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places to visit => abroad => Topic started by: nash1 on April 15, 2016, 11:37:14 am

Title: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: nash1 on April 15, 2016, 11:37:14 am
Anyone know what has happened to Maisonbleau? I sent them an enquiry a few days ago, didn't receive a reply and since then the website has been down. I tried their facebook page without response and I even PM'd NeilH on here and have not heard anything. Has it closed down?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Mike Tyson on April 15, 2016, 12:28:23 pm
I sincerely hope not as I'm currently packing my bags, and checking in tomorrow!
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: standard on April 15, 2016, 12:31:36 pm
I think I can say this as he's made it public knowledge on his Facebook (someone shout at me if I'm out of order), but it does like Neil has had some personal trouble, and has left France.

Unknown what's happening with the Gite.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Homer on April 15, 2016, 05:40:08 pm
I sincerely hope not as I'm currently packing my bags, and checking in tomorrow!
You'd best look into this asap. A few friends have had their stay (due to start tomorrow) cancelled with a full refund offered.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Footwork on April 15, 2016, 05:41:45 pm
I sincerely hope not as I'm currently packing my bags, and checking in tomorrow!
You'd best look into this asap. A few friends have had their stay (due to start tomorrow) cancelled with a full refund offered.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

That's pretty rubbish. Is he being chased out the forrest by pimps?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: monkoffunk on April 15, 2016, 11:59:33 pm
Oh that sucks, obviously sounds serious, but hope nothing too bad. Was there in Feb and it was amazing, was planning on returning for sure.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Adam Lincoln on April 17, 2016, 07:17:34 pm
Due to personal circumstances i won't go into, Neil is no longer 'doing' Maison Bleau. Not sure if bookings are being honoured. Hopefully Neil will see this and will explain more. I've dropped him a message about it on FB.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Adam Lincoln on April 17, 2016, 08:02:24 pm
Just spoke to Neil and he apologises but bookings sadly aren't being honoured at moment. No bookings being taken either.

He has forgotten his username and password for here or he would have posted something himself.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: lagerstarfish on April 17, 2016, 09:11:14 pm
I sincerely hope not as I'm currently packing my bags, and checking in tomorrow!

hope you got something else sorted
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tommytwotone on April 17, 2016, 09:21:48 pm
I'd have thought you'll be fine - one of the final years of the Cuvier bivi site I went with some mates (and non-climber girlfriend at the time!) who decided the camping was a bit too real for them.


We rocked up at the Gite De France office in Font in person on day 2 and they hooked us up with a lovely place out Nemours way.


Other than that Mike, I've just come back from a long weekend staying in one of the mobile homes at the Courtilles De Lido site in Moret. Basic / compact, has separate bedrooms, hot shower, cooking / cleaning facilities etc and pretty good a value for money.


Depending how many of you there are / how good friends you are and want to continue being (there is little in the way of sound insulation!) you could grab one or more:

http://www.les-courtilles-du-lido.fr/en/mobile-home/ (http://www.les-courtilles-du-lido.fr/en/mobile-home/)


There were a good few free a couple of weekends back so you might be in luck if you turn up on-spec. The site also has a mini-golf course too, which was very enjoyable for some stereotypical stoic Englishmen-playing-in-driving-rain fun while we were there!





Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: lagerstarfish on April 17, 2016, 09:25:19 pm
mini-golf course too, which was very enjoyable for some stereotypical stoic Englishmen-playing-in-driving-rain fun while we were there!

did you win much from the betting?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tommytwotone on April 17, 2016, 09:35:54 pm
Of the three of us I was definitely not the favourite...my best mate is one of those annoying people who's good at everything - he crushed his project at Isatis day 1 and then smashed us all at mini-golf on day 2 by about 10 shots!



Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Will Hunt on April 17, 2016, 10:00:04 pm
We stayed in one of the bungalows there. Wrap up warm...
Every surface in there is dry wipe so ideal for cum heavy sex orgies.

