Our eagerly awaited holiday duly arrived on the 8th September and on landing. headed down to Costa Calma region (Risco del paso) where we managed to find our "Villa" which was in essence three apartments.
Our apartment was very very basic (Fred Flinstone had more/better furniture) and no where near the advertised bumf of it being luxurious. It had the following issues that really made our stay irritable to say the least.
No Oven
No Toaster
No Microwave
Patio doors that rattled non stop when there was a breeze. I fixed this by jamming wedges into the gaps
Fridge that continually made a load buzzing noise that was more akin to sleeping next to a 3000kva transformer sub station.
Handle that came adrift from one of the drawers. I temp fix this with plastic rammed into the hole to make it tighter.
Shower that didn't drain. I tried to fix this to a degree.
Owner said there was a safe. Yes but the key was jammed into the lock so was useless. I fixed this by buying a multitool (for the pliers) and manged to pull it out and oil the internal mechanism.
The owner said the apartment had a BBQ. yes but a shared one down the property land a bit and looked like it had never been cleaned for years, with bird nonsense all over the cover, as it was under a tree. I cleaned it up and lit the burners to further burn off any other number two etc. stuck the chicken on it, and it ran out of gas!!!!
Side security door was ripped off its hinges and lying on the ground with the screws sticking up!!
Floor where the extension was added, not finished with two holes at each end showing the steel reinforcement bars!
Black dampness on the toilet ceiling and kitchen
I could go on, with a lot more trivial stuff but they all add up etc.
Bear in mind this was a SC holiday and not having what I have had in many other SC apartments, basic requirments. We paid good money to this cowboy for this period and he dosen't want to know. I have reported him to the internet site he advertises through and they can't help as they only host his advert.
In fact when we were leaving another couple who we hadn't met, as they only arrived a few days before we were leaving, came up to us and asked if we spoke english etc and proceeded to tell us similar issues that we had, and a very dirty apartment on arrival. They said they had told the cowboy that they would not be paying for the 60€ to clean the place. We had paid on ours so we could hold anything back for our issues. Anyhow they also said thay will seek compensation and will be adding their experience to Trip Adviser when they return to the UK.
I can't name and shame him after discussing this with Admin, and I fully understand their stance. But its bloody frustrating that I can't do a damn thing about this cowboy. I think I can post the name on Trip adviser, and if thats the case will look at that next.
What a way to run a business and needless to say will never use his services again.
If you can Name and Shame on Tripadvisor, why not on here :o It would be more usefull to people who read the Forum.
KWC really sorry to read of your experience. Knowing how much you looked forward to your holiday (from your forum posts) surely this is exactly the sort of situation where the owners should be named and shamed. This is a very informative well run forum and if a measured and accurate report is posted and the original poster is willing to back up his observations and take ownership of them, then posts like this are essential to inform potential customers of these cowboys, how else can they be taken to task.
Just my tuppence worth
Sorry to hear that Kenny. Did you book through a company or was it a private rental?
Quote from: fifi on September 27, 2012, 11:53:56 AM
Sorry to hear that Kenny. Did you book through a company or was it a private rental?
fifi it was through a well known internet site that Private owners ply their (in this case) number two service from.
As I said in my opening posts guys, I had approached admin and for reasons of possible litigation or putting the forum at risk, no matter how small, I have agreed not to name and shame. I want to, but can't.
But I suspect there would be no reason why I couldn't add the link to my Tripadviser post when I get round to it, is there?
On there I will be naming the main internet site where he advertises and the name of his "villa" as well as the factual stuff that I have mentioned on here. I have many pictures of my issues and I am confident that because I will stick to the facts/truth, he can not do one thing in retaliation. In fact I hope he does try it.
I have, last week as part of my rants, told him that all of this will be posted on Trip Adviser, and he made no comment. He couldn't care less if the truth be told.
I will of course keep you all informed of progress with TA in due course
It would be good if he looked in here and gave his side (what the crikey he could say in defence?) of it all.
