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Jon W.

2
Level 2 Contributor
Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Contributor Level

Total Points
1,264

8 Reviews by Jon

  • Parkdeanresorts.co.uk

7/8/23

To mention, we are both in our middle seventies and feel that we have been humiliated and discriminated against through no fault of our own.
Please read our story and see what you think! This was sent to the name below but are still awaiting a reply!

Dear Customer relations team,
We booked a Poole lodge on Sandford Park from the 16th to the 19th June. Then a Stoborough lodge from the 19th to the 23rd June as the Poole lodge was supposedly not available for a longer period. A very nice lodge No.16 Willow Way and as I am quite seriously disabled, and with my wife's recovering hip operation, the small amount of steps were just nicely manageable.

We were told that we could have access to our next lodge, No 4, Oak Avenue from 1 pm onwards of the 19th.
On arrival the outside of this Wooden Lodge was found to be covered in spider webs, general dust and mess, peeling paint that had obviously been like this for a very long time. In fact the unit must have been at least 50 years old or more at least and we were surprised that it was still being used! Looked like it had been in a 'wild west' shootout!
Incidentally, my wife was very loathe to stay as we had seen a similar unit on the park which had been completely burnt out.
We noted also that this was the only wooden lodge on the park apart from odd privately owned ones.
But the main problem here were the SEVEN STEPS up to the decking leading to the unit.
As our ages had to be specified on the booking form, surprisingly no one had asked if we would be able to manage these steps, especially with our luggage etc!
And although mobile,I am severely disabled internally (Brittle Asthma Type two and Spinal rods)
So this was out of the question for me and could, if dewy or wet would become a serious slip hazard. To mention, the decking was green over in many parts, (photos taken)and would be extremely dangerous when wet! My wife was very concerned over this as she is still recovering from a hip replacement operation as mentioned above.

So we were now 'lodge-less' and reporting this to reception, were told the female manager would be back at 2pm. So a wait of approximately one hour!
After waiting in our car in the heat with our little dog as we had to vacate Willow Way lodge, we saw the Lady Manager heading back to reception. Five minutes later we returned to reception, and were told, (seemed like a 'fob-off') by the young lady receptionist that the female manager was in a meeting. Rather quickly we thought! When we demanded to see someone who could deal with our dilemma we were offered the maintenance manager but was nothing he could have done to rectify our problem. This was obviously of long standing and had not been dealt with. We were now both 'stressed out' again told by the young lady receptionist that all were still in a meeting and would be there for the rest of the afternoon!
In other words, no one could be bothered over our problem. Just a moaning old couple! Seems the so-called excuse of a meeting was more important than paying guests in a predicament.
After another ten minutes of trying to reason we gave up and decided to travel the hundred miles back home.
To mention, the sale of goods act depicts that any item must be fit for the purpose of which it is intended. Well this lodge certainly is not. My wife noted that one of the doors was already open and was tired and dismal inside.
Instead of making extra money by still letting this old and worn out lodge, it should be demolished and replaced with a new one. I am sure that Parkdean could afford it!

To finalise, a customer resolution policy was thrust across the counter to us and we were told to use this to make a complaint. She could not or did not want to address our problem any longer. Our allotted time had, obviously run out.
This policy states,
During your holiday we will do everything we can to make sure you enjoy your holiday with us.
We ask for the opportunity to put things right whilst you are on the park. Absolute rubbish. No one was remotely interested in our predicament. What they were saying was, "if you can't use the Lodge we have given you tough luck" End of, goodbye!

