Does anybody know if its true that Libra have completely pulled out of Arillas?
In answer to my own question, Arillas has been withdrawn from the Libra internet booking system.
I have booked with Libra for next year
Yes so have I. I've emailed them to see what is happening to the booking. They haven't replied as yet. I only booked a couple of days ago.
Terry/Alvyn,
I would really force the issue with Libra. This year there have been many people who have had their hotels/apartments changed by their tour operator (this was not in Arillas). The tour operators did not inform them until the last minute which forced the customers into taking alternative accommodation in another resort. I know one family who booked All Inclusive in a northern resort only to be sent down to Kavos.
In this particular case a little background investigation proved that the tour ops knew of the situation well before the customer was notified. Let's face it they would not want everyone canceling their holiday and going with another T.Op, so the later they leave informing you of the change the less chance there is of this happening.
Eileenx
All I can say is that we were told in June that Libra will not be in Arillas for 2008 this was unoffical by a friend but they must have heard it from a good sauce or wouldnt have told us. If I was you and you know the person that owns whereever you have booked for you could ask them if its true and when they knew and if it is a while ago you should have a real go at Libra If you dont want to do this I will ask at the Horizon for you in September as they are with Libra at the moment. Viv
Oh my goodness!!!
I don't believe it !!!!
We've booked with Libra to go to Arillas in 2 weeks, there is no way I'm going to accept an alternative destination such as Kavos, Sidari, Paleokastritsas, Dassia, Ipsos, Benitsas, Moraitika, Acharavi, Roda..... to name few.
Vivian, was the "sauce" Greek? ;-)
Anyone seen Libra reps in Arillas lately?
Anyone on a Libra holiday in Arillas now?
Information greatly appreciated. :-)
James W don't worry about your booking for this year it's 2008 they have withdrawn.
Terryw, I think we need to worry as Libra's terms and conditions count this as a minor change and can put us anywhere in the area (ie: Sidari).
My sauce is greek yes. James we are at Horizon with Libra in a few weeks time have been before with them and all was fine. We are now talking 2008. Will find out all I can when we get there and let you all knowas soon as possable. Viv
Phew!!!
Thank you alyvin and vivian, I was a bit concerned.
vivian, we'll be at the far end of the main road from you shortly. I'll ask the Rep about it.
Perhaps next year we'll book the cheapest 'Package Holiday' to Corfu, and make our own way to Arillas.
We were going to do that this September to get to San Stefanos, but I found this Forum. :-)
Thomas Cook did that this year for the Galini. Some booked last year for the Galini with T.C this year in June and had theirs cancelled, but I think it might be due to the flights and another family booked too but theirs was ok but from a different airport. I dont know whether that might have a bearing on it - the flights. I would be very upset if I had booked for next year and it was going pear shaped already!
Thanks for the information everyone. I have emailed the Horizon and I will also ring Marino tomorrow, and I will also ring Katherine, the Libra Rep. I only spoke to her last week and she did tell me I couldn't book for next year.
This is very worrying because we had the same thing happen last year with Kosmar, and we lost £200.00 deposit. I would never book any holiday with Kosmar because they a corrupt company as far as I am concerned. I just hope that the same thing will not happen with Libra.
I will hopefully find something out tomorrow.
Yamass - donuts donuts
I'll see what I can "discreetly" find out.
Negg
I have spoken to Katherine today, and she has only heard "rumours". She is going to a meeting at Libra, in Corfu Town, today and she said she will try to get more information.
I have just watched the news of the fires, on the maim land, they are so awful and so sad that 50 people are dead and lots more will be out of work due to loss of agricultural land. It is so tragic.
I have now spoken to Marino at the Horizon and he said that Libra are not booking his rooms in 2008. He suggests that I get my money back and book directly with him.
I need to phone Libra now
I was so excited earlier in the week that I had booked, but it now it is a feeling of desperation to ensure I get a booking for next year.
Terry
I feel the same terryw. I only booked a couple of days ago and was dead excited. I've paid £180 deposit which I feel sure thet must refund as they must have known about this situation when I booked.
I can confirm what Terry says.
Horizon is not with Libra next year, Marino suggess anyone wanting to stay there should book privately and deal direct with him.
He has authorised me to make this post to keep forum members updated.
I also hear that Libra has withdrawn from Anna's. ( if you don't already know. )
Negg
yes is truth
libra goes so they phone you later on and send you somewhere else.
i confirm my guests to dont book for next year from the bigging of may because libra de late to come here for new contarcts so we expect that but not 100% sure.
hope you coming back all of you
regards
anna
ps.last year when we change from libra to first choice and the system at libra still axcept bookings when we dont have new contract the people the book all ready for me thay have the money back.
hope they do the same now
yes is truth
libra goes so they phone you later on and send you somewhere else.
i confirm my guests to dont book for next year from the bigging of may because libra de late to come here for new contarcts so we expect that but not 100% sure.
hope you coming back all of you
regards
anna
[/quote]
I have spoken to Marino three times today and I have now booked directly with him. There is no way that I was going to miss another holiday in Arillas at the Horizon. It will cost me about £350 more, but it will be worth it.