Really really sorry to hear that Kenny, wish i'd never told you about boarding passes now!!! Know how much you were looking forward to it,agree with people who say name and shame on this OPEN forum. So how's this, you private message me details and i'll pose the question on open forum if anyone could recommend this place, then surely a little scottish comment or two from you can't be seen as litigation or putting the forum at risk.
We had a great time ;) ;) ::)
Quote from: ronnietherhino on September 27, 2012, 12:51:54 PM
Really really sorry to hear that Kenny, wish i'd never told you about boarding passes now!!! Know how much you were looking forward to it,agree with people who say name and shame on this OPEN forum. So how's this, you private message me details and i'll pose the question on open forum if anyone could recommend this place, then surely a little scottish comment or two from you can't be seen as litigation or putting the forum at risk.
We had a great time ;) ;) ::)
Thanks Ronnie, but I have just advised him of a possible Denuncia and if upheld could cost him a min of 18000€. So lets wait and see what transpires from that.
Ill keep you all posted ;)
Good luck with it Kenny. :)
No worries mate, all the best and good luck
Kenny, I have private messaged you. Glenys
Well folks, since my last post on this subject, there has been a significant move that pleases me no end for a few reasons.
First with the help of fifi supplying me some relevant information on the laws of rental agreements and her excellent guidance, which were put to the owner of the villa/apartment, I now have a settlement that I am very happy with. It should be in my account tomorrow, and thats a result.
Secondly I was PMd earlier today, by a forum member who has offered me the use of their apartment FOC for a week for my wife and I. An offer I may well take up with much appreciation.
Goes to show that for all the perceived bad things about forums, there is much more kindness and help when one needs it. So I will close off by saying thanks to you both and others for their kind words of support and help, it is very much appreciated. (http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii238/KennyCarr_2008/Smilies/med3d-bravo.gif)
Very happy you have reached a resolution. Whilst we have these type of owners who care nothing about their GUESTS we will always have problems...please feel free to pm me and I will happily name and shame them (sorry admin but those that have to make a living from tourism suffer from these people).
Also it is partly your kind of experience that adds weight to the cause of the ´clampdown on illegal lets´the majority of which try to make your holiday experience as happy as possible, providing you do not íllegally´let near to those who wish for no bloody tourists upsetting their happy retirement. Long may you enjoy visiting our wonderful island and visiting our various bars, restaurants and attractions. (and contributing to the main economy on which this island solely depends)
Also a big thank you to whoever offered you free accomodation for the future, hopefully you will have a far better experience and will fall in love with Fuerteventura as many of us have.
Not everyone here is a rip off merchant and not everyone is a bloody minded nimby.... some of us actually try to integrate and offer a service...and in the words of Kitchener (well almost) Our Island Needs You!
Hi KWC54,
Sorry to hear about your holidays which you were looking foward to for such a long time. Please dont give up on the place as there are a lot more good people than the ass hole you encountered on the Island. Clean the ba**tard if you can as a few ripoff merchants like him gives the place a bad name. KWC54 please dont think Im trying to make light of your problems by my next few words but I would like to give the place a bit of a plus. We have our own accomadation so that end of things is ok for us.
I was there lately for ten days myself and had a hell of a good time.I want to praise to the following places, Fabs for a fab breakfast and a bit of crack at night, the Villa Pitza beside it(good man Dave and staff). Dident make the Mustang,Crazy Goat or Stoners due to not enough days in ten days but got good reports from most people anyway. Now down to Caleta and we had a meal that was just out of this world in Nestors (He wants to make everyone fat). Fado Rock great, Slow Boat Up stairs good food good value,Goose and Firkin very good, Lins good and The Wild West Very good. Sorry if I left any out. Of course Fabs is good for evening food as well.
Dagwood
Delighted to hear that you are happy with the outcome Kenny, and what a lovely gesture by a Forum member. All you need now are some more flights. ;)
FWMonkey
I take it you have a problem with people wanting to have a happy retirement , or is it that you are in favour of the illegal letting .
