I Need To Vent!
May 17th, 2013, 04:36 AM
#23
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Gretchen, Second apartment in July is fine. Actually they are doing elevator work in that apartment which should be done by the time we arrive. But they have a service elevator which we will be able to use if necessary. So the second rental is fine. At least so far.
May 17th, 2013, 04:43 AM
#24
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Nobody is "smearing" anybody by pointing out this is a business deal.
Yes, it is "unfortunate" when things like this happen, but when they do, the people conducting the business have the responsibility to rectify the situation and make it whole. That is a cost of doing business. The OP lived up to her end of the bargain only to find that people on the other end are putting her in the position of having no place to stay.
If the OP has a legit contract, and the elevator is truly out of order for the bulk of the stay, then Paris Perfect -- which contracted with the OP to provide lodgings as specified -- is obliged here to take the loss on its shoulders.
Were it me, I would call my travel insurance company and tell them of my need to book fresh lodgings and find out what kind of documentation from Paris Perfect the insurance company needs to reimburse me for any excess charges. I would expect Paris Perfect to offer to refund all money immediately or transfer it as payment to another agency rental I specified -- not offer a 15 percent reduction on an apartment that is in fact totally unusable for the renters.
It is not slander to talk about how people need to protect themselves against rental agencies who try to make you pay for their mistakes. If everybody is supposed to know "these things happen" frequently, then Paris Perfect is supposed to know this too. Paris Perfect is the one that should have a Plan B, not holiday renters acting in good faith with them.
People here are more upset someone has spelled out Paris Perfect's obligations more than they are about this elderly foursome being left holding the bag. Is this a travel forum or a landlord's forum -- or a Paris Perfect circle of friend's forum?
benitakaren,
i just realized you said you are leaving in 8 days, not that you rented for 8 days. If you end up in another apartment, rented from whomever, I hope you can resist the urge to walk over to this other one to see if the elevator is working! Don't look back! But I think you need to book a hotel, and begin looking for another apartment. Please let us know if there is any resistance on the part of Paris Perfect to making sure you are not out of pocket an extra dime because of this.
Yes, it is "unfortunate" when things like this happen, but when they do, the people conducting the business have the responsibility to rectify the situation and make it whole. That is a cost of doing business. The OP lived up to her end of the bargain only to find that people on the other end are putting her in the position of having no place to stay.
If the OP has a legit contract, and the elevator is truly out of order for the bulk of the stay, then Paris Perfect -- which contracted with the OP to provide lodgings as specified -- is obliged here to take the loss on its shoulders.
Were it me, I would call my travel insurance company and tell them of my need to book fresh lodgings and find out what kind of documentation from Paris Perfect the insurance company needs to reimburse me for any excess charges. I would expect Paris Perfect to offer to refund all money immediately or transfer it as payment to another agency rental I specified -- not offer a 15 percent reduction on an apartment that is in fact totally unusable for the renters.
It is not slander to talk about how people need to protect themselves against rental agencies who try to make you pay for their mistakes. If everybody is supposed to know "these things happen" frequently, then Paris Perfect is supposed to know this too. Paris Perfect is the one that should have a Plan B, not holiday renters acting in good faith with them.
People here are more upset someone has spelled out Paris Perfect's obligations more than they are about this elderly foursome being left holding the bag. Is this a travel forum or a landlord's forum -- or a Paris Perfect circle of friend's forum?
benitakaren,
i just realized you said you are leaving in 8 days, not that you rented for 8 days. If you end up in another apartment, rented from whomever, I hope you can resist the urge to walk over to this other one to see if the elevator is working! Don't look back! But I think you need to book a hotel, and begin looking for another apartment. Please let us know if there is any resistance on the part of Paris Perfect to making sure you are not out of pocket an extra dime because of this.
May 17th, 2013, 04:50 AM
#25
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benitkaren,
Is Paris Perfect fixing the elevators in both buildings? Are they the ones arranging this work schedule?
