Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce members European Consumer Claims (ECC) have been successfully defending victims of shady sales practices for 8 years. Mainly focused on timeshare consumers, ECC have achieved tens of millions of pounds in compensation awards over the past eight years and are currently managing a claims portfolio of over £200 million. Their online reputation is exceptional, with 5 star ratings on all major review sites and excellent coverage in the world’s most respected and widely circulated media.
ECC works hand in glove with the UK’s foremost consumer claims solicitors including Pinder Reaux and M1 Law.
Why holiday parks?
Since the demise of timeshare in Europe, many ex-timeshare sales people have found new vocations selling static caravan type accommodation in holiday parks around the UK. Less regulated than house sales, or even timeshare, holiday park operations appear to be rife with misleading sales tactics. People are spending tens or sometimes hundreds of thousands of pounds, based on a timeshare-style sales presentation that lasts a few hours. They are encouraged to take loans or even mortgage property to buy the caravans. Many timeshare owners also own at holiday parks.
Customers are verbally promised that the rental income will cover loan payments if they don’t live in the caravan themselves permanently. Then they report that after fees for cleaning, visitor passes and linen fees, most of their rental income is swallowed up.
Other people report that the park itself undercuts them, making rental income impossible.
Depreciation is also lied about by the salespeople. One couple reported that they were promised their particular site caravans generally hold their value. But when they came to sell, they found that it had dropped in value by £50,000 in the two years they had owned it.
The media is reporting on holiday park sales abuses in the same way that they used to cover abusive timeshare operations.
ECC to the rescue
“This is a situation in which our company is uniquely positioned to help,” says Greg Wilson, CEO of ECC. “There are clear breaches of consumer law. These sales agents are taking advantage of people and we aim to seek redress.
“Normally, if you were spending similarly significant sums of money on a house, you would have lawyers to guide you and all kinds of protective safeguards. Even timeshare sales have a legal framework in place in the modern marketplace.”
“There was a strongly supported petition to the government in 2020 for improved rights for UK holiday park buyers, this was refused and victims were advised to rely on the Consumer Rights Act,” continues Wilson. “The CRA is a useful piece of legislation but often requires expensive and time consuming legal actions to enforce an individual’s rights.
“ECC specialise in simplifying the task of bringing operations who prey on consumers to justice. There have already been successful cases against these operations, based on unfair fees and service charges; misrepresentation and sales practices; unfair contract terms; evictions and harassment; and health & safety violations.
“We have seen what is happening with these holiday parks, and we are ready to step in.”
