Cancellation refund

[bosox001]

I booked a Holiday to Las Vegas in October last year through My Travel, after I booked the holiday My Travel were sold to the Thomas Cook group and I was informed in writing to this change of ownership, I paid the deposit when I booked and paid for the Holiday in full in December (£2290.50). On the 7th of February 2008 I recieved a letter from Thomas Cook saying that they could no longer provide the Hotel we had origanally booked and offered me alternative accomadation, I was unhappy with the alternative Hotel and was told I could cancel and recieve a full refund on the 13th February, I was told I would recieve my reufund within 5-7 days, I had not recieved my refund by the end of the 7 days so I phoned again, this time I was told it takes 10 days to recieve my refund, after 10 days and no refund I called again, this time I was told it takes 14 days to get my refund, after 14 days and still no refund I called again, I spoke with Caroline in the Falkirk office and she said she would send an email to the relavent department dealing with refunds and I should have it by the 1st of March, It is now the 5th of March and I have still not recieved any money back from them, what can I do now to get my money back, any help would be gratefully appreciated.
p.s. what is the maximum amount of time they are allowed by law to refund me my money.

[Bookworm]

There is no time set by law, it should be a "reasonable" time.

Send a letter stating all you have said here, and tell them that if the amount has not been refunded within the next 7 days, you'll take them to small claims court, and claim your court fees and interest as well. (see Library for bank charges template and adapt to your circumstances)

[bosox001]

Thanks for the reply. What sort of time frame is considered to be a reasonable amount of time, and secondly, I heard that you could only claim up to a maximum of £2000 back in the small claims court, does anyone know if this is true.
Thanks

[Bookworm]

£5000 actually (unless in Scotland), and it's not the maximum you can claim, a judge could still hear it in SCC if over £5k or allocate it to fast/multi-track, but that's not your concern, since yours is under £5k.

[bosox001]

I should have pointed out that I am in the North of Ireland and I just checked it on the web and according to their website you can only take a case to the small claims court here for up to £2000, thanks for your help anyway bookworm

[Bookworm]

Ah.

Well, in England, even if your claim is over the limit, you can still get it decided in SCC, it will be up to the judge. I would claim the lot anyway and let the judge decide. TBH, I would have thought that the threat of court may well be enough for them to refund, so send your letter(s) first and if you have to issue claim, then you can decide how to proceed.