Footwork wiped the floor with us at the mini golf.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: cha1n on April 17, 2016, 11:00:11 pm
Due to personal circumstances i won't go into, Neil is no longer 'doing' Maison Bleau. Not sure if bookings are being honoured. Hopefully Neil will see this and will explain more. I've dropped him a message about it on FB.

Blimey, that's pretty bad that guests weren't contacted. I know personal stuff happens and all that... Hope you get something sorted Mike and it's not a ruined holiday.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tomtom on April 18, 2016, 09:23:58 am

We stayed in one of the bungalows there. Wrap up warm...
Every surface in there is dry wipe so ideal for cum heavy sex orgies.

Footwork wiped the floor with us at the mini golf.

I do hope you mentioned that on your tripadvisor review..
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Lund on April 18, 2016, 11:52:06 am
Just spoke to Neil and he apologises but bookings sadly aren't being honoured at moment. No bookings being taken either.

He has forgotten his username and password for here or he would have posted something himself.

That's pretty weak.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Mike Tyson on April 18, 2016, 04:49:38 pm
Thankfully we are sorted out, and enjoying our time in Font.

The situation regards Maisonbleau is complicated, and I won't be discussing it on an Internet forum, it's not my place to do so.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: dave on April 18, 2016, 05:16:42 pm
He has forgotten his username and password for here or he would have posted something himself.

Nine years as a member and he's forgotten his username, chinny reckon.

http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php?action=reminder
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: ferret on April 18, 2016, 08:09:55 pm
Yeah you'd think remembering your username is neil h wouldn't be that hard when your first name is in fact neil and your surname begins with the letter h
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Adam Lincoln on April 18, 2016, 08:15:47 pm
Oh come on, i use a wide variety of different usernames. None of which are Adam L. So why should Neil think it might be Neil H.

Give the guy a break, none of you know the reasons behind all this situation, so cut him some slack.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Mike Tyson on April 18, 2016, 08:59:11 pm
Neil has much bigger concerns in his life at present.

Lock and log pile this thread please admin people. 
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tomtom on April 18, 2016, 09:03:46 pm
Neil has much bigger concerns in his life at present.

Lock and log pile this thread please admin people.

+1
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: a dense loner on April 18, 2016, 09:08:44 pm
Surprised you'd remembered your username Adam Lincoln
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Adam Lincoln on April 18, 2016, 09:15:01 pm
Surprised you'd remembered your username Adam Lincoln

You'd be surprised sometimes Dense!
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Serpico on April 19, 2016, 07:22:21 pm
Oh come on, i use a wide variety of different usernames. None of which are Adam L.

Really? How many usernames in this thread are actually you? Are you Dense/Lagers/Sloper?
I suspect a UKC database voting scam.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: dave on April 19, 2016, 10:08:32 pm
So why should Neil think it might be Neil H.

Are you guys the crew? Are we all in this?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: fatdoc on April 19, 2016, 10:14:44 pm
i dont understand what you mean here Dave... but Neil h is a friend of mine, and  i know the general circumstances, as Adam has said... he has some serious shit going down, its not good for the guy. He has a heart of gold. if he has let anyone down - it will not be of his intent - of this I am certain.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: slackline on April 20, 2016, 06:34:05 am
i dont understand what you mean here Dave...

Maybe that forgetting username isn't the reason he's not posted?  More likely its all the shit he's dealing with which has meant posting on a forum is very low on his priority list.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tomtom on April 20, 2016, 07:42:23 am

i dont understand what you mean here Dave...

Maybe that forgetting username isn't the reason he's not posted?  More likely its all the shit he's dealing with which has meant posting on a forum is very low on his priority list.

Got 99 problems and UKB ain't one....
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Adam Lincoln on April 20, 2016, 08:16:12 am

i dont understand what you mean here Dave...

Maybe that forgetting username isn't the reason he's not posted?  More likely its all the shit he's dealing with which has meant posting on a forum is very low on his priority list.

