I, like many people, received an offer in the mail from Ramada Plaza Resorts for a 7-day vacation package in South Florida including a cruise to The Bahamas and stays in Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. The purpose of this report is to tell people about my experience of canceling the package after already paying the $738 initial deposits on my first phone call.
Like many people, I called Ramada to learn about the vacation and was pressed to make a buying decision on my first call because they said I can't call back a second time. I ended up paying $738 for the 1st person (including $40 for the Gold Key for the meal). Another $700 is to be paid for the 2nd person before taking the trip.
After receiving the glossy package in the mail with a DVD touting the great deal that they're giving away, I got on Google and did some research. Thankfully, I found reviews for this vacation packages (among them, this site). With the understanding that reviews are mostly from people who've had either strong good or bad experience about something they've bought. After reading about so many bad review both about this vacation package, Ramada, and the way they do business, my level of skepticism shot off the roof. I read more and more.
I would like to summarize what I've learned from other people that contributes to my decision to cancel this vacation package. To start off with the stay at Ramada Plaza "Resort." Many people said that this "Resort" is an old $60/night motel in Ft. Lauderdale with smelly room and bad location. Nobody has said anything good about this particular motel. Then, somebody complained about the hefty car insurance they have to pay for the Alamo rental car ($300 for 7 days). The impression about the cruise was: decades-old ship, tiny room interior room (included in the package) with a bathroom that you have to take a shower over the toilet. People have a good impression about the food and the waiters/waitresses but not much else to do if you're a non-drinker and a non-gambler. Though, I have not heard much about the hotel in Orlando.
By far, the most annoying part about this vacation, as I later found out, was about the mandatory time-share tour. When I first purchased the package, the salespeople did not put any emphasis on this part of the trip. They said the length of the tour was based on my interest, giving me the impression that I can opt out of it. I later found out from other people's experience that it's mandatory that you be taken on a tour of South Florida time-share property my a local real estate agent. People have said that this could take up to 4 hours, & for some people from 9:30am-4pm. I was told you have to go on this tour in order to receive your voucher for various things included in the package. I really hate this part because it supposingly takes away the freedome of your vacation.
After reading so many reviews about this vacation and the tatics Ramada uses to sell themselves, I "CHICKENED OUT" and decided to cancel the vacation. I called Ramada to express my concerns. First of all, I said that I bought the package on the impression that I get $1600 discount from the $3000 price mark, and paid $1400. I ask them to justify how they could price this vacation package at $3000 in the first place. With the abundance of online travel sites, it's very easy to put together a similar vacation itinerary for between $1500 and $2000. Ramada could not justify the $3000 price mark and simply said that's how they price things. You might have seen this practice somewhere else. It's like doubling the stated original price, mark it down 50% and call it a great deal. I had the impression of getting a great deal, given the level of experience I have about buying vacation packages.
Then, I asked to have my mandatory time-share tour taken off but in no condition that they would let you opt out of the mandatory tour. After saying that I would cancel the vacation if I can't opt out of the time-share tour, they threw in a few extras. They said I'll get an additional night stay in the "crappy" Ramada motel, a free upgrade to an outside stateroom on the cruise, and a free round-trip companion airfare for the second person taking the trip. Regardless of all the extras they would throw in, they would not let me opt out of the mandatory time-share tour. That can start to tell you how much money they make selling your time to the local real estate agent.
Ramada tells everyone that this vacation package is sold on a non-cancellable basis. Guess what, they bluff. If you turn to the last page of your Reservation booklet included in the glossy package you get in the mail, there're a cancellation form for you to cancel within 7 days of receiving the package. So my tip to you, never disclose to the customer service rep on the phone when you received the package because they'll ask you that. Also, do no enter for the sweepstake for free airfare because by sending that in, you've acknowledge when you have received the package.
Another important fact in dealing with these dishonest people (dishonest because it is cancellable unlike what they said), mention that consumers are entitled to an option cancel any travel arrangement within 30 days of contracting in the State of Florida, according to the Florida Sellers of Travel Act. Refer to page 7 of this document
After alerting the Ramada agent that I am an inform consumer and my knowledge of Florida laws, their attitude started to change.
I FINALLY GOT A REFUND OF $738 (the amount I've paid) just from the phone conversation without having to send in the cancellation form. The rep said the refund would take up to 10-business days to show up on my credit card. Remember to get the rep's name (mine was Charlotta) and the confirmation number for the credit starting with CM for Credit Memo (mine was CM*).
I'm impress that this company is still in business considering the tactics they use. I wonder how they retain their customers. The extras they threw in for me was attractive but I said to myself: why would I do business with a company that's so dishonest upfront and with a such a bad reputation. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I end up being actually ripped off by this company knowing what I've already known about them.
Good luck to all of you who has the same problem and is trying to cancel your vacation package!
N
S, Washington
U.S.A.
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