Star dam lodges, scam?

[bar1]

Hi,
So I booked this accommodation (through one day only).
I got my voucher and date has been confirmed.
On Monday I got an email saying "Please pay the outstanding balance of R7200".
on top of that I get an email to pay R2500 "breakage" fee, this must be done VIA EFT only.

I Questioned all of the above and was told, the R7200 was an automated email that I can ignore however without paying the "breakage fee" I will not get the keys and all my other questions after have been ignored.

Now, While I do trust onedayonly (and I emailed them as well), I am slightly nervous about all of that...
an automatic email that is requesting more money from all the customers who paid in full?
Last year someone I know got scammed in a very similar manner and while the credit card amount got refunded to him, he lost the EFT deposit .

Has anyone ever booked with stardamlodges?
Is R2500 acceptable deposit amount?most I have been asked for is R1000 and I do often go on holidays.
If i have been scammed best to know now, and not get there with 11 people and find out....

 

[lkpat]

Hi,
So I booked this accommodation (through one day only).
I got my voucher and date has been confirmed.
On Monday I got an email saying "Please pay the outstanding balance of R7200".
on top of that I get an email to pay R2500 "breakage" fee, this must be done VIA EFT only.

I Questioned all of the above and was told, the R7200 was an automated email that I can ignore however without paying the "breakage fee" I will not get the keys and all my other questions after have been ignored.

Now, While I do trust onedayonly (and I emailed them as well), I am slightly nervous about all of that...
an automatic email that is requesting more money from all the customers who paid in full?
Last year someone I know got scammed in a very similar manner and while the credit card amount got refunded to him, he lost the EFT deposit .

Has anyone ever booked with stardamlodges?
Is R2500 acceptable deposit amount?most I have been asked for is R1000 and I do often go on holidays.
If i have been scammed best to know now, and not get there with 11 people and find out....

I would photograph everything in the place when you arrive and do the same on the way out as proof of condition if they're asking for breakage deposits now.

 

[bar1]

I would photograph everything in the place when you arrive and do the same on the way out as proof of condition if they're asking for breakage deposits now.

Ah good idea!!!

 

[bullzeye.za]

I went there on a onedayonly special - Was a great weekend away and everything seemed above board.

Be aware that there is a list of rules they present you with only after you arrive. Also don't drive anything that doesn't have lifted suspension, you WILL beach it on the dirt roads.

 

[RedViking]

Not this company specific, Besides that I can't afford it (did it once for our honeymoon), I will never do it again. Its not relaxing. Feels like renting a place where you do an in and out inspection. Takes the resting out of holiday. It's not worth the stress for me, don't care how luxurious it is.

 

[Tomtomtom]

Not this company specific, Besides that I can't afford it (did it once for our honeymoon), I will never do it again. Its not relaxing. Feels like renting a place where you do an in and out inspection. Takes the resting out of holiday.

I've never paid a breakage deposit for a holiday place, and if I were asked to, it would be a pretty big red flag that I'm not their target market.

Problem with low expectations is they have a way of dragging you down to their level.