I am so furious with these "rip-off artists" I want to gather them all up and send them to Iraq!
My story goes like this... I wanted to take my girlfriend to Florida for our anniversary and then use the "FREE" plane tickets to fly to Las Vegas. Little did we know that both our schedules would conflict for our "reserved" 4-day vacation down in Orlando... What to do?
We decided to cancel our roadtrip to Orlando and forgo the $296 ($198 tax and deposit) that I had already paid to Magical "Rip-off" Vacations. No big deal... We had originally committed to go... We didn't go... Keep the money and see you later. Chalk it up as a learning experience.
Well, a couple weeks later I get a collections notice that they want an ADDITIONAL $225 for the "rack-rate" (what the heck is that) on the rooms we didn't sleep in! What the hell is going on here I thought.in the letter it stated:
"The agreement you signed allows us to charge your credit card for failing to show up or take your tour as agreed".
And then at the bottom of the letter is says:
"Filing a dispute with your credit card provider will result in additional fees up to $175".
Is this some kind of a SCARE technique... Who knows? But to me, highly unethical and highly unprofessional.
These people are out of their minds I thought!!! I wasn't going to pay... And as time went by no charge was taken. However, a month later I recieved a letter from "A1 TR Collections" (a P.O. Box in Casselberry, FL). This time they want me to provide a cashier's check or money order for the $225 and make payble to "Funtime Getaway". WHO IS FUNTIME GETAWAY???
I wrote a letter back to JOYCE BARNES, COLLECTIONS COORDINATOR at A1 TR Collections and stated that:
"This is notice that I dispute the validity of this debt or any portion thereof and further I request from your office the name and address of the original creditor".
I also had a P.S. And included a clipping from the Wall Street Journal. The P.S. Stated:
"Enclosed is an article from the Wall Street Journal dated Thursday, November 11. It's title reads, (How Two Women Helped Unravel A Lending Empire) by Carrick Mollenkamp. I found this article particularly interesting. It is my belief that hard-work, persevereance, and the "right" LEGAL counsel can make all the difference in this world."
A great article to read about a small-time lawyer who confronts MISREPRESENTATION and FRAUD!
That's the story... My advice, stay away (far away) from Magical "Rip-Off" Vacations.
Sincerely...
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