Quote " providing you do not íllegally´let near to those who wish for no bloody tourists upsetting their happy retirement " unquote
Quote from: moodyblue on September 27, 2012, 23:36:00 PM
FWMonkey
I take it you have a problem with people wanting to have a happy retirement , or is it that you are in favour of the illegal letting .
Quote " providing you do not íllegally´let near to those who wish for no bloody tourists upsetting their happy retirement " unquote
I fully agree with you Moodyblue. Maybe FWMonkey would be happy to have the "Family from Hell" next door to him for 2 weeks. Even though they were staying there illegally. I´ve had them this year.
KWC glad to hear you got sorted.
@ moody blue
No problem with anyone having a happy retirement....work hard all your life and you should have a happy retirement. (Hope I get there). Also do not think my rants are aimed at you personally, they are not! If you feel that way then I apologise.
They are actually aimed at those ´retired/semi retired, (english mainly) who continue working for peanuts on the black, paying nothing into the system and spending the rest of their time sitting in their british bar with their british friends eating sausage egg and chips (not that foreign stuff and mostly during happy hour) moaning about the bloody tourists, bloody spanish that don´t speak english, bloody doctors that will not speak english and the fact you have to wait for a translator.etc etc. Just ask them why they left the UK and 9/10 the answer is on the lines of because of those bloody foreigners who dont speak english, taking all the jobs and living in their little communities and wanting their own laws!!!
Those are the ones who I have no sympathy for (and sorry but probably never will)
I currently have spanish friends and neighbours and I still struggle understanding why they shout at each other during normal conversation.....It is a cultural thing and very difficult for our british mentality to grasp...I often tell them to quiten down a bit and they just look at me puzzled. (only problem now is I am getting like them as it is the only way you can get heard in the conversation)
As for being in favour of illegal lettings my personal opinion is there should be licencing of some description and part of that licence would cover the behaviour of guests...the owner or their agent would have to ensure guests were respectful of their neighbours and neighbourhood or they would be denounced which would mean loss of licence until they got their act together. This would be win/win on all counts. I have had neighbours from hell in the UK and spent months literally in running battles with them so I do appreciate what troubles can occur.
I can understand why a developer is letting properties, rightly or wrongly and again would this not be better if licenced/controlled (hence you have a point of contact for complaint and he has to do something or lose his licence and then if reverting to illegal he could get fined massively...would this not be better than potentially having abandoned properties all around with the subsequent risk of rats etc, or even worse contracted long lets to whoever will pay whatever (perhaps 10/12 guys sharing a 3 bed villa and not giving a toss and you having a much more difficult problem as they have a fully legal contract. Or hell even worse, squatters with their 4 pit bulls etc.
Somewhere there must be a compromise but whilst the íllegal lettings´row goes on then I cannot see things changing. Yes you may be able to stop the developer (but who knows if he has connections and somehow gets missed by the inspectors)
Hopefully you will not have a bunch of 18-30s near to you and if the rental for the villas is high I would have thought you would only get a wealthier kind of guest rent it (Then I guess some of those can be as bad or worse than anyone else)
Fourthwisemonkey Those brits have a point, the Spanish think they own this island, they come over here taking all our jobs.
:o :o ;D ;D ;D
So now we have the situation where disgruntled clients can take advantage of the possible lack of licenses and issue denuncias against owners in the full knowledge they can be held to ransom over grievances either true or false with a view to getting money refunded. Not saying this particular case is one but it is not always the owners to blame. There are plenty of people it is impossible to please and this will be an open door to unscrupulous clients to take advantage of what is now a rediculous system.