If so, why can't the elevator work dates and locations be switched around, especially since the other building has a service elevator?
Is Paris Perfect fixing the elevators in both buildings? Are they the ones arranging this work schedule?
If so, why can't the elevator work dates and locations be switched around, especially since the other building has a service elevator?
May 17th, 2013, 05:01 AM
#26
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If this just happened yesterday isnt it fair to give ParisPerfect at least a day or so to rectify the situation? They did in fact notify them about the issue and may very well come up with a resonable solution when they call back. If this is the case wouldnt you say that they have provided excellent service?
I am in no way connected to PP it just seems like we are jumping the gun a bit. In my limited experience with them (really just reading about them here) they seem quite high end with excellent customer service.
While this must be super frustrating, it could well be that the lift needs repairing and it is nothing more than that (why would you assume there is more to it?) and they will find a suitable solution. If that isnt the case THEN I think there is something to complain about!
I am in no way connected to PP it just seems like we are jumping the gun a bit. In my limited experience with them (really just reading about them here) they seem quite high end with excellent customer service.
While this must be super frustrating, it could well be that the lift needs repairing and it is nothing more than that (why would you assume there is more to it?) and they will find a suitable solution. If that isnt the case THEN I think there is something to complain about!
May 17th, 2013, 05:14 AM
#28
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As someone who absolutely could not walk up 6 flights of stairs, I'm with Steve on this one. When I rent an apartment, the existence of an elevator is a necessary criterion for me. I always worry what I'd do if the elevator stopped working, and I prefer to rent apartments on lower floors for that reason. But PP should find another apartment for these people or refund their money. When one party is not able to completely live up to the terms of a contract, the other party has the option of negotiating a reasonable resolution or repudiating the contract. So if the advertised TV doesn't work and I'm offered a discount, I may accept that (It's happened to me). But if there were no bed, or no AC or no elevator and those things were important parts of the contract to me, I may consider the contract void and ask for my money back. (I'm not licenced to practice law in France, but that seems reasonable to me!)
May 17th, 2013, 05:16 AM
#29
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I wouldn't say they provided "excellent service."
If I were running Paris Perfect, the first thing I would have said after apologizing profusely is: "Do not worry. You will have a beautiful place to stay All of you. For the exact same price. And it will have an elevator or be on an accessible floor. We would never dream of asking any of you to walk up too many stairs. We'll be back in touch with several proposals, and do not hesitate to call us or e-mail. But please do not worry. Relax."
As for the lift "needing repairing", this now appears to be scheduled work. I don't know how much you know about elevators, but unless they are being replaced, they don't take days of work. If they are being painted or refurbished, most Paris elevators are tiny. It's not like bringing in massive brass doors or something.
If they are being replaced or something else massive, then Paris Perfect only found out yesterday?
By the way, I just looked at the Paris Perfect website. They have two apartments they are offering last-minute, available in 8 days, both with elevators. So why weren't both these apartments offered to the OP? Or if the website isn't up to date, offer one apartment plus a quality hotel room in the same neighborhood?
If I were running Paris Perfect, the first thing I would have said after apologizing profusely is: "Do not worry. You will have a beautiful place to stay All of you. For the exact same price. And it will have an elevator or be on an accessible floor. We would never dream of asking any of you to walk up too many stairs. We'll be back in touch with several proposals, and do not hesitate to call us or e-mail. But please do not worry. Relax."
As for the lift "needing repairing", this now appears to be scheduled work. I don't know how much you know about elevators, but unless they are being replaced, they don't take days of work. If they are being painted or refurbished, most Paris elevators are tiny. It's not like bringing in massive brass doors or something.
If they are being replaced or something else massive, then Paris Perfect only found out yesterday?
By the way, I just looked at the Paris Perfect website. They have two apartments they are offering last-minute, available in 8 days, both with elevators. So why weren't both these apartments offered to the OP? Or if the website isn't up to date, offer one apartment plus a quality hotel room in the same neighborhood?
