Like so many others out there, we are being denied a refund of our initial deposit of $598.00 for the Orlando/Ft. Lauderdale/Cruise package. I've spoken with 5 different customer service reps and at least 3 "supervisers." They all recite the same verbage when it comes to explaining why they won't refund your deposit if you want to, or have to, cancel the trip. We can't take the trip because my husband and I were burned in a natural gas explosion. My husband is 50%, 2nd degree burned and I am 75%, 3rd degree burned. Our burned skin and skin grafts cannot tolerate the harsh Florida sun. Because of this we decided to cancel the trip and get our initial deposit back. We explained our situation countless times to Ramada Plaza Resorts customer service reps and supervisers. Each time being told the same thing about why they won't refund deposits. We even faxed them extensive documentation of our accident, hoping it would help us get our deposit back if we proved to them why we physically cannot take the trip. They still denied us our refund. I can't believe the lack of cooperation on the part of these people.
I contacted the Missouri Attorney General's office and they suggested I first file a consumer complaint using a form they provide on their website. After completing the form and mailing it in with proof of payment, they will investigate the claim. They also mail a copy of the complaint form to Ramada Plaza Resorts. Not that it will make a difference to anyone there. From what I've read on this site, many people have taken it much further than I have and still don't have a refund. So much for strength in numbers.
I can't believe the horror stories I have read on the Better Business Bureau website about the horrible experiences of the peole who actually taken Ramada Plaza Resort vacations. It's not just people who want, or have to, cancel their trip who want their money back. People who have already taken the trips want their money back too. What does that tell you???
What surprises me most about the whole thing, other than their complete lack of concern for the consumer, is if someone were to try and sell a timeshare condo as part of the vacation package, wouldn't that someone want to provide quality accomodations for the people they are trying to get to buy the timeshares? Not only do I not remember the rep telling me about having to listen to a timeshare speech, I don't remember being told the deposit was non-refundable.
I called Ramada Plaza Resort Vacations and asked if I could listen to the tape of my conversation with the rep who sold me the vacation package. I was told 2 different things by 2 different customer service reps. One said I couldn't because she didn't know how to locate it. The next one said I couldn't because they don't keep the tapes longer than a year. Our trip was booked 17 months ago.
I'm going to keep trying to get our refund back. Now it's not just the money, it's the principle.
Good luck to everyone else who is in this same "boat".
Mary
St Louis, Missouri
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