I now have to book flights from Birmingham and the cheapest I have found so far is about £190.00 per person. Is this a good price or would I get cheaper flights?
I honestly think that holiday companies are having to cut margins and are forcing Hotels like the Horizon to let their rooms at low rates. This then puts financial pressure on the hotel which could lead to lower standards.
My total cost with Libra was £760.00 for self catering including flights and I will now be paying 75 euros per room per night but this will include a breakfast. I think that to be going on holiday to a hotel that you know is clean, has wonderful staff, fantastic food and is yards from the beach is worth a lot. I also know that I am helping the local economy and not boosting the profits ofa travel company that advertise rooms that they know are no longer available.
This is the second time in three years that this has happened to me, so I will now book all my holidays directly and will bypass Travel Companies completely.
PS thanks Alvyn for raising this topic, it has saved a great deal of heartache.
terryw, your comment about Kosmar reminded me of when I was checking the resorts of Corfu for suitability.
Holiday companies were also being checked, Kosmar did not feature too highly in reports I viewed.
I did wonder about Libra, but didn't find as many negative issues, therefore felt safer booking with them.
Being on holiday when the company you're with goes bang' still echoes in my mind from the 1970's (or was it the 1980's?)
Just in case, I'm just wondering if Anna has vacancies from the 3rd to 10th of September 2007? ;-)
Next year we may book direct and sort out the flight ourselves? :-)
www.charterflights.co.uk
look there too
Terry, I think you've done alright to get flights for £190. I take it thats for 2 weeks? I'm going in 2 weeks time, and I paid £148. for a week. The prices I've seen for next year are a wee bit more than I paid this year. I suppose thats to be expected tho.
I fly out from Exeter and it looks as if all the Tour companies have pulled out of Exeter/Corfu for 2008 so looks like Sally and I will have to start looking at other holidays than in Arillas.What makes me sick is Exeter is great fro Tenerife but i would rather stay at home than go somewhere like that.We are going to have to have a long think about things now.
Terryw, I haven't spoken to Libra yet. Did you get your deposit back?
Harold
Is not Bristol another option for you? Maybe an extra hours travel but prices were comparible to Exeter. - Unless things have changed.
Negg
Alvyn
I have spoken to Libra today. They told me that their "Contracts Person" will not be back in the country until mid-September and they won't know what the situation is with the Horizon till then. I told them that I had spoken to the owner of the Horizon and had been told that Libra will not be booking holidays with them in 2008. Libra then told me to contact Travelcare, who I had booked with, and I would be given a refund.
I have phoned Travelcare and they say that I must put a cancellation request, in writing, to them by email and the deposit will be refunded and (wow) no charges will be made for the cancellation.
They gave me a "strange" email address.... travelcare.admin@letsco-operates.com.
I will send the email later today and we will see what happens.
TerryW
Terry, re: your holiday flights have you tried a quote from Nancy @ corfuescape as she also does flight only - have a look at the online booking system.
Tracey
Terryw I booked with Libra on the internet. I spoke to them today and they say they don't know anything until mid september and refuse to discuss a refund.
We sent an E-Mail to freinds this morning that have booked Horizon, for next year, through Libra. They were not aware of any problems but will contact Libra.
This sort of situation worries me a little.
What if Libra were only "considering" the option of breaking away from "Horizon" but were keeping it on hold until they reviewed bookings, January maybe.
By cancelling bookings does that increase the danger of them withdrawing?
But Marino did give his permission to confirm the rumour.
All very confusing and worrying for both Owners & Holidaymakers.
Let's hope both Annas studios and Horizon continue to get support from the regulars.
( Are not Alexandros with Libra as well? - Not sure )
Negg
alyvin, i think its a case of beating them at their own game!
Ring them back and tell them you've spoken directly to the owners of where youre staying and that they've told you they are not with Libra next year and so you want to speak to someone about getting a refund asap or you will be taking it further.
Tell them theyve taken your money under false pretences and that money is a deposit for a non existent holiday and therefore is still your money and you want it back!!
Stay on the phone until they put you through to someone, dont let them fob you off, theyre very good at that, be difficult if you have to be then they will put you through to someone just to get you off their line!
Good luck!
I've just done that Smiffy and they've let me cancel now and get a full refund of my deposit.
