Author	Message
Anna Member	# Posted: 9 Nov 2006 15:04:19 Hello Need some advice as not sure what to do! I booked an organised tour with STA Travel in July, for a tour in January 2007. I am travelling alone and wanted to join a tour when I arrived so that I'd meet people! All my flights revolved around the dates of the tour. Went into a branch on the other day to pay off the rest of my tour (as I'd secured a deposit in July and needed to pay the rest) and it seems that they made a massive mistake and forgot to book me on it, so now it's full! They said they'd try and find me an alternative tour but so far they haven't got back to me and most of the tours are full (or not as good as the one i wanted). They don't seem to be that bothered and haven't offered me any sort of decent compensation for this. Not sure what to do - have written to Custmoer Relations but all they did was contact the branch to find out what happened. Does anyone know what my rights are? thanks! anna x

JaMeZ Moderator Amsterdam	# Posted: 9 Nov 2006 15:43:53 What kind of tour were you planning to do, and where? "It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear." - Douglas Adams
Anna Member	# Posted: 9 Nov 2006 15:50:04 Was going to do a tour of Northern Thailand, just for a week (to start me off) with Intrepid! If anyone can recommend any other good tours or tour companies, that would be good.
JaMeZ Moderator Amsterdam	# Posted: 9 Nov 2006 17:03:10 I'd say, book it when you're in Thailand. Plenty of tour agencies available there as well, and probably lots cheaper than STA. "It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase 'As pretty as an Airport' appear." - Douglas Adams
RobN Moderator UK	# Posted: 9 Nov 2006 19:57:51 Have you mentioned the deposit? If so, have they said anything about a refund if they are unable to book you onto anything else?
Nicolas Member Belgium	# Posted: 10 Nov 2006 10:16:13 Hi, Where are u from? I think the law differs from country to country. Over here in Belgium, you have to sign some kind of contract that says what trip you are taking, how much you've already paid,... There's also a bunch of small letters which say how you/the company can cancel the trip, but I think "forgotton" isn't a good reason. If you think it's worth the trouble, you could take this to court to get a compensation for the stuff you've already bought, the holidays at your job you had to take,... I wouldn't do it, 'cause it's a whole lot of trouble... Sometimes threatening to go to court is already enaugh I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list
Anna Member	# Posted: 10 Nov 2006 11:15:03 Thanks everyone! They are trying to offer me 'alternative tours' that sound the same and have places available. So far they have been very careful to avoid mentioning money when I have asked for them to pay for another trip. I don't see why I should have to pay for a new trip that isn't the one I wanted! I am fighting it as much as I can!! I have spent nearly £2000 with STA So far so I'm really note happy! thanks everyone! anna x
jimpermar Member US	# Posted: 16 Nov 2006 03:58:16 I had a similar problem with sta in the US - actually it was exactly the same. Somehow even though I paid sta for the tour, they didn't pay the tour company so my booking was lost. It took a lot of persistance to get them to admit it was their fault. I filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, and threatened to take them to court. In the end they gave me my money back and a little discount on a flight. I left the situation vowing never to book with sta again. In my mind they did not give adequate compensation for their huge error. I would write to customer service again, send something registered mail and ask for a specific amount of compensation.
Anna Member	# Posted: 16 Nov 2006 12:45:43 Hello! I have asked for compensation and for them to pay for a new tour that they offered - which is not as good as the one I wanted. They just emailed to say they wouldn't pay for a new tour, and they'd just give me a £50 STA Travel Voucher! I can't believe it! I am so angry. I told them to stick there £50 voucher and refund my deposit. I will book a tour myself. I am so angry right now, my face looks like a tomato. I URGE EVERYONE - DON'T BOTHER WITH STA TRAVEL -THEY ARE AWFUL ANNA X
RobN Moderator UK	# Posted: 3 Dec 2006 20:37:44 Have you had any luck since your last post Anna? You had your deposit refunded?