All reviews of Paul Davis
Review about: Voyage Privé
Holiday Package - Hotels ...amp... Cruise
I have never used this company before. As I was approaching a very Special Birthday (my 60th) I wanted to fulfil a life-long ambition to see The Pyramids and the Sphinx in Egypt, and finally strike it off my “Bucket List”!
When I came across the Voyage Privé website, I was automatically drawn to the images used of the Pyramids and the Sphinx and immediately booked and paid a deposit for a trip to coincide with my birthday. I wanted to see the Pyramids and a Nile Cruise seemed the ideal way to do this.
When the paperwork came through, I was shocked and horrified to discover that the Nile Cruise I had booked for did not actually go to Cairo where these Ancient Wonders of the World reside. I felt very disappointed and deceived that the images used to promote the package I had booked – were not valid at all!
When I lodged a complaint, I was blamed by the company for seeing the images and associating them with the promotional material! So I have to conclude – I actually designed and produced the website advert myself? They were unapologetic, but were happy to keep my money. I was told there would be a substantial cancellation fee if I were to change my mind.
My personal needs, never came into consideration. Just profits.
It did not take me long to discover that these people do not view “customer service”, “customer satisfaction” or “transparency” as top priorities. Everything appeared to be a “battle” to gain information. I don’t know about everybody else, but I like to actually PLAN my journeys, and create a budget accordingly.
It took MONTHS to get any information regarding a trip to the Pyramids – remember - this was my Bucket List Goal. Voyage Privé did everything in their power to hamper and hinder me from reaching my goal.
Two weeks before departure, they gave me a “quote” from their “supplying tour agent”. Not being fans of transparency – they failed to disclose who their contact was. So I spent £2200+ to get to Egypt – but no way of getting to the Pyramids! I had to arrange this myself when I arrived at the Hotel. I spent an additional 3200 EGP£ to get to Cairo – on top of what I had already paid.
Voyage Privé have made it quite clear to me, they were only interested in securing and holding onto the money I paid for the trip. The Nile Cruise travelled directly opposite from Cairo!
Due to their lack of transparency, I had to constantly ask for clarification of issues. They took great offence at this and on one occasion sent me a WhatsApp message in the most condescending and patronising tone I have ever received from any organisation! It was as if I had NO RIGHT to seek clarification on issues I needed to know about! They actually put me on a Cruise ship that had NO INTERNET or Wi-Fi access, - virtually non-existent TV reception! - so could not contact friends or family for several days, or receive information from the outside world. I had to spend an additional £16.00 fee for a Sim Card to get limited access.
Due to a lack of transparency, I had absolutely zero idea of what excursions were available on the Nile Tour. I found out the day I arrived on the Cruise Ship – The Nile Admiral. To my shock and surprise, a so-called “Rep” told me I needed to pay a “tip” of £27 (1000EGP£!) just for stepping onto the boat! This was not mentioned, or disclosed in any Voyage Privé literature! This was dishonest skulduggery. Where I come from, a tip is OPTIONAL and usually for exceptional service. All I had done was walk onto a boat! I hadn’t even been given a room at that point in time!
Furthermore, this so-called “Rep” shared with me the excursions that were due to occur. Bear in mind, I have been on a Caribbean Cruise back in 2010, where passengers were allowed to disembark on every island visited and spend time there. On this Nile Cruise, I was being asked to part with £220.00 to visit locations visited by the Cruise! This was total dishonesty. I do not understand why I had to wait until the day of arrival to hear the options and an additional cost – then being coerced to making a payment there and then! I was not born yesterday – I know a CON when I see one, and this was clearly another one.
I cannot work with dishonest people who are not transparent in their conduct. Information was deliberately withheld from me from the start, and I am not at all happy with this dishonesty and hidden costs that appeared out of nowhere on multiple occasions.
This was my first holiday in 3 years (due to the imposed lockdown restrictions that plagued the world). I wanted to enjoy a life-long ambition at a very important milestone in my life – yet, Voyage Privé did very little to assist and everything possible to maximise my stress and anxiety levels.
Furthermore, I was appalled by the racist tendencies I saw from staff members, waiters, cooks, cleaning staff, bar staff – many of whom were quite clear and obvious in their disrespect. Their conduct – especially those at airport security were utterly disgraceful. As a consequence, I am advising all friends and family NEVER to go to Egypt, as (a) they have racist tendencies and ... up to white people, and (b) they are disingenuous in their behaviour – seeking to “pull a fast one” and fleece people of their money whilst ostensibly pretending to “offer assistance”. It is dishonest, and disgraceful. Egyptians as a whole, and Voyage Privé – only CARE ABOUT GETTING MONEY – they do not care about people – from my observation!
Logistically, I spend hours and hours travelling on the bumpy roads of Egypt, and travelling down the Nile. I could have gone to the Moon and back in the time it took to travel around the country and back to the UK. I have to question if it was truly a good use of my holiday time? I am not convinced I shall use this company again. I cannot work with people who are not honest, humble and above board. You never apologise. You skirt around issues. You do not accept responsibility for your actions and inactions. You do not fully grasp the concept of true Customer Service and meeting the needs of those who pay good money to your company.Review about: Case Happy
iPad case
Great service from Ben. Wish all companies were as good as this. Product is great and just what was required.
Review about: UK Breakaways
London Theatre Weekend Break with Hotel and Travel
Happy to take my money, cancelled once and move back by UK Breakaways and now cancelled again for understandable reasons but are refusing a refund even though this is unlawful.
Thanks and yes I have no intention of giving in. I contacts Citizens Advice and Trading Standards nearly 2-weeks ago and yes they advised me accordingly but there are two considerations: 1/ Small Claims Court is suspended right now and 2/ thier T&C's allow them to offer a suitable alternative but of course we do not have to accept. I will probably pursue the credit card refund route but this and other routes first require an official complaint to be raised which I have now done.
I am having the same problem, their cancellation policy is clear,if they cancel a full refund.i checked with citizens advice who have read their contact, it is illegal to withhold money, my next step is to go to the small claims court,it will be 35 pounds well spent.i have also reported them to trading standards for malpractice. Good luck and don't give in.