This is a synopsis of what has occurred and how we are attempting to work through florida consumer affairs. Your help would also be most appreciated.
March 4
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs
Division of Consumer Services
Rhodes Building
2005 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500
To whom it may concern:
I am forwarding documentation regarding complaints filed against Minivacations, Inc., 410 Ware Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619. The documentation enclosed is from two people that filed complaints: %Glen Dale, WV 26038. We felt that a cover letter attached to our documentation may assist in understanding that attached documentation. Please excuse the notes that we made while planning our trip. Judy and I were traveling together with our husbands. At different times, we contacted Minivacations individually, and at other times, we were on the phone together as a conference call.
On December 15, I received a fax at work. It was an promotion for an all inclusive vacation to Cancun. I suggested to my friend that this would be a great Christmas gift for our husbands and that we could use this as our 25th anniversary trip. We contacted the phone number on the fax (800-736-3460) and spoke to an agent by the name of Frank DeAnda. He explained that the promotional vacation was being offered through a cooperative arrangement between Travel Union of North America 4020 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 122 PMB 295, Irving Texas 75038 and Minivacations. The promotional price was $199 per person, but with taxes, the amount needed was $407.99. Judy and I both approved electronic check transactions in that amount. He explained that we would receive 2 different certificates, one for airfare and one for lodging. Copies of correspondence and certificates are enclosed. Our packets arrived 12/24/04 by Fed EX and were shipped from PRAHA ONE 391 Las Colinas Blvd E, Irving, TX.
We had the option to choose among several resorts and had to list 2 choices. Our first choice was the Allegro Resort Cozumel in Cozumel, Mexico. Our second choice was the Caribbean Village in Cancun, Mexico. Over the course of the next few months, we followed the steps outlined in our information. We purchased additional days at the resort as well: Please see the credit card transaction information. Judy Rulong used her credit card for minivacations: Minivacations was sent an additional $279.00 (for 2 extra nights stay) for each couple on 6/16/05.
They were also sent $189 per couple for hotel taxes on 7/6/05. Our trip was scheduled for Sept 24-29 and confirmation was received. Due to Hurricane Emily, our September trip had to be rescheduled to November 5-10. As the time for our trip approached, we did not receive our airfare certificates. No one had contacted us and it was almost a month before we should be leaving. We had difficulty contacting Travel Union. I emailed Minivacations who contacted Travel Union promptly by email. Frank DeAnda contacted me and told me that Travel Union was experiencing financial difficulties due to Hurricane Emily and that they couldn't provide the airfare as promised. He told us that we should purchase our own airfare on continue with our vacation.instead, Travel Union would replace the airfare with a 7 day cruise provided through Minivacations. See letter from Travel Union and information about the replacement cruise. Prior to agreeing to this substitution, we contacted Minivacations. Although we were skeptical, we were promised by various agents that our trip was safe. I also contacted the Better Business Bureau and was told that they had had a few complaints about Minivacations, but nothing more than dissatisfaction with the accommodations. We knew that they were bonded and insured. I also asked for a FEDERAL TAX-ID number which they provided without hesitation. We were told that we couldn't reschedule our trip at the present time, but we should call Minivacations after January 31. After researching these claims with Occidental Hotels, the owner of the resort, I found out that the Allegro Resort Cozumel was indeed closed for repairs expected to reopen on or around January 31. The reopening was delayed until Feb 15. As we began to call several phone numbers that we had called during our ordeal, we couldn't reach anyone. That is when we found a website stating that Minivacations had closed their doors early in February. We then called the Tampa Chamber of Commerce who instructed us to contact your organization.
We felt safe in continuing to proceed with our trip when we saw that Minivacations was registered, licensed and bonded with the State of Florida as a seller of travel. Does this help in recovering our losses? Our 25th anniversary trip has turned out to be a huge disappointment and more of a nightmare than a celebration. Any help you can provide would be very much appreciated.
Vicki
GLEN DALE, West Virginia
U.S.A.
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