May 17th, 2013, 05:20 AM
#30
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Jamikins, thanks for the above. I am waiting for PP to contact me. I am hoping that they can work this out for us. I have rented their apartments before and have been very satisfied. What were the chances that both buildings are having elevator work done during the same four week period? I am just frustrated. I just need to know where I stand. Hopefully I will hear shortly. Is it too early to have a shot of something?
May 17th, 2013, 05:33 AM
#31
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benitakaren - its never too early 
I am in no way saying they should be expected to walk up all those flights of stairs, I just think before jumping all over any company they should be given a fair chance to rectify the situation, especially since they said they were going to come up with something. If they dont then I would be complaining to everyone hahaha!
There is no way for us to know now what the issue with the lifts are. Seems silly to me to jump to the conclusion that the owner wants to use the flat and they are lying or that it is scheduled maintenance that can be avoided due to one flat in the building being rented to people who cannot walk up the stairs. It is likely there is someone renting that flat at most periods so how would you ever be able to schedule maintenance? Perhaps it is urgent repair work. I doubt a rental company that either owns a flat or rents a flat in a building can decide when maintenance in the common area of a building is done.
I would be frustrated too and I empathise with that. I hope it all works out!!!
I am in no way saying they should be expected to walk up all those flights of stairs, I just think before jumping all over any company they should be given a fair chance to rectify the situation, especially since they said they were going to come up with something. If they dont then I would be complaining to everyone hahaha!
There is no way for us to know now what the issue with the lifts are. Seems silly to me to jump to the conclusion that the owner wants to use the flat and they are lying or that it is scheduled maintenance that can be avoided due to one flat in the building being rented to people who cannot walk up the stairs. It is likely there is someone renting that flat at most periods so how would you ever be able to schedule maintenance? Perhaps it is urgent repair work. I doubt a rental company that either owns a flat or rents a flat in a building can decide when maintenance in the common area of a building is done.
I would be frustrated too and I empathise with that. I hope it all works out!!!
May 17th, 2013, 05:49 AM
#32
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I had a situation with London Connections where they contacted me 2 weeks before my scheduled trip to say that the apartment I'd booked was not available due to maintenance issues, but with the offer of a choice two apartments which were both more expensive than the one I'd booked, as well as letting me know that if neither suited I could have a refund. That was good customer service.
I think Paris Perfect will probably come through in the end, they were just hoping that the OP would accept the offer of a discount so they wouldn't have to go to the trouble of finding an alternative apartment for her. They could have handled the situation better, IMO. Thanks for venting and please let us know what happens.
I think Paris Perfect will probably come through in the end, they were just hoping that the OP would accept the offer of a discount so they wouldn't have to go to the trouble of finding an alternative apartment for her. They could have handled the situation better, IMO. Thanks for venting and please let us know what happens.
May 17th, 2013, 06:13 AM
#35
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Travel insurance covers all kinds of situations where your trip was disrupted, in particular if you paid for things in advance and the disruption meant you never got what you paid for. If you arrived at a pre-paid hotel, only to discover it closed because a gas leak, if you ended up in more expensive last minute lodgings and could show your travel insurer the receipts.
Paris Perfect ought to have business insurance as well to cover these things too. Imagine if a departing renter had an unfortunate accident while packing up in one of their apartments that left blood on carpets and curtains, rendering the apartment unlivable until it could be fixed, but new renters were due to arrive the same day. Paris Perfect most likely has business insurance that pays not only for making everything pristine again, but to replace the loss of income to them while the apartment was out of commission, plus anything else they had to pay out of pocket to re-house the new arrivals in order to make good on the contract they signed. Some businesses don't carry insurance like that because they figure it's easier to eat the occasional cost if a mishap happens. But it doesn't change the original contract and who is responsible for delivering the promised goods. Of course, Paris Perfect can always buy back the contract and wash their hands the customer's needs. But most people in the lodgings business don't do business that way -- although enough do that travel insurance is prudent.
