Christmas Vacation Nightmare ! What are a consumers rights?
 

My family and I just returned from a four night Vacation at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington state. The vacation rental we stayed at was a condo type that had two sides to it. We shared it with another family on the side we stayed at. It was huge and at a great location. The problem was it was pretty dirty and they had people "property managers" in and out. Actually had one doing there laundry while we were there! Anyways all of this was ok and we really did have fun until we got home. I got sicker than sick and went to the Dr. to find out I had contacted Hot tub Folliculitis. I looked like I had Chicken Pox. Yes it got everyone in our group. Some worse than others. I actually had the rare part of it and I got the puking with it. I had to miss a day of work. We were actually told when we got there that they had just drained and cleaned the hot tub so we couldn't use it the night we got there. My question for all of you in an indirect way is to we have any recourse? My wife talked to the property manager (he was a total creep) and he said he would have to talk to the owner but he said we weren't going to be getting any of our money back. She told him they needed to make sure to clean it thoroughly cause we don't want this happening to anybody else. He said we use the hot tub at our own risk! Is this right? What should we do? Sorry I am so long winded but we paid $1420 for this place and I still have the spots to show for it! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and please feel free to let me know if you have any good ideas! Thanks
Dave

EEK! What a nightmare. I'd start with the management company and if worse comes to worse, try Ombusman with CN Traveller (or is it Travel & leisure.)

Another option I thought of is to contact the Washington State Deparment of Health at (1)(800)525-0127 or (360)236-4501. The Washington State Tourism Department can be reached at (360)725-5052. Perhaps you won't be financially compensated for your trouble, but maybe you should report the incident so that others will be spared. I'm sure Washington state also has a consumer's agency. I hope you're all on the mend and feeling better.

i'd get yourself a good plaintiff's lawyer. people have received compensation for ALOT less than what you describe.

I've heard that you can die from that bacteria so count yourself lucky. I'd say some compensation is in order unless they posted somewhere that you should not drink the water. And next time, don't drink hot tub water for this very reason.

When you consider the things that people do in hot tubs, this is not a big surprise. I use the hot tub at my own house and that's it!

May I suggest visiting the Better Business Bureau website? They have consumer tips pages, and you can file a complaint with them. They may give you a professional advise.

And I like Merilee and Flopmeister suggestions. Especially health department. Also check out if there is a sanitary department.

Hmmm.... you should've listened and went to D-land instead :)

After reading about some of the crap people find in hot tubs, I would never use one at a hotel or anywhere. Bacteria breeds in the water, so ever if it's been cleaned, there is probably still bacteria in the tubes. I'm not sure how it could possibly be completely cleaned unless they fill it with bleach or some other disinfectant and run that through the jets.

For info on this condition, see http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/001460.htm

Hate to tell you this, but those "spots" take MONTHS to go away. Good luck.

I guess this is a good warning for people to avoid public hot tubs, specially if the condo or hotel is dirty to begin with.

Was this a wooden hot tub? A fiberglass hot tub? Or a quartz bottom hot tub?

The wooden ones are awful. They should be banned.

That is just horrible! I would definately follow the suggestions above. Call the Better Business Bureau AND most importantly call the WA Health Department, no one else should have to go through that. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

If nothing else, I bet the Health Dept will give them a WHOLE lot of grief. They'll regret that they didn't offer you some sort of compensation.

I hate to say this but unless you have a water sample from the hot tub, you really will have a hard time getting any recourse from the company.

I would talk to the agency first and tell them you are unhappy, state why, and tell them how you would like the situation resolved. If you want 1/2 your money refunded or the cost of your medical bills, state this up front.

If the company refuses to offer you any compensation, go on a letter writing campaign.

Write a letter to the Department of Health, OSHA, State Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, Letter to the Editor of the local papers, and cc (courtesy copy) the rental company on every letter.

Good luck to you and that is pretty sorry that they will not offer to refund your money.

Yuck! Sorry this happened. Are whirlpools at hotels and public pools safe?

That's a horrible story.

I guess I'm wondering why you stayed when you saw that the place was "pretty dirty". Or at the very least, did you insist that it be thoroughly cleaned? And how do you get that disease? Is it from drinking the water (why would you?) or simply sitting in it.

In any event, get well soon.

First off thank All of you for your great ideas. My wife and I now have a list of steps and we are going to make sure to follow through. It was a fiberglass tub or normal type of hot tub. Not a wooden one. It really didn't seem as though the place was "filthy" it just seemed like it could be kept up much nicer. An example is they have the huge cathederal ceiling and seven yes seven lights were burned out. I did NOT drink any of the water (though I did get a laugh out of the fact someone mentioned that!~). The place is called the Guye Peak Lodge. Can't say I recommend it! Looks beautiful online though! I wish I would have gotten a water sample but when we left there all seemed well and actually we did have fun as we had snow and got to relax and play with the kids. It was just the fact after we got home and we all got sick that put a damper on it! My wife and I REALLY appreciate all of your helpful ideas. I will be sure to let all of you know how this gets resolved. I just want my $ back and to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else!

As an avid hot tubber and owner of a vacation rental property with hot tub, the importance of the right balance in hot tub is very important. As a consumer I carry test strips with me when on vacation and will be using hot tub. I sometimes get funny looks when I whip out those things! Believe me I have run across some that are quite disgusting. Before I rent my property I make sure tub is at correct balance and filter is clean. I inform the people how to check test strips (every day of their stay), how to read and add bromine/ proper chemicals. Shower before you enter to remove soaps and detergents/oils. Hot tubs get bacteria do to high usage, non proper maintenance, dirty filter, and whats transmitted from bodies of users. When hot tub is going to be used alot make sure spa is "shocked" more often. I know all this sounds like a deterrent but with common sense and awareness hot tubs are fun, relaxing and romantic! Carry those test strips! When in doubt, don't enter.