On 16th June of this year I received a recorded message telling me of an amazing deal on a holiday package to Florida so as the call was free of charge I pressed 0 to be directed to an operator. I have done something similiar in 1998 where I did actually go to florida for a holiday so I didnt think this would be any different. Anyway the operator was extremely convincing, very charming and gave me absolute assurance that I have 30 days to cancel for any reason I did not want to take this offer.
I was a little skeptical as she said I have to secure it there and then. I refused however she then said, if I gave her my credit card details, no money would be taken out, it was only to secure booking and after 30 days if I did not cancel then the full amount would be deducted from my visa. I repeatedly asked if this was definitely the case and she assured me that it was.
Anyhow, I decided to go with this as it does seem like a very good deal. However a week later I received my visa staement and it showed that sunshine travel escapes had taken 593.11 already.
Feeling extremely duped I called back sunshine travel escapes immediately and told them of my annoyance and demanded a cancellation. Spoke to a girl called Jennifer. She tried everything to convince me to keep the holiday package, even offering me an extra-completely free hoiday to mexico!
She also appologized for her colleague and said she doesn't know why she misinformed me.
In the end she put the cancellation through and gave me a reference code: (CXL7868192) and asked me to send the information package back to them as it was transferable. She said it will take about 3 weeks for the refund to go back on my visa.
I had not received the holiday package till the following week and when I did, I posted it back on 2nd July with proof of posting from the post office.
I have still not received my refund and everytime I try calling the company (before I even finish talking) I just get cut off or directed to somebodys' answering machine! The operators are extremely rude, unhelpful and plain arrogant!
There was once I pretended that I wish to take the offer up again that I was able to speak to an advisor called Casandra. I managed to extract from her that on their system it shows that I have already made the cancellation but she had no idea why a refund was not issued. She said she will call me back, however as expected I never did get any calls back.
I feel I have been subjected to fraud and have since found out that there are many similiar scams occuring all around britain.
I have reported this to my Visa company and this issue is still ongoing. They have informed me that because this company operates outside of the UK it is very difficult to investigate my claim.
I hope some authority will investigate this company as it is operating fraudulently.
It would be most appreciated if someone can advise me if there is an equivalent to our Trading Standards in Uk that are in Florida? Or any advise that maybe useful.
Linh
Chester
United Kingdom
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