Well, not sure what happened with us as we were made to feel that this was our fault.
And also somewhat embarrassing for the people in the queue behind.
As with my problems, and not being on holiday for some years, this was as you can probably imagine, a seriously distressing episode for both of us, and felt like we were being discriminated against for being old and disabled!
So, as I am sure we are not the only ones on site who have encountered a problem, are you prepared to do something to appease our situation? I am loathe to let this problem lie as we have paid good money for this rather decrepit lodge which we could not use, or in my case access!
We look forward to any suggestions that you can give.
Namely a full refund of £505.00 as you could not supply us with suitable accommodation.
Incidentally, in the only reply from the park manager / owner, we were dismissed like two bags of park rubbish and told the case was closed.
Well, way to go. Get rid of the annoying old people but keep their money.
Then she says, we have not been discriminated against!
These people are modern day Thieves and Pirates' who will have your money legally or illegally and could not care less one way or the other.
They have now arrogantly closed our case as I expect their 'back room boys' could not come up with anymore excuses.
Should change their name to SHARKDEAN! Much more appropriate, but then that would be totally disrespectful to the Shark!
Below is the dismissal mail that they sent. Total arrogance!

  • Just Ask

8/16/22

If anyone out there is thinking of using 'AskADoctor. JustAnswer, you must be careful to get the correct site and NOT the scammers!

We are both well into our 70s. My wife slipped over and I called 101 as directed as she had hurt her leg. Not seriously I may add but needed to know what to do. Although we did not know it then someone had obviously intercepted the call as we were asked for £5.00 to continue! Something we were informed afterwards that the N. H. S. Would never do!

My wife duly (maybe a little stupidly) paid this on her card and was then informed by a 'robot' to press the 'Ask a Doctor' button and would cost another £38.00. To continue.
At this stage the old alarm bells began to ring and we opted out of the site.
Now up to date (25 August) looking on our account we found two lots of £38.00 had been taken out of our account!
Obviously professional scammers as they even had the cheek to leave their details on the bank account.
This has now been dealt with and payments have been stopped.
To mention, if anyone gets sent to this site asking for 'money for advice' log out immediately or YOU WILL BE SCAMMED.

Tip for consumers:
Take care if you have dialled 101 and are told to go online with web address given. It’s a scam as you will be asked for money to proceed!
The N.H.S. would never do this.

  • Pcfxonline

8/13/22

This was my reply to this company after receipt of goods.

Received connector with thanks today.
I actually thought I was getting a male/female connector. I already have four males and it was specifically the female part that I required.
I spoke to one of your colleagues on the telephone before I ordered expressing my requirements who said no problem.
So now I have five males and no females!
So if you can supply me with a 'female' connector of the same size have I to send this one back for replacement. Or what happens.?
Regards - Jonny.

Reply back was -: Have checked your order and is correct! Bunkum!
No explanation whatsoever.

Anyone with half a brain would expect the connector to be a 'male/female' connector, not half of one!
Since contacting again have had no reply. So obviously could not care less!
Unfortunately my eBay is down right now so cannot use them to peruse the problem.
Very misleading listing so take heed before you purchase as you will only get half of the item. They could just as easily sent the female half so looks like you get what they choose to send.
Maybe save yourself some trouble and try another company.
It did not cost much thankfully but it is the principle of the situation.

Tip for consumers:
Very unclear as to what you are getting so please be careful when ordering, especially through eBay.
No sensible reply back so really could not be bothered?
Really annoyed.

Products used:
None as wrong item sent!

  • Dobbies.co.uk

4/1/22

As it was my wife's birthday we decided to visit Dobbies at their Thornbury Milford Heath garden centre.

As we have not been to this one before, and as I am quite restricted for walking, found it quite a way to the coffee shop/restaurant. No great problem and we managed it ok.

We waited as requested at the small podium to be seated.
When the young lady came to us she asked what we would require.
I told her "Two regular coffees please"
To which she replied "Sorry but we do not have any"!.
Could not believe this and had to ask her to repeat.

As it was April 1st we thought that she was having a light hearted joke with us but no, she was deadly serious. We came away somewhat annoyed to say the least.

A coffee-less coffee shop
Have heard of the 'pub with no beer' But never a coffee shop with no coffee! No matter we travelled back home and had one there instead.
If you are thinking of visiting this garden centre for a coffee, I suggest that a phone call would be advisable beforehand to save a wasted journey.

