What can we do now legally?

[Floridatilly]

Three weeks yesterday we found out the owner of the villa we have booked for 2020 & 2021 has left the MC. The MC can not offer us a villa at the same price & standard therefore we have requested our deposits back (total $1482) they are based in the US. Numerous emails and phone calls, promises to be refunded and still nothing.
It really is beyond a joke.
I am so upset, we have used this MC so many times in the past and recommend friends etc
We want to re book but we are waiting for our deposits back.
Apparently the MC owner is the only one who can do refunds and he is very busy!
Any advice?

Would we need a US lawyer? We have no idea where to start

[catherinesian]

Can you do a chargeback with your bank? That's what I'd be doing at this point.

You have communication showing you are owed the refund.

[Floridatilly]

Originally Posted by catherinesian

Can you do a chargeback with your bank? That's what I'd be doing at this point.

You have communication showing you are owed the refund.

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I have never heard of this. We paid via bank transfer. We have all correspondence and obviously the booking form/contract

[Busyb]

Unfortunately there is nothing you can do regards claiming through the bank if you paid by bank transfer.

[THE WIZARD]

Originally Posted by Floridatilly

I have never heard of this. We paid via bank transfer. We have all correspondence and obviously the booking form/contract

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Check on the Martin Lewis site about 'Chargeback' I have done it and got my money back but have to say it took a while but I got it back & that was the point. Too long for me to go into all the how too details now but the Martin Lewis should help. Or Google how to claim using Charge Back.

[Floridatilly]

Originally Posted by THE WIZARD

Check on the Martin Lewis site about 'Chargeback' I have done it and got my money back but have to say it took a while but I got it back & that was the point. Too long for me to go into all the how too details now but the Martin Lewis should help. Or Google how to claim using Charge Back.

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Thank you so much x

[Tetrarch]

Originally Posted by Floridatilly

Three weeks yesterday we found out the owner of the villa we have booked for 2020 & 2021 has left the MC. The MC can not offer us a villa at the same price & standard therefore we have requested our deposits back (total $1482) they are based in the US.

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Picking up on the bit I've highlighted in bold, I assume your bank transfer was an international transfer in US$? If so, you have no recourse through your bank for a refund so the best option for you right now would be to continue chasing the MC, daily if necessary, to make a nuisance of yourself and hope they eventually cave in to get rid of you.

There is no equivalent of small claims in the US so if this doesn't work, you are left contemplating legal action which won't be cheap and the MC knows this, but maybe the threat of such action might be enough get a refund if it comes to this.

Debra

[catherinesian]

Originally Posted by Floridatilly

I have never heard of this. We paid via bank transfer. We have all correspondence and obviously the booking form/contract

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Oh, sorry I am not sure if you can do a chargeback on a bank transfer. You can on credit / debit card.

Fingers crossed you get somewhere OP

[Guest]

Originally Posted by catherinesian

Oh, sorry I am not sure if you can do a chargeback on a bank transfer. You can on credit / debit card.

Fingers crossed you get somewhere OP

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No charge back can only be used for card purchases (even then it is not a legal right, it is something a bank might be able to do). OP is going to have to continue to make a nuisance of themselves to MC.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Claudette

No charge back can only be used for card purchases (even then it is not a legal right, it is something a bank might be able to do). OP is going to have to continue to make a nuisance of themselves to MC.

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If they had paid on their credit card then they could've put in a Section 75 claim, which is a legal right and applies to foreign transactions. Unfortunately, in the OP's case, they didn't pay by credit card so they'll have to continue to pester the MC for a refund, as you say.