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Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

St Helens, United...
2 posts
20 helpful votes
Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

Paid £179 for this 2 night ‘Luxury Getaway’. I noticed when I went to view the available breaks online, just how few were now available without a supplement. This was not the case when the voucher was purchased and is still not mentioned in your marketing, which smacks of deception.

I then paid an additional supplement of £30 for the Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel only to have it cancelled 9 days before we were due to go.

An alternative was suggested at yet another £86 supplement!!

Their website is also still advertising the cancelled hotel as an option so why was my order cancelled?

It's all very suspect and feels like I've been deceived and now they're trying to extort even more money.

I've referred this to Trading Standards but they may be toothless so urge others not to part with their money and book direct or via a travel site.

Disgusted Consumer

140 replies to this topic
London, United...
1,909 posts
63 helpful votes
1. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

Not sure what to say to this Dave, most people post on here to ask questions or get advice but I can understand your need to vent your anger.....I'm just gonna say good luck and I hope you get things sorted quickly

Milwaukee
Destination Expert
for Milwaukee
18,971 posts
92 helpful votes
2. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

That is not untypical for any of these buy a voucher now for future travel marketers. The name doesn't matter as they change names often to avoid the horrible reviews they invariably get.

So my suggestion is don't buy any voucher for unspecified future travel from any company. You are best to book directly with hotels, but if you don't do that at least use a reputable third party site that lists live inventory.

3. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request.

What are forum guidelines?
 
Wales, United...
Destination Expert
for Bargain Travel, Cruises, Swansea, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Neath, Port Talbot
123,470 posts
365 helpful votes
4. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

There's no way I'd ever buy a voucher for accommodation. To be honest I'd just expect there to be fees and supplements with most providers, even without reading the T&C's.

I suspect that the vouchers might look like good value if you don't delve a bit deeper, which is why people are tempted by them.

penna
Destination Expert
for Marrakech, Morocco
39,594 posts
26 helpful votes
5. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

So, I went and read this company’s terms and conditions. And this is how I see it.

You are paying this company for a voucher to an unnamed 3rd or 4th party OTA so that this unnamed company can with no live prices try and book you what you want in the price range that you want. When they can’t they can offer you to pay the supplemental fees to book it. If this is unacceptable then you can exchange this voucher for a different unnamed OTA who will try this again.

So not really 2 sets of terms and conditions but at least 3 sets of terms.

And worse you do not just have someone between you and your hotel you have to try and reach if problems arise , you have at least 2. In these days where things go wrong often this looks like a nightmare within a nightmare ( any Rick and Morty fans here).

I am sure for some they will be very happy but if things go south this is not a company I would want between me and a refund.

………………………………………………………………………………..

"When redeeming your voucher and booking an experience with an operator, you will be entering into a separate agreement with the Operator. You will be bound by their Terms and Conditions, including any restrictions applied by that Operator. Buyagift has sought to select highly experienced operators of ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences. However, Buyagift cannot be responsible for the safety standards or the quality or delivery of the experience, or any loss or damage suffered by you whilst participating in the experience for which the Operator shall be solely responsible."

I,think operator means shonky OTA.

Edited: 3 years ago
1 post
6. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

If you are having issue buying trhough that platform, I confidently recommend encarguelo.com in order to buy any gift you need during your trip and you don'r need to go phisically, you just can do it online.

Hope this is useful!

penna
Destination Expert
for Marrakech, Morocco
39,594 posts
26 helpful votes
7. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

Do you work for this company Vivian?

penna
Destination Expert
for Marrakech, Morocco
39,594 posts
26 helpful votes
8. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

I just looked at this site . It is a kind of Spanish language Amazon.

As such I am reporting it as not travel related.

California
76,383 posts
477 helpful votes
9. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

I am reporting it as advertising

Wales, United...
Destination Expert
for Bargain Travel, Cruises, Swansea, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Neath, Port Talbot
123,470 posts
365 helpful votes
10. Re: Do Not Buy A Gift From Buyagift.com

As the post remains, I have reported it now as well.

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