A man was left fuming after his booking for a flat in Liverpool next year was cancelled, following news that the city would be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest – with the apartment later relisted for a whopping £20,000.
Last week, it was announced that Liverpool would be hosting the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, with semi-finals taking place on 9 and 11 May before the final on 13 May.
Connor Gregory, 23, claims he had booked a flat in Liverpool for May next year for around £200, but after the host city was revealed he was contacted by the owner to say his trip had been cancelled.
He tweeted: “And the cancellations start. Booked this way back in May/June, too good to be true.”
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Screenshots show Gregory had received a message from the apartment’s owner, who told him: “We are excited on your stay. However, the property will no longer be available on [these] dates, apologies.
“Please accept the cancellation request to receive full refund.”
Gregory then asked: “Sorry but I’ve already booked this? How’s that possible?”
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The owner responded to apologise, saying it was down to an ‘error’ on the ‘booking calendar’.
But Gregory hit back: “No it’s not. I’d rather you just said it’s because one of the biggest music events in the world is coming to Liverpool and you want more money as prices have shot up.
“Please just be honest and I’d be alright with it.”
Gregory also posted screenshots of the apartment’s updated listing on the site, which quoted up to £20,295 for a five-night stay or £16,245 for a four-night stay.
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“From £200 when I originally booked, she is now wanting over £20k, what a lovely classy lady, trust you will be dealt with,” he said.
According to its listing on Booking.com, the ‘luxurious central apartment with parking’ is located ‘right in the heart of Liverpool’ - and is just 0.6 miles from Liverpool Arena, where Eurovision will be taking place.
“The apartment has 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower,” its description says, adding: “Popular points of interest near the apartment include Liverpool Central Station, Philharmonic Hall and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The nearest airport is Liverpool John Lennon Airport, 7.5 miles from Luxurious Central Apartment With Parking.”
Gregory later shared an update to say he had managed to get in touch with Booking.com, which told him ‘proper action’ would be taken.
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He tweeted: “I have been in contact with Booking[dot]com, who has told me that they (the renter) cannot cancel my booking until I have. They have confirmed it’s still mine and they are filing a complaint because of their behaviour and will take ‘proper action against them’.
“The lovely man from booking looked through the messages and said to me ‘he is aware of the situation’ meaning he can see why she bumped her prices up and is letting me stay there. Let this be a lesson to her to not price gouge, hope she enjoys her investigation coming her way.”
LADbible has reached out to Booking.com for comment.
Topics: UK News, Eurovision
Jess Hardiman