The phone rang and when I answered, I was informed by an automated messege that I had won a trip to mexico and just needed to stay on the line for more details. It just so happens that I had entered a draw two weeks earlier at my college career day for the very same thing and thought I had actually won the draw. So I stayed on the line (1st mistake).
I was informed that for the low price of $586 $99 I could have two ALL INCLUSIVE packages to the hotel of my choice (4 hotels to choose from: Laguna Suites, Ocean Hotel, Sunset Royal, and Sunset Lagoon) and a gift certificate for another vacation to give to a friend to join me in Cancun. One was to be 6days/5nights in Cancun and the other 5days/4nights in Costa Rica. I asked them why I had to pay anything if I had 'won' the vacation. I was told I had won the OPPORTUNITY for this great one time promotion, and that they wanted me to have a great experience so I would come back and tell people... This would give them a good rep.
I was very skeptical and asked alot of questions including asking them if they could prove this was legit. He then asked me to go online to their website www.m4sunset.com with him on the phone and assured me that I would be given my confirmation number and customer service # as well as the reservation #. Also an email would be sent to me with my receipt, etc, and the vacation package info would be sent by regular mail. I was to sign online by entering my phone # and email to see my trip itinerary. If there were any concerns I was to call the customer service line. They made it clear that all 3 vacations were ALL INCLUSIVE for two adults older than 23 and two children under 18.
After they answered all my questions, I said well I need to talk to my boyfriend first (he wasn't home). They responded with..."We have to close the deal now, and if you want to cancel within 30 days that will be fine." So I figured (2nd mistake) well I could always cancel if he (my boyfriend) didn't want to go. I was then informed that the same information we had just discussed would now be repeated and recorded for the purpose of a verbal contract to ensure I would get everything promised to me. Then someone with a strong spanish sounding accent came on and rattled the info off so fast I could barely understand. I assumed (3rd mistake) that all the same info had been repeated as promised and agreed.
After getting off the phone I entered my phone number and email online (www.m4sunset.com) as directed... Only to find out what I entered was 'invalid'. So thinking this might just be a cummunication error or something I called the number that showed up with the error messege (01 800 800 3410)... Which turned out to be "the american royal center crew calling dispatch board" automated messege. Then I called the customer service number given and left a messege asking why I hadn't recieved and email and couldn't log on. No one replied.
A day or so later my phone rang. It was a lady who sounded english rather than hispanic and she informed me that she just wanted to get my address right to send my package to me. I asked her about the email and the login online, and she said she would send the email right then. She referred me to customer service for any other problems. I checked my email all night that night, seeing nothing and was not able to get ahold of anyone by phone either.
I called my credit card company to talk to them and expressed my concerns and cancelled my card, yet was informed the payment already went through so I couldn't do anything if it was a scam. This is where I found out that the price quoted to me was in USD not CAD and since our canadian dollar is lower, I found out that I had actually paid approx 1000 dollars for something I was told would be 586 99. They did not mention USD at all during the phone call!!!
So I waited and hoped that this was real. Then yesterday I recieved the "package" in the mail. It had basic info about the 4 hotels, an add for travel insurance, and a letter which gave a different web site (www.mycancungetaways.com) to enter your phone and email to get your itinerary. I tried this and it just redirects you to the original website which didn't work anyways. Also, this letter said to call 1-866-760-1843 in the next 7 days to upgrade to "ALL INCLUSIVE". I was told it WAS all inclusive so I tried to call to find out what is going on. The office was closed. I will try again on monday although by the looks of things I've made one of the biggest mistakes in my life.
I decided to see what I could find online... And found this site. I really wanted and needed this vacation to be for real, but the more I read I realize that I have been fooled. I am mad at myself and ashamed. I have previously taken great pride in detecting scams ahead of time. Now I am even more broke than most students and won't be able to go on my much wanted and needed vacation after I graduate. Also, I don't understand how someone can get away with a racket like this for so long (just the posts on here date back a year ago). I am very disappointed and have lost a sizable chunk of my faith in the goodness of humankind.
Heidi
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
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