Eggy the Alexandros were with Libra.
I'm surprised at Libra pulling out of Arillas as when I was at Annas earlier this month Catherine, the Libra rep, was desperately trying to find more accomodation in resort as demand was so high due to the Arillas website.
Glad you got it sorted!!
Hi to you all, not been on here for a while. Anyway, Libra --- they have done it to us again!
With regard to this particular occasion, I managed to get them on the phone and was told that 'the contract lawyers will not be back in the UK for about two weeks, when they will decide on action' (what a way to run things, this sort of thing didn't happen when I was in travel - not that I was aware of, anyway!) So when I questioned the prospect of waiting around for this 'action' before we could get refunded I was advised that we could cancel now and receive a refund. (I had in fact researched the directors in Cyprus, ready for a fight!!) I do hope it's going to be quick and easy. I don't fancy waiting around to see what will happen, and since we were booked in Horizon and Marinos has said they are not using Libra, there isn't much point in doing that anyway.
They told me they have taken Arillas off sale and I have my doubts as to whether they will reinstate it, which is a terrible shame.
I think this sort of behaviour by tour operators is despicable, dropping accommodation, last minute change of resorts etc. and it really makes me mad.
Like so many, we now have to re-book and in our case find availabilty near to the 'front' with as little walking as possible, and if we go 'independant' it will, of course, be more expense.
Over the years that we have been to Arillas, we have done 'independant' so that's not a problem for us, but there are friends of ours who, apart from the expense, would find that a bit daunting, and therefore might decide to take an easier option to go elswhere on a package. That would be even more of a shame for Arillas.
Well, I just thought I would give you this update and hope it helps.
Mavis
I'm still concerned about my holiday next week in Arillas. :-o
I booked (and paid the full amount) with Libra, to stay in the Alexandros Studios (we hope they've been paid to accommodate us). ???
If Libra are in difficulties and go BANG whilst we're there, we may well not be covered for the return flight. :-(
If they go BANG before we depart, we'll most probably lose the full amount paid. :-(
Either way, we are somewhat concerned. :-(
Anna (Anna's Studios) has told me, she has availability for next week if we need it. :-)
Hi, If libra were to go belly down while we are there they are A.B.T.A. resisterd so they would have to give us a flight home, may have to stay an extra day but be sure they would get back. I dont like the idea but dont feel that we should get anymore stressed out about it or a week won't be long enough to relax. Viv
Hi again vivian.
Funnily enough, I got my credit card statement today requesting holiday payment.
I'm not required to pay it, until 2 days after we're due to return from Arillas. Maybe I'll wait? ;-)
As it happens my credit card company will cover me if it goes "Belly Up" :-)
Hi robinandmave
I found your post very interesting because I had a long drawn out with Kosmar two years ago and you realise that in that situation we ( the customer) do not matter at all. I am just happy now, that I can still stay at the Horizon next year.
Nancy, from Corfu Escape, even returned a call to me tonight as I wanted to ask her about flights. She was aware of the Libra problem and I guess she will probably have an interest in some of the accommodation that Libra used for bookings. I don't think that Kosmar or Libra would have made an international return call to a customer.
My wife is a bit worried about going independent because she likes the thought of a Rep being available if any problem should arise especially as Katherine, the local Libra Rep ,was such a friendly and helpful lady.
I will be happy now when I received my refund from Libra, and I have booked my flights.
terryw: I agree, Nancy from Corfu Escape does seem brilliant and their prices are very good, my daughter and her family have just returned from Sidari and all through their booking I was really impressed with the attention they got (just like the old days of travel!!). In fact I found them the right price, as I was charged with the job of finding them something cheap! but there was an anomaly with the child price quoted on the website, I rang them and within the day Nancy phoned me from Greece to apologise and confirm it was an error but charged us the price quoted online, unfortunately, further on in the booking,(in a property/operator price war) the original property switched to First Choice and our family had to be transferred to something not as good (no pool, bar etc) but a good discount was given and they moved to that and enjoyed their holiday. Nancy was there to meet them and came to see them during the holiday also - very good!!!
We don't usually bother the reps so we don't mind not having one (we always feel at home in Arillas anyway - having visited at least 15years) and we usually get a taxi from Noula, San Stef Travel, but go back to the airport in the transfer coach, it all works well.
Anyway, I am charged with having to sort ours (again!) now!!! Just when I thought it was all in the bag. Don't think we can run to independant this time considering the room rates, although I found a price with XL of £186pp Flt only from Manchester, which I thought was OK. There are still one or two options open but we'll probably have to waste no time, with others in the same situation.
Mavis
Eggy, we are looking to Bristol,but Sally is not keen on the travelling,its about 150 miles round trip as you proberly know.
