Deposit

[CloughD]

We are a non profit making organisation/business who have recently booked a tour abroad in Holland.

We made a booking in a hotel for 20 people.

We made three separate bookings using the same credit card and contact details for 10, 6 and 4 people respectively.

The bookings were made and email confirmation was received of the bookings.

It has then transpired that the hotel does not accept group bookings over the internet so has cancelled all 3 bookings but has kept the deposit (10%) for the bookings. A group booking is defined as more than 6 people. It does state in the hotels TC's that a deposit will not be refunded for a false booking. Obviously this is very annoying as they accepted our booking, sent email confirmation and then a month later have cancelled it themselves and have kept the deposit. Legally where do we stand on this?

[bwglaw]

how was the deposit paid? by credit card also? if by credit card you can invoke a chargeback by contacting your credit card company