Exactly. Some insignificant internet forum.
Got 99 problems and UKB ain't one....
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Lund on April 20, 2016, 11:12:38 am
No matter what your problems, you've a duty as a human being to tell people that their bookings aren't going to be honoured.  Don't make your own problems everyone elses.  As long as that gets done, I have no real issues, and there's nobody saying it didn't get done somehow, so...

We can all understand problems.  Neil has real issues, and apologises profusely to anyone with a booking" would have been ok.

So that's all cool.

The "forgot my username" excuse is rubbish.  "The dog ate it" is more realistic.  Better to not issue such a line and leave it as "Neil is sorry."

Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Three Nine on April 20, 2016, 12:28:40 pm
Perhaps, but that wouldn't have afforded Adam such opportunity to let us all know that he's in the know and the rest of us aren't.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: shark on April 20, 2016, 12:53:36 pm
Anyway the outcome is that Mike Tyson got sorted for his trip so that is the end of that.

Worth keeping the thread open in case other people with bookings aren't aware of the problems and also so that climbers googling Maisonbleau can see it is no longer open for bookings. 
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: SA Chris on April 20, 2016, 01:34:07 pm
Change the title though? Doesn't give much away to the casual observer?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: a dense loner on April 20, 2016, 01:40:21 pm
Let them read the thread, I have to
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: shark on April 20, 2016, 02:08:19 pm
Change the title though? Doesn't give much away to the casual observer?

Done.

Sorry Dense
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: a dense loner on April 20, 2016, 02:44:26 pm
Is your idea of "done" not actually doing anything shark? :ras:
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: a dense loner on April 20, 2016, 02:46:48 pm
Ffs!!! It still had "maisonbleau" as the main title until I posted :wall:
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: SA Chris on April 20, 2016, 03:03:26 pm
You just can't get the staff these days.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: T_B on April 20, 2016, 03:30:06 pm
Ffs!!! It still had "maisonbleau" as the main title until I posted :wall:

Try looking up 'browser' and 'cache'?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: a dense loner on April 20, 2016, 03:41:17 pm
I would have done but I forgot my username
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Nibile on April 20, 2016, 04:16:18 pm
Boom.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: lagerstarfish on April 20, 2016, 04:18:12 pm
I would have done but I forgot my username

is it the same as the one you use on Grindr ?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Adam Lincoln on April 20, 2016, 07:01:30 pm
Perhaps, but that wouldn't have afforded Adam such opportunity to let us all know that he's in the know and the rest of us aren't.

Yep, i am, on this occasion. So your point is? Ill keep quiet next time so people who have booked turn up and don't have a place to stay. Thats really helpful isn't it. Though you don't care about that do you? You just want to look big and clever, and a funny f@cker on your small little cliquey internet forum world.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: webbo on April 20, 2016, 09:52:35 pm
Perhaps, but that wouldn't have afforded Adam such opportunity to let us all know that he's in the know and the rest of us aren't.

Yep, i am, on this occasion. So your point is? Ill keep quiet next time so people who have booked turn up and don't have a place to stay. Thats really helpful isn't it. Though you don't care about that do you? You just want to look big and clever, and a funny f@cker on your small little cliquey internet forum world.
I would be so bold as to suggest having read your posts over the years Adam that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Three Nine on April 20, 2016, 09:58:35 pm
 :lol: If there's a ukb clique, 'small little' or otherwise, I don't think i'm part of it. They keep banning me ffs.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: petejh on April 20, 2016, 10:20:17 pm
Shitting hell I didn't know people got banned from ukb! Better watch my step. Habrich is your guide to the middle-east lazily researched and soulless? (Sandfax..?)
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Lund on April 20, 2016, 10:48:46 pm
Shitting hell I didn't know people got banned from ukb! Better watch my step. Habrich is your guide to the middle-east lazily researched and soulless? (Sandfax..?)

(https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/67973686.jpg)
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Oldmanmatt on April 21, 2016, 07:57:15 am
:lol: If there's a ukb clique, 'small little' or otherwise, I don't think i'm part of it. They keep banning me ffs.