Disgruntled clients can also complain (denuncia) when they book legal Tourist accommodation Stedge. http://www.gobcan.es/presidencia/turismo/temas/index.html (http://www.gobcan.es/presidencia/turismo/temas/index.html)
See "Quejas, denuncias y reclamaciones "
The Denuncia form is on their website and can be filled out online. http://www.gobcan.es/opencms8/export/sites/presidencia/turismo/downloads/Inspeccion_y_Sanciones/INSP-QuejaDenuncia.pdf (http://www.gobcan.es/opencms8/export/sites/presidencia/turismo/downloads/Inspeccion_y_Sanciones/INSP-QuejaDenuncia.pdf)
Yes so apart from the big complex owners that must amount to about half a dozen then. Legal or not i don't think it would be in an owners interest to pursue a bogus denuncia for what they would gain out of itand the damage it could do to their business and reputation. On the other hand a holidaymaker is generally a one off and it would not cause them any long term grief if they were found to be lying. Anyhow fi to me its just another nail in the coffin of property ownership and free enterprise on the island with possible denuncias being tossed about like confetti at a wedding. We just don't need it.
I think that everyone should have the right to complain about bad service to be honest Stedge whether the accommodation is legal or illegal. A Denuncia is just an official complaint which does not necessarily lead to a fine.
I was one of those holiday makers that complained to the owner and rightly so in our opinion. If you read the list (part of what we had to moan about) you will see we had issues that really shoudn't be issues in this day and age.
Apart from the list, there was advertising issues that made the apartment seem better than it was. Being very economical with the truth I would say, coupled with slick marketing comments/perceptions that suggested otherwise, the factual findings when one got there.
Yes it works both ways and unfortunately for this particular owner found out we wouldn't accept the standards we arrived at and was settled easily enough. In fact they said they would impliment our suggestions and that for me is a clear indication that what we "moaned" about was correct and just.
Why should people give up their hard earned cash in these economic times, and say nothing of shoddy treatment etc. The internet in this respect is a good tool and owners should be well aware that justifiable bad press gets around very very quickly.
Bottom line is this: if it doesn't match the advertisment/marketing speak or quality one deserves, then I will always take steps to right that wrong, its my prerogative to do so. We Brits have a name for just accepting rubbish, whether its meals in a restaurant, holiday etc, and its about time we stood up to the chancers out there who give the rest of the (various) providers a bad name.
sorry for the rant, but after waiting for a year to go on holiday and parting with my cash, I will complain if I think I am right and can justify/prove it - and I can!!
Of course they should have recourse for complaint fifi i don't disagree. Its how the system could lead to false allegations is what bothers me, especially given the vulnerability of people trying to rent out at the moment.Lots of dodgy owners out there yes. But also plenty of clients who try to play the system for their own financial gain.
False claims could just as easily be made about Hotels or Tourist complexes and allegations still need to be proven. I think it is only fair that people who book accommodation from the likes of Owners Direct etc are afforded the same rights as those who book hotels and tourist complexes. When properties are allowed to be legal again....and it is on the way (see updates on Janets blog....villas get a mention) :)....all accommodation will have to have a registered complaints book and maintain certain standards.
It all boils down to wether complaints are valid or not. Tripadviser is a prime example of how a system can be abused for personal vendettas and petty disagreements. I personally think denuncias are in the same bracket.Inpections by an independent body and licenses issued on thier findings is the way to go.With any below standard property having their license immediately taken away for a period. If greater malpractices are proven then permanent removal of the license.
last villa i was in, the property managment company had torn out the pages of the comments book left in the villa!!!!!! so i had no choice and made sevral videos and put them on you tube, they speak for them selfs.
Quote from: little legs on October 02, 2012, 23:00:31 PM
last villa i was in, the property managment company had torn out the pages of the comments book left in the villa!!!!!! so i had no choice and made sevral videos and put them on you tube, they speak for them selfs.
you forgot to mention the appy clients who slagged u orf
It would be great if it was actually possible to gain a permit. At the moment the only thing you can get is a fine.
I know of one holidaymaker who had a long list of complaints - the most serious of which was regarding a defective street light.