I had business with Pioneer Communication (AKA Directline Philippines) since 2002 because of their reliable phonecard service. I never had problem with them until Sept 27th 08 when a rep from this company called me saying that I have already put in almost $6,000 to the company since 2002 so i was rewarded a Holiday Adventure package as a token of gratitude for helping their comp grow and for having them won as the best phonecard comp this year. It won't be impossible for me to have spent that amount since 2002 because i use their phonecard for long distant call all the time. He went over the pacakge with me. I only need to pay $499, no need to purchase anything coz everything is paid for by the company for me, it is transferrable, no block out dates and is valid for 5 years.
Throughout our conversation which lasted almost 2 hours I kept asking the rep the "catch" of such a nice offer for a cheap amount. It includes 6 free airfare for 2, hotel accomdations and 6 cruises. Again the rep said it is already paid for by DLP for me.
I paid the amount that very day, they had this "so-called" 3rd party to confirmed my payment with the credit card over the phone. They sent a confirmation letter a week after, the letterhead of the letter was the Westwood International logo, i then believed they belong to the same group.
When I got the package i was able to prove the complaints I read about them, that I won't be able to use those free tickets, hotel accomodations and cruises unless i purchase something else, another product... On each certificate... It is actually not free. And the travel will be handled by Holiday Travel of America which I was never told about.
Even before the package was sent i already called to cancel it but they sent the package anyway. The disclosure in their confirmation letter says for unshipped package there is a $99 cancellation fee and $150 for shipped. My nightmare then begun when I started calling to cancel and have my money refund back. I was passed on from one supervisor to another who can't even answer my questions.
Numerous times in the middle of our conversation we'd be cut off and when I call back I could no longer speak to the person I was previously talking with, either he is already on a meeting or other alibis. I'd be promised that someone will call me back but nobody did. They didn't want me to cancel the package bec they couldn't dispose it anymore apparently and was even told that whatever written in the disclosure was apparently "for worst scenarios" only. They also offered me something else to compensate or to replace it in a cheaper amount, but I know those have undisclose agreements again.
I sent the package back Oct 18th. Three days after, I was told by one of the supervisors (named Albert) I will receive my refund of $349 on or before Nov 5th. I gave them enough time to send my refund but when I called Nov 8th another manager told me that Albert gave me a wrong info, that they usually make refunds after 8 weeks. That manager wanted to start counting the 8 week period from that day Oct 21st, not from the time the package was received by them. Until now I have yet to get a refund on.
I believe this company to be a fraud and a scam and I believe that something needs to be done to shut them down. I will do anything to get my money refund back and to disseminate info for the people they are going to victimized.
I would want to warn especially Filipinos not to be deceived by them. You'd think they are not capable of doing things like this to their co-filipino but unfortunately we, Filipinos are their target. They will present their product the way that will sound so true.
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