In March I went online to search for the lowest round trip airfare from San Francisco SFO to Lagos, Nigeria. Best Discount Network contacted me via email that they had found a reasonably priced fare for me on British Airways. Their representative, a woman who goes by the name Rachel informed me that British Airways would add an additional charge of $200 if I paid for the tickets by credit card. To avoid paying the additional charge, she instructed me to pay the amount of $1331.00 into their Bank of America Account 03060 02722.
On March 17, I deposited the sum of $1331 into their account at Bank of America. I faxed a copy of the deposit slip to Best Discount Network and asked them to mail the tickets to my home. When I did not receive my tickets in the mail, I contacted them and I was then told that British Airways only issues E-tickets and that I could go on British Airways website and select my seats. All my worries were put to rest when I logged on to British Airways website and found my name and flight information. I then proceeded to make my seat selection.
On October 6 (my departure date), I got to the airport and discovered that Best Discount Network had only made my reservation but did not pay British Airways to issue an electronic ticket for me. We tried calling Best Discount Network, but only their answering service/voicemail was available.
British Airways insisted that I buy another ticket from them before they would let me board their plane. I had no other option than to pay for another ticket directly from British Airways.
Upon my return from my trip, I contacted Best Discount Network and asked for a refund of my money ($1331). First they promised me that a check would be mailed to my home, which never arrived. Afterwards, I was not able to reach anyone. Only the answering service/voicemail was available.
I contacted the Better Business Bureau, the State of Nevada and State of California Attorney Generals' offices. No body has been able to help me get my money back. I was told to file a claim with the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. My claim was denied because Best Discount Network had not contributed to the fund.
I would greatly appreciate if you could help me get my money back. Bank of America should be able to provide information on the whereabouts of the people who ripped me off.
As a result of this experience, I no longer do business with online merchants.
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