Name: Sykes Cottages
Address: Sykes Holiday Cottages Lime Tree House Hoole Lane, Chester
Rating: 1.20

“Sykes have given us an ultimatum, either cancel your holiday (which you can't go on because of Covid 19) and loose £700, OR change to another date, (which they are doing us a favour changing to later in the year) at no cost to change. Then they take the money from your credit card about 10 weeks early and just sit on this money. When you ask who has the money, Sykes or the Owner they are not obliged to answer. So basically we have paid up front for a holiday in August and someone is sitting pretty on OUR money. THIS IS CORRUPT Customer Service. They do not care about customers only their own pockets. The law applies to other companies but not these apparently, they take your money and just keep it. A load of sharks if you ask me. This company is showing all that is wrong with Customer Service.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“absolutely applying company, don’t offer a refund for a holiday that was booked prior to COVID!! family member is a key worker and can’t rebook for a later date!!! NEVER BOOK WITH SYKES..money stealing company that fobs you off.. will not be returning..it’s absolutely disgusting, worst customer experience..company deserve to be closed”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Having to Shield for 12 weeks as per Government recommendations. Wife a front line nurse. No offer of refund or changing dates. Despicable behaviour. Avoid like the plague.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Every thing went wrong. booked in February paid by credit card for booking fee £20 and £59 Syke,s Insurance for three generation holiday in Whitsun break. Tried phoning (six calls lasting over one hour and finally disconnected by Syke) sent 4 emails in March all with no replies. One family in lockdown suffering from covid19 and two over 70s in 12 isolation. Therefore unable to take holiday. On 26 March account site I ticked cancel holiday, within 20 minutes money taken on credit card and site taken down. All attempts to contact Sykes without results. Contacted insurance company Towergate Travel was not easy but finally downloaded a claim form and posted 1 April and to date no acknowledgement or reply. I contacted my credit card company one and half hours on phone and finally am making a claim for return of money taken and cancelled old cards so no more payment can be taken by Sykes. Any one dealing with Sykes - beware do not - they are NOT good”

