WWW.ONTHEBEACH.COM - AVOID!!!

by **hogweed** on Fri May 25, 2007 12:42 pm

I booked a holiday with them a few days ago and have been comprehensively stitched up, and am having to take legal action. To put it briefly:

They advertise their holidays as �all inclusive�, and when you have selected everything you want, a �Total Cost of Holiday� price in shown at the bottom of the page, and you have to click �Buy�, which commits you to a non-refundable �400 deposit.

Shortly afterwards, I received a confirmation e-mail which had added �180 to the price. They said this was for �compulsory airline meals�, which I didn't want or need, and transfers to and from the airport, which were also not included! Despite the fact that it says in their FAQ, for example, that they don't provide in-flight meals, and that you are welcome to bring your own food onto the plane!

I am trying to get my money back, but it's a hell of a struggle � their attitude is �Nothing to do with me Guv � it's the airline/the Turkish government/Santa Claus�. If you try to talk to them � very politely � on the phone about problems, they just put the phone down.

Whatever you do, for God's sake don't use this company � it's the most shameless rip-off I've encountered in my 52 years.

by **HW Chris** on Fri May 25, 2007 13:04 pm

You didn't authorise them to take the extra payment. They can't just charge it as it is �someone else's charge'. Go to Visa or equivalent, and then go to ABTA.

by **HW Jan.C** on Fri May 25, 2007 13:19 pm

Ring them back and ask to speak to the manager, then explain that because you did not agree to the extra charges you will not pay them and you will be talking to ABTA and your credit card company unless a full refund is given.

by **HW Chris** on Fri May 25, 2007 13:34 pm

I know the company Jan, sadly this would be a wasted call. They really don't care. If you check through previous postings about them , this isn't a one off - draw your own conclusions.

by **holywullie** on Fri May 25, 2007 19:52 pm

Hogweed's comments have shocked me as I have just returned from a marvellous Tenerife holiday bought through OntheBeach online. They organised flights, accommodation, airport transfers and Gatwick parking, all of which went like clockwork with not the slightest problem. Their website was easy to work, staff were helpful when I telephoned and tickets arrived well in advance of the holiday. Additionally the holiday cost at least �200 less than the High St boys.

Are there two OntheBeachs or am I living on a different planet?

by **HW Chris** on Fri May 25, 2007 20:47 pm

holywullie,

There is no problem (generally) with they sell, it's how they sell it.

You certainly appear to be one of the lucky customers.

Here are some more posts that 'might' shock you.

Onthebeach Thread

hmm

by **divingbird** on Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:03 pm

I have just booked a holiday a couple of days ago. they also put the price up by �50 once we had already agreed. they said it was for using a credit card but it was already charged on the first invoice. i am very annoyed by this however. The same holiday with other companies are �800 dearer so I will have to lump the extra charge. Just hope it is all worth it.

by **Carl** on Thu Jun 21, 2007 19:50 pm

I booked a holiday with On The Beach on 19/6/07. This would have been my first holiday abroad with my two kids. I had my confirmation of booking and went ahead with booking transfers at resort costing �65. I spoke to them on the 21/6/07 they said that the holiday could not go ahead without me paying an additional �120 for another flight because there weren't any seats left on the flight I had booked. I felt extremely confused and as I began to ask for clarification I was stopped in my tracks and told that I should have read the small print.

I explained that I was on a budget and could not afford to pay this unexpected additional charge. "Thats fine I'll just cancel the booking, next time read the small print" was his reply. I'm now going to my local travel agent and feel extremely let down.

I would not recommend using this travel association. They are unpredicable, unreasurring, unresponsive, and useless.

I wish I had read the watchdog reviews before I booked and not after!

by **bubbins** on Fri Jun 22, 2007 21:10 pm

I have just booked a holiday through otbeach.com and have just found these reviews and i'm now very nervous!! Is there anyone else who has had a good experience with them?!

by **THEWHALE** on Mon Jun 25, 2007 15:46 pm

Hi - I have just read all these reviews, and have also just booked a holiday with them on Friday. I have had confirmation booking through, and they haven't charged me anything additional.......I was also going to book additional tranfers through their website. Has anyone had a bad experience doing this....?