Travelodge Smoking Fine - CRS

[scotsmac]

I have been sent £150 demand for so called smoking at Travel Lodge, This was sent by Civil Recovery Solutions. On the first letter I received I replied denying any smoking on my part,I demanded the evidence they had, and also a break down of he cleaning bill. I also stated I had been in company of smokers, and perhaps the smell came from my clothing. I have now received a second letter, stating the evidence is the smell reported by staff, and photos of ash on the window sill. They also sent me rough breakdown on cleaning, and say the room was not rented for 1 day.

 

I want to carry on refuting there accusation, and do not want pay them a penny. What do you recommend I do next ?

 

1 thing I am nervous of, is the possibility them sending bailiffs round my house, or something similar. Please do I have anything to worry about and what should i do next ?

[Bazooka Boo]

1 thing I am nervous of, is the possibility them sending bailiffs round my house, or something similar. Please do I have anything to worry about and what should i do next ?

 

You can ignore them pretty much.

This is a civil matter between you & TL.

 

If you are 100% certain there was no smoking in the room?

Are you a smoker?

Did anyone else staying in your room smoke?

 

CRS are a toothless petty DCA who can do absolutely zero less for sending out silly missives begging you to cough up

money you don't owe.

 

Deal DIRECT with TL, which one was it?

There is no doubt a raft of angry 'customers' on the net who have also been accused of smoking in their rooms.

 

And keep everything in writing, do NOT discuss this over the phone with TL.

[Sidewinder]

Easy to deal with - in writing only

 

Tell them in simple terms that you did not smoke in your room at any point and neither did anybody else to your knowledge (so much the better if you can also include that you do not smoke anyway)

 

You are not aware of how ash came to be on the window ledge - if indeed it was there at the time that you occupied the room. You also strongly refute that a smell of smoke was anything to do with yourself unless this was picked up on your clothing whilst out of the hotel room - indeed you wish to counter that the smell might equally have been on the clothes or breath of one of the cleaning staff. Who knows - that might also be how the ash appeared on the window ledge>

 

Basically - put up or shut up - sue me and I will defend the case vigorously and WILL win and claim costs!

[scotsmac]

Brilliant, Iv sent them second email stating I did not smoke in the room. I did not leave no ash on the window, suggested this may off got there from workmen outside the building. I stated the room has a smoke alarm, and at no time during my stay did any smoke alarm go off.

I do expect them to send me more demanding letters. Would it be correct for me to ignore any further contact from them. Or should I keep replying to there demands, with continual denial. I am just wondering how long they will keep up there demands ?

[Sidewinder]

You are perfectly entitled to inform them that the comments you have made will be the last from you and that no further correspondence will be entertained. If they believe that their client has sufficient evidence to take you to Court (they don't) then you suggest that they do so (they won't)