We're all family here.


It's just that this family consists entirely of "those" uncles that no-one wants to invite to the wedding...
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: webbo on May 05, 2016, 09:28:23 pm
There appears to be a few folk over on the other channel who claim to have paid money to Maisonbleau and no one is responding to their emails.  :-\
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Duma on May 05, 2016, 10:00:35 pm
Neil has posted on FB in the last day as well so not responding to people who've paid you is pretty close to theft I'd say.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Lund on May 06, 2016, 11:16:26 am
Probably forgotten his email username, give the guy a chance!
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: dave on May 06, 2016, 11:43:31 am
Good that's he's keeping busy anyway. (https://www.instagram.com/neilhart34/)
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: SA Chris on May 06, 2016, 01:05:57 pm
hmmm
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: LaurenG on May 11, 2016, 03:11:15 pm
Hello - someone on 'the other channel' sent me the link to this forum. I am one of those owed money from a cancelled stay at Maisonbleau, about £300 in my case, there are others owed up to £750. Can someone that knows Neil personally find out when we are going to be reimbursed? I understand he is in a difficult position personally but it has been a few months since I was promised my refund, and it's a lot of money to be out of pocket by. I'd like to assume the business account was kept separate and our money is sitting there somewhere....
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: monkoffunk on May 11, 2016, 06:06:53 pm
Have you tried contacting him on facebook as well? He has been reasonably active in the last few days and weeks.

https://www.facebook.com/neil.hart.37?fref=ts
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: LaurenG on May 11, 2016, 08:03:30 pm
Have you tried contacting him on facebook as well? He has been reasonably active in the last few days and weeks.

https://www.facebook.com/neil.hart.37?fref=ts

Yes, I've sent him a message via messenger, but as we're not Facebook friends he might not see it - also posted messages to the Maisonbleau Facebook page, and pm'd that, and sent him a message on his photography website..... Emails to the Maisonbleau website bounce back.... Hence me trying ukc and ukb!
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Will Hunt on May 11, 2016, 10:12:49 pm
There seem to be a few people on here who know Neil personally. Might this be the time to give him a nudge to offer these people at least an explanation, an apology, and hopefully a timescale within which he will seek to reimburse them? It's all looking a bit dodgy to the casual onlooker.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: monkoffunk on May 11, 2016, 10:25:12 pm
Looks really dodgy. Stayed out of it because I don't really know the guy, but was surprised to see all this kicking off after staying there in Feb and having a great time! Neil seemed like a nice guy, and sounds like going through 'something' but can't see what would justify this. Surely refund the money and then get back to the serious shit of eating venison and hanging out with James Pearson?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: James Malloch on May 11, 2016, 10:45:02 pm
There seem to be a few people on here who know Neil personally. Might this be the time to give him a nudge to offer these people at least an explanation, an apology, and hopefully a timescale within which he will seek to reimburse them? It's all looking a bit dodgy to the casual onlooker.

+1

Lauren, who posted here, has said on the other channel that a number of people affected are looking at ways to take this further should a response not come from Neil soon. I imagine it would be best for all parties involved if this was addressed before it became a legal matter...
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: a dense loner on May 12, 2016, 06:01:23 am
If it's closed will he not have just folded the company? N if it's ltd he'll owe no one anything.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: LaurenG on May 12, 2016, 06:06:50 am
If it's closed will he not have just folded the company? N if it's ltd he'll owe no one anything.

Why would he say we're owed a refund then?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: ferret on May 12, 2016, 06:12:49 am
Hopefully one of Neils friends will see this and tell him to sort it out before he winds up looking like a proper tool.
Neil's had a few climbing related businesses, if he wants to have more in the future making sure your not labeled "that guy that ripped off a bunch of climbers holiday money" might be worthwhile. Small community and all that, besides right thing to do no?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: a dense loner on May 12, 2016, 06:24:00 am
Why? I have no idea. All I'm doing is pointing out the possibility of what could happen
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tomtom on May 12, 2016, 06:30:32 am
Lauren - did you pay via credit card? If so a refund via them is always an option.... (I've done it before and was relatively painless)...
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: dave on May 12, 2016, 07:38:37 am
Neil's had a few climbing related businesses, if he wants to have more in the future making sure your not labeled "that guy that ripped off a bunch of climbers holiday money" might be worthwhile. Small community and all that, besides right thing to do no?