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Posted 4 years ago

“One of the worst customer experiences I have ever encountered. They have shown utter contempt for their customers, and are attempting to profit from the dreadful COVID-19 situation. It should be simple - full refund, or, at worst, a full refund less a small 'administrative charge' (say 5% capped at £25 max), not the current nonsense of 'refund the sum recovered from the property owner and pocket the (huge) remainder'. If I never deal with this shower again it will be too soon. It's awful to say, but some companies deserve bankruptcy, I wouldn't lose much sleep if this lot went under.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Sykes Cottages have gone from bad to worse in this COVID19 emergency. They didn't inform us that we could amend our booking, the owner did that. Then when I tried to change our booking in our account it refused to complete again and again. Sent an email but no idea when things will be sorted. The holiday is due to start on 17th April so time is running out. They charge exorbitant fees for doing very little and we shall avoid them in future.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Terrible customer service - in fact no customer service at all. They claim to be prioritising imminent holidays. Mine was on 5 April and still not heard from anyone. Just generic emails. I am unable to amend booking online due to technical hitch. Luckily I paid using credit card which comes with insurance so made a claim yesterday to get my money back as Sykes appear to have shutdown given lack of dialogue. Terrible response in comparison to other holiday companies I have been dealing with to re-arrange holidays. This is my first and last booking with Sykes - never again.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“PLEASE NOTE LAWYER DEAN DUNHAM HAS TAKEN UP THE PLIGHT OF SYKES CUSTOMERS. SEE FACE BOOK ALSO SIGN PETITION ON FACE BOOK VIA CHANGE.ORG”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Think they should give people refunds just money grabbers hope they lose all there custom disgusting”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Absolutely shocking service during Covid19. Owners agreed to refund, but Sykes refused to pass back to customers. A total disgrace. I will never use them ever again and will advise everyone I now to avoid them also.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“We had a family holiday booked for 10th April at a cost of £2032 in Cumbria. The owners have agreed to refund the fee but Sykes is holding on to it. Shame on you when the country and individuals are suffering.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Had to cancel week before holiday when government were advising not to travel without good reason - 5 days before lock down became effective. Sykes didn't even offer a credit note or opportunity to re book at a later date. They just kept my money and stuck two fingers up at me.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Fake positive reviews by Sykes themselves. Pathetic. How desperate are you for good publicity that you have to submit your own glowing reviews? Very strange how you have had a deluge of negativity during the past few weeks, but your overall ratings remain high? Thankfully, we haven't got a current holiday booked with you, so are unaffected by this current mess, but you have really shown your true greedy, thieving colours judging by all the comments on here. We normally book 2 or 3 holidays a year with you, but noticed you were going downhill even before this happened - inflated prices, misleading ads for properties, 3 out of 4 properties falling far short of your descriptions, not sending messages to inform of any changes at the property booked etc etc. I predict your company will fold in the near future so we will not be booking anything with you again. We have also warned all our friends and family that you are a greedy, untrustworthy, unscrupulous company and not to book with you.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Fake positive reviews by Sykes themselves. Pathetic. How desperate are you for good publicity that you have to submit your own glowing reviews? Very strange how you have had a deluge of negativity during the past few weeks, but your overall ratings remain high? Thankfully, we haven't got a current holiday booked with you, so are unaffected by this current mess, but you have really shown your true greedy, thieving colours judging by all the comments on here. We normally book 2 or 3 holidays a year with you, but noticed you were going downhill even before this happened - inflated prices, misleading ads for properties, 3 out of 4 properties falling far short of your descriptions, not sending messages to inform of any changes at the property booked etc etc. I predict your company will fold in the near future so we will not be booking anything with you again. We have also warned all our friends and family that you are a greedy, untrustworthy, unscrupulous company and not to book with you.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Shocking company Exploiting customers and owners What they are doing in these difficult times is nothing less than immoral I had cottage booked , the owner offered refund via Sykes Sykes still has my booking live and pocketed the money Legal action is required and with many in same position joint action is required”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Earlier this year, well before the virus outbreak, we booked a cottage through Sykes Cottage in the Lake District. We paid a deposit of £30.00 and were all set for the six of us to start our holiday on 5th June 2020. However, the virus came and we were hit with one thing after another. I am a nurse in the NHS and as a result of the pandemic I am engaged in front line nursing and as such unable to book any leave for the foreseeable future due to the extra ordinary circumstances that we presently see. The second member of our party, my daughter, also employed in the NHS, faces the same restrictions with the added issue of having to self quarantine for three months due to underlying heath issues. The third member of our party, my husband is employed by the police service and is now under the same sort of restrictions in relation to leave as is the fourth member of our party, my son, who is a key worker in the telecommunications industry. The fifth member of our party, my sons girlfriend is also employed by the NHS at the local children's hospital and as the virus situation intensifies over the coming months will be transferring to a crucial role in dealing with the pandemic. She also faces the same leave restrictions. The final member of our party is my eldest son who resides in the Austrian Alps. The district in which he resides is in total lock-down added to which he has been laid of work and as a result is now financially reliant on us his parents and he has been told that there is no hope of any travel by air from Austria in the foreseeable future. As a result we had no option but to cancel our holiday and outlined all of the above circumstances to Sykes. Their response....an automated email stating they had taken the remainder of our deposit of £280.00. When you read through all of their small print, sure enough, hidden away was a clause that if you cancel you still have to pay the rest of the deposit. I'm sure we are not the only ones caught out by this but these are extraordinary times and it is quite clear that whilst the country suffers, this company is going to make a mint. So if you have booked with them and have had to cancel through no fault of your own be prepared to still have to pay.”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Cottage booked this May for big family reunion for husband’s 70th birthday. Obv not happening do I changed dates to next year and was reassured I wouldn’t have to pay the balance nearly £1000 till next March. But Sykes have now taken this from my account and say I never changed the date! Anyone else had a similar problem?”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Appalling company You book with them and be aware that they get 20-26% commission Then as soon as you have an issue sorry contract is with the owner Owners offer refunds as they haven't yet received money from Sykes and Sykes say our t&c don't allow Change their mind to suit themselves Profiteering from the Corona crisis DO NOT USE SYKES”

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Posted 4 years ago

“Due to go on 28th march. Due to covid-19 lockdown unable to go. Sykes don't answer to calls or messages. Finally received an email saying they would waive amendment fee and we could move our holiday. Was willing to do do this until realised that for same time next yr they wanted an additional £300 plus!! Shame on you Sykes.... absolutely disgusting way to treat customers, I would have even been happy with half my money back...even the insurance we got with you wont cover us. Disgusting!!! Will never use you again and will tell all the people I know not to use you either!”

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Posted 4 years ago

“We are resident in North America. We had a wedding in May to attend so we had booked 1 week at a Sykes property and paid the 20 GBP fee with the 500 GBP balance payable early April. With the COVID situation, the wedding had to be cancelled due to the 5 person rule. The bride & groom are so disappointed and at this point are not ready to set another date as they are out of pocket. When I emailed Sykes, they sent a automated answer. I emailed them again and when I tried to call them they had shut down their call centre. I've explained in a couple emails that since I have no date, I cannot rebook the property which is the only option provided. Their policy only works for UK residents. IT does not work for situations such as ours that require booking for flights etc. Since I could not speak to them and as the full payment date was coming up we had no choice but the cancel early at the lower penalty fee. I refuse to pay the money since they have blocked any ability for us to have a civilized discussion about alternate options. Now I am getting automated emails chasing us for the money. Waiting for them to stick collections on us.......Terrible company.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods	Own Driver
Customer Service
Communication Channels	Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In	Over A Week
Customer Service	1.1 out of 5
Returns & Refunds
Refunds Process	Difficult
Returns Process	Could Be Better

Sykes Cottages Reviews