A deposit is normal, and yes, if we had the money (pre-approved or real) we'd be €350 better off. What made it feel like thievery was we knew nothing about it

A deposit is normal, and yes, if we had the money (pre-approved or real) we'd be €350 better off. What made it feel like thievery was we knew nothing about it until we were in France with two kids who had just had enough of travel, and we were already an eye-watering sum on that we wouldn't get back if we tried to shop elsewhere. Again, the direct customers didn't have this. They had been asked these questions, made these choices as part of the initial order, where they had time to prepare financially, or shop around. It's in this way very similar to how some airlines feel they can double your flight cost as you are literally stepping onto the plane. You have no choice.