Cancelled holiday - agent wants full price paid?

Question

Last month my family and I were supposed to go on holiday to Croatia (we live in Slovakia) and stay in a small bed and breakfast. My wife paid a deposit for the holiday through a Slovak agent but two of my children became ill the day before we were supposed to drive so we cancelled. She got a doctor’s certificate to show they were ill. While we were disappointed we accept that we will lose the deposit but today we received a bill for the full amount and threat of legal action if we do not pay. We didn’t sign any contract with the agent, nor did we receive any legal stipulation about this. Do we have to pay full price for an internet booked holiday which we didn’t attend?

Answer 1

Usually there is no need to sign any contract cause by booking and paying of the deposit the deal is legal and it means yes. And the yes means, you accepted the terms of use. Does not matter whether you been reading it or not. If you did not, your fault.

With the most deals in travel business in Europe is a 100% pay legal when you cancel later than 3 or 4 days before the starting date of the arrangement. In France for example it is a week, with some arrangements even more.

To avoid the problems you are having now, most people are going for a travel insurance. A cheap way to cover those problems.

Not knowing all the facts of your booking but reading your question I would say. Yes - sorry - but you have to pay.

I would recommend a legal office in Slovakia or maybe you know someone you knows a lawyer in your area that might be able to figure out for you whether there is any chance not to pay the full amount.

But remember, you booked and paid the deposit at that generaly means you accepted the terms of use even you might not took a look at it. They are legal and binding for you anyway.

Good luck and hopefully you have an helping office in your area, like a travel agency organisation that might be able to give you a helping hand.

Answer 2

If you do not have a contract with the agent, you do not have to pay anything. Legal action can be based only on a contract, and there is none. Frankly speaking, the agent could be sued for charging you the deposit without a contract.

Answer 3

I would find out who the agents suppliers are and call them directly and tell your story and also call the bed and breakfast and tell them your situation and you can always file a counter suit because illness is always a legal reason to cancel.