted in finding alternative accommodations or at the least helped to get your money back which youo have no doubt had to pay up front.
I'm guessing from your post that you had flights and car hire booked and these are ok as they had to pay the suppliers already so you have paperwork for them? At least that is one consolation as it would have been VERY difficult to get flights now at such short notice.

Although peak season between yourselves and the sites I am sure you will find something suitable even if it means splitting the time to get what you want.

Did you pay by credit card? If so then I would get in touch with the CC company as well and try and get them to refund the money as they are jointly liable, at least if they do then you wont be financially disadvantaged.

I am sure the first look on your childrens faces when they realise how lucky they are and where they are going and you will forget the stress even if only "momentarily" -

Good luck with your search and dont forget to let us see some pics.

[shellees]

Thank you to you all for your kind wishes and advise, yes I am still in a panic. I did pay by credit card but when ABTA called me they were of little help, I am going to call them again now as I have re-booked with a company called lifestyle magic but after reading what people have to say on here I am again worried even though they have assuered me that all will be well? they said they have been in contact with hotelbeds and hey still have my villa? I am in such a state at the moment I simply cannot think straight.

If anyone has heard of lifestyle magic please let me know as any information will help me clam down.

Shelley

[erowlands]

Hi Shelley, Lifestyle magic are ok, we used to have them looking after our villa, we moved for personal reasons from them but the villas they look after are really good and exceptionally clean, the lady we dealt with was Carolyn, the manger was Alan, you should have no problem they are a repuatable company.
Eric

[steph_goodrum]

D
Shelley
My advice would be to ask for a phone contact no for lifestyle magic and speak to them in person and ask them to email confirmation and exact details of where the villa address is etc.

This should at least give you some proof should anything be untoward, . I would also say its still worth contacting your credit card company and explain the situation, if only to have it on record that you tried before you went away to make sure it was ok and that Abta may not be helping as much as you would have expected so just want to make them aware.
If hotelbeds are saying they have your orginal booking and will confirm that and honour it then you may not get your money back if they deem that you have chosen to cancel and rebooked with Lifestyle, they will say that was your choice even though Abta orginally phoned you to tell your the villa wasnt available.
Before you go, make a diary of all phone calls with dates etc. if possible contact names of who you spoke to and put any emails into a folder separately as once you come back it will no doubt be confusing to remember which dates events happenend.

[shellees]

Hi All

I have just spoke to ABTA and they have said that all should be fine with me going with Florida homes , I do have all email and telephone details with Florida homes and they have kindly emailed all conversations to me to keep as proof, so I am now just waiting for Hotel beds to clarify my booking is in place.

Thnak you all so much and I can't wait to be in Florida fo the very first time.

Shelley

[steph_goodrum]

Sounds as though they do have it under control Shelley have a wonderful time.

[orlando]

HI

As a former travel agent I can reassure you that if you booked your accommodation through an ABTA bonded company you will have no difficulty getting you money back and also the credit card company are also resposible. It may not be resolved before you go away but you will certainly get a refund in time. As regards to Florida Homes I dealt with them many times professionally and they have a lot of homes on their books.

Like others who are owners like myself I would always advise booking direct with the owners as you know what you are getting and where it will be located and you can speak to the owner if you have any questions about the villa or Orlando we all spend a lot of time at our homes and have lots of tips to make your holiday perfect. Don't stress just relax and look forward to having a wonderful holiday with your family.

Sheelagh

[LiesaAnna]

hope all will be good for you, please let us know how you get on and have a wonderful time!!!

[burtonl]

Hi Shelley,

I'm really pleased you managed to sort everything out.

Now you can relax and have a great time!

[sammibabe]

I am so pleased all seems to be getting sorted. I am so pleased you are going. I am sure once you get there and start having a wonderful time the stress will fade. Have a fab time.

[canarypam]

So glad you appear to have got it sorted. Come back and let us know where you ended up staying and what the house was like[msnsmile2]

Or better still do us a trip report we all love reading those helps keep us going between trips[msnwink]

[gail and david roberts]

Hi Shelley
glad to hear is all been sorted for you and your family ,
you will have a fantastic time in florida ,
let us know how it goes
[msnsmile2]and maybe next time you will book with a owner from this site [msnsmile2]

[shellees]

Thank you all for the support you have given me, my villa is now fully re-booked so thats one things off my mind, only after checkeing how I paid I only paid a small deposit by credit card and the rest by cheque so I am going to find out where I stand I suspect I've lost that which is a real pain.
I promise in future I will only book with owners of villas as I have read and heard so many great things about people that own villas in Florida, lets just hope I can afford to make it back to Florida in the future as I can't see how my children will think anything else will be good enough and I know we are only going to see a small portion of what Florida has to offer and I want to see it all, I wish I could stay there for the whole of the six weeks summer holiday but maybe one day.

I just want to say that everyoone on here has given me a real boost with this stress and reading what everyone has to say has kept my spirits up so a huge thank you to you all, you are all so very kind

I will come back on here after my holiday and give you an update on how it well but please beware it may get boring as I'm sure I will need to give all all a detail blow by blow of everything!! xx

Thnaks again.

Shelley

[Southsider]

I am glad everything has worked out ok for you Shelley...........no trip report from Florida could ever be boring to any of us addicts on here [msnwink][msnsmile2]

[gail and david roberts]

That's so right southsider
it keep us going until our next trip
so we never get bored of florida reports