  • WH Smith

10/25/21

Visiting Stroud ( Gloucestershire) my wife wanted some Christmas cards so went into W. H. Smiths on the pedestrianised area. She chose four Medium sized cards and one small calander.
As I was standing just inside I heard the transaction at the till and could not believe what I heard when the cashier asked for £22.00 plus!
I confronted my wife outside who confirmed it to be correct.

I wanted to go back in and cancel the transaction but my wife was embarrassed about this so I had to very annoyingly leave it!
Then just around the corner she spotted the ‘Card Factory' shop and went inside.
To summarise, she purchased one large boxed pack of twelve Christmas cards (approximately 9 inches square) and two more slightly smaller boxes containing ten cards in one and sixteen in the other. All good quality cards I may add!
All in all a total of thirty eight cards for £8.00p.

So, are W. H Smiths cards a ‘rip-off' or not? Of course they are.
I mean, if people got wise and refused to pay these extortionate prices, they would soon have to lower them.
Take my tip - bypass W. H. Smiths and seek out the Card Factory. You will not be disappointed and will definitely ‘NOT' be ‘ripped off!
Lastly to mention, Smiths cards do not have any prices on them. Not sure if this illegal or not, so the ruse is you take them to be cashed up and as many people do not like to cause a fuss and refuse them, feel obliged to pay up and accept it.
100% total ‘rip - off.
So please be aware if you go to choose your cards, make some fuss and ask how much they are before the assistant cashes them up.
Then you can have the pleasure of walking out and leaving the cards on the till counter.

Tip for consumers:
Please read review.

Products used:
Christmas/Greetings Cards

Value
  • Holidaycottages

2/13/21

Award winning Company — what a joke!
Further to my first review I would like to add as follows:-

Their Holiday Cottages ad states believe it or not- Award Winning Company!
I would imagine that it means Award Winning for taking customers hard earned money, and when anyone needs to cancel for a valid reason ( as in covid) you get very little or none of it back!
If you do not want to get ‘ripped off' I strongly suggest that you book with another company.
Hopefully a reputable one.
You have been warned! These people are modern day pirates taking advantage of the COVID Pandemic with myriads of excuses why there is no refund.
I should make them sweat by going to court in my wheelchair and pleading my case. These robbers STILL owe us £100.00p.
Jonathan W.

Tip for consumers:
Just read the reviews.

Products used:
Not Applicable

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
  • Barkstop

2/9/20

Tried another one of these at a much more sensible price from a different company. Thought this would be great for stopping incessant barking and repelling the cats from our garden. Problem is, when I use it on the cats, they actually come to me!

And my dogs just keep barking and look at me as though I'm a total prat.
I think that I must have one that works in reverse.

But saying that, apart from the torch which works fine, I wonder if there is actually anything else inside of it as it does nothing at all. Probably why the dogs do not hear it.
My advise is do not bother. Waste of time and money. I have found that you are better off farting near your dog as they then stop barking for a short time trying to see where the noise and smell is coming from.
Thinking about patenting this idea. Could call it Fart Stop'. The only downside is that you would need to keep eating plenty of Brussels Sprouts.
And maybe invest in a 'Gas mask'!

Best regards -Jonny. W.

  • Novads

1/19/20

My wife bought one of these at a silly price ( £30. Ish. It really did not do anything.

Had to pay return postage (£4.00) and they would not refund this.

Not their policy they said. But if the item is defective or not as advertised, then they must do this by law.

Incidentally, I found you can get the same thing from EBAY for around £4.00 ish. Which actually works as it should----or thought it did - wroooooong! See next review.
Wonder if this is where these people get them from!

Very annoyed buyer. Crap company. Get the same thing if off of EBAY for around £25.00 less. Avoid at all costs.
Rip off company, rip off item.
Jonny W.

Jon Has Earned 14 Votes

Jon W.'s review of Novads earned 5 Very Helpful votes

Jon W.'s review of Holidaycottages earned 7 Very Helpful votes

Jon W.'s review of parkdeanresorts.co.uk earned a Very Helpful vote

Jon W.'s review of Just Ask earned a Very Helpful vote

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