So many posts about these two companies. Just got third phonecall from Imperial Majesty Vacations telling me I have 'won' a 'free' cruise valued at over $3,000. Don't be sucked in. And for reference, included here is a previous case taken against one or both firms. There is a lot of archived material warning consumers of these companies.
The Associated Press State & Local Wire
Feb 8
Granholm announces travel settlement
Three Florida travel companies have agreed to settle lawsuits by paying refunds for trips that never materialized or were far short of luxurious, Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday.
Two of the companies used "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" spokesman Robin Leach to sell "luxury dream vacations, " she said.
"Those 'dream vacations' turned out to be little more than disappointing nightmares, " Granholm said Tuesday. She had sued three companies for using what she called deceptive sales tactics.
The three were:
- National Travel Services, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Plaza Resorts, Inc., doing business as Ramada Plaza Resorts, also of Fort Lauderdale.
- Florida Travel Network, doing business as Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines, of Treasure Island, Fla.
Granholm said 15 other states and the District of Columbia took level action against the companies. The Michigan lawsuit charged the firms used Leach's celebrity endorsement to convince consumers they had won a luxury Florida vacation and cruise to the Bahamas.
She said the companies did not disclose that consumers would be required to attend lengthy timeshare sales presentations and pay costs in order to take the vacations.
She said the settlement will prohibit the companies from luring consumers to purchase travel packages through the use of misrepresentation. She said it will lead to compensation consumers in each state.
She also said Leach is a defendant in one of the lawsuits that was not settled yet.
People who purchased a trip package but did not take the trip have 60 days to request a full refund, she said. And those who did take the trip but felt it was not as represented can receive up to $200 if they file a written complaint by March 8.
Granholm said the companies have admitted no wrongdoing, but have agreed to pay Michigan $40,000 and refrain from such practices. &
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