This.

Another option for getting you money back is travel insurance, assuming folk were not too tight to get some in the first place.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: LaurenG on May 12, 2016, 07:59:14 am
Neil's had a few climbing related businesses, if he wants to have more in the future making sure your not labeled "that guy that ripped off a bunch of climbers holiday money" might be worthwhile. Small community and all that, besides right thing to do no?

This.

Another option for getting you money back is travel insurance, assuming folk were not too tight to get some in the first place.

No - paypal for the deposit and bank transfer for the remaining funds unfortunately....
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: petejh on May 12, 2016, 08:00:00 am
Good that's he's keeping busy anyway. (https://www.instagram.com/neilhart34/)

 :o - sportiva genius's on Windows of Perception, he must have toes of steel!
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Paul B on May 12, 2016, 08:49:30 am
Didn't the text surrounding that image say he couldn't keep up with his 16 year old self? Nothing to do with the lack of a good edge...  ;D
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: shark on May 12, 2016, 11:18:43 am
If it's closed will he not have just folded the company? N if it's ltd he'll owe no one anything.

If it's closed will he not have just folded the company? N if it's ltd he'll owe no one anything.

Why would he say we're owed a refund then?

Why? I have no idea. All I'm doing is pointing out the possibility of what could happen

As Dense indicates the first step is to establish whether you are dealing with a limited company or someone running the business in their own name (typically as a sole tradder)

If payment was made to a limited company account that is now insolvent then you pursue the debt with the Administrator. Limited company means limited financial liability ie the responsibility is largely with the company as an entity not the Director running it unless the Director is proved culpable of transgressing company law. It is not illegal to go bust. If the company is not insolvent then you are best pursuing via a solicitor who can take actions such as issuing a winding up order - however the costs means this is only worthwhile if the debt is in the £1000's.

However, if it was a business and account run by someone in their own name then that person is liable and the debt can be pursued with them personally most likely through the small claims court requiring you to prove the debt and liability. www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/overview

I have no personal experience of following the small claims legal process but it is apparently not as onerous as it sounds.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: SA Chris on May 12, 2016, 11:30:31 am
So is the gite sold then?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Lund on May 12, 2016, 11:35:57 am
Would French law apply?

I know that the french have different laws in this area - sometimes harsher.  You can be put in prison for a bouncing cheque for example?


Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: LaurenG on May 12, 2016, 11:37:48 am
If it's closed will he not have just folded the company? N if it's ltd he'll owe no one anything.

If it's closed will he not have just folded the company? N if it's ltd he'll owe no one anything.

Why would he say we're owed a refund then?

Why? I have no idea. All I'm doing is pointing out the possibility of what could happen

As Dense indicates the first step is to establish whether you are dealing with a limited company or someone running the business in their own name (typically as a sole tradder)

If payment was made to a limited company account that is now insolvent then you pursue the debt with the Administrator. Limited company means limited financial liability ie the responsibility is largely with the company as an entity not the Director running it unless the Director is proved culpable of transgressing company law. It is not illegal to go bust. If the company is not insolvent then you are best pursuing via a solicitor who can take actions such as issuing a winding up order - however the costs means this is only worthwhile if the debt is in the £1000's.

However, if it was a business and account run by someone in their own name then that person is liable and the debt can be pursued with them personally most likely through the small claims court requiring you to prove the debt and liability. www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/overview

I have no personal experience of following the small claims legal process but it is apparently not as onerous as it sounds.

