Never got the mail...

<p>On Dec 3 I made enquiries re 3 nights accommodation on Safarinow for Dec 6 - 9. On Dec 4 I used the Safarinow platform to send a message to the one place that was available (# ********** 2), saying we had one vehicle with low and another vehicle with superlow clearance, and asking if this would be OK. </p> <p> </p> <p>I heard nothing back, and thought the owner (who had been quite responsive) did not even think this was an issue. Worried about losing a booking over the season, I paid the deposit.</p> <p> </p> <p>On Dec 6 (the day we were hoping to go!) at 9:45 the owner called me. He had sent a message to say that the road is bad and that he would not risk driving there. He had seen the deposit, and presumed that we had arranged a different car, but wanted to check, because I had not responded to his mail. I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY SUCH A LETTER. At his advice, we decided not to go to his farm. I emailed him directly at 11:47 to say so and he confirmed receipt of the mail at 12:23 pm.</p> <p> </p> <p>At 4:15 that afternoon (the day we would have checked in) the Safarinow message came through in which he advised us not to come. As per the Safarinow policy, we forfeit the entire deposit - R 900. The owner had confirmed that he does not want any money for something that we did not use. </p> <p> </p> <p>I know that systems sometimes play up, but it feels punitive for Safarinow to keep R 900 when the money was paid due to their system being two days late in delivering a message.</p>