"It just winds me up. "
After saving for more than a year for the trip, Barbary and friend Paul Batty arrived in Auckland in mid-June. They hired a campervan to tour the North Island.
On July 2 they dropped their Tui campervan to Wellington Airport in what they thought was tip-top shape.
Barbary, 44, was proud of the condition of the van. He had even taken the time to sweep it out and tidy the interior.
But once back home in Lancaster he received an email from Tui that said the van was damaged and they were going to take the bond and administration fee.
An email from fleet manager John Daniel stated that the vehicle had hit a stationary object that crushed the air conditioning unit, solar panel and fibreglass, and damaged paint. He estimated that the total repair cost would be more than $4000.
The rental insurance, which cost Barbary $20 a day, would not cover the vehicle as it didn't include overhead or underbody damage.
Barbary said about $4200 was deducted from his account. Daniel said that they had authorisation to take the money.
Two days after the original accusation Daniel emailed Barbary to say after an investigation he had found the driver who took the vehicle back to Auckland was responsible for the damage.
Daniel said he would process the refund in two amounts as the total sum exceeded their refund limit. If Barbary was out of pocket due to the exchange rate or fees lost he could invoice them and Tui Campers would cover the cost.
Daniel said they were just following procedure, as all businesses do to protect themselves.
He called the charge to Barbary "embarrassing" but he had dealt with five other Lions Tour vehicles that had been damaged, including one man who "gave the fingers" and refused to pay.
Daniel began to think something was wrong when Barbary sent a photo of the undamaged vehicle he had taken before dropping it off.
Tui Campers use a third-party company to transport vehicles from Wellington to Auckland.
After the driver of the vehicle was questioned he confessed that he had hit the top of the van on a height restriction sign entering a car park in Wellington.
Daniel apologised to Barbary and said he would pay back what had been deducted in two amounts. If there was any loss because of the exchange rate they would cover it.
Barbary demanded immediate payment in full, plus a refund of their trip and compensation for the "extreme stress" or he would seek legal action and media attention.
To which Daniel said he would not bow to "bribery or threats".
"He obviously took umbrage of the whole situation and believe we purposely set out to irresponsibly charge people for damages and that we rip people off, which we deny.
"He doesn't accept the way things have happened, which I'm sorry for, but I'm happy we got to the truth and were able to refund him his money.
"It's unfortunate that both companies got caught out by an employee who lied to cover their own butt."
It is not yet known whether the driver who damaged the van has been stood down.
Barbary said he had received one payment. Unfortunately the experience has cost him the warm glow he felt from his trip.
"I love New Zealand. I've said nothing but good things about New Zealand, the people, the places, it was absolutely fantastic.
"But this was a bad company, and that's what I'll remember the trip as."