That is really useful information - thank you.  It looks like I paid into a personal UK bank account from the details I was provided with, so the small claims court would be the best option.  This is going to be my last resort, hence me posting on here, so hopefully we will be contacted by him soon to save going down this route....
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Will Hunt on May 12, 2016, 11:45:25 am
Hopefully one of Neils friends will see this and tell him to sort it out before he winds up looking like a proper tool.
Neil's had a few climbing related businesses, if he wants to have more in the future making sure your not labeled "that guy that ripped off a bunch of climbers holiday money" might be worthwhile. Small community and all that, besides right thing to do no?

Regardless of whether there is legal liability or not, I think the point that Ferret makes is the most pertinent. It's a question of reputation. A brief glance at Neil's social media indicates he is still looking to make a living in the world of climbing and it would be beneficial to come out of this untarnished. Shit happens and if Neil is broke then he's broke, but if I was one of the out of pocket people I'd be much more inclined to move on if I'd had reasonable communication about the matter. Ignoring the emails of people who have lost their holiday money, after he has committed to reimbursing them, doesn't come across well, especially as it will make travel insurance claims more difficult if the insurer is aware that a promise of reimbursement is still hanging in the air.

Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: SA Chris on May 12, 2016, 12:00:37 pm

Regardless of whether there is legal liability or not, I think the point that Ferret makes is the most pertinent. It's a question of reputation. A brief glance at Neil's social media indicates he is still looking to make a living in the world of climbing and it would be beneficial to come out of this untarnished. Shit happens and if Neil is broke then he's broke, but if I was one of the out of pocket people I'd be much more inclined to move on if I'd had reasonable communication about the matter. Ignoring the emails of people who have lost their holiday money, after he has committed to reimbursing them, doesn't come across well, especially as it will make travel insurance claims more difficult if the insurer is aware that a promise of reimbursement is still hanging in the air.

He must have a twitter account surely?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: dave on May 12, 2016, 12:00:51 pm
If you do go down the small claims route or similar then you want to start building up a log of all emails/correspondence etc and make sure you have copies of any contracts, documentation etc. Datestamped screengrabs of websites/facebook etc in case stuff disappears.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tomtom on May 12, 2016, 12:05:00 pm

Regardless of whether there is legal liability or not, I think the point that Ferret makes is the most pertinent. It's a question of reputation. A brief glance at Neil's social media indicates he is still looking to make a living in the world of climbing and it would be beneficial to come out of this untarnished. Shit happens and if Neil is broke then he's broke, but if I was one of the out of pocket people I'd be much more inclined to move on if I'd had reasonable communication about the matter. Ignoring the emails of people who have lost their holiday money, after he has committed to reimbursing them, doesn't come across well, especially as it will make travel insurance claims more difficult if the insurer is aware that a promise of reimbursement is still hanging in the air.

He must have a twitter account surely?

Instagram - it's in one of the links above.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Durbs on May 12, 2016, 12:10:15 pm
How much is a DJI Phantom and high quality video camera anyway?  :whistle:
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Fadanoid on May 12, 2016, 12:17:04 pm
Not much information regarding regarding how these transactions were carried out and if there is a company or individual that has taken the money. Additionally is this guy based in France or uk?

If you have dealt with a uk company or individual I would use this https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

It will cost you £60 and this is added to the final bill, and he'll get a ccj. If he's a serial business failure then I'd try to go after him rather than a ltd company.
You can even put down him and his company.

I used to use this for commercial debt until the law was changed and high court sheriff had their powers watered down.

If it's an overseas business then I don't think there is anything you can do without spending a fair bit.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: GraemeA on May 12, 2016, 08:15:48 pm
If it's closed will he not have just folded the company? N if it's ltd he'll owe no one anything.

I doubt that he was a limited company so the debts will stay with him.

Edit: Whoops, Shark has already said this, should have read the whole thread first.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: James Malloch on May 12, 2016, 08:28:16 pm
From the UKC Maisonbleau thread...

