Confused about the right blinds for your home?
Agency’s collapse ruins holiday plans Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au THE collapse of a Sorrento holiday booking agency has left scores of potential renters and landlords out of pocket. Dozens of scathing reviews on the Marshall’s Holiday Rentals’ website give some clues as to the fate of missing deposits and dashed holiday plans. The company’s office in Ocean Beach Road has been closed for months and the phone disconnected, but the company’s website still appears to be active. It is believed bookings have until recently been taken online. The News was unable to contact the company’s principal, Faye Lorraine Marshall, despite repeated attempts. Getaway Mornington Peninsula’s Harriett Fenney said the demise of Marshalls Holiday Rentals after 16 years in business was a “big surprise”. “They were the longest running holiday rental company on the Mornington Peninsula and people are screaming,” she said. “I’ve been trying to reach out to Faye to ask if she is OK. We are a very close-knit group on the peninsula and I want to see if she is alright.” One ripped-off renter said on social media they had “reported Marshall’s Holiday Rentals to Consumer Affairs and their team is looking into it”. It appears it’s not only renters who are unhappy. One landlord says she rented out her property at Easter and “never received any form of payment and is unsure whether we ever will”.
“I am now concerned about the future bookings that Marshalls have taken for our property as we are unable contact our future guests and warn them about this awful situation,” she said. Industry newsletter Accomnews reports that the holiday rental agency “has collapsed owing some half a million dollars in unpaid bonds, deposits and rent to hundreds of clients”. Over the years Marshall’s managed scores of holiday rental properties from the modest to the sublime, earning landlords up to $10,000 per week. The Age newspaper reports that Marshall’s declared bankruptcy on 20 August “leaving property owners thousands of dollars out of pocket and customers with lost deposits scrambling to find alternative holiday accommodation over Christmas”. The newspaper said Marshall’s sent customers emails on 26 September titled ‘Important News’. “It is with the deepest regret I advise that after 16 years in business Marshall’s Holiday Rentals has become insolvent. Business and personal bankruptcy has been declared,” the email said. A spokesperson from Consumer Affairs said companies “must not accept payment for products or services if they do not intend to supply them, nor mislead or deceive consumers about their ability to supply a product or service”. “If the product or service cannot be supplied, consumers may be entitled to a refund.” Consumer Affairs urges consumers to be vigilant and read reviews and comments on travel websites and blogs to help avoid disappointment.
You can have Chemotherapy in Mornington at The Bays Hospital
You need to see Jaleigh Blinds
CALL
1300 ALL BLINDS
BUY DIRECT & SAVE! If you're after Roller Blinds, Plantation Shutters, Roman Blinds, Venetians, Sunscreen Blinds, Verticals, Awnings, Curtains or Panel Glide Blinds and Vision Shade Zebra Blinds Jaleigh have the range and colour to suit your home. Verticles, Venetians, Romans, Panel Blinds & much more, are locally made in our own factory.
Building? Bring in your house plans for a FREE estimate.
Great deals on house lots
Call for a FREE measure & quote.
Caring for the Peninsula
Our Medical Oncologists
• All the comforts of home combined
Dr Alam Alamgeer
03 5970 5333
Dr Katherine Geddes
03 5975 5100
Dr Joanne Lundy
03 5970 5333
Dr Cameron McLaren
03 9575 5100
Dr Simone Steel
03 9789 6570
with the latest technology • Cancer support services onsite • Scalp cooling at no additional cost
For more information speak to one of our specialist oncology nurses.
The Bays Hospital Vale Street, Mornington VIC 3931 Phone 03 5975 2009
est 1997
50 Hartnett Drive, Seaford (Opposite Vic Roads) 9782 4142
19 Treloar Lane, Pakenham
(Opposite Pakenham Central) 5940 3866
www.jaleighblinds.com.au Southern Peninsula News
6 November 2019
PAGE 7