I think Libra may have got fed up with us regulars that go to Arillas and then dont buy their trips etc,so they drop the resort,i did hear rumours a few years back that Libra were not over keen on people like us,as they could not make a lot of money from us.
I am very angry with them at the moment,and keeping my fingers crossed over our October break
harold, you have made a valid point.
Quote "Libra were not over keen on people like us,as they could not make a lot of money from us."
It is the same with a number of operators, they make up their money from the "Trips" and "Extras"
We just make use of the flights, transfers, and accommodation.
That's why some companies refuse to let us book with them ;-)
I sincerely hope you have success with your October break.
Libra are selling Exeter to Corfu 2008 flying with Xl air.Xl air in 2008 have no flights from Exeter.I ahve spoken with Libra who tell me the flights are there with Xl,but unable to speak with Xl i was on hold for 12 minutes.I have written to my local paper,my MP for Honiton District and the Exeter Mp as the Airport is in his constituency,hopefully we will get some sence from one of these over this matter.
Joe i see TC are flying from Exeter to Turkey so may get Exeter Corfu sometime with you.
Harold
www.freedomflights are showing flights for next year from exeter,it is part of xl.com i think,they use xl flight codes
Sorry Harold when you check it changes to Bristol?!
Libra still selling Exeter to Corfu in 2008 and still no flights i know what they are going to do with people that book Exeter,transfer them to Bristol at the last minute.
My Mp is taking it up with Exeter Airport,i have received 4 emails from her so far on the subject.Will keep you informed.At least our tickets have arrived for this Octobers trip 3 weeks to go
Just wanted to let everyone know we have had our deposit returned from Libra and hope everyone affected will also. Glad to say we are now rebooked, at Kaloudis, same date, better flights, not much more expensive and a nice short walk to and from the beach!!
Some of our friends have cancelled and now their plans are uncertain. Again, problems with the cost of independant and needing accommodation close to the front, but I hope they will 'stay with' Arillas, especially as we would like to see them all there again next year!
Best wishes Mavis
Robin & Mave
Got your E-Mail, Glad you're all sorted now.
Kaloudis are certainly reaping the business now Libra have gone from Horizon, If I was Marino @ Horizon I'd be fuming with Libra. But then again. I 'spose he is.
I'm sure when any Hotel/Appt rents privately they have to charge according to the "Greek Tourist Board Room Rate" I could be wrong here but, if correct, he won't get close to package deals. A great pity for a great Hotel.
I'd love to go and have a chat with the guy but it could be seen as interfering.
Negg
Hi Eggy
I couldn't decide if they dropped Libra or Libra dropped them, but I imagine the Horizon will be doing OK if he can fill all his spare rooms at the rate that's being charged and whilst he can't compete with a package deal price and have the guarantee of filling all of the rooms all of the season, he may well be much better off, as we are always being told that operators pay very little for accommodation in Greece. Horizon have however this year been taking visitors from TUI (Thomsons as was) we had Danish neighbours when stayed there this year, so if he is staying with them for 2008, he will need to sell only the remainder of the rooms direct. Anyway, it is hoped it will work out for them, even if we can't afford to stay there.
I note that Anna is also going independent and in that case it could be that Libra may not be coming into Arillas to Alexandros alone, but perhaps I am wrong and hopefully I am, since some other friends of ours are booked to go there.
Anyway, glad you are still getting the sun there!! it's miserable here again today and getting quite cool, but at least it's not raining - yet!!
mavis
Hi Everyone
As Eggy says, Kaloudis are reaping the benefit of Libra's pull out of the Horizon. We have just booked two weeks at Kaloudis May 2008, but would really have preferred to return to the super Horizon where we stayed (courtesy of Libra) in June this year. Will also miss Katherine, who was a super rep and a very pleasant lady.
I'd forgotten that the Scandinavian visitors were all with TUI when we were there, and there was a regular visit by the TUI rep.
Regards
PJ
PJ
Fancy not going back to the Horizon. I have booked there for next year and I think I will suggest to Marino that he has some beach party nights. See Below
PS Maggie, you may like this as well.
http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/598151
Quote from: terryw on September 10, 2007, 03:16:49 PM
PJ
Fancy not going back to the Horizon. I have booked there for next year and I think I will suggest to Marino that he has some beach party nights. See Below
PS Maggie, you may like this as well.
http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/598151
lol :) very good!!!!!!!!!
I actually managed to get my £200.00 deposit back from Libra last Friday.
Hi terryw, glad you finally got paid out by libra, it's been a while. Well, cannot see any mention of Arillas at all on their website and I've checked all season for 2008, so don't know what's happening for next year. I only know I will not book a holiday with libra again, wherever they go!
Regards robinandmave