Quote
hi mark, thanks for the reply and thanks for the information! Hopefully the police/fraud department will get their act together soon. They have enough information from quite a few different parties to do something about this.
Makes no sense us posting angry comments on here (although inside I'm raging). I think all we can do is spread the word.... "What goes around" and all that. Thanks again for taking the time to post. Dan
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Dan W on May 12, 2016, 08:36:40 pm
Hi all, i know its late in the day but I'm another one who's been let down by the situation. Like LaurenG, I'm owed €375 from a cancelled holiday. I received a message from Neil saying the gite was closed and i would get a refund (a few DAYS before i was due to travel). I passed on my bank details for the refund nearly two months ago but have heard nothing since!! All payments were made to Neil himself at either neil@neilhart.info (paypal) or a First Direct UK bank account. I don't know where this stands us where the law is concerned but for me its not about the money (although i can't afford to loose €375), its the principle! Its none of my business whats happened to the guy and no doubt he's having a hard time, but to me there is no excuse for his behaviour towards us. To my knowledge, he owes nearly £2000 to various people and thats only the people I'm in contact with. Im not sure which way to turn really, i just hope somebody knows the guy and can make him aware that the situation isn't just going to disappear.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Dan W on May 12, 2016, 09:50:03 pm
Hopefully one of Neils friends will see this and tell him to sort it out before he winds up looking like a proper tool.
Neil's had a few climbing related businesses, if he wants to have more in the future making sure your not labeled "that guy that ripped off a bunch of climbers holiday money" might be worthwhile. Small community and all that, besides right thing to do no?

Thumbs up to this comment ferret
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Fadanoid on May 12, 2016, 09:54:52 pm
From the UKC Maisonbleau thread...

Quote
hi mark, thanks for the reply and thanks for the information! Hopefully the police/fraud department will get their act together soon. They have enough information from quite a few different parties to do something about this.
Makes no sense us posting angry comments on here (although inside I'm raging). I think all we can do is spread the word.... "What goes around" and all that. Thanks again for taking the time to post. Dan

It's a civil matter, and the police will not get involved unless the total amount is over £5000, then it falls into a serious fraud category which is an arrestable offence.
I need to get the wife's law books out to check that but they're boxed up from when she did her dc exams.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Dan W on May 12, 2016, 10:20:49 pm
From the UKC Maisonbleau thread...

Quote
hi mark, thanks for the reply and thanks for the information! Hopefully the police/fraud department will get their act together soon. They have enough information from quite a few different parties to do something about this.
Makes no sense us posting angry comments on here (although inside I'm raging). I think all we can do is spread the word.... "What goes around" and all that. Thanks again for taking the time to post. Dan

It's a civil matter, and the police will not get involved unless the total amount is over £5000, then it falls into a serious fraud category which is an arrestable offence.
I need to get the wife's law books out to check that but they're boxed up from when she did her dc exams.

I appreciate the knowledge. I know nothing about this sort of thing at all. When i spoke to the police, they put me in touch with the fraud department, who then directed me to a generic fraud form. They also suggested that if i know anybody else affected, to suggest they also fill out the same form. I didnt expect much return from the police but needed to do something! Thank you for your time. Dan
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: cha1n on May 12, 2016, 10:45:45 pm
Was he running it on his own or with his partner? I seem to remember from his 'dose' videos that he had a family in the videos with him occasionally... Not really sure if the relevance, but I'm trying to visualise why he'd do this. Personally for me it'd be trying to drop someone else in the shit or I'd been given several months to live. Well, or I was skint but judging by the quantities that are owed it seems like he was probably covering the mortgage!
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: neil h on May 12, 2016, 11:51:42 pm
Hi all, I finally managed to get back on to this site after years of not being on here

So let's sort this, for all the time I have owned Maisonbleau I have kept my personal life separate to my business and I hope you all respect this fact. Hence why I won't reply to messages on social media, as this life is completely separate to any business I might own

