Volos/Skiathos Floods

[shan]

So, we were supposed to be flying to Skiathos today and catching a very to Volos to collect our charter boat - that is obviously, not going to happen. Amongst, other things, our flights have been cancelled. Currently, trying to negotiate with the Charter Company for them to reschedule our charter next year because they seem to think everything is hunky dory and that we should of course be able to collect our boat on Saturday. So, does anyone have any local knowledge that I can present to the Charter company about the sheer folly of their suggestion (aside from the fact that we can't even get to Volos). The news reports and flight cancellations, don't seem to count.

 

[Clancy Moped]

Send them this.

After devastating wildfires, Greece is hit by torrential rain and flash floods

 

[shan]

Send them this.

After devastating wildfires, Greece is hit by torrential rain and flash floods

News reports have not actually made a difference to their overly optimistic attitude.

 

[mjcoon]

So, we were supposed to be flying to Skiathos today and catching a very to Volos to collect our charter boat - that is obviously, not going to happen. Amongst, other things, our flights have been cancelled. Currently, trying to negotiate with the Charter Company for them to reschedule our charter next year because they seem to think everything is hunky dory and that we should of course be able to collect our boat on Saturday. So, does anyone have any local knowledge that I can present to the Charter company about the sheer folly of their suggestion (aside from the fact that we can't even get to Volos). The news reports and flight cancellations, don't seem to count.

That seems a strange route to have booked. Skiathos being an island I don't think they refuel planes there, and I understood this is why at least once we called in at Volos airport on our flight home from Skiathos.

 

[Clancy Moped]

A thought, make a fake inquiry covering your dates, they may shoot themselves in the foot.

 

[Irish Rover]

Is Volos actually inaccessible at the moment or the subject of a Greek government advisory to stay away? If not, the weather forecast for the next week or so looks good.

 

[shan]

Is Volos actually inaccessible at the moment or the subject of a Greek government advisory to stay away? If not, the weather forecast for the next week or so looks good.

Well, considering that the roads going into Volos are closed and that the access road from Volos airport is closed, I'd say yes. Also, flights into Skiathos have been cancelled. Friends of ours are currently stuck in Chorto - no power and a ban on driving. Restaurants, shops and houses destroyed.

 

[B27]

I have some friends confined to their hotel at the moment.
Lots of stuff washed away.

I presume the issue is, it's not the charter bloke's problem you can't get to the boat he's got all ready for you?

 

[shan]

I have some friends confined to their hotel at the moment.
Lots of stuff washed away.

I presume the issue is, it's not the charter bloke's problem you can't get to the boat he's got all ready for you?

More or less.... never mind that I doubt he could even get to Volos port right now.

 

[B27]

More or less.... never mind that I doubt he could even get to Volos port right now.

I imagine he's positioning himself to get paid by your insurance?

Is there any other credible route to get there?

 

[shan]

I imagine he's positioning himself to get paid by your insurance?

Is there any other credible route to get there?

Yes, he is.

Short of hiring a private jet and a helicopter, there is no reasonable route. The hotels we booked in Skiathos and Volos have both cancelled our bookings there. I think that says it all.

 

[shan]

This might give you an idea: Greece battered by tropical storms | eKathimerini.com

Disaster of biblical proportions | eKathimerini.com

Karditsa residents climb on roofs to avoid flooding | eKathimerini.com

 

[Irish Rover]

More or less.... never mind that I doubt he could even get to Volos port right now.

I'm not trying to be a pain [ even if I'm succeeding] but if you have insurance and it covers it why not go that route. If not, name and shame on TwitteX, Instagram, Facecloth etc and, of course, on here.

 

[shan]

I'm not trying to be a pain [ even if I'm succeeding] but if you have insurance and it covers it why not go that route. If not, name and shame on TwitteX, Instagram, Facecloth etc and, of course, on here.

I'll have to see if my CC has travel insurance. I ran into trouble renewing my insurance (it was with Virgin) because when I was in the UK, I was out of the country for more than 3 months a year and then visa versa with PT. This was shortly after the B-word.

If I have to write it off, I'll be pissed off but it's a first world problem and yes, I will then name and shame because I'm not looking for a refund, just a reschedule and I'm quite flexible about when it is next year.

 

[Irish Rover]

I'll have to see if my CC has travel insurance. I ran into trouble renewing my insurance (it was with Virgin) because when I was in the UK, I was out of the country for more than 3 months a year and then visa versa with PT. This was shortly after the B-word.

If I have to write it off, I'll be pissed off but it's a first world problem and yes, I will then name and shame because I'm not looking for a refund, just a reschedule and I'm quite flexible about when it is next year.

First of all let me be open and transparent. I'm involved in the tourism business so I always look at these things from the service providers viewpoint as well as the customer. Small operators involved in a seasonal business generally work on small enough margins and many can't afford to take the hit when nature intervenes. I know quite a few owners who were made bankrupt by Covid and other such unforeseeable events. So if your charter provider is a small operator he's probably bricking it right now wondering if he can survive. That said asking for a reschedule to a flexible date next year is not unreasonable. If he says no tell him you're going to apply to your cc company for chargeback and do everything in your power to get publicity and exposure for your situation and his response.

 

[shan]

First of all let me be open and transparent. I'm involved in the tourism business so I always look at these things from the service providers viewpoint as well as the customer. Small operators involved in a seasonal business generally work on small enough margins and many can't afford to take the hit when nature intervenes. I know quite a few owners who were made bankrupt by Covid and other such unforeseeable events. So if your charter provider is a small operator he's probably bricking it right now wondering if he can survive. That said asking for a reschedule to a flexible date next year is not unreasonable. If he says no tell him you're going to apply to your cc company for chargeback and do everything in your power to get publicity and exposure for your situation and his response.

I do have sympathy for the charter company but I wouldn't say they are exactly a small charter company. I am very flexible about a charter next year - all they need to do is come back to me with options and I will make it work.

As for publicity, I'd name them on here and perhaps on twitter but at the end of the day, it will be what it will be. I'm not going to obsess about it because then, I lose time as well as money.

 

[Irish Rover]

I do have sympathy for the charter company but I wouldn't say they are exactly a small charter company. I am very flexible about a charter next year - all they need to do is come back to me with options and I will make it work.

As for publicity, I'd name them on here and perhaps on twitter but at the end of the day, it will be what it will be. I'm not going to obsess about it because then, I lose time as well as money.

They should be happy to be dealing with such a reasonable customer.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

They should be happy to be dealing with such a reasonable customer.

Yes I agree.

Well known forumite @vas lives in Volos. He’s recently commented via a WhatsApp …

… I'm alive, but plain GSM service, no electricity no water for last 36h. Massive destructions here, house, boat not affected, uni premises seriously damaged…

basic messaging via 3G only.

Likelihood that Volos is going to be imminently ready for incoming tourists is nil.

 

[shan]

Yes I agree.

Well known forumite @vas lives in Volos. He’s recently commented via a WhatsApp …

… I'm alive, but plain GSM service, no electricity no water for last 36h. Massive destructions here, house, boat not affected, uni premises seriously damaged…

basic messaging via 3G only.

Likelihood that Volos is going to be imminently ready for incoming tourists is nil.

Thank you for the feedback! Nothing I have seen suggests that Volos is in any shape for tourists descending, even if they could get there. I think the locals have quite enough to deal with.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yup. Exactly. Best of luck with your specific case, think you’ve got the right approach.