Paris Perfect ought to have business insurance as well to cover these things too. Imagine if a departing renter had an unfortunate accident while packing up in one of their apartments that left blood on carpets and curtains, rendering the apartment unlivable until it could be fixed, but new renters were due to arrive the same day. Paris Perfect most likely has business insurance that pays not only for making everything pristine again, but to replace the loss of income to them while the apartment was out of commission, plus anything else they had to pay out of pocket to re-house the new arrivals in order to make good on the contract they signed. Some businesses don't carry insurance like that because they figure it's easier to eat the occasional cost if a mishap happens. But it doesn't change the original contract and who is responsible for delivering the promised goods. Of course, Paris Perfect can always buy back the contract and wash their hands the customer's needs. But most people in the lodgings business don't do business that way -- although enough do that travel insurance is prudent.
May 17th, 2013, 06:22 AM
#36
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Didn't mean to leave my example unfinished:
"If you arrived at a pre-paid hotel, only to discover it closed because a gas leak, if you ended up in more expensive last minute lodgings but could show your travel insurer the receipts, then your travel insurer policy would re-imburse you for the difference, even though you actually went on the trip you otherwise had planned."
So in this case, if Paris Perfect doesn't come up with equivalent accessible lodgings and merely refunds money, and the OP ends up paying more for lodgings elsewhere in Paris, then those nice people at Paris Perfect should be willing provide the OP with a document she can give to her travel insurer showing that the apartment was inaccessible through no fault of the OP.
"If you arrived at a pre-paid hotel, only to discover it closed because a gas leak, if you ended up in more expensive last minute lodgings but could show your travel insurer the receipts, then your travel insurer policy would re-imburse you for the difference, even though you actually went on the trip you otherwise had planned."
So in this case, if Paris Perfect doesn't come up with equivalent accessible lodgings and merely refunds money, and the OP ends up paying more for lodgings elsewhere in Paris, then those nice people at Paris Perfect should be willing provide the OP with a document she can give to her travel insurer showing that the apartment was inaccessible through no fault of the OP.
May 17th, 2013, 07:04 AM
#37
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Just heard from PP "We are working very hard to find a solution for you." I am searching like mad for an available apartment, just in case. Thank you all. It has helped me to have the Fodor's community.
May 18th, 2013, 01:20 AM
#38
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I am sure that Paris Perfect is doing all they can to solve the problem. They ALWAYS do! Building elevators are not owned by Paris Perfect or that they have any control over their repair, any more than any other apartment owner in the building. They are building problems! Some renters are willing and able to do the walking up and down and greatful for the daily 15% refund!
It is high season and top rental companies have their apartments fully rented, so that is a problem. Hotels are also busy. If they have another apartment to transfer them to, they will do so...and they will NOT charge them additional IF it is a more expensive apartment!
Paris Perfect will do their best to find a solution. Their customer care and service is primary in their business.
It is high season and top rental companies have their apartments fully rented, so that is a problem. Hotels are also busy. If they have another apartment to transfer them to, they will do so...and they will NOT charge them additional IF it is a more expensive apartment!
Paris Perfect will do their best to find a solution. Their customer care and service is primary in their business.
May 18th, 2013, 08:06 AM
#39
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At this point you might have better luck finding a hotel than an apartment - and I would try to reserve one that is cancellable - in case PP can come up with another apartment.
Just make it perfectly plain to PP that is they cannot find you an accessible apartment you expect a 100% refund.
Just make it perfectly plain to PP that is they cannot find you an accessible apartment you expect a 100% refund.
May 18th, 2013, 08:37 AM
#40
Paris Perfect has a good reputation and I think they will take of you. We had a similar thing happen to an apartment we had rented in Paris through www.justfrance.com. We were given a larger, better located and more expensive apartment at their expense. No problems at all. We have used their services a second time, excellent service.