People who are owed a refund will be paid back in full as soon as I earn the money. My true friends know all this already but people who don't know best keep there noises out as they know nothing. If anyone has any issues please email me at neil@neilhart.info
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: orc on May 13, 2016, 12:15:12 am
As a very close friend of Neil I find all of this disparagement quite astonishing. Neil is one of the most kind-hearted and generous people I know, and he has gone out of his way to help so many people in so many ways.
Neil is currently living in the loft of my tiny house and is eating my food. He's doing anything he can to earn enough money to just make ends meet. He barely even gets to see his son and in all honesty is in a pretty dark place at the moment. I know first hand how sorry he feels about the situation with refunds, but it's out of his hands. He had no intention of ripping anyone off and I know he will do everything he can to make things right in time, but for now his priorities lie elsewhere.
I personally think that he should be left alone on social media, as the proliferation of slanderous comments is last thing he needs. There's nothing like kicking a man when he's down.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: dave on May 13, 2016, 08:08:11 am
Welcome back Neil, glad you remembered you username.*

I think all this shows that a bit of communication goes a long way.


*Footnote to thinskinned karma blowhards - this isn't sarcasm. This is a reference to an Adam Lincoln post earlier in the thread. Do me a favour and read the fucking thread before sounding off. Given the main problem here has been lack of communication.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: markwellin on May 13, 2016, 08:22:44 am
Neil,
As the accounts were closed by your wife, can we assume she was an official part of the business entity? Also, as she controlled the accounts can we assume she has the money owed? Therefor she is the one committing fraud by withholding funds without providing the service. Is there a contact for her?
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Nibile on May 13, 2016, 08:56:34 am
Neil has posted here and given his email, to which anyone can write to have their doubts cleared. Please use the email. I think this issue has been made public enough.
The aim of this thread was to let customers know that Maisonbleau is closed and also to give a call to Neil. Now he's answered, there's no need to take private legal issues on here.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tomtom on May 13, 2016, 09:02:13 am
Neil has posted here and given his email, to which anyone can write to have their doubts cleared. Please use the email. I think this issue has been made public enough.
The aim of this thread was to let customers know that Maisonbleau is closed and also to give a call to Neil. Now he's answered, there's no need to take private legal issues on here.

Absolutely...
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Oldmanmatt on May 13, 2016, 09:06:14 am
Lock?

Airing personal hardships and heartache should be an individual choice.
A contact has been provided, an explanation advanced; there would seem more appropriate routes to resolution now.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: Joepicalli on May 13, 2016, 09:06:37 am
Welcome back Neil, glad you remembered you username.*

I think all this shows that a bit of communication goes a long way.


*Footnote to thinskinned karma blowhards - this isn't sarcasm. This is a reference to an Adam Lincoln post earlier in the thread. Do me a favour and read the fucking thread before sounding off. Given the main problem here has been lack of communication.

I have followed the thread, closely and found the whole thing intrusive, judgemental and priggish. The main problem has not been a lack of communication it's been a man's life falling apart. The "Glad you found your username" quip was just that a laugh at the expense of someone clearly in distress.
I'll post this here and PM Shark and Bubba: I Don't think the attitude you have shown here is commensurate with your position  as a moderator.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: tomtom on May 13, 2016, 09:14:51 am
Can someone lock this please - before it starts getting judgemental on the judgementalism.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: dave on May 13, 2016, 09:29:20 am
The main problem has not been a lack of communication it's been a man's life falling apart.

Bollocks, this thread came about from people posting up about having bookings cancelled then not being able to get hold of Neil. That's lack of communication. As people have been keen to stress, this isn't about a discussion about "a man's life falling apart" - nobody has sought details of his personal life. You referring to it as "a man's life falling apart" is probably as insensitive as anything else on here. I Don't think the attitude you have shown here is commensurate with your position a member of this community.
Title: Re: Maisonbleau Now Closed
Post by: old cheese on May 13, 2016, 09:38:28 am
I fully agree that this should be log piled, especially as Neil has supplied an alternative place to communicate with him. I wish him the best.

This has sadly overshadowed my post (2 down) asking for Zillertal advice.
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